1992 Mahindra CJ Classic review from UK and Ireland

The engine (a Peugeot unit built in India) was utter rubbish. It was really noisy and smelly, and would sometimes blow black sooty smoke from the exhaust.

The engine would cut out at traffic lights and roundabouts for no apparent reason.

Aside from the engine: The gearbox was very stubborn, especially when selecting reverse.

It leaked terribly. Its convertible top was a terrible fit and let in water in rain heavier than drizzle.

Terrible build quality: The doors sagged when opened. The dashboard was of similar quality to an '80s Lada.

The Mahindra is a poor Indian-built copy of an AMC Jeep. Whereas the American Jeeps were constantly developed and upgraded, the Mahindra still drove like a 1940s Jeep, only without the ruggedness and build quality.

It looked like a US Jeep, but that's where the similarities ended.

It was uncomfortable, dangerously slow, unstable, badly built, and unreliable.

I bought it because it was different, cheap, and low-mileage. What a mistake.

I can see why it was low-mileage now. I suspect the previous owners used any excuse not to drive it.

If you see one for sale, forget it.