After having a dream run with the Swift, you won't be able to live with the continuous niggles associated with Tata or Mahindra vehicles. There is no denying that the Storme Varicor 400 is a capable vehicle but it is tremendously let down by the after-sales support which is what matters.
Having owned the Pajero Sport MT for almost 2 years now, there is no doubt about the capabilities and the ownership has been niggles and rattle free.
I fully agree with you and have decided against going with Safari Storme though I must admit, I am a fan.
I think that's a classic dilemma! Plus your expectation level is very broad. May be you can break this down further and really decide whats more important for you and what needs can be slightly compromised.
If i were in your place and budgets were an issue - i would definitely shortlist a used T-Fort and a used Pajero Sport - then deep dive further on my needs and select one.
I realize that my set of expectations are very wide and if I narrow them down, the foremost of them would include a capable SUV with mighty road presence, exclusivity and "go anywhere- take any road- without second thought type" vehicle. Family(read wife) is not very comfortable with used vehicles so that option is out for me.
I have test driven PS extensively over rough and smooth roads with slight doses of off road testing and a fare part of bumper to bumper traffic driving on WEH- JVLR and came to the conclusion that except little hard clutch, PS is an ideal vehicle for my needs and desires. :)
But then that means I will have to stretch my budget by about 13 lacs.
