Pajero the right choice?

You may like to ask here as well.
Queensland Pajero Club Forum.
http://www.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/

Yes, they will even communicate with cockroaches!

Wozza,
as an entry vehicle it's a mighty fine choice.
I've just sold one and it went fine, I think there are nicer trucks out there but to begin with a Paj is a good place to start .

Hi Wozza,

12 months ago we sold our NH Pajero in favour of a newer Patrol. The Paj was a great truck which carried us and our gear, and towed an offroad campertrailer, all over the NT and WA without a hiccup. It is certainly a good choice of vehicle for you.

Only real problem we had was lack of front end clearance. It is possible to get a rear end suspension lift, we which did, but not a lot you can do with the front end except wind up your torsion bars, which we also did but we found it made the ride too harsh so had to experiment a bit to reach a satisfactory compromise between ride comfort and clearance. We also removed the side steps which had a tendency to get hooked up. But overall, once you get to know your vehicle, these are only minor problems and I haven't come across a 4WD yet that wasn't a compromise on one point or other. Incidently, I was sold on Pajero's when I hitched a ride in one for a Cape York trip back in 1988. Handled the conditions very well and kept up with the big 4WD's no worries.

Re: getting some 4WD experience in the Blue Mountains and joining a club...good idea! However, for a round Oz trip you will also need plenty of sand 4WDriving experience so make sure you work in a few beach/dune driving trips.

Have fun!

:o) Melissa

Hi, I own a patrol so i am bias to them but all in all i have found that any 4x4 ( patrol, pajero, landcruiser ) are virtually all the same to me. They all drive on and off road, they are all reasonably comfortable and they all drink petrol like it is going out of fashion. Landcruiser, Patrol, Pajero in that order from worst to not so worst.

Landcruiser = approx 20litres per 100km
Patrol = approx 18litres per 100km
Pajero = Not sure

My friend owns a 2.8L turbo diesel landrover discovery which is absolutely great on fuel economy approx 11 litres per 100km but it cost him over $1000 for a service including a timing belt which i spose makes up for the good fuel economy.

So for just blasting around the Blue Mountains with city driving i would probably buy a Petrol / Gas Patrol - Mid 90's model with 100ish thousand k's on the clock if that is possible.

If you are going remote i would buy a diesel.

Apart from the fact that it's Spanish slang for 'wanker'

I dont believe people still believe this.

Pajs are good cars, older original ones suck. BUt late model ones are honest. They wont set the world on fire, but go test drive one and see.


theres lots of other cars around that $. GQ/GU/80 Series etc.. These 3 would be better for offroading than the Paj for longer trips by a long shot.
Also more accessories available for the 3 above second hand over the Paj.

Another thing to think of is break downs and Spare parts in remote areas. If you arent carrying them, they have to be in a shop somewhere you are going, or you will have to wait for them to be brought in..


Just a thought.

The Pajeros are a great vehicle and IMO the best touring 4wd around. They aren't the choice as "mums taxis" for no reason.

As a newbie this is a good starting point. Join a club and get comfortable with it. You will be surprised where the PJ's actually go.

FWIW though, even though I drive a PJ, I would consider looking at a Patrol as well. These do have better offroad abilities, but you may not really need those extra abilities anyway.

Drive a few. Test drive a Pajero, Patrol, and a Cruiser. Maybe even a Jackaroo. They probably fit just between the PJ's and Patrols/Cruisers for their ability.

I would also check out the Prado. It should be the equal of the Pajero, though may have better clearance for offroading and with the extra fuel capacity it will go further without the need to carry jerry cans. Being a Toyota it may also cost extra..
Regards
Slunnie

Wozza, For what you are planning, the Paj will do the job admirably. Don't discount either Prado or Jackaroo, They are really clones and have a terrific reputation for their ability. I would strongly reccommend a T/D over petrol though for your long trip, especially if you tow anything, for torque and economy. I have just completed a 24000+ km trip through the outback, towing a Kimberly Kamper, and My Jackaroo handled it really well, but I would use a deisel next time. We averaged about 23lt/100kms, while towing, as apposed to it's normal of about 15/100 empty. Any of these trucks will supply all the fun times, so good luck with your choice and Happy (4WD) trails, MIke.

Wozza,

There is often a heap of bull spread around by people who seem to have a lot of axes to grind, and you have seen some of it here.

For what it’s worth, here are my thoughts on the question:

All of the “real” 4WDs on the market over the past ten years are more than capable of driving around Australia, so yes – the Pajero will fir that bill.

Each vehicle has its strengths and you should consider your probable use before you make a choice.

For example, the Patrol (closely followed by the LandCruiser) is the best heavy duty 4WD on the market. It has strengths in off road work (wheel travel and a very strong drivetrain) that also work against it in on road work. The weight of the front axle compromises handling for example.

So, if you were planning on a lot of heavy duty off road work I would suggest that you buy the Patrol, or the LandCruiser if you simply have to throw extra money at something.

The Pajero has a different front suspension system (and different rear suspension if you buy one made in the last two years) that makes its on road handling far superior to the Patrol/Cruiser, but it loses out to those vehicles in real off road work.

The Pajero is also a slightly smaller machine, so it fits the bill for city traffic use somewhat better as well.

So, if your trip around Australia is going to be focussed on roads then the Pajero would be a fine choice.

BTW – when I say “roads” I include all bitumen, gravel and clay roads as well as any formed track or beach work. It is really only when facing rock scrambles and really deeply washed out areas that the comparative lack of front wheel travel is a disadvantage.

You should note that the Jackaroo, Prado, Jeep Grand Cherokee and Musso etc would also fit the same bill quite admirably.

(and yes, I DO know that the Jeep has a solid front axle).

Good luck in whatever you choose, but I repeat that the Pajero will do the touring job completely comfortably and safely. The only downside that I can see are the comments that you will inevitably receive from the sad and ignorant about “Mum’s Taxi”.

4x4 aussie has a writeup on the Paj this month...

Also the V8 Cruiser is back.

i took mine to thye gulf and cape york and lived on the wenlock for 7 months,
I am rapped it is 4 years old now and has 120,00 k,s
we dragged a heavy trailer and a s--t load of stuff.I only put back brakes on recently and have not spent a sack on it.
love it!! though it was not my prefered at the time of purchase, but will go back again and again,