Thread Starter
#1
Hello automotives
Really need your views and perception.
My 10 months old diesel Fiesta has gone for a total loss claim due to a disastrous accident on 27th June which costed me the car but spared me with minimal injuries.
I finally have settled the issue with insurance guys and expecting something around 6 lacs.
They cheque is supposed to be given to me by Bajaj allianz in 6 days after the final acceptance of their quoted loss amount by me.
Now the hunt began for me.
This time with my concern over safety features and an inclination towards the SUV body types, I decided to explore it as an option.
So here it goes! [This review was the perception I had in the initial TD of the vehicles which has changed after the second TD also mentioned later in the post. I expect auto motives to go through both and then give me the optimal suggestions]
Fiesta being a complete handler and a driver's delight had been my ride for around 9 months. The only feature missing was an ABS [I feel to be a must now] and the airbags.
I don't know if I need to relate it as my prayers being heard or my confusion being darkened that just three days back, in the amidst of all these test drives of the SUVs, Fiesta Classic Titanium was launched with the features I always contemplated in my tuned Fiesta and with nice looking beige interiors, electrically adjusted ORVMs, alloys, all at a 9 lacs OTR. It is looking a complete VFM and I am sure I would go for it in the end, in case this SUV thing doesn't works on for me. [It has ABS and dual airbags]
Ford India Private Limited - Ford Classic 2011 & 2012 | Luxury sedan from Ford
Now going to the SUVs!
The ones being compared are
Full Black Safari VX priced at 13.65 lacs OTR, a whooping 1.4 lacs above its own gx which has ABS, and lacks from the VX only in terms of dual air bags, that screen in the headrest [Useless for me as I am the only one to be driving the car] and the reverse camera with its display in the IRVM. Now somehow its unsettling to know that the Scorpio VLX with air bag model costs only 21k more than the exact vlx without airbag. Its annoying as this clearly states that TATA wants those two good for nothing features to be worth 1.2 lacs and alas not to forget that tan colored leather in the VX in between the seats unlike the GX which has fabric. [hardly noticeable]
Anyway the ultimate test: A Test Drive!
I was given a VX with 20k on the odo.
Coming on the experience, there was a significant turbo lag, but after the turbo kicked in it was a pulling like a locomotive with a very torquey feeling. revved it hard and managed 80km/hr in 2nd gear and 120 km/hr max in the third gear, however had to brake then as it was crowded enough to be driving a two tone truck like a maniac.
I was totally blown by the performance and frankly speaking, it handled quite well, though there weren't any corners to take but still after being a Fiesta owner, I could say the handling was quite impressive, the breaking with ABS was efficient as well and quite a less body roll.
I could certainly rate it in terms of power and performance at par with my best buddy's fortuner I drive BUT...That's the only department it can be compared with a fortuner.
As I came out of my driving fun and nirvana those 140 horses were giving me and that happiness that indeed a Safari lived upto its road image and name, I started noticing that brake liner was making some noise on each press of the brake pedal, the clutch went hard with only 20k on the odo as well as the power steering felt jammed while taking a complete U.
Thoughts like "okay that's why they say safari suffers with niggles" started growing over me.
The sales guy tried to convince me over the fact that it is a TD vehicle therefore abused a lot hence these issues are there.
Still I had it running at the back of my mind that it must be a pricey one to maintain.
However in the battle of heart Vs Mind
Safari got 9/10 with that pulling power and performance. [Something a diesel lover and those who appreciate that gushing torque can understand]
Pearl White SCORPIO: The optin I am considering is a VLX with air bag costing 11.97 lacs on the road, and greatly the owner of the showroom happens to my dad's professional connection and therefore is offering a further discount of 40k, hence it is 11.57 lacs OTR for me.
Since my desire to own an SUV started with the scorpio and its clear butch looks, I had high respect already for the mighty scorpio.
In fact I considered it to be a better looking SUV than safari and with more imposing looks regardless of the safari's more powerful road image.
TEST DRIVE: Due to the connection part, I got a new vehicle with just 40k on the odo to test drive. It was a top line VLX. Fit and finish was at par and even more neat than safari and it had a better looking dashboard. Lacked driver ergonomics, maybe due to the tall stance, more vertical seating and lack of seat height adjustment feature.
Also cramped middle row seats and certainly lacked that grand feeling which the safari interiors offer in the first gaze [this might change after a more careful gaze due to much lower quality plastic in the safari than the scorpio]
Anyway, I went to the driver's seat where I am going to be always with vehicle being occupied by me alone without any passenger for 95% of the time. With lesser adjustments, it was quite difficult to achieve the best driving position and even with 5"11 height, I was required to pull the seats more than what I normally do in other cars, maybe that deep clutch was to be blamed.
Finally, a rev on the pedal, and my GOD, is it an SUV or a petrol hatch!
So refined and peppy and eager to pounce. It felt really very light and there was no feeling at all of pulling a 2 tone monster. Must say that Mahindra has done a commendable job but unfortunately I am not a lover of these peppy eager vehicle having the tendency to jump rather like that initial silence of the turbo as in a swift, safari or the mighty cruze. Hence it couldn't please me much.
However, since it was an open street, I slammed the throttle only to realize that engine went breathless in the second gear at 70 and then again on the third at 100. No feeling of that powerful turbo spooling up and giving that rush of torque rather a more linear and smooth peppy ride. Something which the petrol heads crave for but not a diesel lover like me. Not very pleased !
Managed 120 in it. In stability, safari could be rated as slightly better in this department at 120.
Somehow there wasn't much rush of torque like the safari rather a more refined linear torque. [this perception though has changed after my next TD as mentioned later in the post]
Safari won it during this first TD.
The confusion kept hitting me that did I miss something while assessing as so many people rate the scorp engine a bliss and safari's to be a slouch one !
Yet to test drive a duster but somehow duster maybe a better handler, a better performer and in fact in can be everything but not safari or the scorpio.![[glasses]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Glasses.gif "Glasses [glasses]")
Unable to decide and with mind swinging again and again to go and buy my old loved Fiesta with all these new safety gizmos I decide for a second TD.
The second TD
It was a long TD of around 15 kms on each of the vehicles today as I really wanted to conclude between these two with duster still being questionable as I haven't taken the TD yet.
Now the worst part is that this long TD has really messed up my head totally.
I really didn't find the scorpio to be any slouch than safari. I mean yes it needs a shift to higher gear earlier than safari and this is clearly felt with scorp begging for the fourth gear at 100 and safari at around 115 but the time to reach 3 digit speeds felt to be the same with scorpio feeling to be faster till 100.
During my test run of both the vehicles on the same test course, I was able to touch 130 in both with all other parameters including the time [as per the assessment of the friend I had on the next seat today during the TD] being constant. Obviously scorpio required gear shifts earlier than the safari but again it didn't matter in the end.
Not to forget Safari's real truck like roar when I pushed it till 115 in the 3rd gear.
Again the safari was the same 20k on the odo TD vehicle with pathetic condition. Brake squeaking even more than what they did last time, clutch making some noise on each press and that heaviness in the steering.
Scorpio was just like the last time, a new vehicle with 110 km on the odo.
Frankly speaking, after this second TD I felt like a politician ready to take all my allegations on scorpio of being underpowered, back.
On a serious note it has really increased my confusion even more.
With that butter deal on the scorpio after that influence-based discount of 45k, making it 11.5 lacs OTR, a top line VLX with airbag was prior in increasing this confusion further.
Also tried to push scorpio today against some cornering at 100 with seat belts buckled and extremely cautious and ready for disaster attitude, but again it behaved fairly well. [I have been a Fiesta owner and a spirited driver and still I can say it wasn't that bad as blamed].
Willingly threw it against the broken pot holes and it wasn't a disappointment over safari in that department either.
I wish I shouldn't have taken this detailed TD of both these monstrous trucks and should have followed my heart and booked the safari VX, but now all I am left with is even more indecisiveness.
And now this news of the facelift of scorpio being around the corner by diwali! God I guess I should go and buy my old good Fiesta at that lovely price of 9 lacs OTR with those airbag and ABS offerings.
And ya I forgot to mention that the showroom offered a deal on the XUV 500, I guess W6, the lower variant without alloys in a full black color with two airbags, all disc brakes etc at 12.8 lacs OTR which looked a lovely deal but somehow I never liked the looks of the XUV [no offenses to its die hard fans] and hence I didn't even go for its TD as I really didn't want it to outperform my two choices I am considering, [the safari and the scorpio] and accentuate my confusions further with its entry as a lovely performer but not a great looker as in my eyes.
Don't know why but I am feeling like to have an SUV now hence straining my brain with these comparisons.[and not going ahead and booking the Fiesta Classic Titanium again]
The other vehicles I have is a 2008 Honda City and an i10. [with Fiesta gone now]
Hence have a feeling that an SUV will complete my fleet.![[;)]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Wink.gif "Wink [;)]")
What is your say about a scorpio with a Tuning Box from the RD guys Bangalore [the dieseltronic]. There is a 25% increase in both the torque and bhp figures making them close to 150 bhp and 365 nm.
To supplement it, I have plans of Blistein B6 shocks from the Petes, a K and N and a 275/60 R17 wheel upgrade to manage the increased power.
The whole mod list will cost me 85k.
Now should I consider a scorpio to get close to XUV and duster in performance figures with these mods onboard.
[A friends Scorpio VLX with the above mentioned mods has 0-100 in 11.6 seconds and a top speed of full house that is 180km/hr unfortunately I haven't test driven it yet and have the figures confirmed by him who happens to be a true driving enthusiast and a fair and unbiased man]
My concern is the information that scorpio gearbox hasn't been designed to handle such power increase. My friend says he is ok till now and has done happy 10k kms and not sure of what after.
What does your analysis say ?
And sorry for such a long post but I really need suggestion guys so please help.
Really need your views and perception.
My 10 months old diesel Fiesta has gone for a total loss claim due to a disastrous accident on 27th June which costed me the car but spared me with minimal injuries.
I finally have settled the issue with insurance guys and expecting something around 6 lacs.
They cheque is supposed to be given to me by Bajaj allianz in 6 days after the final acceptance of their quoted loss amount by me.
Now the hunt began for me.
This time with my concern over safety features and an inclination towards the SUV body types, I decided to explore it as an option.
So here it goes! [This review was the perception I had in the initial TD of the vehicles which has changed after the second TD also mentioned later in the post. I expect auto motives to go through both and then give me the optimal suggestions]
Fiesta being a complete handler and a driver's delight had been my ride for around 9 months. The only feature missing was an ABS [I feel to be a must now] and the airbags.
I don't know if I need to relate it as my prayers being heard or my confusion being darkened that just three days back, in the amidst of all these test drives of the SUVs, Fiesta Classic Titanium was launched with the features I always contemplated in my tuned Fiesta and with nice looking beige interiors, electrically adjusted ORVMs, alloys, all at a 9 lacs OTR. It is looking a complete VFM and I am sure I would go for it in the end, in case this SUV thing doesn't works on for me. [It has ABS and dual airbags]
Ford India Private Limited - Ford Classic 2011 & 2012 | Luxury sedan from Ford
Now going to the SUVs!
The ones being compared are
Full Black Safari VX priced at 13.65 lacs OTR, a whooping 1.4 lacs above its own gx which has ABS, and lacks from the VX only in terms of dual air bags, that screen in the headrest [Useless for me as I am the only one to be driving the car] and the reverse camera with its display in the IRVM. Now somehow its unsettling to know that the Scorpio VLX with air bag model costs only 21k more than the exact vlx without airbag. Its annoying as this clearly states that TATA wants those two good for nothing features to be worth 1.2 lacs and alas not to forget that tan colored leather in the VX in between the seats unlike the GX which has fabric. [hardly noticeable]
Anyway the ultimate test: A Test Drive!
I was given a VX with 20k on the odo.
Coming on the experience, there was a significant turbo lag, but after the turbo kicked in it was a pulling like a locomotive with a very torquey feeling. revved it hard and managed 80km/hr in 2nd gear and 120 km/hr max in the third gear, however had to brake then as it was crowded enough to be driving a two tone truck like a maniac.
I was totally blown by the performance and frankly speaking, it handled quite well, though there weren't any corners to take but still after being a Fiesta owner, I could say the handling was quite impressive, the breaking with ABS was efficient as well and quite a less body roll.
I could certainly rate it in terms of power and performance at par with my best buddy's fortuner I drive BUT...That's the only department it can be compared with a fortuner.
As I came out of my driving fun and nirvana those 140 horses were giving me and that happiness that indeed a Safari lived upto its road image and name, I started noticing that brake liner was making some noise on each press of the brake pedal, the clutch went hard with only 20k on the odo as well as the power steering felt jammed while taking a complete U.
Thoughts like "okay that's why they say safari suffers with niggles" started growing over me.
The sales guy tried to convince me over the fact that it is a TD vehicle therefore abused a lot hence these issues are there.
Still I had it running at the back of my mind that it must be a pricey one to maintain.
However in the battle of heart Vs Mind
Safari got 9/10 with that pulling power and performance. [Something a diesel lover and those who appreciate that gushing torque can understand]
Pearl White SCORPIO: The optin I am considering is a VLX with air bag costing 11.97 lacs on the road, and greatly the owner of the showroom happens to my dad's professional connection and therefore is offering a further discount of 40k, hence it is 11.57 lacs OTR for me.
Since my desire to own an SUV started with the scorpio and its clear butch looks, I had high respect already for the mighty scorpio.
In fact I considered it to be a better looking SUV than safari and with more imposing looks regardless of the safari's more powerful road image.
TEST DRIVE: Due to the connection part, I got a new vehicle with just 40k on the odo to test drive. It was a top line VLX. Fit and finish was at par and even more neat than safari and it had a better looking dashboard. Lacked driver ergonomics, maybe due to the tall stance, more vertical seating and lack of seat height adjustment feature.
Also cramped middle row seats and certainly lacked that grand feeling which the safari interiors offer in the first gaze [this might change after a more careful gaze due to much lower quality plastic in the safari than the scorpio]
Anyway, I went to the driver's seat where I am going to be always with vehicle being occupied by me alone without any passenger for 95% of the time. With lesser adjustments, it was quite difficult to achieve the best driving position and even with 5"11 height, I was required to pull the seats more than what I normally do in other cars, maybe that deep clutch was to be blamed.
Finally, a rev on the pedal, and my GOD, is it an SUV or a petrol hatch!
So refined and peppy and eager to pounce. It felt really very light and there was no feeling at all of pulling a 2 tone monster. Must say that Mahindra has done a commendable job but unfortunately I am not a lover of these peppy eager vehicle having the tendency to jump rather like that initial silence of the turbo as in a swift, safari or the mighty cruze. Hence it couldn't please me much.
However, since it was an open street, I slammed the throttle only to realize that engine went breathless in the second gear at 70 and then again on the third at 100. No feeling of that powerful turbo spooling up and giving that rush of torque rather a more linear and smooth peppy ride. Something which the petrol heads crave for but not a diesel lover like me. Not very pleased !
Managed 120 in it. In stability, safari could be rated as slightly better in this department at 120.
Somehow there wasn't much rush of torque like the safari rather a more refined linear torque. [this perception though has changed after my next TD as mentioned later in the post]
Safari won it during this first TD.
The confusion kept hitting me that did I miss something while assessing as so many people rate the scorp engine a bliss and safari's to be a slouch one !
Yet to test drive a duster but somehow duster maybe a better handler, a better performer and in fact in can be everything but not safari or the scorpio.
Unable to decide and with mind swinging again and again to go and buy my old loved Fiesta with all these new safety gizmos I decide for a second TD.
The second TD
It was a long TD of around 15 kms on each of the vehicles today as I really wanted to conclude between these two with duster still being questionable as I haven't taken the TD yet.
Now the worst part is that this long TD has really messed up my head totally.
I really didn't find the scorpio to be any slouch than safari. I mean yes it needs a shift to higher gear earlier than safari and this is clearly felt with scorp begging for the fourth gear at 100 and safari at around 115 but the time to reach 3 digit speeds felt to be the same with scorpio feeling to be faster till 100.
During my test run of both the vehicles on the same test course, I was able to touch 130 in both with all other parameters including the time [as per the assessment of the friend I had on the next seat today during the TD] being constant. Obviously scorpio required gear shifts earlier than the safari but again it didn't matter in the end.
Not to forget Safari's real truck like roar when I pushed it till 115 in the 3rd gear.
Again the safari was the same 20k on the odo TD vehicle with pathetic condition. Brake squeaking even more than what they did last time, clutch making some noise on each press and that heaviness in the steering.
Scorpio was just like the last time, a new vehicle with 110 km on the odo.
Frankly speaking, after this second TD I felt like a politician ready to take all my allegations on scorpio of being underpowered, back.
On a serious note it has really increased my confusion even more.
With that butter deal on the scorpio after that influence-based discount of 45k, making it 11.5 lacs OTR, a top line VLX with airbag was prior in increasing this confusion further.
Also tried to push scorpio today against some cornering at 100 with seat belts buckled and extremely cautious and ready for disaster attitude, but again it behaved fairly well. [I have been a Fiesta owner and a spirited driver and still I can say it wasn't that bad as blamed].
Willingly threw it against the broken pot holes and it wasn't a disappointment over safari in that department either.
I wish I shouldn't have taken this detailed TD of both these monstrous trucks and should have followed my heart and booked the safari VX, but now all I am left with is even more indecisiveness.
And now this news of the facelift of scorpio being around the corner by diwali! God I guess I should go and buy my old good Fiesta at that lovely price of 9 lacs OTR with those airbag and ABS offerings.
And ya I forgot to mention that the showroom offered a deal on the XUV 500, I guess W6, the lower variant without alloys in a full black color with two airbags, all disc brakes etc at 12.8 lacs OTR which looked a lovely deal but somehow I never liked the looks of the XUV [no offenses to its die hard fans] and hence I didn't even go for its TD as I really didn't want it to outperform my two choices I am considering, [the safari and the scorpio] and accentuate my confusions further with its entry as a lovely performer but not a great looker as in my eyes.
Don't know why but I am feeling like to have an SUV now hence straining my brain with these comparisons.[and not going ahead and booking the Fiesta Classic Titanium again]
The other vehicles I have is a 2008 Honda City and an i10. [with Fiesta gone now]
Hence have a feeling that an SUV will complete my fleet.
What is your say about a scorpio with a Tuning Box from the RD guys Bangalore [the dieseltronic]. There is a 25% increase in both the torque and bhp figures making them close to 150 bhp and 365 nm.
To supplement it, I have plans of Blistein B6 shocks from the Petes, a K and N and a 275/60 R17 wheel upgrade to manage the increased power.
The whole mod list will cost me 85k.
Now should I consider a scorpio to get close to XUV and duster in performance figures with these mods onboard.
[A friends Scorpio VLX with the above mentioned mods has 0-100 in 11.6 seconds and a top speed of full house that is 180km/hr unfortunately I haven't test driven it yet and have the figures confirmed by him who happens to be a true driving enthusiast and a fair and unbiased man]
My concern is the information that scorpio gearbox hasn't been designed to handle such power increase. My friend says he is ok till now and has done happy 10k kms and not sure of what after.
What does your analysis say ?
And sorry for such a long post but I really need suggestion guys so please help.
![[confused]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Confused.gif "Confused [confused]")
![[clap]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Clap.gif "Clap [clap]")
![[evil]](https://www.theautomotiveindia.com/forums/images/smilies/Evil.gif "Evil [evil]")