1995 Tata Estate from India - Comments

Every electric window failed.

Radiator fell off at 15K KM.

Rear door lock never worked.

Front tyres scrubbed through every 12K KM.

This was a car body on a truck chassis.

Build and fit quality were appalling, every panel was a different colour and none of the doors closed properly.

The only reason to buy this car would be as a challenge.

At the time I bought there were only half a dozen (mid-size) models available. The Tata Estate seemed to be the least awful.

The Indian market is awash now with quality models. A Ford IKON will do most of what a Tata Estate can do, cheaply, comfortably and reliably.

If you need a truck, buy a truck.

I am using a Tata Estate 1995 and I am very happy with it... don't see a problem unless you maintain it from time to time. It's the safest car ever made by any Indian Car manufacturers and mind you if you crash in a truck at the speed of 80 kmh in any new car i.e. Ikon, zen, esteem, Honda etc, you will die on the spot, but a Tata Estate or a Sumo you are very safe.

I too own a TATA Estate from 1995. This car has given me many problems. My windows failed, electrical work had to be redone, radiator had to be remade because it wasn't avaiable as the vehicle had stopped being manufactured, it made all possible noses, the chassis gave way and had to be welded. The bad remarks are countless, but I too feel that this is the safest car around. My Father was saved in an accident on the Bombay - Pune highway, the was a traffic jam and his car was waiting for traffic to resume and suddenly a truck rammed the car from behind at a great speed. The car went and rammed the truck in front, it was sandwiched, but nobody got a scratch in the car. Despite its problems the tata estate is one of my favorites. That's the reason I haven't sold it yet.

I have had a 1994 Model Tata Estate from 2000 till date and have made many long distance trips on it to places like Tamil Nadu and Kerala,I had recently been to Goa and I have to say this is one of the most comfortable cars to make a long distance trip on, i also found that its behaviour and feel on the highway is uncomparable,We have had absolutely no trouble with the performance,except the Fixtures are a little Flimsy for a car of this stature,there are a lot of little issues to be sorted out like the power windows and the Suspension Bushes and all the Plastics,i don't consider this a big deal because of the fact that I purchased this vehicle as a Highway workhorse and have added Mag wheels and Pirelli Tyres and the car moves like a dream, and feels like a Million Bucks, yes before I end my serenade there is, but one thing I can actually complain about and that is when we were returning from Nagapatanam the Left Tie rod lost a screw and had to be welded as it was impossible getting a spare in the middle of nowhere.

Yeah it's true that the Estate is truly great car. My dad bought this car three years back (2002). It had all the rattling sounds a truck or a auto rickshaw would make. I believe, TATA was too cautious about the performance that they ignored the durability of the extra-fittings like, door panels, electric connections etc. I bet you, if only they were made world-class, no car can beat an Estate. I remember when our relatives had come, we were around 13 people cruising through the highway and the car ran as though there were only 2 people. It's an absolutely amazing car. All one has to do after purhasing an Estate is to find the best 'tinker' in town and re-engineer all the fittings (doors, handles, locks) along with the electric connections. After that it can act as a luxury sedan as well as a MUV. Cheers up Estate owners... I have a Chevy Optra, but still enjoy driving my Dad's Estate...She's my sweet heart!

- John.

I own a tata estate and believe me when I say that this car makes me feel like a king on the roads especially the highways and outstation roads. I have been hit by a bus and a truck and still no serious damage to car. It moves like a dream. I have driven many of the latest vehicles, but I feel most safe in an estate. Its tough and I regret it that it is discontinued. It probably came at a time when people could not afford it.Its in a class of its own. I have refitted the car with plush interiors, new tyres, sunroof etc and IT IS LUXURIOUS, like no other.- Sequeira.

I also have 1995 TATA Estate car. it is a wonderful car. Like any other car, it also requires proper maintenance to keep it in mint condition. The performance on the road is excellent. In MUMBAI city traffic, even today I am surprised to see the pick up. Without ANY EXTRA EFFORT, it leaves all Other cars behind once the traffic lights become green. The road grip is super. On Highway I am sure anybody who drives this car feels like a king. It may not overtake many latest modern cars beyond 110 kmph, but the feel of the car is excellent. It belongs to a different class. I am sure if TATA's re-launches it again with some improvements, people will forget Taveras and Innovas.

I own a Estate 1997 Model. Really boss this car is a wonder and makes you feel like a "VIP" on roads. I find no problem in having this car. In highways the car makes you most secure other than Bullet Proof cars. It was hit later by a mini truck from head to head collision. Only headlight and blinkers were broken. Rest was almost safe. Everything needs care and maitainance, so this car too asks. Is it more?

We have a This car from last 8 years this is 1996 model estate, and really I love driving this car, It is solid built heavy duty car, I still remember taking 14 elderly and 2 child in this car for going to the marriage hall and did not at all feel you are hauling such a big load. Yes we had some problem with the engine head at a time which was bit costly, and second time had to change the complete engine with a used engine, but still I and my dad don't want to change this car even if we can afford new ford. Even I have a head on collision with an incoming Express Bus with all the family members and just manged to escape with a broken right head light and leaking radiator with minor dent on the bonet, man that was really frightening. From that moment really I fell in love with this car, It is really king of the road, Cheers to all Tata Estate owners, Now since it is 10 years to this car I will totally redo the tin work and repaint it with metallic color and new interiors and Make it a luxurious car, frankly to speak I have never had any problems with doors locks and fittings. Thanks.

Hey guys... its great to read about your cars. My dad used to own an Estate way back in '95; I lived my childhood in that car. I was in search of that car until a month ago (I found it in a junk yard). Actually, the man my dad sold the car to (for some reason that I don't know, but I know he loved his car), had eventually sold it to a junk yard. As soon as I found the car, I bought it immediately. It's in pretty good shape, but now I need to get loads of stuff done; a paint job, engine, interior, and tyres. If any of you can help me find spares, that would be really helpful.

Ihave a 1995 Tata Estate.It has no problems and its maintained that its like a new one. It feels pleasure to drive this car on the highways or even roads,its still there with me in good condition though we have a Maruti sx4 I love using my tata estate So cheers to all the tata estate owners and one important thing is that its the safest of all.

-Rohan Sunil Dharane.

Hi I'm nitish from delhi. I also own a tata estate from past 14yrs. it's a 1994 model. earlier my dad used to drive it but now I do. it is doing fine. I had some mechanical problems earlier, but now all are fixed up. it is really like a minee tank in which I realy feel safe even if I'm driving at 110km\hr. it has good handling. I'm thinking of overhauling it completely so can you tell me where can I find its interiors spare parts like door handles, switches? it is hard 2 find parts in delhi. execpt at junkyards only. if ur luck favours. so help me. my e-mail sweetnitish@rediffmail.

Hi, I have driven all kinds of vehicles from FIAT Millicento to BMWs and Merc. Now I am driving a reconditioned TATA ESTATE which was lying in a farm in the open for 7 years! The car is definitely amazing. The engine is reliable for long distances. Rough patches on our roads don't bother the car at all. 7 or 8 people in the car and still the engine purrs happly, and there is enough room to move a bit. I have simplified the windows by fitting manual operating levers. Driver cumfort is more compared to the latest models because the entire front bonnet is in view. The power steering and excellant acceleration add to this. I get an average of 14.50 Km on a litre of Diesel. To top it all, I am at ease when my wife drives it with me next to her or on her own because I know that in a worst situation she will return home in a auto or taxi without a scratch on her. It is sad that such a car went out of production. market.