Lux replied:

Just drive it mate and sevice it every 5,000km.....Lux

Bob replied:

Read your handbook. Drive carefully for a thousand or so. Cover the seats with lambswool. Wash it once a year or when it gets dirty (whichever comes first). Sorry to tell you but the trade in in three years won't be great. Best trade in from Toyota but they cost more initially.

Member - Des replied:

Pete, my brother cared for and worried over his fourby all the time he had it, and I always wondered why, who was he looking after it for, himself or the next bloke who might buy it. It detracted a lot from the enjoyment of owning the thing. I agree with Lux... just change oil every 5 grand, and enjoy. Who knows with a bit of extra effort you might even break it!!! Doubt it though. :) Oh and because it hasn't rained here for about 5 yrs, I have had to wash mine once.

CLIVEB replied:

CHECK THE FUEL FILLER BEFORE YOU TRAVEL IN THE OUTBACK.
RECENTLY MET A CHAP ON THE STUART HWY,MOST DISTRESED,THE FUEL NOZZLE ON THE TRUCK DIESEL PUMP WOULD NOT FIT IN THE HOLE.
HE HAD TO BUY A FUNNEL TO FILL THE VEHICLE AT THE ONLY PUMP, A HIGH FLOW TRUCK FILL TYPE WITH LARGER DIAM HOSE.

Dazmit replied:

Peter

As the others have suggested just drive it to run it in & don't tow for the first 1 000km. Don't worry about synthetic oil & just keep it in reasonable condition. In my experience at trade in time it makes virtually no differance to your price what extras or whether it is in as new condition or good condition - It only gives the dealer more profit when they sell it.Most of the trade in prices are just out of the Red Book.
Sorry to disappoint you but trade in prices are usually poor eg from experience a 2 YO Mitsu Challenger with extras , 28 000km In excellent condition had a retail price of $45 000 best trade in was $26 000 ,sold it privately for $28 500. It doesn't help that Mitsu seem to have a policy of continually discounting their vehicles 12 - 18 mths after launch.

So the morale of the story is to go out & enjoy it & not pamper it just for the next owner.

Tim replied:

Peter, Fact is that your Pajero resale calculated as a percentage of purchase price will be around 60% at the three year mark with the two best in this category being L/C & Patrol @ 63% and yes its a fact that Land Cruisers are more valueable for resale but they cost more initially too! - Good luck and enjoy your new car, Regards Tim