Pajero owners or past owners - need feedback please :)

[Barnsey.QLD]

Hello there Swaggers,

I have found myself in the nasty position of unexpectedly needing to buy a new car... Previously had a Navara D22 STR and loved it. However I've decided to get a wagon as I no longer need a ute... Due to too many horror stories of Patrols and Landcruisers in the age I can afford, my options are limited.

I've seen a few Pajeros (06 to 08) in my price range (have also learnt my lesson on market value -v- agreed value when it comes to insurance). I know SFA about Pajeros so I'm hoping a few of you out there may have them and can impart your wisdom/experience/cautious notes?

I'm looking at 3.2L diesel & am uncertain about whether I want manual or auto. How do you find they tow (I curreently have a soft floor camper), fuel economy, major issues..? Etc etc.

Cheers, Barnsey

[Mik01]

So Pajeros never had a problem, only cruisers and patrols?

My parents have always had Pajeros. One particular model, 05 I think it was, brand new, Took it to the beach maybe twice and within a year from brand new dad noticed rusting along the seam welds, badly. Dad has been beach driving for years and always washes down thoroughly, and this wasn't old enough from when he bought it to happen, so we reckon it set in whilst on the boat over on deck or sat on a dock somewhere. Anyhow, shouldn't gave rusted that badly regardless. Had pinholes of rust all the way along.
Anyhow after a year long battle, Mitsubishi quietly replaced the car with a brand new one. As dad found out, there were others with the same issue.
They have lots of features for the price however.

[achjimmy]

Overall great car, not as well built as Toyotas but not the price. Motor has plenty of power and good reliability. I would have another one.  Head on over to the Pajero forum where you will glean a lot of relevant information.

[nab]

The NS diesel auto had a DPF which apparently caused many issues. Apart from that they are a pretty solid 4X4, provided rock-hopping isn't on your agenda!

As Jim mentioned above, forum.pajeroclub.com.au/ will have all you need to know.

[MarkVS]

Barnsey,
I have an 03 NP Pajero-manual- 3.2 diesel.
First 2nd hand car and first 4wd. I bought this model as it has little electronics & truck motor (so little that can go wrong, and if it does, easy to fix way out back somewhere), and had only done 100,000 km and none of it offroad. Its noisy to drive.

I've had it for litte over 2 years now. It has done 2 big trips, up the cape and across the Savannah way.... All with no issues. Towing a soft floor camper easily.

Doubles as a 2nd car (which it is a lot more of the time) that my wife can drive easily.

Its not as good a 4wd as a Nissan/LandCruiser nor as powerful.

So for what we wanted it for...more 2nd car (and wife) friendly, cheaper to buy, economical to own (fuel & insurance), reliable, still a good 4WD...it ticked all the boxes

If I step up from a soft/hard floor, into something heavier, I will probably eventually get something with more grunt.

Thats my experience so far.

MarkVS





   

[krisandkev]

'Due to too many horror stories of Patrols and Landcruisers', now them there are fighting words.....   

Barnsey I also have one of those ‘Due to too many horror stories of Patrols and Landcruisers’ and friends have a, I think  a 2010, Pajero diesel.  We have done a few trips together towing our campers and the only issue they had was they felt their Pajero needed a lift, which they had done and are very happy.   Mind you they were not as able to go easily up tracks as we could in our ‘horror story’ Landcruiser and they still cannot believe how much more comfortable our vehicle is compared to theirs and I must admit I was amazed in the difference in the comfit between the vehicles after I sat in theirs and the difference with inside space.  But there is a big difference in price between the two but we bought our ‘horror story’ Landcruiser for our needs.  They are extremely happy with their Pajero and it suits their needs perfectly.    Kevin

[achjimmy]

Totally agree with Kevin in the ride. The one area the Pajero monocoque is a let down is corrugations. You just feel so much more inside the cab, it's not that the Pajero doesn't handle them it's just you are absorbing them as well.

MarkVS if your looking for room or power I'd take a Paj over a Patrol. The 3.2DID both in earlier model and more powerful NT (09)on has more towing grunt than a 3litre Patrol. Also surprisingly due to the use of flares and the angle in doors on the Patrol, interior space is similar between the Patrol and Paj. I looked closely at both back in 2010

[MarkVS]

MarkVS if your looking for room or power I'd take a Paj over a Patrol. The 3.2DID both in earlier model and more powerful NT (09)on has more towing grunt than a 3litre Patrol. Also surprisingly due to the use of flares and the angle in doors on the Patrol, interior space is similar between the Patrol and Paj. I looked closely at both back in 2010

Thanks for that Inof...very useful.

[Barnsey.QLD]

So Pajeros never had a problem, only cruisers and Patrols do?

Cheers Mik01. I didn't say they had no problems, don't misunderstand my question. I said I know the others do and wanted to know what Pajies issues are as I know nothing about them. So thank you for the feedback, I will pay attention to that if I look at 05s.


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[Barnsey.QLD]

Thanks also achiimmy & nab. Should have thought of the forum! Figured I'd trust Swaggers feedback as pros and cons first Will check it out (Y)


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[GGV8Cruza]

I would have a browse of this forum, heaps of info

http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

GG

[muzza01]

I don't own a Pajero; never have. If one drives past me  I don't turn around and have a gawk (perv) like I do with Cruzas and Patrols.

A good mate owns a 2003 or 04 Pajero.  I reckon they are a lot more roomy inside than they look from the outside.  He has the V6 petrol and it has plenty of power. Its not cheap to run but then again its not expensive either.  His Pajero really is a joy to drive and the seating is also comfortable.  It tows his big boat up the range near where we live with ease. I reckon they are pretty good value for money compared to their bigger cousins.

[Barnsey.QLD]

'Due to too many horror stories of Patrols and Landcruisers', now them there are fighting words.....   

Krisandkev, believe me - I love Patrols and Landcruisers. I'm talking about the ones in my price range having horror stories of going 'bang' etc. If I had the coin, I'd buy a Patrol hands down. In fact, it's when I started shopping for one that I had to drag my head out of the clouds and realise a decent one that isn't going to leave me looking cool, but stranded roadside, is out of my range  
This is my primary car also - I'm a solo working parent so need reliability, but still love my off road fun.


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[Barnsey.QLD]

I don't own a Pajero; never have. If one drives past me  I don't turn around and have a gawk (perv) like I do with Cruzas and Patrols.

I know Muzza, I perv at them too... Have not even considered this option until yesterday.

From talk, maybe the petrol version is the way to go? I'm now a tad concerned about all the electronics in them. I'm more a 'keep it simple' person!


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[Bird]

Drove a Demo Model VRX 2 yrs ago on a test drive, smoothest 4b I'd ever driven.. was doing 120 on the Eastern before I realised it...

Very comfortable..


Also agreed V Market is a harsh lesson.. Insurance companies always seem to find the value of $50,000 cars for $10,000

[eman]

I've got an 09 Pajero with the 3.2DiD, currently has 198,000km and has been fantastic for touring. Rock hopping look elsewhere...

Originally bought it to tow the race car, plenty of power but the rear suspension was a bit soft. Have since upgraded to Lovells springs, Bilstein shocks and airbags. Spare on the rear door may foul on your hitch depending on the setup, there is a lifting kit to overcome this issue.

Fuel economy when towing was around the 12L/100km, empty it averages between 8.5-10L/100km

Things that I've had to do
- Replace rear wheel bearing
- Replace EGR motor under warranty
- Replace CV
- Rear door rust repair under warranty (Check the rear doors under the rubbers, corrosion warranty is only 5 years)
- Replaced Timing Chain Guide & Tensioner just as a precaution

As has been said head over to the pajero forum for more info

Cheers,
Eden

[peterdeg]

Had an NP Pajero for 6 years.
Worst issue they had was with the rear-diff. The clips holding the shafts in would come off. If you had it happen it was a warranty repair. If it hasn't happened by now, it probably won't (search for 'circlip' on the pajeroclub forum)
Another rare issue was the guide for the timing chain. It would wear through and seize the chain. New engine if that happened! The design of the guide changed fairly early on to stop it happening and the wearing should be picked up during any tappet adjustment.

Apart from those minor issues ;-) the Paj was a nice car. Only changed to a Triton due to lifestyle change.

[dazzler]

Hi Barnsey

You cant really go wrong getting a Pajero.  Other than the dreaded carbon issues and chopping out of rear tyres due to IRS they are great.  Economy is really good.  My brothers fathers one gets under 10 lphk on the highway.

I would suggest though that you take the same model Prado for a run straight after the Pajero.  You will be amazed at the difference in noise vibration and hardness between them which for me was a game changer.

This then also opens up the V6 petrol Prado which is unbloodybelievable when it comes to power and economy.  (Not in the diesel league of course but for power to weight they are amazing and if its a second vehicle not the main daily drive then it is pretty irrelevant anyway).  I grin like the joker everytime I plant the foot.

This is me in a diesel - 

This is me in a petrol -   

The very last of the 120 series GXL's came with all the gear the VX.  Should get a good one around the $27k.

Just a thought

(But pajeros are a great buy  )

[krisandkev]

Barnsey Know where you are coming from.  All good.  (200 series owners get a bit touchy because we have so many people come up and say things like, ‘A 200 hey. I’ve heard they have heaps of trouble.  Would not buy one myself.’   Like how rude when you think about it.  )

When we decided on getting a 4WD and I looked at several options I ended up wanting a 100 series turbo.  We looked and looked for a good one and gave up.  It seems most with a good one keep them, how unfair!  We then looked at new Prados, Pajeros and Patrols, test drives etc. Then we happen to see a new Landcruiser at our local dealer, hey let’s take it for a drive we said to each other, thinking no way we could justify a new 200 series cruiser.  Well that was it.  So then we shopped around for the best price.  That was 5 years and 188,000 ks ago.  This year we will be purchasing a Bushtracker Caravan and heading off for a few years so that was one reason why we went with the cruiser way back then.  Plus we were planning for our retirement and thought we may as well now fork out the big cash while we are still earning. 
I am always concerned about the complicated electrics now in the modern vehicles, but what do you do.  The electrics certainly make life easier and make for a brilliant off road vehicle, as long as it all lasts and one of the computers does not take a hissy fit.  Our Mazda 3 is even doing that now, displaying faults on the dash but still driving like new but here I am taking it mechanics for them to try and find the correct fault, that is trying to find how to correct fault I mean.     Ahaaaaaaaa. 

Hope you find the right car and get out there having fun.     Kevin

[dazzler]

An example of V6 Petrol Prado prices;

From pradopoint;

2006 GXL Toyota Prado
4L V6 Petrol Auto
128,000km
2in HD suspension (Tough Dog)
Dual Batteries
3 Rail Roof Rack
ARB Deluxe Winch Bar
TJM Airtek Snorkel
Driving Lights
Tow Bar
Rear Parking Sensors
Good condition
$22,000

Same thing in diesel would be another wad of $$

[BrisVegasGolfer]

The NT models from 2009 onwards are the pick.  The common rail motors have plenty of go (147kw  & 440nm) and the only technical issue with them is the cam chain top guide needs to be monitored. 

They're not as quiet or soft to ride in as a Cruiser or Patrol, due to the more rigid monocoque chassis.  The upside is that they handle well and don't feel like a truck.  2" lift and 32" tyres is about all you can do and they have bugger all articulation compared to solid axle trucks.  They have very good traction control and most have a rear diff lock standard, which helps them scrabble up some tracks you wouldnt expect them too.

[achjimmy]

Barnsey Know where you are coming from.  All good.  (200 series owners get a bit touchy because we have so many people come up and say things like, ‘A 200 hey. I’ve heard they have heaps of trouble.  Would not buy one myself.’   Like how rude when you think about it.  )

Ha ha yes how rude, the only thing bad with the 200 is the price, if they were $50k they'd barely be another fourbie on the road.

[muzza01]

I know Muzza, I perv at them too... Have not even considered this option until yesterday.

From talk, maybe the petrol version is the way to go? I'm now a tad concerned about all the electronics in them. I'm more a 'keep it simple' person!

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I think the old argument about petrols being too expensive to run is a thing of the past. I know the 100s and 200s Cruza V8 has plenty of power and returns respectable economy for vehicle just shy of 3 tonne. (The old Toyota  6 cyl petrol is very thirsty though).

I would consider a petrol Pajero or Prado or Cruza. plenty of owners on this forum that could tell you their fuel economy.

[Swannie]

go out and find a low k, late model 96/97 petrol 80 series cruiser.

Swannie

[dazzler]

go out and find a low k, late model 96/97 petrol 80 series cruiser.

Swannie

A "low k" one?

That would be the one with the unicorn and yeti driving it ....  LOL