As the decision to purchase a new car was finalized – the criteria that we had decided on was a reliable, comfortable, abuse friendly body on frame 4WD vehicle which can carry us to the remotest parts without breaking a sweat.
Bhpian Sayakc recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
The Story of My Mahindra ScorpioN Z8 4X4 MT
After a long and happy 15 year association with the Swift, we bought home a ScorpioN in September,2024. It has been a shade over 3 months and 5000 kms of owning the vehicle now and I feel an ‘initial ownership’ experience is due. It is with that thought in mind that I write down this thread to share my experiences so far. The original intention was to write a ‘technical review’ of the car – but after a 3 month struggle figured out that my expertise on the technical aspects of the automobile are quite limited and so, I would like to focus on the areas that I can ‘feel’ and ‘understand’ well. These include: a bit of history and background, likes and dislikes in the ScorpioN, driving the car and finally move on to some of the short trips we did in it.
So, loosely speaking, this thread is catalogued into 2 sections:
The Car
Introduction
15 years with the Swift
Buying Experience, Likes and Dislikes
Features in the ‘N’ that stand out for me
Driving the Scorpion
And, the journeys (so far)
Maiden Trip to Mukutmanipur
Puja Trip to North Bengal
15 years of owing the Swift
15 years is a long time. And when I reflect on those 15 years, certain changes that I would like to highlight from a ‘drive and travel’ perspective are:
- From someone aspiring to go on ‘his first road trip’, my travel catalog shows that I have completed 70+ road trips in these years
- Our highways and the way we travel have changed: When I think of those road trips to Digha, Mandarmani and the bruised NH-34 to North Bengal I still get nightmares.
- The automobile industry has undergone a sea change (and I experienced first hand when walking into the showroom in 2024)
- [Non-travel, but couldn’t resist posting ] Heck, even the Central and State governments have changed their colours
- And…I leave aside the personal aspects of life!
But in all these years – I think of the very first day of when we bought the Swift home on a rainy Shoshti (first Day of Durga Puja), the one thing I still vouch for is the hassle-free, reliable ownership of the car – be it the rains, on the desolate stretches, or in the winter or rough hill roads – the car never skipped a beat and that is how I would like to remember it. Along with the reliability is its peppy, fun to drive nature and the thrill which I always experienced on the highways.
Of course the car came with its own limitations. Instances include: the military stopped from taking the car to Bum La because of snow, it experienced severe clutch burn on an aborted trip to Chatakpur, could not drive it to the safari in Simlipal because hatchbacks were not allowed, or a tricky off the road section near Pelling. And in the past 6 months it started to show signs of ageing: the window roll up/down button simply broke one day, yet another time the gear shifter stopped working one fine morning, and with the Road tax, CF, scheduled service due coming up this year we thought it is better to give it a fitting farewell than holding it for any time longer.
So, after 135K kms in almost 15 years – 50% of which was on the Highways, we decided that the exchange was overdue. In fact, all of my colleagues and acquaintances who had purchased their first car at about the same time that I did, had moved on to their second cars, with some even moving to their third .
The Swift served us really well. Its peppy drive and reliability and the many memories in it are what we would like to treasure . Here is a collection of some photos – apart from the travelogues which I have written over the past few years.
15 years of absolutely stress free ownership
On the way to Misty Mountains, Uttarakhand
At netarhat
At Shergaon, Arunachal
In the Kuldiha forest, Orissa
Background, Buying Experience, Likes and Dislikes in the Scorpio-N
Background:
As the decision to purchase a new car was finalized – the criteria that we had decided on was a reliable, comfortable, abuse friendly body on frame 4WD vehicle which can carry us to the remotest parts without breaking a sweat. This originated from the fact that I had to abort many last mile journeys because the Swift could not travel in tough destinations. We were not too finicky about features and electronics.
The one car that comes to the mind foremost with the above specifications is the Toyota Fortuner – but with the 4WD variant costing 46 Lacs in Calcutta, it was way beyond budget for us.
The next car that comes is the ScorpioN – a very handsome, much mature and evolved version with all the right bells and whistles – but the reliability aspect was a gamble that we had to take.
I was surprised at myself how easily the ScorpioN was a close 2nd to the Fortuner. A few years ago, I would be ogling at the Fortuner, Pajero SFX, Endeavour and (more financially practical) Safari. But the thought of the Scorpio never crossed my mind even in the wildest of my fantasies. I had always detested the looks of the vehicle, its boxy appearance, curved headlamps, elaborate tail lights.
But the ‘N’ was way too different from its predecessor – and we zeroed on it.
Buying Experience:
We booked the car in the 3rd week of August at Royal Motors with the expectation that the car will ready to be delivered within a month. I have a few special words about Arup Bhattacharya (Sales Manager) – who was professional, competent and effective communicator throughout the buying process – and we keep in touch even now. He shared the location and trailer details as soon as the car was picked up from the Plant.
The car arrived in the stock yard in the 2nd week of September. We waited for a week to take the delivery of the car and on 21-Sep-24 – kept the entire incident a surprise for my mother (who had been at my sister’s place for the past 5 months) – and did not even get an inkling of a thing – thinking that we were going to book the car on that day and wondering why was it taking so long to get a simple booking done!
On the day of delivery.
Some goodies which were handed over with the car.
So far I can say that the gamble (on reliability) is paying off and (touched wood) I hope it remains that way for the years to come – like it was with the Swift.
What I love about the car:
- Awesome to cruise on the highways – feels very stable, provides a dominating view, night driving is also very easy – courtesy the powerful headlights.
- Very spacious, fatigue after driving for long is much lesser. The second row is easily the most comfortable place in the cabin.
- The ScorpioN is big (though the outer size does not seem to find its way into the cabin) – and that is imprinted in its overall body language. It is easy to drive – the big mirrors provide a wide view. Light steering helps in pottering around the city.
- On the highways, its peppy and engaging to drive and sometimes I feel that I am driving my Swift only with a far more powerful engine.
- Happened with a colleague who owns a Harrier. When he checked out the ScorpioN he said “but you purchased a ScorpioN and this one does not look like the old one at all?” and all the time admiring its chocolate brown interiors, simple yet stylish dashboard and interiors. Which points to the fact that the previous image which he had in mind and how Mahindra has upped the game. I have found this expression of surprise from a couple of other acquaintances too.
Cons:
- I am a sedate driver and normally cruise at 100 kmph on the highways. In the Swift I did exceed the 100 kmph mark a few times but in the ScorpioN – I don’t feel confident to exceed that mark.
- Not sure if its intentional – but the horn needs to be pressed with ‘extra force’
- Electronics and reliability – Haven’t faced issues yet – but there is a lot of feedback about unreliable electronics.
- Absolutely detest the rear design – looks like an overgrown WagonR. There was an ample scope to work on the rear.
- The last row is practically useless for an adult – its cramped and not at all suitable for long journeys. With the last row occupied, luggage space is greatly reduced.
There are numerous other ‘cons’ – pls refer to the official review for the same.
A look at the interiors.
Continue reading BHPian sayakc’s post for more insights and information.
