Buying a Used SUV - Budget 4.5 Lakhs

[Theferrarifan]

hmm man dont consider BHP here,all you need is torque. Sumo Grande should not lose its breath here. Why dont you try a bolero?

 

[Vishwas]

both cars are from individuals.i recently checked both with the help of a friend who used to be a mechanic in tvs trivandrum and he said the scorpio's ride quality is no where near a new model scorpio and the steering is also behaving erratically at speeds above 80 km/hr.
he says the shock absorbers,steering suspension has to be fixed.head lamp units also gave out a poor beam.i am willing to pay 5.6l but concerned about the above mentioned problems.

Try bringing down the price by highlighting the flaw points, negotiations does wonders. Else keep trying for a good Scorpio.
Fixing the shocks and suspensions may cost a bit more, so please do take care about it. If you are really fixed about it, have it tested in the authorised service center (tell the owner that you are going to spend for diesel for this check too) if he refuses, bade him good-bye and look-out for a better one, don't worry you gave many other options as well.

safari on the other hand has problems with alignment and a faulty handbrake cable. vehicle's aircon is emitting water drops which we found quite unusual because the cooling was pretty good

.

Water droppings are usual in all cars so that's nothing to worry about. Alignment can be set right no worries, how much does a handbrake cable cost?

my friend says that though the safari's condition is slightly on the better side still the scorpio is a better buy.

He's right here, but how's the Safari being maintained according to you? And what about the Scorpio?

i have kept out options like tavera and sumo because i have to use these vehicles on steep climbs to my farm with a good amount of load in the back. both seems to run out of steam on these steep climbs.

Why don't you try a used well-maintained gypsy or Thar or MM550? You might get a good restored vehicle(by enthusiasts) well within 4 lakhs. (just a suggestion, if you don't find it practical then ignore it immediately.Sorry for adding a lot of confusion to you though)

is the safari dicor such an unreliable car in the used car segment just like my friend advices?should i spent atleast 1 lakh extra just to avoid a tata product
expecting some kind suggestions.

Only the Safari owners can tell you about this, there would be no problem with engine, but the niggles are not hidden in the product.

 

[roman]

i think the owner of the scorpio is adamant about the price. the service records show a clutch plate and pressure plate replacement at about 28000 km.i think that's pretty unusual even in my old safari changed it at around 80k.what could be the reason for such a quick replacement?service was done at tvs trivandrum.

the safari is well maintained except for the above mentioned problems.service was done at concorde cochin

my old safari did well upto 1.5 lakhs and she was a treat on the long highway runs but after that the electricals gave recurring problems and when my manager who always envied the safari quoted 3.5 lakhs i sold it knowing that i won't get a higher price than this.even now that vehicle has the same occasional problems but mechanically she is still strong after clocking 2.5 lakhs without engine overhaul i know the safari is a mixed bag.

i think i will wait for checking out the boleros before closing the deal on this safari.
expect some comments about the clutch replacement in the scorpio.i expect help from enthusiasts in this forum as i am buying a used car for the first time in my life

 

[vijay]

Safari 2.2L was all together a different mill then your old 3.0L one, and the price he is asking isnt that bad, you can negotiate with it further then its a pretty good deal for a well maintained this less on the odo..Allignment could be rectified or even you can as the owner to get it rectified before buying it, a friend brought a used safari very similar on the odo with the same issue of allignment, and previous owner did the job done and delivered,Mhawk would be anyday costly compared to safari in used market, and you have already owned a safari before.Also look out for a M Bolero as well, its a mile cruncher too.

 

[Vishwas]

i think the owner of the scorpio is adamant about the price.

That's the problem with every owners of well-known cars, but do tell him about your need of taking it to service station just to get things clear, There's nothing wrong in asking because (probably)you will be the owner of it and you are in-charge with it.

the service records show a clutch plate and pressure plate replacement at about 28000 km.i think that's pretty unusual even in my old safari changed it at around 80k.what could be the reason for such a quick replacement?service was done at tvs trivandrum.

The reason is the incorrect usage of clutch at different gears and driving habits of the driver like resting the left foot on the clutch which will decrease the life of the clutch plates thus decreasing the fuel economy. My father drives a bit tensed mind because of the age, so i am sure my alto which has now run 26k needs a clutch replacement at 30k where the signs of it has already showed up.

the safari is well maintained except for the above mentioned problems.service was done at concorde cochin

my old safari did well upto 1.5 lakhs and she was a treat on the long highway runs but after that the electricals gave recurring problems and when my manager who always envied the safari quoted 3.5 lakhs i sold it knowing that i won't get a higher price than this.even now that vehicle has the same occasional problems but mechanically she is still strong after clocking 2.5 lakhs without engine overhaul i know the safari is a mixed bag.

Oops, sorry i did not notice you were a Safari owner, excuse me.

If you are fed up with the things you mentioned, then i wouldn't recommend it personally, what's the difference?

i think i will wait for checking out the boleros before closing the deal on this safari.

Good idea, do check out the Storm version which is a CRDe one with 97BHP engine and a good amount of torque which would suit your needs(It was a limited edition when previous version Di Boleros were there).

expect some comments about the clutch replacement in the scorpio.i expect help from enthusiasts in this forum as i am buying a used car for the first time in my life

If possible compare the service and spares costs of Scorpio with the Safari. Did he mention anything about replacing the clutch again now? Did you find the clutch as per your convince by pressing it?

 

[roman]

did a check of the suspension of the scorpio this morning.the mechanic said it is fully battered and needs replacement at the earliest.tried bargaining with the owner he has lowered the price by 20000 but the mechanic says a suspension overhaul would set me back by 55k approx at tvs trivandrum.

are mahindra's spares really this expensive?i never had such mechanical issues with the old safari ,only recurring annoyances.this puts a serious doubt in my mind to check for other mahindra products like bolero if the spares are priced like this.

i would have gone for the safari if it wasn't for my mechanic friend who says that M&M products are of much better built quality than tata.

when i see is a scorpio which is very less on odo serviced at tvs regularly suffer from such problems i think scorpio is a very inferior product(no insult to scorpio owners who love their machines) compared to safari which i used previously.wouldn't it be wise to dump this scorpio affair and settle for a well maintained tata safari.expecting kind replies on comparison between M&M and tata reliability.

 

[Vishwas]

did a check of the suspension of the scorpio this morning.the mechanic said it is fully battered and needs replacement at the earliest.tried bargaining with the owner he has lowered the price by 20000 but the mechanic says a suspension overhaul would set me back by 55k approx at tvs trivandrum.

I doubt this car was used too roughly or had an accident. Because in your previous post you mentioned about the steering no being in track, i doubt this

are mahindra's spares really this expensive?i never had such mechanical issues with the old safari ,only recurring annoyances.this puts a serious doubt in my mind to check for other mahindra products like bolero if the spares are priced like this.

If the car is maintained and serviced in regular intervals like changing the oil filters, wheel alignments for every 5 or 8k kms(for power steering equipped ones)

i would have gone for the safari if it wasn't for my mechanic friend who says that M&M products are of much better built quality than tata.

Did your mechanic still advise you to go for that Scorpio?

when i see is a scorpio which is very less on odo serviced at tvs regularly suffer from such problems i think scorpio is a very inferior product(no insult to scorpio owners who love their machines) compared to safari which i used previously.wouldn't it be wise to dump this scorpio affair and settle for a well maintained tata safari.expecting kind replies on comparison between M&M and tata reliability.

Better to buy that Safari, and please avoid that scorpio and look out for other good ones in the markets, do you have any photos of them?

I did not believe that in first place an owner selling the car for just 5.8 lakhs, because the old model prior to the mhawk too sells for 6+ lakhs, then how can an Mhawk sell for much less?

 

[roman]

i think i will buy the safari in a week's time if i can't find a well maintained scorpio or bolero

are mahindra spares very expensive compared to tata?

my mechanic now advices me to avoid the above mentioned scorpio which i will heed for sure.but he warns that though the safari is in good shape it is best avoided.
he says that the poor resale value of safari proves it.he blindly says that any car with tata written on it is a strict no-no in the used car segment.

going by the condition of the cars i have seen this safari is in the best of shapes.

does this mechanic's claim have any substance?

are there any other models i can try out before fixing the safari?
has ruled out tavera and sumo victa

 

[singh890]

Yes i think the same that you should go with the Safari as it is almost close to your initial budget and according to you it is in good condition as well.

Alignment issue can be fixed easily, get a quote for the handbrake cable and before putting your money on the vehicle get it checked thoroughly.

 

[roman]

finally it's official the safari comes home.did a long journey from kollam to mangalore everything went well.the safari 2.2 seems to be better than my old 3l thanks to the even power delivery and reduced lag.the car is now suitable for city use also thanks to the good amount of low end torque.i have done some extra mods

new hella fog lamps at front.
new bull bar
reverse parking camera

reasons why i choose the safari

the safari is an ideal friend for the highways due to it's great driving position with a bird's eye view.

the 2.2 dicor is pretty refined to an extend

this car was well maintained

1)the scorpios i checked seemed to be abused as cabs or comercial vehicles in the used car segment.

2)boleros had a back breaking ride not at all suitable for long trips

3)long history with tata motors.my father used to have a tata estate which was a true indian luxury car in it's heyday.so I know the service network well unlike M&M.

4)not able to find a well mintained muv like sumo grande.

after fighting out for months in the used market i think there is a great demand for compact suvs under 7.5 lakhs.i guess we only have bolero in this segment.

i think a new tata sierra with a dicor heart would have been perfect for me.wonder why tata can't introduce such a car.after all the sierra was a good platform wasn't it?

 

[Theferrarifan]

Congracts on the safari,pics are a must please.

 

[Saketh Reddy]

Congrats Mr.Sandeep.
I too agree with the "back-breaking" long rides delivered by a Bolero.
But i love simple off-roading in it, and watching my own drive-videos later

 

[ranjith1978]

I am looking for Innova at low price. Please contact me if you have any!