$15K will buy a very, very nice used Jeep that can be driven anywhere.
This is a cheap attempt at a UTV. But it isn't cheap
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Heater? Power steering? Power Brakes? Disc or drum brakes? What's up with fuel cap on passenger side?
Define "nice Jeep"? They are pronounced "heaps" for a reason. Our 2000 TJ was the worst POS Jeep I've ever had, and I've had 4 of them. A '64, '77, '90, and the last one was that POS 2000. I wouldn't take one of those for free today. Who needs a heater? power steering? Seriously, who cares what side the gas cap is on?. It's supposed to be a JEEP. Not a pavement princess. My '64 Willy's had none of those things (it did have a gas cap, lol), and it would out climb a billy goat. The problem with Jeep is too many soccer moms bought them and demanded they turn them into Team Barbi pavement cruisers. The "real" Jeep isn't a Jeep anymore. The model has been neutered and sissy-fied into oblivion. As have most work or off-road vehicles really.
But that Mahindra at least looks interesting. Ought to hold it's own in a deer camp somewhere. Now with ARB air lockers front and rear it should be pretty respectable, with the 3.73 gears and a turbo diesel engine. It does have disc brakes on front, and at least a standard sized A/T tire. And it's not powered by a glorified rice rocket motorcycle engine.
You won't be able to drive it to Neiman Markus or to the opera, but it probably won't shut down if you get a little mud on the tires.
I'm simply saying this thing (not going to call it a Jeep) is a knockoff. In it's current form it will be a marketing failure.
I nearly always predict the future WRONG. I cannot imagine why anyone would buy one of these Mahindras unless you owned a big ranch to have a place to use it. But like I said, I always predict wrong, so you might expect this thing to be a great success.
I nearly always predict the future WRONG. I cannot imagine why anyone would buy one of these Mahindras unless you owned a big ranch to have a place to use it. But like I said, I always predict wrong, so you might expect this thing to be a great success.
I bought a five year old TJ with 8K miles on it, rag top, full doors, AC, pwr str, pwr disc brakes for $14K. It's just an old beater but I consider it nice.
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If I'm paying $15K for a "Jeep" that I can't drive on the road I'll take this one. Casey has wayyyyy less than $15K in it and it eats Billie Goats for breakfast.
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At one time I owned 13 Jeeps. I've had many, many different models. Yes, Jeeps have domesticated over the years. Sometimes not for the good. Currently the Jeep JK Rubicon is without exception the most capable off road vehicle you can buy out of a showroom. Even has pwr windows.
Not sure which Jeep you were referring to with this comment: powered by a glorified rice rocket motorcycle engine. Although the current V6 Jeep engine isn't as durable and reliable as the good old straight six 4.0L it's certainly more than a motorcycle engine. My wife's Jeep gets around real nice with it's 5.4L Hemi also.
I'm simply saying this thing (not going to call it a Jeep) is a knockoff. In it's current form it will be a marketing failure. True UTV enthusiasts will have little use for it. Most purchases will be by buyers that have never owned anything offroad and they will be drawn to the "Jeep" look like a moth to a flame. We know how that ends up.![]()
They are cute and interesting. $15,000 is too much for me to spend on one of them. In reality, $1,500 is more than I'd spend. I don''t have any place to use it or any need (or desire). Since it isn't street legal, you could walk up to either side with a fuel can. No need to face the wrong way at a pump.
My reference to the fuel fill was an example of the engineering consideration in this machine. No reason for it to be on the passenger side. Just randomly ended up over there for some reason?
Richard,
I don't understand why you see this as an issue. Half the street vehicles out there have the fuel filler on the passenger side, including my wife's Subaru Forester. That's why many vehicles have an arrow on the dashboard telling you which side to fuel - there is no "standard" placement of the filler.
My Kawasaki Mule also has the filler on the passenger side, which is a pain because the gauge is on the tank and you can't see it unless you go around to that side.
I think if this were branded as a Jeep UTV, it would sell out faster than even Chrysler could build them, albeit at a $9,995 price point. Ah, one can dream, right?