[harish]

Originally Posted by GTO

• With that out of the way, I have decided to buy the '20 Thar .

• Red with black wheels.

That is great news! Congratulations

I myself have booked a 2020 Thar too, put down token amount/booking 5 days prior to the launch. Excited to own my first jeep/4x4.

- Have narrowed it down to Black, Diesel, Manual.
-Not sure if I want to get a Convertible or a Hard Top, if the hardtop is removable then I'll be going that way. Definitely want to experience the wind in my hair feeling.

Originally Posted by indian21r

For the greater good of the fellow future owners, I am ready to be one of the Beta Tester owners,

Had to be done by some of us Congrats to you too!

[darkLightning]

A very big thank you and congratulations from my side in advance to everyone who are volunteering for the greater good

I and my family have minds firmly settled on Aquamarine Petrol AT Hard Top LX variant for Diwali'21/New Year'22 unless it comes to ~25L on road.
We don't mind if the ride is not as comfy as a crossover, we have a hatchback for those chores.
Heck the person most excited about it is my mom who will be 70 by the time Thar comes home. In her own brands "This is what we used to sit in back in our day. No other car is as exciting as this. If you want to travel then travel in this only."

[shree_shell]

Originally Posted by darkLightning

A very big thank you and congratulations from my side in advance to everyone who are volunteering for the greater good

It is indeed for the greater good. The only way you keep enthusiast market alive is by buying enthusiast-focused products.

This seems to be a competent on/off road vehicle which you can daily as well.

[Axe77]

Originally Posted by harish

I myself have booked a 2020 Thar too, put down token amount/booking 5 days prior to the launch. Excited to own my first jeep/4x4.

-Not sure if I want to get a Convertible or a Hard Top, if the hardtop is removable then I'll be going that way. Definitely want to experience the wind in my hair feeling.

Hearty congratulations. From the reviews, I understand that the hard top is not removable. I think an AC adds immensely to its urban practicality and the non hard top is supposed to get noisy. But then the call of an open Jeep is incomparable as well so do take a considered call either way.

Originally Posted by GTO

• Whether Diesel AT or Petrol AT, haven't decided. Will take a call after testing both, but most likely, Diesel AT.

Here's to a new chapter in Jeep motoring .

- I dont know my head from my hiney when it comes to 4x4s;
- I am completely taken over by this but not to a point where it would convince me to buy a manual four wheeler at this stage of my life.

Given the above, it is such a relief to see a hard core jeeper give the thumbs up to not only the Thar 2.0 but also to the AT version. I had reservations whether an AT might be somewhat less capable than the MT but it is heartening to know you're headed the same way.

Please do update what the thought process would be between Diesel vs Petrol. I am completely veering towards petrol A/T hardtop (in either Red / Grey / Beige) and also wait out for 12-18 months or so although if the feedback is great would love to even buy it before monsoon 2021. Will hopefully be more refined, has better torque and if they've tuned it for good low end delivery, papa CJ is pulling out his wallet.

PS: You selling your jeep will truly be the end of an era of owning that steed.

PPS: Kinda ironic, my current and last few cars have been BMW, Honda, and some more Hondas /Hyundais in the garage and more than a handful of Maruti - Suzukis. I have never owned an Indian brand ever.

And yet, if my Beemer were at its 10th year today and ready to retire (its at 5 years right now), I might have seriously considered a 2 car garage comprising a 2021 Thar A/T and a 2020 Harrier A/T. Speaks volumes to where these big two Indian manufacturers have reached today.

[vinbie2019]

I'm almost sold to book top end Tata Harrier (Rs 25 lakhs on road), but Thar made me re-think my decision.

Pros:
Family agrees: Though it is a two door, only 2 seats in rear, never was this easy for family to agree on a new car! Kudos Mahindra.
True SUV - Body on Frame, approach angle, off road credentials, 4x4, AT, made for bad roads.
Pride of ownership - Wife and kid can show off their new toy! Neighbors envy!
Upgrades: Definitely a ton of upgrades would flood the market
Price: Hoping on road price would top at 17 lakhs. I will buy another used hatchback for city runs with extra cash.

Cons:
Not for family with only one car parking space.
Need to be comfortable and vibration free at 90 kmph.
If priced above 20 lakhs for diesel AT, not a choice for me anymore.

If it is priced right, nothing stops me from booking the Thar.

[GTO]

Mod Note: A reminder again that the "Wrangler Copy" has been discussed enough already, over several pages. Some more posts have been deleted. Persistent members will be infracted. Thanks for the support & understanding

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by vinbie2019

I'm almost sold to book top end Tata Harrier (Rs 25 lakhs on road), but Thar made me re-think my decision.

Take some time off before you make the decision - at least a few months. There is a lot of novelty and attention around the Thar at the moment but it is unlikely to be anywhere near regular cars in terms of on-road performance, comfort, practicality and safety.

You will make a lot of compromises if you choose a small hatch and a Thar over owning a Harrier. The Thar is a fantastic recreational car but really not a good primary one.

[GTO]

Couple more thoughts, guys.

• No, I haven't driven the Thar yet, but Aditya's review is enough for me + I will be driving it when the media cars are available. Was going to meet Aditya & take a spin on the day of the media drives...ended up being busy with the Honda City CVT.

• This is more or less a done deal. Have fallen head over heels in love with the new Thar. It's similar to the time I decided on buying the 1st-gen City Vtec when I was still studying in the USA, or the 5-Series way back in 2010 when I tested it for our Official Review.

• Why wait 2 years? Because any freshly baked Mahindra / Tata comes with its own set of issues. As the product matures, it becomes much superior (compare the '20 Harrier to the '19 Harrier or consider the suspension issues we had with our test XUV300). I would also prefer to not making any large purchases in this Covid-19 period.

• Smart moderator SmartCat made a superb suggestion to me = also be open to used Wranglers. If Wranglers are available for 40 lakhs today (sample ad), they will be for ~20 lakhs in another 2 - 3 years.

• I have enough parking space to hold onto my '97 Classic, but I really don't see the point of owning 2 open Jeeps. The running of my own cars is anyway less as every weekend, I'm busy with a new media car.

• Would strongly recommend the soft-top / convertible to those having it as a 2nd car as trust me, there is NOTHING that comes close to the joy of open top motoring either early in the morning or post 5 PM. That being said, if the hard-top is removable with some jugaad (I will check when the media car comes), I am open to that. But I need the Jeep to be OPEN 6 months of the year.

• Just like the Wrangler is overpriced in the USA, so will this new Thar be overpriced in India. It's a gut feeling. Mahindra will go for profits. Anyone comparing this Jeep to a same-price modern crossover won't see any value in the Thar; if you think primarily with your head, it's best to go for the modern crossover only. Jeeps like these entail a lot of compromises. Mahindra knows that anyone considering the Thar is doing so with his heart more than the head, and will be giving it a price premium. Or it will launch the Thar at a steal price & increase it gradually, like they did with the XUV500.

• No, the AT won't be as much fun to offroad in as the MT, and in certain situations, not as capable either. But I am okay with giving up 10 - 20% offroad capability for a far superior on-road experience. It's the same reason I would pick an independent front suspension for an SUV over a solid axle.

• Why diesel over petrol? While I will decide only after test-driving both, I feel a diesel is more in tune with its character. I also plan lots of highway drives and the diesel will give a longer tank range (Thar will be heavy & heavy petrol ATs suck in FE). Plus, I love Mahindra's diesels. Their mHawk is a jewel of a turbo-diesel.

[DebarshiSharma]

Finally the vehicle I have been waiting for is here! Really happy with the all-rounded approach which Mahindra took in revamping the Jeep. As GTO rightly said, need to wait for another year or two to purchase the THAR 2.1 free of all the niggles.

The launch event was interesting and seeing all the other related videos in their YouTube channel, one thing was clear that they want to expand the customer base. The primary message through those videos was to have this vehicle as a primary one for both daily office and weekend trips.

Now I really want Mahindra to price this one sensibly. They have got everything right this time around for a Jeep, just hope that they don't screw up with the pricing. There's a huge difference in car buying behavior in the US when it comes to Wrangler and in India. Already purchasing power as been affected significantly during this COVID period. Moreover, they do need a new good seller in their stable as well.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by GTO

That being said, if the hard-top is removable with some jugaad (I will check when the media car comes), I am open to that.

I tried to see if any of the Youtube videos covered this one, but none.
Using a soft top convertible in City is only for those who have secure parking at home( you are blessed with one ) , for rest its a risky proposition.

It does look like its in 2 parts, so one can remove section above driver and use it like sunroof.

My wish is to also have a Soft top installed when Hard Top is removed.
There should be 2 options, 1) For only driver section and 2) The normal complete soft top.

Dear Mahindra, is it possible to have that as an accessory?
If not anyways aftermarket stuff will come as time goes.

Does anyone have any reports or pictures of Thar AX, there are absolutely no pictures of that vehicle anywhere.

[Jeevith]

Originally Posted by GTO

• Why wait 2 years? Because any freshly baked Mahindra / Tata comes with its own set of issues. As the product matures, it becomes much superior (compare the '20 Harrier to the '19 Harrier or consider the suspension issues we had with our test XUV300). I would also prefer to not making any large purchases in this Covid-19 period.

Would wanting a 5 door variant also count as a reason to wait a while? I'm guessing not for you (considering you're opting for the open top and all), but still thought I'd ask from a general perspective.

[ph03n!x]

Originally Posted by GTO

• Why wait 2 years? Because any freshly baked Mahindra / Tata comes with its own set of issues. As the product matures, it becomes much superior (compare the '20 Harrier to the '19 Harrier or consider the suspension issues we had with our test XUV300). I would also prefer to not making any large purchases in this Covid-19 period.

To be fair, the XUV3OO's suspension was fixed within days with an immediate recall even before many cars reached an owner.

With Mahindra, some niggles (like rattling from the front seat's folding mechanism to access the back seat) will exist even when it matures - like it did even in my 2018 XUV5OO AT AWD.

But the basics are sorted - case in point, Marazzo, and indeed, XUV3OO (where I recall and fix was lightening quick). What I'm saying is, the Diesel + AT combo is tried and tested. The mechanicals too aren't all new. This is probably M&M's learnings from their past wheels already! You'll probably beat price increases, if at all, by picking one early

[sjcherian]

Originally Posted by ph03n!x

You'll probably beat price increases, if at all, by picking one early

This is one point I was mentioning to a friend about all of Mahindra launches. The price will go up every 6 months or so. Even the original Thar when launched in 2010 / early 2011 was around 7.3 L on-road in Chennai and the last time on road it had reached close to 12 L in 9 years.

Another point was - a lot of people are debating enthusiastically but how many will put their money down is finally the question.
Also very curious to find how many of the existing Thar owners will be buying the new one.

[Pancham]

Everything now depends on the (1) Price and (2) initial few months of honest ownership reviews. Living in Delhi NCR I would choose the hard top any day for peace of mind. A darker shade with a hard top would look nice I think. Deciding between petrol and diesel could be quite a task though. Petrol will be more refined and quieter but the diesel will give more range for those outstation trips. Touch choices ahead.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by sjcherian

Also very curious to find how many of the existing Thar owners will be buying the new one.

Will be interesting to see if they really do ( Whats your take being a Thar owner ? ), and if they do wouldn't it be a good time to buy Old gen Thar?

As it is its resale value must have taken some hit with launch of this one.
Will stop this discussion here itself from myside, since it can be discussed in the Buying a Preloved Thar thread.