Have my grandfather's 2013 Tata Sumo: Do I keep it or sell it off?

The SUV has run 75,000 km and has its fair share of issues and problems which need fixing.

BHPian arnav17 recently shared this with other enthusiasts.

Hello BHPians,

Trust all is well. Posting this on behalf of BHPian hondasamarth12 as he is still not very experienced with posting on Team-BHP, which he admits.

The following are in his words:

We have a Tata Sumo Gold, a 2013 model owned by my grandfather and it has done roughly around 75,000 km. After his passing, the car has been used, but not as much as before and there are many issues which have developed.

Requesting BHPians to comment on the following issues:

1. Left headlight working only on low beam.
2. Engine head gone.
3. Only 3 cylinders firing.
4. Wheel alignment is not working because the link rod is bent.
5. Gear bush connecter has cracked resulting in crazy vibrations on the gear lever.
6. Only a high-mounted stop lamp comes on.
7. The A/C compressor has rusted and leaked gas. Gas lasts only 3-4 months, so the A/C practically doesn't work.
8. None of the dashboard lights light up like the A/C switch light, speedo light etc.
9. Idles are very rough and RPMs keep fluctuating.
10. The radiator fan runs non-stop as soon as the car is started.
11. Both front right and rear suspensions have gone for a toss.
12. The engine oil pump is failing.
13. The engine oil sump has a small crack/hole and the car leaks oil.
14. The car vibrates a lot when lifting off from a stop, making it irritating in stop-and-go traffic.
15. The front engine cover or guard is broken and dangling.
16. The drain part of the roof has rusted and cracked.
17. The steering rack has gone for a toss and requires rotation multiple times and effort for even simple U-turns.
18. Emits black smoke whenever you use the engine while overtaking etc.
19. The windows leak because the beading is gone.

The car is still used for short runs and is still in running condition despite the above problems. Request BHPians to help me choose one of the following options:

• Sell it. It's gone too far.
• Get repairs done and bring it back to running condition on a minimal budget.

Thanks to all in advance.

Here's what GTO had to say on the matter:

The Sumo is a 30-year-old design now! Too old, too outdated and this particular example clearly needs a lot of work. It's lived its life with your friend, now only one thing to do = SELL.

Here's what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:

Too much work on that. Looks like bad maintenance work at whichever garage the Sumo goes to. My Sumo Victa TCIC ran butter smooth till I sold it prematurely @ 7yrs / 78k km. After that, the last update was it had done 2L and going well.

This Gold is now no longer gold. It is too much work and money to get it back into shape - especially if it won't meet the minimal budget criteria. And selling it won't get much. Considering it is not a mainstream family car, it may be better to let it go for whatever it fetches. Do make sure of the transfer formalities to avoid hassles in future.

Here's what BHPian greenhorn had to say on the matter:

I think the key question is:

1. Does someone want it badly
2. Does that someone deserve it?

From your description, it sounds like whoever has been using it has skimped on basic maintenance and more or less trashed it. Generally, I am a fan of keeping older cars running, but In this case, I am getting the feeling that it doesn't have a good home to go to.

Whoever has it, can't/won't fix it, and old tatas tend to need repairs every 6 months or so. (check my indica ownership thread). Even if you restore it, I am getting the feeling that it's gonna get run to the ground. Unlike the Qualis, Sumo fans are few and far between.

My question is Why are you even thinking of keeping it? If you have a sentimental attachment, and a bottomless pit of money to keep it running, then yes. Else no.

Here's what BHPian PrasannaDhana had to say on the matter:

As an ex-owner of a pristine Tata Sumo Gold 3.0L, here is why I think a Sumo Gold is not a good car

1. It's cramped. Pathetic middle-row legroom. The driver seat is also a cramped area.
2. Interiors are extremely cheap and utilitarian
3. That 3.0L 85 bhp diesel is very unrefined and returns pathetic fuel efficiency
4. The ride comfort is nothing to talk about
5. It's a brick aerodynamically and is not suited for highway speeds. The engine runs out of breath at 120 kmph

Today, even a perfectly working Sumo Gold is a bad choice. The OP's car seems like something that needs to be disposed of, ASAP.

I have had over two dozen cars in the last 2 decades, only a few of them I didn't enjoy owning. One of them is this

Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.