Gypsy - bye bye

I ve had 2 Gypsy's

A narrow track 970cc regular MG410 Softtop between 1997 and 2000 and another 970cc regular MG410 Hardtop between 2004 and 2005.

I loved going off road in that jeep. It could literally climb 45 degree inclines and go into swamps and come out, shake itself and be on its way as though nothing particular had happened. I once pulled a Sierra out of deep sand on the beach side in Madras, with my old Gypsy.

A lovely vehicle and great fun to have as a third vehicle in the house, if you are a rich man.

The best thing about the Gypsy is that it only comes with 4WD standard manual just like a real jeep should!!

Fuel economy - complete waste of time being petrol driven.

Steering etc - absolutely horrible.

Suspension - forget it and go home!

Comfort - forget it. This is bound to give you a spinal injury with prolonged usage. You can feel every single bump on the road bone jarringly!

Why cant Maruti Suzuki come up with an upgraded version of this Gypsy jeep powered by the same Diesel powerplant as is there in the Swift? and do something about the suspension?

There is a desperate market out there for a Rs 5 lac to Rs 7lac Jeep/ small / light weight SUV/ Off roader/ 4WD vehicle! Why cant they recognise this fact?

If they could bring in the Suzuki Jimmy or Vitara which is the upgraded version of the Gypsy abroad, it would be lovely. However, a diesel version is absolutely essential for it to become a runaway sales success!

And a lot of people especially those living in remote farms, tea and coffee estates etc, would suddenly have an excellent and viable 4WD vehicle available at an affordable price!

King of Off Roading. Light. Tight. FUN!Lousy comfort. You will definitely end up with a Spinal injury. Hopeless fuel economy.