Battle of the Entry Level UVs: Sumo Gold vs Bolero

[RaviS]

@Ravi S , please cast your vote on the thread.ASAP.

Also , please talk about ASS experience till date.

As I have said earlier the car is company owned. I and my father work in the same company but at separate offices. The car comes in the morning to pick us up and drop to office and then it does other errands during the day. So I have no idea about its servicing and ASS experiences since they are handled by company driver.

Only issue I have heard till date is of AC blower replacement. Let me try to extract more information regarding any mechanical problems and service experience.

 

[navnit013]

What ever product TATA gives will have results after 50,000 KMS only previously Indica CR4 I had many clutch related problems with driver often A/C fuses get blown Off

Clutchs in hydraulically operated units dont last much longer. And specially if you are one of those who have the habit of resting your left leg on the clutch pedal. And depends on the usage as well. The cars that are used in crowded cities or packed highways often eat up their clutch early.

And fuses are there to blow up in the first place so that your "expensive" component is protected from freak electrical discharges. Even a thunderstorm can damage your cars electricals (electrical induction).

TATA cars do age quickly, no doubt about that. And lets not forget its a machine. Even the best machine thats ever been here in this world (us humans) fail abruptly.

 

[raj_5004]

Yesterday, I visited our construction site after a long gap. I spoke to a chap there who runs a car rental business for the past 15 years and primarily rents vehicles to the numerous contractors within the sites. He owns a vast range of vehicles like Sumo Gold, Bolero, Camper, Xenon Pick Up, Genio Pick up and even some Indicas. However, the site is dominated by Boleros and Campers.

I expressed my interest in buying a Sumo Gold over the Bolero since it is more spacious and has a better ride quality. However, he advised me against it as he says that the Sumo Golds cannot withstand the heavy duty abuse that the vehicles in the site has to. He also says that the Gold has frequent maintenance issues in those conditions when compared to a Bolero and also, a Bolero is cheaper to maintain.

I also asked him about the Genio pick up. He said it is a spacious vehicle but the Bolero camper is more rugged and can survive abuse more. He was strictly against the Xenon pick up.

Please note the above views are considering the rough treatment of a construction site, not a normal highway duty.

 

[maranprashanth]

@RaviS: Monopoly is the reason no competion in commercial as well as fleet operation so no go we'll have to go with TML. After Etios entry into T-Board CR-4 V2 is struggling

Same way the Sumo CR-4 is still Decade back
>No Central Console Box
>No Climate Control
>No ABS
>No Airbags
>NoPower window operation at driver door
>No quality suspension
>No Good Engine
>The current engine is the engine of the 407 with New valve and tuning.
The previous Sumo Victa GX Turbo was best and the Sumo Gold is worst comparing that.
Still if you take hands from steering and brake except manza all TML vehicle go to the next lane

@raj_5004:Yes his point is correct we suffer with Sumo GOLD. There are no major issues but minor issues itself will make head ache.
Bolero for commercial use is true total maintenance free but you can't have a comfortable seating and position.If for the cause of only transporting people within short distance then its OK.

 

[navnit013]

@maran,
After listing all the NOs you forget to tell us the price at which Sumo gold retails.

Sumo is a basic transportation vehicle that can help you carry your world with you, in relative comfort. If you are on a budget, then therz hardly any alternative.

 

[maranprashanth]

@Navnit: sumo gold gx crosses 7.5 onroad and I siad comparing to previous sumo its worst and only while comparing to bolero its better but sumo gold is a dull automotive

CR4 engine first generation vehicles full had clutch problem that is 13000 kms itself the clutch worned out in many indica and indigo but sumo good is of totally different technology of clutch comparing indica s in all ways but the name cr4 itself is scary and waterpump problem also was common with cr4 engines

Can any one tell problems fases in m2dcr engines?
Any suspension warranty or issues?
Any spring plate/leaf spring related issues?

 

[TwinStar]

Looks like 19th June is when the Sumo Refresh would be announced/available. Indian Autos Blog has received an invite from Tata Motors to its Pune facility for a ‘day long media event’ scheduled for June 19. See - Tata Motors to launch 3 cars on June 19?

 

[maranprashanth]

@twinstar: let they update product how about their regional people?tsm?csm?cro.s? Service station and quality?

 

[TwinStar]

Spoke to the sales rep @ Concorde Motors this morning. Per the sales rep, test vehicles should be available towards end of this month. He was certain that actual deliveries to customers would begin from 1st July. He did confirm the new rear a/c vents and major interior refresh.

 

[Releesh]

Maranprashanth@

I'm looking for a good 8/9 seater MUV in 8 lakh budget, for taxi purpose. I like sumo gold more than Tavera in looks and bolero is not comfortable for long trips. Will you suggest sumo gold for me?I never owned a Tata vehicle. Expecting your sincere replay.

 

[K!NkY]

Both cars were once dream UV's in India. Now that it is time for both companies to refresh it to modern looks. I have driven both these cars. I personaly felt Sumo more easy to drive than Bolero but Bolero was solid than Sumo. The body roll in Sumo is a vain but that is some what better in Bolero.

 

[Vishwas]

Maranprashanth@

I'm looking for a good 8/9 seater MUV in 8 lakh budget, for taxi purpose. I like sumo gold more than Tavera in looks and bolero is not comfortable for long trips. Will you suggest sumo gold for me?I never owned a Tata vehicle. Expecting your sincere replay.

Tavera is much comfortable than Sumo in the seating and legroom space, the engine is refined and all the controls aren't rough (i prefer tavera than sumo as i travel in them daily to my office) because the NVH levels in Sumo isn't that great.

In the 8 lakh budget i feel you should give a look at the enjoy, i think it is perfect for fleet owners giving less maintenance costs and fuel efficient (read national engine)

 

[TwinStar]

Motorbeam has released details of the new facelifted Sumo Gold, which gets 19 new features. The exterior gets 10 new features including new mascot for tailgate, tubeless tyres, new wheel covers, chrome grille, body graphics, Two new colours have been added to the Sumo Gold – Blazing Red and Twilight Gray. On the interior front, the facelifted Sumo Gold gets dual AC, Bluetooth and USB audio system, wood finish console with mobile holder, etc.

Source - 2013 Tata Sumo Gold Facelift Details, Pictures | MotorBeam – Indian Car Bike News & Reviews

Positives

1. Rear AC
2. Improved mileage of 15.3 Km/litre up from 14.7 kms/litre in the outgoing model.
3. Tubeless tyres
4. Bluetooth with USB audio system
5. The interiors look much better (atleast from the images available)

Not so good news

1. No alloys on GX model

Interestingly the ground clearance has reduced from 190 mm to 182 mm. Not sure if this is a typo from Motorbeam. We will have to wait for official specifications from TML. Interestingly, reducing Ground Clearance (GC) to 182 mm will not give any tax benefits to TML- since the GC needs to be 170 mm or less for tax benefits.

I guess there will be more details from TML through the day.

 

[visran]

Very interesting changes, if the price increase is minimal they can expect more private buyer's to consider this model.

 

[Tornado]

Motorbeam
[/LIST]

Interestingly the ground clearance has reduced from 190 mm to 182 mm. Not sure if this is a typo from Motorbeam. We will have to wait for official specifications from TML. Interestingly, reducing Ground Clearance (GC) to 182 mm will not give any tax benefits to TML- since the GC needs to be 170 mm or less for tax benefits.

I guess there will be more details from TML through the day.

If GC reduction news is true then handling would improve a lot .

BTW, I was not aware of tax benefits associated with low GC , can you provide link for the info.?