First hand experiences with Vigo Champ

[ahsontariq]

Hi,

I'm interested in buying a VIGO CHAMP (Indus Motor production) and would really really appreciate if YOU, being an owner (or first-hand user) of Vigo Champ, could share your first-hand experience on this vehicle. It would be great if the experience/feedback could be shared in the following format:

• Model (Champ V/G/GX):
• Owned/used since:
• Bought new / used:
• Miles/KMs driven since ownership/possession:
• Periodical Maintenance done at:
• Average fuel economy:
• Type of traveling (urban / rural / city / highways):

- PROs:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

- CONs:

a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)

Any other feedback / advice / caution?




One specific question: During your ownership/usage, have you felt the Champ underpowered? When, in what way, while doing what? (A little detail please).

===============================================

REQUESTS:

- Please avoid any Thai vs Indus Vigo comparisons, I am not interested in Thai Vigos.
- If you have not extensively driven the Champ yourself, please do not share your feedback.



THANKS IN ADVANCE

[ahmadmir]

I own a manual vigo champ (Indus). Bought it in march of last year. Its a great fun to drive. On normal driving, it does not feel under powered at all but once you cross 110, you start feeling that it lacks a bit of power. This might be a NO for some but not for me. The only thing i dislike about the truck are its rear seats. They are not very comfortable and since it has no weight in the back, it does tend to get a bit jumpy. But that happens to all trucks. The front seats are comfortable. Not sure about the fuel consumption but i think it does around 8.

One thing is for sure is that this truck is built to be driven off road. Amazing performance. 4x4 works great. DOES NOT FEEL UNDER POWERED AT ALL ON HILLS AREAS OR WHEN OFF ROAD!

[ahsontariq]

Thanks Ahmed Mir for sharing for feedback.

I would like to invite other Vigo Champ (Indus) owners to share their feedback as well.

[Demonoid]

I dont own one, but i have driven many.... I am ex employee of Toyota G.T. Motors & Indus Motor Company

The INDUS VIGO CHAMP is ONE OF THE PATHETIC VEHICLE THEY MADE!

UNDERPOWERED
UNCOMFORTABLE
BODY MATERIAL NOT GOOD
FINISHING IS NOT GOOD
LIGHT WEIGHT
NOT SUITABLE FOR OFF-ROADING
IT LOOKS LIKE A TOY

Indus only introduced this vehicle due to army, only PAK DEFENCE is one of the organization who buy this vehicle most.

[ahsontariq]

I dont own one, but i have driven many.... I am ex employee of Toyota G.T. Motors & Indus Motor Company

The INDUS VIGO CHAMP is ONE OF THE PATHETIC VEHICLE THEY MADE!

UNDERPOWERED
UNCOMFORTABLE
BODY MATERIAL NOT GOOD
FINISHING IS NOT GOOD
LIGHT WEIGHT
NOT SUITABLE FOR OFF-ROADING
IT LOOKS LIKE A TOY

Indus only introduced this vehicle due to army, only PAK DEFENCE is one of the organization who buy this vehicle most.

Not suitable for Off-roading? It looks like a Toy? Light-weight? I've driven many?

Your response explains the level and depth of your experience with Hilux Vigo Champ (Indus). How many off-road tours have you done with the Vigo Champ? Where? Your were an ex-employee of Indus Motors, then you might have recognised my name as I was the Chief Internal Auditor there till some time back and I know for a fact that the Vigo Champ is not what you have claimed it to be. By the way, are you in the business of importing or buying and selling imported cars? Because generally these are the same wording which they use to brand anything locally produced - as $h!t.

I will appreciate if feedbacks in this thread are ONLY shared by people who have actually driven these vehicle over extended distances and period of time. Not by people who have done nothing more than "test drive" the vehicle.

[Demonoid]

Not suitable for Off-roading? It looks like a Toy? Light-weight? I've driven many?

Your response explains the level and depth of your experience with Hilux Vigo Champ (Indus). How many off-road tours have you done with the Vigo Champ? Where? Your were an ex-employee of Indus Motors, then you might have recognised my name as I was the Chief Internal Auditor there till some time back and I know for a fact that the Vigo Champ is not what you have claimed it to be. By the way, are you in the business of importing or buying and selling imported cars? Because generally these are the same wording which they use to brand anything locally produced - as $h!t.

I will appreciate if feedbacks in this thread are ONLY shared by people who have actually driven these vehicle over extended distances and period of time. Not by people who have done nothing more than "test drive" the vehicle.

No i am not into any business of selling or buying, am just an off-roader. and i didnt just test drive the vehicles, and i dont recognize your name, coz i used to work for IMC in Islamabad.

[ahsontariq]

No i am not into any business of selling or buying, am just an off-roader. and i didnt just test drive the vehicles, and i dont recognize your name, coz i used to work for IMC in Islamabad.

Then you must have worked under Asad Abdullah who was heading IMC Islamabad till 2011, I reckon.

So, please share with us where you took Indus Vigo Champ for Off-roading, the terrain and the challenges faced. Details will be appreciated.

[jeepaholic]

I have driven about 30000 km on this vehicle mostly on highway, desert and mountain roads and following are my observations

Power: If your last vehicle was not the one with 1KD-FTV then this one will give you decent performance feel (catches rubber in first three gears although its light weight rear helps it to do so but still for a diesel vehicle its sweet). felt it lacking low end torque while going up towards saif ul malook on low RPM but it was easily solved by puting it into low transfercase gear with higher RPM. In desert it was awesome. Does lil over 150 kmph as max speed.

Breaking: This is the best part: I tried it on an empty highway by breaking at 150 kmph with full force and it stopped in a straight line without skidding at all hence its ABS and balance is good.

Suspension: Now we can never compare it with a car as its bumpy if driven without passengers but better than many older SUVs. But when you are cruising on bad bumpy highways on high speed it glides smoother amazingly.

Overall: If you are replacing it with your car for mostly city usage its a Big NO, and if your usage includes touring to distant places like northern areas etc then its strongly recommended. A brand new 4x4 in this price is nice. (and with this resale
value too)

[ahsontariq]

I have driven about 30000 km on this vehicle mostly on highway, desert and mountain roads and following are my observations

Thanks Jeepaholic. Your first-hand detailed feedback is deeply appreciated

[ahsontariq]

So, do we have any other brothers who would like to share their feedback?

[sarmadqureshi]

Bouncy at the rear. Consider adding weight to weigh it down if driving alone. I add sand bags in the pickup bed when travelling alone / front passenger on the highway. 17inch wheels help curtail tailout at turns, than the standard 15inch ones. Auto feels a bit underpowered, but then again you are not going to race in these. Just at times you want that xtra kick to overtake the 18 wheeler with a Hiace flying towards you from the other direction. Light weight, thus more comfy in the city than the Thai ones. Light weight so runs smoothly in deserts. Manual has pretty good torque in 2nd for a hill climb. Reminds me of the Suzuki SJ410s pulling away smoothly in the hunting trips....

[CrashD]

I have driven one quite 2014 auto a bit now, on GT roads, Village roads it feels underpowered when compared to the thailand version Vigo. but its not as thirsty as the 3000cc one. The grip is much better with 17s brakes are good. front seats are comfy but not the rear ones. uphills or down hill it does well. For 37 Lakhs 2014 brand new Toyota vigo its value for money.

[ahsontariq]

Thanks Samad and CrashD for sharing your feedbacks

[aamirahsan89]

so, did you get one?

[khurem]

I'm interested to get VIGO though my driving will be only in the City mostly and it will replace my Corolla. Why Its a BIG NO for city driving? How bad is its drive and suspension on main roads as compared to Corolla? My main reason to purchase is its awesome looks and slightly less likelihood (as compared to corolla or civic) to have bumper damage issues which I face on a weekly basis when travelling in traffic jams. Can someone suggest whether I should go for Vigo or buy a new civic?

[aamirahsan89]

I'm interested to get VIGO though my driving will be only in the City mostly and it will replace my Corolla. Why Its a BIG NO for city driving? How bad is its drive and suspension on main roads as compared to Corolla? My main reason to purchase is its awesome looks and slightly less likelihood (as compared to corolla or civic) to have bumper damage issues which I face on a weekly basis when travelling in traffic jams. Can someone suggest whether I should go for Vigo or buy a new civic?

It does 9 to 10 km/l, it's uncomfy at the back, unless there is weight kept at the back. Also it's tail happy without weight at the back. One can't really compare it to a civic. In short, civic is better to drive, economical, cheaper to buy and maintain. Vigo is tough, big, more reliable. Within city, Vigo doesn't really makes sense, a surf or prado or fortuner makes more sense

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[khurem]

It does 9 to 10 km/l, it's uncomfy at the back, unless there is weight kept at the back. Also it's tail happy without weight at the back. One can't really compare it to a civic. In short, civic is better to drive, economical, cheaper to buy and maintain. Vigo is tough, big, more reliable. Within city, Vigo doesn't really makes sense, a surf or prado or fortuner makes more sense

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Thanks for your response dayrider. I would love to have surf prado or fortuner but all these are pricey and the max i can spend is around 35 lacs. What is the best option for me in this budget?

[aamirahsan89]

Thanks for your response dayrider. I would love to have surf prado or fortuner but all these are pricey and the max i can spend is around 35 lacs. What is the best option for me in this budget?

A 2002 diesel land cruiser, Amazon, a 2003-5/6 surf, 2003-5 prado 3 door, and a Pajero 2005.
Pajero is comfy and great to drive but no resale.
Surf is quick, I suppose sort of comfy but no dual ac.
Prado is a bit hard on the ride but otherwise fits well.
Cruiser is big and bulky yet perfect every other way.
Prado/surf tops the resale charts.
Since you are sticking to the city, why not a vezel? Or you could buy a Vigo, and add two sandbags to the back(the only plus point would be that it would be new)
Oh, there is an option of a terios too, never used one nor know about it, but that would be new, fuel efficient and a seven seater

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[aamirahsan89]

It actually variates according to priority, prioritize what you want, it becomes easy

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[haali]

Thanks for your response dayrider. I would love to have surf prado or fortuner but all these are pricey and the max i can spend is around 35 lacs. What is the best option for me in this budget?

Why not to go for a 2005 model reg n imported in 2008 SURF SSRx worth around 27 28 2700cc patrol, I am selling one