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Originally Posted by pelican90 TML would be shooting themselves in the leg if they price the Safari at a more than 1L premium for the lower models going up to 1.5L for the top end.
I did a test drive today at Prabhadevi, Mumbai and here is my experience. Positives have been focused by many so I will just focus on the stuff that were deal breakers for me. |
Thanks for your detailed feedback, negatives are what that help up make a decision more than the positives. Overall I concur quite a lot with what you pointed out but I'd like to address a few aspects where I feel it might have been a bit harsh, given you listed them as
deal breakers.
PS: I haven't TDed the Safari (will, very soon) nor have I even seen it in person, my opinions here are extrapolations based on what I've already experienced in my 3 months old Harrier BS6; assuming the flagship would've atleast marginally improved in most of the aspects over it & not regressed instead. Quote:
Originally Posted by pelican90 Negatives:
1. Steering is very poor, its light at high speeds which kills confidence and is a disservice to the car’s high speed capabilities. |
A major complain in BS4 models (Harrier), but was significantly addressed in the BS6 & is very manageable now (as opposed to "
very poor"), but still could have been a bit heavier if one's very critical. Rather I would say the weight at
parking speeds would be more of a concern for strict cityfolks (though hardly ever mentioned, I would like to add that too improves dramatically once you get over 10 km/h). TDs are offered to allay apprehensions just like these, in case.
All this talks of various aspects in isolation makes one loose the sense of relevance of the bigger picture, as a whole. Like, objectively speaking, who would like to bet on the high speed handling of a Scorpio or the XUV (vs the new Safari)? Anyone?
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Originally Posted by pelican90 2. The white upholstery is a deal breaker, one shouldn’t be expected to buy a top model and then invest in seat covers |
A
concern for many. Definitely. A
"deal breaker? " I would say for a few. It sure is maintenance intensive but also it doesn't looks like my lungi thrown on the seats either. Your call.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 3. The fit and finish misses and panel gaps are Tata trademark now |
None on the Harrier since a long time (BS6) but could be very much present on the initial batches of the Safari, as was in the Harrier.
Random observation: (If right) Its very resistant to misalignment under casual impacts of daily life (parking, commuting etc) as compared to the family's Celerio.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 4. The NVH levels are still not fitting for a vehicle that demands 25L. Even the 2.2D and 2.0P engines from Mahindra (seen in the thar and to be seen in the XUV500) seem a generation ahead in terms of pure refinement and response |
Mahindra's mill could be more refined but the MJD 2L isn't a screamer either, I would say "very acceptable" (unless you're revving hard in the 'Sport Mode', all day). Its very similar to what it sounds like from in other cars. Although what surprised me sometime back was the pull in the Mahindras's home grown mills. Very respectable. But again, we're talking about the whole package here, we just dont buy the engine (or the steering)
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Originally Posted by pelican90 5. The music system (though JBL) has a poor response. Even a 10-15K after market upgrade to a stock system would yield better low frequency output and clarity |
I'd have to politely disagree. I don't know the limits of aftermarket boxes but of the stock systems I've seen, the JBL is best sounding one till date & from what others say, its a very close second to the Hector's system, in any car under ~ 30L.
If you're a basshead like me, you can tweak the very functional equalizer presets on the ICE and get window shattering, cloud thumping bass from the system. The equalizers. Please.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 6. Horn is inconsistent |
True for my effeminate hands I have to say. Half the time, I fail to depress the hornpad from some tangents but my brother makes it scream under his rugged palms everytime he taps. See for yourself, especially womenfolk.
I'd further like to add that the hornpad is the ugliest piece of plastic alongwith the pathetic rubberpads under the handbrake (Harrier) in an otherwise very classy cabin.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 7. The armrests for the captain seats are ergonomically flawed |
Quite narrow from what I've seen in the pictures, must've been wider.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 8. Co-driver electronic seat adjustment is a big miss for a top end at this price |
For those who mind. I'd have fancied ventilated seats.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 9. The Top end variant at 25+ lacs should have have LED’s. Bi-xenons are pretty sad. |
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The setup looks good on paper and is okay for driving at moderate speeds (80 - 85kph) but an upgrade wouldn't hurt for high speed cruising (100 - 120 kph). A 1.5 - 1.6K upgrade to Philips/Osram halogens would be the quickest & most convenient without any additional ramifications (road legal, warranty) for a decent 15-20% upgrade in efficiency. For experts, they know better.
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Originally Posted by pelican90 10. Tata sales and after sales service is a big hit and a miss. Many still don’t feel confident in investing so much in this segment for such a risky proposition (even though TML has improved its still miles behind the others) |
Heard many times online. My personal experience has been very satisfactory (tochwood) & exactly felt like how it should be. I somehow feel the aftersales experience is better in Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities somehow even though contradictly there's just one dealership for 3-5 districts.