diesel dilemna

If your keeping for 8-9 yrs, go the 4.2 GU..

and dont believe everything you read... BMW got 4wd of the yr in one magazine.

Drive both and see which one you feel the most comfortable in and will carry all of your gear (and which dealer will give you the most add-ons for free). Both will give you good service.

I use to own a 2000 pajero petrol (Current shape) but with the 3.5 V6.

Traded it in on my current 3.0Tdi Patrol.

The only bad things I can say about the Paj is the back seats and the way they are impaired by the wheel arch and the average fuel economy (and only 1x 90lt tank). Other than that I think it was great.

The Nissan solved the back seat and fuel issues but at the cost of losing 'car like handling' Not than the patrol is rough, it's just built different I guess.

Never driven the diesel Paj but haven't heard anything bad. I understand they are very good on the juice and powerful but a little noisier than the Patrol deisel engine.

In the future, If Pajero fix up the back seat and give it a second tank, and the engine rattle isn't too bad, I think I would seriously be looking at it over others.

Currently I think the Paj is a few extra $ but is well appointed.

I think the Nissan has the ground clearance over the Paj which really counts but you can lift the Paj's and they look better for it. IMHO anyway.

I have known people (1st hand) who have wanted the pajero but gone the Nissan in a salary sacrifice situation because apparently it's a cheaper option.

We don't hear much about the Paj on this site compared to Nissan/Toyota but I recon the Paj is a good family car with good off road ability for the average bloke.

And they have the auto sports shift with the option of driving in 4x4 on the black top.
Others may know some horror stories about the Paj that I don't. We've all the 3.0tdi patrol stories but from all accounts the series III onwards have been fine.

Good Luck Mate.

All I can say is take them both for a drive and see which one appeals the most. My brother drives a GQ patrol and his only bitch is that it has a terrible turning circle. If you live in a city I would definately check that one issue.

Sparkie(IE not Y) ;-)

Wormboy, going on reliability of motor...the Pajero has no problems that i know of, however a surf through the Nissan 3 litre reports here will uncover quite a few.
On 4wdability, its GU all the way, on road handling its Paj all the way, on power, i think the paj has the edge, i would be doing a little one on one with mr Nissan and Mitsu, play them off against one another for an even better deal....i like your 4b, but your competitor gave me a better price.....
You will end up with all the options included for free.
Andrew

The Paj. has a awsom diesel engine and will run forever , the Nissan 3 L is ableepengine , but with a great front end and riggid axle. The paj on the other hand has ifs .

You can get extended warranty , so dont worry about much , just choose the one you liked the most .

Both are fine vehicles.

I'd suggest the 04 Pajero GLS Diesel - because it's much better for around town and has a very sound motor. The Paj diesel is very economical.

The only things I dislike about the Paj are the floor arch in back which makes the middle seat uncomfortable and secondly, that ugly bulbous exterior shape complete with exaggerated wheel arches.

Mind you, Toyota is doing its level best to make the Prado look ugly now too (see front lights) and Nissan is following suit with its new model (to come).

Make sure that the Paj rear indapendant susp doesn't sag with the gear you want to put in it

I would think that both dealers will have a demo model for people such as yourself to take for a spin - what you need is their demo vehicle for a weekend or longer if possible to evaluate. Tell them it's a lot of money to spend and you want to get it right and as both dealers are after your money and they should do what it takes to make a sale.

See if you can approach the dealer principal (he/she has the final say not the general new car sale exec) and do a little "Gee, I don't know I'm trying to decide which one to buy, Nissan are offering blah blah with etxras on the Patrol AND to use it for the weekend ......." and then do the opposite at the Nissan dealer.

Tell them you plan to take it to (where ever) and have it cleaned before returning if they're worried about the condition it'll be returned in.

If they won't let you use it, I'd be thanking the dealer principal for their time to date and sorry for not having the opportunity to buy their vehicle. Remind them it's a new not a 2nd hand one you're willing to pay out on.

Good luck!

I'm very aware the sales people talk to other yards and also move from dealership to dealership and they are also aware of the consumer tricks.

Sometimes you have to play at their game - the prices will stay overpriced if the Aust public keep paying the ticket price.

No harm in kicking the tyres and playing hard to get - we all know how much they value their product after the warranty expires.

Testing and bargaining both this Thursday- three weeks ago got a driveaway price for nissan from a couple of brisbane nissan dealers (runout) with bullbar,lights etc for 56600 -so I thought i'd look for a 03 model - seen a few for 42-46 - a couple of days ago nissan new car saleman rings up and will do driveway now for same spec vehicle for 49900- large drop in a couple of weeks. he said because of new model they are shipping them up from down south for nix to sell, certain colours getting rare
then rang mitsubishi dealer who said he would match price and options with gls did
-wasn't going to buy new but apparently excellent time(if ever)for new car buyer (quoted by independant guy in new car game)