Jeep ??

[honeybee]

Is a Jeep a practical vehicle to own?

I am considering if I should go for a used Jeep. Should cost me about four months' salary to buy a used one. The pros as I see are:

It will be a diesel vehicle, so will push down the fuel cost
The ride height will help in water-logged areas, as well as provide good visibility in the congested city roads
Hope to scare away a few other vehicles so as to make way through congestion faster

Cons
FE may be low
Don't think my family is going to be too happy to be riding in one. No AC (can be fitted later) and the ride comfort is going to be poorer than my hatch
Possibly maintenance issues

So I am trying to find out if Jeeps are a practical vehicle to own as on-road vehicles.

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[baja_yu]

Which model are you considering?

[abhijit]

A Mahindra Commander is the best one to own.

[honeybee]

The Commander is out of production and used by taxi operators in the rural areas. No way I am going to get one of those!

Mahindra are coming out with Thar, but unfortunately I don't have money to splurge on a new 4x4. I am considering the used option in the hope of getting something sturdy, low maintenance, rugged, go-anywhere and carry-most-of-things vehicle.

I am looking at a couple of old Mahindra Jeeps, which essentially are a clone of the original Willys, and an improvised version of the clone. Both would cost approximately similar amount. While one is a 4wd soft top, the other is a 2wd hard top (the seller has the original 4wd equipment and is ready to give it away with the vehicle).

The 4wd is now in its 20th year and the 2wd is a little younger, at around 13 years or so. The question is how long will they last, and how much will they cost to last that long?

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[abhijit]

You're looking at the Mahindra Classic, then?

[NeedSomeAnswers]

Is a Jeep a practical vehicle to own?

NO, but it might be fun !

[akhileshbc]

I think, these jeeps offer 4 wheel drive. And I have heard (and seen in movies) that it is a common vehicle in hill-ranged areas.


My suggestion is to buy some other vehicle, other than the jeep. Mahindra's Bolero can be called as successor of these jeeps, which have that look.


And also, if you want to get a vehicle that has some muscles, then try Mahindra's Scorpio. It has stunning look. And, it is a Super Utility Vehicle, at an affordable price of about 7 lakhs.


Here's another jeep:


....

[mendhak]

Hope to scare away a few other vehicles so as to make way through congestion faster

That's not how traffic works. Larger vehicles only make things worse.

However, the Jeep Cherokee does look good. Not that I know much about cars.

[baja_yu]

Oh... you mean a "jeep", in general... I thought you meant actual "Jeep".

[akhileshbc]

Oh... you mean a "jeep", in general... I thought you meant actual "Jeep".

[mendhak]

This:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_MB

[abhijit]

What ever you do, do not buy a SUMO.

[akhileshbc]

This:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willys_MB

Okay....

What ever you do, do not buy a SUMO.

Yeah.. do not buy one... Otherwise, you'll be in debt for buying food for him...

[Harsh Gupta]

We had a jeep for few years (my father got one for work).

Apart from cheap fuel, there are no pros.

It might scare away smaller cars but it is hell to move it on acute turns, just forget about blind curves. And it won't help much on congested roads, it only worsens the situation, especially for the driver. If you have no experience riding these kinds of car, it may take you a while to drive them confidently.

And maintenance is a *real* issue. Depending on what part of country you are in, it could be nightmare getting it serviced.

My 2 cents.

[honeybee]

By Jeep, I mean a proper Jeep or a clone thereof, not the MUV/SUV such as a Tata Sumo or Scorpio.

As my budget is 1 lac or thereabouts, buying the latest model, or even a later model is out of the question. A used Bolero sells for about 3 L or so.

I have got feedback that it's a pain to maintain a Jeep, but nobody has so far given any concrete examples. Do you have to check the radiator water, engine oil etc every day, or top up all the fluids before a long drive? Do you have to inspect and set the suspension, engine nuts and bolts frequently (anything less than once a year is 'frequent' for this purpose)?

They may not be in the same league as a hatchback or a sedan in terms of ride comfort or maintenance, but nobody so far has helped me understand what are the nuances (and nuisances) of owning a Jeep. A vague statement such as "it's a vehicle that requires heavy maintenance" would not help, sadly.

.

[honeybee]

That's not how traffic works. Larger vehicles only make things worse.

Right now my focus is on improving my own commute. Once I achieve that goal, I might want to look at how the traffic in general works.

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[akhileshbc]

but nobody so far has helped me understand what are the nuances (and nuisances) of owning a Jeep. A vague statement such as "it's a vehicle that requires heavy maintenance" would not help, sadly.

.

I think, you should move this thread to an automobile forum, like those listed here: http://www.google.co.in/search?q=automobile+forum

• www.automotiveforums.com
• www.autoindiaforum.com
• www.wheelcraze.com

You might get more in-depth details there...

[honeybee]

You might get more in-depth details there...

I am already registered on an Indian automobile forum, Team BHP. However as I mentioned above, it's very difficult to find substantiated information in this regard. Without data to back up the claims, the opinions of the different members are just that, opinions. I need an unbiased, preferably facts-based opinion. Whether it's for or against, it should be supported by some actual figures. For e.g. if you own a Jeep, what has been the expenditure you incurred on it last year and how much did the vehicle run. Also how frequently do you get it serviced or checked by a mechanic.

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[akhileshbc]

Did you tried asking the people working in workshops (near your place) ? They might give you better idea about these things...

[honeybee]

Did you tried asking the people working in workshops (near your place) ? They might give you better idea about these things...

Next to useless. Unless you really get stuck and the mechanic helps you out, there's no way to know if his walk is actually as good as his talk. Since I am not an automobile zealot, it's difficult to identify someone who knows what he is talking.

Sensible advice is not difficult to find, as most people (whether they know anything about Jeeps or not) will advise me to stay away from the deal. However, finding facts to justify either decision is difficult.

The said forum, Team BHP, has many threads on restoration of old Army auctioned Jeeps, with the owners and everyone else praising the effort and the outcome. But the moment I asked the question should I buy one, they were almost unanimous in saying it wouldn't be a wise decision.

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[akhileshbc]

Next to useless. Unless you really get stuck and the mechanic helps you out, there's no way to know if his walk is actually as good as his talk. Since I am not an automobile zealot, it's difficult to identify someone who knows what he is talking.

Sensible advice is not difficult to find, as most people (whether they know anything about Jeeps or not) will advise me to stay away from the deal. However, finding facts to justify either decision is difficult.

The said forum, Team BHP, has many threads on restoration of old Army auctioned Jeeps, with the owners and everyone else praising the effort and the outcome. But the moment I asked the question should I buy one, they were almost unanimous in saying it wouldn't be a wise decision.

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Here in my place, almost 90% of the mechanics and the workshop people are having tremendous knowledge about vehicles. If we show them a small car, they'll clearly say what are the defects, how much it will cost, and many more in a few seconds... Some of them even had worked with the alteration of old vehicles
I have read in a local magazine that, a person in Kochi (Kerala), bought a very old rusty piece of junk though bidding for about Rs.2000, an enfield bullet, and he had consulted a mechanic and asked him to alter it. They had converted it to a Harley-Davidson version within a month for about less than Rs. 75k. And it has the same power, look and feel of the US version !

Most of the people in here, before buying a second hand car, usually brings a mechanic with them. So that, the mechanic will pop out the defects and estimated price, and his opinions severely affect the price of the vehicle (you'll even get it at the lowest price)...

[honeybee]

Most of the people in here, before buying a second hand car, usually brings a mechanic with them. So that, the mechanic will pop out the defects and estimated price, and his opinions severely affect the price of the vehicle (you'll even get it at the lowest price)...

And is there a guarantee the mechanic will be there to support me as long as I own the vehicle?

The mechanics I have consulted have advised me to stay away from such vehicles. None of them would venture out and say he will be able to maintain it for me. Roadside garages are useful for quick fixes and small repairs. But if jobs such as restoration are entrusted to them, there's no guarantee they will be completed within budget or schedule. I have seen a restoration project for a Maruti Zen that's now more than 70 days, and the owner thoroughly pis*ed at the progress. There's another Peugeot waiting for parts like suspension, brake pads etc so it can be repaired and sent back to the owner. It seems the mechanic attends to it once or twice a week. If it is completed and returned within a month, it would be an achievement.

Finally it's my money on the block and not the mechanic's. So unless I am convinced the mechanic will be able to provide quality and timely support, I wouldn't trust his word.

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[penagate]

I think you will find it is more difficult to swerve around the dogs in the road in a Jeep than in a sedan.

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

True, but it will be alot easier to drive over them. Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to.

[honeybee]

I think you will find it is more difficult to swerve around the dogs in the road in a Jeep than in a sedan.

With the ride height of the Jeep, the dogs should find it easier to duck under it and escape unscathed. They had a much tougher time under my hatch.

Would I notice the dogs, with the Jeep's bonnet up in the front?

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[akhileshbc]

With the ride height of the Jeep, the dogs should find it easier to duck under it and escape unscathed. They had a much tougher time under my hatch.

Would I notice the dogs, with the Jeep's bonnet up in the front?

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And it might be easy for the dogs to enter the vehicle and do whatever they want, since there's no doors at all....

[penagate]

True, but it will be alot easier to drive over them.

Not as fun!

[oceanebelle]

Here's another jeep:


....

Love the RED. my dream car

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

Why would anyone's dream car be a Jeep? In LONDON?

[Arve K.]

just out of curiosity, how much is 1 lac (in USD or Euro)??

[MaximilianMayrhofer]

just out of curiosity, how much is 1 lac (in USD or Euro)??

One milllliiionnn dollaaars!!!

[Arve K.]

lol

[akhileshbc]

just out of curiosity, how much is 1 lac (in USD or Euro)??

100,000.00 INR = 2,155.17 USD
100,000.00 INR = 1,651.60 EUR
Source: http://www.xe.com/ucc/convert.cgi?Am...x=17&image.y=7
....

[akhileshbc]

Love the RED. my dream car

Then what are you waiting for ? Go and buy one

[oceanebelle]

Why would anyone's dream car be a Jeep? In LONDON?

I wouldn't dream of driving in london, the countrtside is awesome though


Jeep are the best looking cars imho

[honeybee]

Jeep are the best looking cars imho

Ain't sure how many would call them cars, but you got it right as far as the looks go!

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[Shaggy Hiker]

Since you are in India, nothing I say is likely to apply, but I would add something about the maintenance:

What you listed would fall under the heading of 'Routine Maintenance'. In that area, I have not heard that Jeeps are any better or worse than any other vehicles. However, as far as non-routine maintenance, Jeeps generally fare considerably worse than average. That would not mean checking the fluid levels more often, but would mean replacing the transmission more often. It would not mean checking the tightness of the bolts, but would mean replacing whole axles.

The little things would be about the same, but the big things are crap parts, and would probably break more often than you are used to. That's the maintenance reputation that Jeeps have over here: They break a LOT, even if you keep up with the routine maintenance.

[honeybee]

The little things would be about the same, but the big things are crap parts, and would probably break more often than you are used to. That's the maintenance reputation that Jeeps have over here: They break a LOT, even if you keep up with the routine maintenance.

Would that also be true for a Jeep that was being used purely on the tarmac, with no offroading?

I can understand if you are into offroading, the transmission/axles could take a big hit sometimes and may need replacement. I doubt if the quality of the parts is so bad they would break under normal, road use.

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[Shaggy Hiker]

Most people only use Jeeps on roads, at least over here. The model has consistently gotten below average ratings for reliability, and that isn't because of hard use. I have a friend who has had two. The first one was pretty good, and kept her largely unhurt in a bad accident when she was T-boned at high speed. That's a good thing. She then got a replacement, and has had to replace numerous parts of it, despite using it for nothing but a daily commute.

In short, you could get one and never have a problem with it, but it is more likely that you will have numerous problems.