Re: Want to buy a 4x4 SUV with manual transmission I have decided to go ahead with the Thar and yes, with it's limitations. I'll try to see if certain aspects of it can be improved post purchase - e.g. better thigh support etc so that for the rare Himalaya trips that would happen, it's still is comfortable for the highway runs until I get to the Himalayas. It ticks most of my boxes for the hills and rank bad roads. I do expect to do a few more areas even with Karnataka, TN and KL that I have not been able to do with the Creta or my earlier swift. The compromise I'm making here is that it's not going to be a comfortable vehicle for long runs, but mentally prepared for that. The other main reason is that my family could care less about the Fortuner or the Thar - they've already told me not to expect them to get into either :(. So this is a car for ME, perhaps my kids and friends. Heart over mind in owning an MT 4X4 Diesel. The Global NCAP of 4 for the thar for 2 passengers helps a bit too. I also think that there will be a better thar version in 2023 with four doors etc, but that's unlikely to improve my family's love( or the lack thereof) towards the thar - so not a consideration at all.
I would be keen to get these modifications and accessories done for the thar.
1. Reverse cam or 360 degree cam
2. Better blindspot mirrors,
3. Longer ORVMs (rather than stock tall ORVMs ) - for better visibility
4. Considering seat modifications for better comfort
5. Remote lock key
6. Rear wipers
7. Any other cosmetic
8. Remove the sparewheel from the rearside, give it a stupid look, but improve visibility for the rear.
The Fortuner, I still have a thing for it - but given my family was meh about both thar and fortuner, the possibility of using fortuner as a family car was slim - they don't like the rough and tumble of it and for the city as well, it isn't the best of cars. Plus the other major decision in favour of thar here is I would feel a bit more comfortable driving the thar in the city and crowded streets and narrow roads and also more comfortable throwing around a 17.5 lakh car rather than a 47 lakh car. It also leaves me with enough budget to buy another fancy monocoque when I replace the Creta 2 years down the line, especially with an interesting market that keeps improving it's offerings if recent trends are to go by.
Lastly, I would have bought the Jeep Compass 4x4 MT without batting an eyelid - if a new one was available. I tend to keep my cars for years and I'm generally very apprehensive of used cars or any electornics for that matter too - reduces my peace of mind. I would not have considered the duster - I like it quite a lot and I have test driven multiple times - but even owners have persuaded me not to go for it ( in fact, when I bought the creta in 2016, the Duster AWD was higher up on the list for me to start with ).
Going to book very soon - let me know from a driver standpoint if there are other things to consider for the thar ( better visibility, reduced blindspots are priorities )
Last edited by airguitar : 7th February 2022 at 10:13.
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