[digitalnirvana]

Hi Aditya how is Saffira doing? She's a looker and I'm glad you're hands on and building a bond with time with her.

[AdityaDeane]

Originally Posted by digitalnirvana

Hi Aditya how is Saffira doing? She's a looker and I'm glad you're hands on and building a bond with time with her.

Hello sir,

My steering rack leaked again from the Left side, and ultimately I had to get my original rack repaired and fitted 2 weeks ago. Hope it stays good now, and doesn't leak again.

Rest, it has been running fine, no problems to report from my end. I have covered over 16K kilometres in these 21 months of ownership. Mileage is a little less, at around 10.xx with AC on, but otherwise capabilities and features wise, I am happy with my purchase.

Waiting to restart Weekend Campings with my son soon, now that winters are over and it is getting hot in Manali also, but the mad traffic rush around Manali, and hours and hours of traffic jams warrant me to stay inside the house and relax, rather than burn fuel on the road. Let's see how things go.

A few internal fittings and lights may need to be replaced in this year, for aesthetic purposes. Otherwise, practically it is running well.

[AdityaDeane]

Enjoying a night out in Saffira with my son after a long time.



Our parking place:



The panoramic view from this awesome place:



What better day to do it, than Summer Solstice! Got a chance to teach my son about the significance of this day. I just wish it wasn't cloudy and drizzling tonight, maybe we could have seen the Milky Way galaxy in the middle of the night.

But, thankfully it's cool, and not hot and humid. Good night from this wonderful place, i.e. the Lahaul valley.

[AdityaDeane]

A few highlights from the camping site this morning



Snow capped peaks visible behind the clouds, as Saffira poses on the helipad











Panoramic view



The smile says it all

[AdityaDeane]

Finally my Saffira got to drive up to Leh, for a short impromptu official drive, courtesy of my Hospital and Amritsar Diocese of the Church of North India.


Crossed Baralacha La yesterday, and stayed opposite to the Sarchu Helipad in tents.


Crossed Lachung La today morning, after climbing the arduous Gata Loops. Roads beyond Sarchu are a mess till Pang currently! The descent from the Pass is full of craters, and driving up on my way back, may pose a challenge.


Short drive up to Nakeel La was good. They're widening the road, and it's not metalled yet, but is wide and drivable at a good pace.


Crossed Tanglang La this afternoon, and the panoramic views were majestic. Roads are generally not in top shape near the passes!


Finally, around 7:30PM, reached Leh town, and checked into our hotel for night stay.

Detailed feedback will be given once I reach back to Manali by Monday night. The car performed flawlessly and never got stuck. I did not have to use 4x4 at all, anywhere on my way here. Can't promise anything for the way back, and road is full of craters from the descent between Nakee La and Lachung La, as mentioned above.

[abhijeetp]

Great! Nice photos! I too went to Leh last month via Manali in my 2014 Aria pleasure. Was second visit to Ladakh in my 10 years of ownership
Btw. Why is the wiper not horizontal?

[AdityaDeane]

Originally Posted by abhijeetp

Btw. Why is the wiper not horizontal?

There is some issue with the assembly, maybe due to rusting or some other problem, which seems too expensive to look into. I had tried to keep them down like they should be placed, but then they were not cleaning the windshield as much as they do in this position. I have gotten used them while driving, and my eyes selectively unsee them and focus on the road now.

Is your Pleasure an Adapterra model, or simply 4x2? On my way back I engaged 4x4 for some stretches of road!

[abhijeetp]

Originally Posted by AdityaDeane

Is your Pleasure an Adapterra model, or simply 4x2? On my way back I engaged 4x4 for some stretches of road!

Mine is 4*2. Post 2014, Prestige variant was removed. 4*4 was available only on Pride variant. The other 2 variants Pleasure and Pure came in with 4*2.