Re: Scoop: Force Gurkha BS-IV spotted testing at Khardung La Quote:
Originally Posted by mrinalbarua I had always wanted a vehicle for off-roading. The only vehicle that came to my mind was mahindra thar. I took a few test rides. It was nice. I felt very macho but something prevented me from buying it. I started to research. After two years of research I finally bought the Gurkha.
I must say its a nasty vehicle when you compare it with others in terms of service and annoyance quotient. I had to take it to the service centre ( the service guys are a piece of work) just two days after I bought it. It was embarrassing. But there was something about the vehicle I loved. It was just instinctive. It was like you get married to the girl you fell in love with and she turns out to be a nagging wife but she is so great in bed that you don't care bout the nagging.
I am driving Gurkha for the past 6 months. It performs exceptionally well on road as well as off-road. Driving long distances on road is great mainly for two reasons: Gurkha does not have the slightest roll even at high speeds (I have touched 140kmph) and it does not give me a backache (because of the seating & steering wheel position). Off roading capabilities are exceptional for an under 10 lac vehicle (a tyre change from stock HT to AT is needed, ₹50,000). The ability to crawl on an incline without pressing the accelerator or clutch is exemplary. Almost zero electronics is a life saver. Manual differential locks completes it as an affordable and very capable off-roader.
Mahindra Thar is stylish. It appeals to the crowd as it looks like 'the jeep'. It has loads of jazzy stuff (a plastic winch bumper) and a decent mileage. Above all its BS IV. It's a great vehicle for the urban and happening crowd but if you really need to off-road in a stock vehicle, it's Force Gurkha.
P.S. Never buy the Gurkha if you just intend to go shopping(the nagging will seem too much to handle 😉 |
Gurkha yes is a vehicle to enjoy. Did not like the great in bed wife comment. I would rather have a keep instead of a nagging wife if only bed is the concern
Gurkha has lot of sensors and that means electronic. Even your accelerator pedal is sensor based. Be careful.
Ergonomics is outstanding. Seating, gear lever positions and 4x4 lever positions, besides overall outside view cannot be matched by any other vehicle.
Try changing 4x4 of Thar with your seat belt on you will understand what I am saying.
Crawl - I also used to think it's only present in Gurkha but as experience and vehicles I purchased increased I realise it with everyone - with similar engines. Any Di Mahindra would crawl - and so does the fortuner.
Diff locks :- yes worth it's weight in Gold for Gurkha as it lacks in articulation. Until unless a obstacle has been designed just for show off of Diff locks most of the jeeps would clear the obstacles. As seen in various OTR that a Jeep because of its articulation will clear the obstacle but Gurkha will struggle till you push on the magic wands with "Differential Lock" written on them.
Make sure you take plenty of care of the metal body - metal body actually decays. Take care of greasing all points after every OTR especially if you have played in water.
The shoddy workmanship and poor service team with least knowledge may give you he ache but do not worry. You got a good buy.
PS: Last time I went to buy an umbrella the shopkeeper gave me a life time warranty if I promise not to use it in rain, sun and wind. |