I have come across some Thars around 8 lakhs which have done about 45-55000 km and registered around 5 years ago on OLX.
BHPian shreyshuilgol recently shared this with other enthusiasts.
I am a 24 year old who has started his career just about two years ago. Luckily, I do not have many responsibilities at home and am planning to buy a 2nd hand car. This will be my first big buy, so all the inputs from your experience and knowledge are highly appreciated.
I have driven a sedan (Hyundai Accent 1.5) and a hatchback (Maruti Suzuki Zen) for the past 6 years. So, I am planning to go for an SUV now. I am looking for a car that can take a beating. It should preferably have 4×4. The budget is around 5-8 lakhs.
I have come across some Thars around 8 lakhs which have done about 45-55000 kms and registered around 5 years ago (around 2017-2018) on OLX.
I have also come across a dealer in Hyderabad who deals in ex-military vehicles. He is offering a gypsy with validity until 2037. The vehicle has done 70000kms and the engine is completely refurbished (no re bore done). The cost of the gypsy with a bigger radiator, power steering, steel rims, AC and a hard top is 6 lakhs.
Although I am actively wanting to get into exploring some tougher to reach locations, my usage is more on the highway. So, I am leaning towards the Thars.
The car will be used by me and my friends mainly. We are not looking for a fast car right now (Maybe a 1.8 TSI or 2.0 TDI later). Cabin sound and vibrations are not an issue for us. We want a car that can be repaired and maintained easily and can take a beating.
Please let me know your advice. Other than Thar and Gypsy if you have any other recommendation, please let me know those as well. Open to all suggestions.
Thank you for your response in advance.
Here’s what GTO had to say on the matter:
Good choice in your young days, I must say . I was also driving a Jeep in my early twenties and it became a drug for life.
First off, read this thread entirely.
Between the two, go for the used Thar. Reasons: It’s easier to live with, has better ride quality (Gypsy is too bumpy), has a bigger cabin, diesel FE, factory-fitted AC and is more adept at highway cruising. Not that the 1st-gen Thar excels in any of these areas, but it is superior to the Gypsy. The Gypsy is a 40-year old model that is too basic to live with. Don’t be lured by old 4x4s with rebuilt engines and aftermarket power steering / AC. They require way too much time & money to run.
The best 2 days of ownership with such old rebuilt 4x4s = the day you buy it, and the day you sell it.
Here’s what BHPian condor had to say on the matter:
Either way, these are best for 2 people. In the Thar if you put in two more front facing seats at the back, then absolutely no space at the rear for bags.
Gypsy is a bit better in this way. Why I say this is: the length in the Gyspy behind the front seats upto the rear door is better than the Thar.
These are some small reasons, but like GTO said, the Thar will be better in terms of ride and being a newer vehicle. Gypsy has it’s uses, though.
Another option for you can be a Scorpio 4×4 which will be much bigger and good enough for 4-5 people plus space for you bags when you travel.
Here’s what BHPian Samba had to say on the matter:
Go for a 2015 onward manufactured BS4 Thar.
Reasons-
The CRDe is a gem of an engine and it’s much more modern compared to the old 1.3L MPFI in the Gypsy.
From 2015 Thar came with MLD, Gypsy won’t have a MLD or differential locks. MLD can be pretty useful in tricky situations.
Getting spares for a Thar will be easier. Plus Mahindra service centers are pretty well versed on servicing a Thar than what Maruti is on servicing a Gypsy. You will get the spares more easily for a Thar. For the Gypsy, you have to be more dependent on a good FNG who can source original MGP parts for your car.
On the highways you can maintain a much better cruising speed on a Thar than a Gypsy.
The ride quality of the Thar is less bumpy, compared to the Gypsy.
On the reliability part, both are reliable.
On the off-roading part both has it’s own pros and cons. The Thar being a more powerful diesel, you can crawl better than a Gypsy on steep rocky inclines, while the Gypsy being light, can tackle some terrains better than the Thar. In sub zero temperatures, Gypsy being a petrol will be much easier to live with, than a diesel Thar. But on driving on deep snow Thar will have an advantage due to it’s weight.
This will be a long comparison. In nutshell both are excellent off-road vehicles.
Thar comes with a factory fitted AC and power steering, while the Gypsy doesn’t. There will be a difference in reliability when an aftermarket fitment will be compared to factory fitment.
As this will be your first 4×4 and you are going to gain experience with this car, the Thar will be more suitable for you. It will be more easier to live with.
For an experienced person who knows both the vehicles like the palm of their hands, can pick anyone.
My above mentioned points are after driving both the vehicles on & off the road and by taking inputs from their respective owners & by keeping an eye on both these cars for a long time! Hope this helps!
Now keep drooling till you bring any of these beauties home!
Keyword: A young enthusiast's dilemma: Maruti Gypsy vs Mahindra Thar