To love, to live, to have, to hold and in time.. let Go.
Prelude> I will start this report with a brief about the purpose of ownership of this vehicle.
Cut1 > There was a time I used to trip across the country on a bike, usually riding alone, sleeping at dhabas and lodges and basically roughing it out.
Cut2 > Now I spend about 200 days out of the country. The urge to travel India has not yet died and I wanted to do it differently. Like many on this forum, the search began with trying to source information about the best vehicle that would suit my purpose. Finally trickled down to 2 options and then no options other than the EX-4x4. I read all the horror stories and the good ones too, but, there was no option like this one. Ther are opinions galore on this forum about the Safari, but this one is mine.
This report is about the 28000kms I have done in about 170 days of ownership. About living with this machine, living in the vehicle and basically being part of it and making it part of me and my little mis/adventures.
I call this a short term ownership report. I wasnt sure if I should post it now or wait till 50000kms and post a medium term ownership report. To me, driving a few hundred kilometers is akin to a one night stand. A few thousand kilometers and, im dating. Thats what this is about.
The Safari > To me the safari is somewhat a classic. Looks that I can live with. And now an engine that will not run out of steam on Indian roads for years to come - decent acceleration and decent top end.
Driving my Safari > I do not drive like most other people. Gear changes happen at 2500rpm while relaxed driving and at all other times the vehicle is driven on gear with shifting happening at 3000-3500rpm. Most potholes and undulations are ignored.The vehicle is not spared the odd speedbreaker if its not too big. Any excuse to go off the road is invited with a broad grin. Whether it is 2 wheels or all four off the tarmac does not matter. The ac is on almost all the time - 95%. Basically, the vehicle is driven hard.
On many outdoor trips the engine is left running for 2 days - after a hard days drive, pull over at a dhaba, eat dinner, fold the seats, arrange the sleeping gear and sleep off with the engine and ac running through the night, followed by wake up in the morning, freshen up at the same dhaba,eat and drive off, with the engine running the ac all the time.
I do not know how autocar and overdrive test their vehicles and neither do I wish to compete with them or anyone here, but my safari sees the redline more often than any other.
Standard usage procedure is to do a long trip, give a pressure wash on returning, put cover and fly out. No special treatment.
The engine & performance > Im very happy with the performance. The NHV levels are satisfactory but could be reduced at speeds above 120. In gear acceleration is good > 3rd gear is just wonderful.
The engine has not skipped a beat even once.
Chassis & suspension > The chassis is tough. The suspension is tougher. Ride comfort off the road is simply superb.
Interiors & exteriors > The interiors have held up fine till date. No issues with any of the fixtures either. The ac & heater are excellent. I dont like the rotary knobs though. All the interior gizmos provided as oe are working fine and have not failed once during the ownership term.
The interiors & exteriors have received one coat of polish in 1 year.
TASS > Tata service is good and bad. Good because they proactively try to solve all your problems. Bad because they sometimes dont get get it right. Nevertheless, they have a very good attitude towards attempting to solve problems.
Issues > In 11 months of ownership, the ac fuse popped once enroute ahmedabad and I replaced it. The TASS later told me that ALL 2.2 safari's are being provided 30 amp fuses instead of 25, and mine was replaced too.
Once enroute to Vizag, the hose to the turbo came off and max speed was restricted to 80kph with service light on. Trouble shooting was attempted over the fone and failed and I drove 160 kms to Vizag and the problem was solved in 60-90 mins. No other issues since.
I am not in the habit of looking under the bonnet, and this vehicle has not given me a reason to do so yet, other than the above two episodes.
Complains > The digital odometer shows -6* in Mumbai.
The vehicle has completed these 28000kms without a fuss. On my way back from my recent Orissa forest trip, the service light came on while coasting on all gears after high revs. I intend to have this sorted at the service once I return to the country. Right now the war horse, lies parked in the stable with a cover, before it goes to war again next month.
My Safari will be 1yr old on 1st April.
The Initial ownership report is here>
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/test-d...sure-pain.html
Its better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all >> Im lovin it.