Thanks to mouthshut.com and all the reviewers who have provided lot of input for my search.
I wanted to buy a SUV and did some survey of vehicles and finally short listed 3 of them Tayota Innova, Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari. Read all the reviews posted at mouthshut.com and that has given me lot of insight in to the kind of problems I can come across.
The first input I had was to be patient, don’t hurry while making a decision. I almost took 2 months to decide on the vehicle. I feel it is worth spending sufficient time to get your self convinced about the decision.
The second problem I have understood was the dealer satisfaction. I was bit cautious when selecting the dealer. The dealer only interacts with us during the selling process and otherwise most of the time we will be in touch with the service managers. I visited most of the service stations of the dealers and spoke to the service managers in person. This helped me to establish good rapport with them and I asked them lot of questions to understand the problems.
I was very clear on my requirement, meaning I need a good road clearance, the Power, safety and comfort. Toyota innova is a good vehicle, has excellent comfort, safety and quality. But, I felt it is mostly designed for the city ride and under full load condition the base of the vehicle touches the hump. With respect to the interiors I feel it is number-1. It was a tough decision to move away from Innova. The other thing I felt is it is a good vehicle for good roads and may not be suitable for rough roads.
Next I did tried Mahindra Scorpio and Tata Safari. I felt both of them are equally good with respect to performance. Somehow, I felt Scorpio is bit congested when compared to Safari and Look wise I felt Safari is better than Scorpio. The other reason I might have decided on the Tata vehicle is, I own an Indica since 6 years it is 90,000 KM run and I have driven the vehicle for more than 400 KM continuously without shutting off the engine. In last 6 years it has never stopped on the road due to problems. I do agree the maintenance of diesel vehicle is higher than the petrol and because of this proven record I might have slightly oriented towards Tata safari.
Finally, I have brought my Safari and covered 5000 KM’s, till date no major issues reported. There will be some minor issues for which I can wait till the service. Whenever there is some problem I will call the service manager and check with him whether I need to wait for the service or get it fixed immediately. This has worked really well.
Thank you
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Date 22-Jul-2009
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Since I am the author of this article, I just thought of updating the readers my experience with Concorde and Tata safari.
I am using the safari since last 3 months and till date it is doing fine and covered 5000 KM’s.
First service: I completed 1000 km;s in one week. Called for an appointment with work shop manager for the first service. The manager gave me a appointment on a saturday at 2:00 PM. I went there at 1:45 PM and the workshop manager was waiting (Looked like) for me. He took the vehicle for first servicing and explained me the activities that will be covered in first service. It was an amezing experience, he requested me to wait for 2 hours (if I can) and one of the service staff carried out the work. I could able to see the job done on my safari and it was very pleasing. At about 5:00 PM I got my vehicle delivered. Quick service and amezing experience.
The problems: In past 3 months I could able to observe couple of problems.
1. Slight noice in the front left seat under no load condition.
2. Rain water leakage (Under heavy raining conditions) in right hand side rare door.
3. I am finding the clutch bit hard when compared to my indica.
Driving experience:
1. After driving small cars for 8 years, when you drive safari you find your self very safe. When I was usig small cars I use to stop driving after sunset, but in this car I have driven till 10 PM and feel very safe.
2. I feel less tired when compared driving the small car for 300 KM’s. I have driven safari 270 KM’s in a single stretch.
3. It is very stable when you are driving at a speed of 100-120 KM’s. But in Indica I could able to feel the speed and I use to very very alert at that speed.
4. Usually the cars and autos try to keep away from this vehicle may be because of the size. Because of this (touch wood) till date there is no scratch on the vehicle. But still you need to be carefulabout mini busses/lorries.
5. I am getting an average milage of 11-12 KM/Ltr out side city with AC. About 8-9 in city.

Till date it is doing fine, I will try to update you again after 3 months.
Thank you all.
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29-Jul-2009
I received a call from concorde motors on 28-Jul-09 saying there is a technical team arrived from Pune and asked me to get my vehicle checked. They had sent a person to pick up the vehicle from office, I did spoke to the service manager on what they have observed in my vehicle. They had canged the timer belt cover (The older cover had problems and they had altered the design) and door link (again a design change).

I think Concorde team has improved a lot on their service levels. Thanks to the concorde team.
Thank you.
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22-Oct-09

The vehicle has covered 8000 KM’s in 6 months, couple of observations
Positives:
1. I have driven 500 KM’s at a stretch, the driver and the passengers doesn’t feel tired as much as in my earlier car. The ride is smooth when compared to the car.
2. The road clearence is excellent, till date the vehicle has not hit any hump or projections on the road.
3. The road condition doesn’t matter, The vehicle can just go on any roads.

Problems faced:
There were few minor fixes done last week by Concode,
1. The baby seat at back is really made for babies. If adults sit on the chair, it will break. I have got it fixed twice.
2. They fixed a clip
3. Felt the turning radius is high

Milage:
1. In city limits it gives 9 KM per liter.
2. Out side city limits about 12 KM /Ltr
3. I didn’t notice any difference in milage with AC or with out AC. Possibly I need to observe for some more time.

Thanks
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Purchase Price (INR):	NA
Dealer Name and City:	Concoder Motors, Bangalore
Model Year:	2007