H guys,
I'm looking to upgrade my 2007 NS Pajero DiD to either a Discovery 4 SDV6/TDV6 or a LC200 Landcruiser.
I absolutely love my Pajero and it smashes it in the rough stuff but a growing family of 6 needs something a bit bigger.
The main drivers for my upgrade from the Pajero are:
1. Intrusive cabin noise in the Paj from engine, tyres and road is doing my wife's head in (she daily drives the Paj and claims the drone is affecting her hearing);
2. Lack of 3rd row seat space in my Pajero as the kids are getting bigger (family of 6). The kids fight over who has to go in the dreaded 3rd row!;
3. Lack of aircon in the 2nd and 3rd rows of my Pajero. Recently at an outback station (Wooleen) in north WA @ 39 degrees the kids were very hot in both the 2nd and worse in the 3rd row;
4. Lack of Pajero's towing power to pull my Jayco Swan Outback when fully loaded. Don't get me wrong, tows fine at 97-98km/hr but takes forever to get up to speed and overtaking is near impossible if someone is going slower in front.
The Disco4 ticks all of those boxes and more. However, I'm concerned about it's reliability in remote areas, the small duel tank (only 82L) and the potentially poor sand ability of the D4 due to the low profile tyres in both 19" and 20" varieties. I normally bag out my 17"s on my Pajero to 15lb or even 10lb and it's pretty unstoppable in the sand. However, the Disco4 has lots of space even in the 3rd row and love the thought of 600Nm for towing.
The Landcuiser LC200 is a beast and can do everything I'm sure. large fuel tank (138L), 650Nm towing, large 3rd row seats etc. But it's a bit of a tractor for my wife to daily drive around the city and to work. I'm also not a fan how the 3rd row seats just fold to the side and take up valuable space. Also a bit more diesel hungry than the D4.
My brain tells me LC200 which will do all the 4WDing we need and more. My heart tells me the D4 for the 3rd row seats. But not sure I can get over the 19" low profile tyres on the D4 and the lack of sand driving ability.
Any thoughts on those that have been down this path appreciated. thanks