Pathy v Challanger

I can tell you that the fuel economy of the Challenger beats that of the Pathfinder, principly because the engine is slightly smaller.
I preferred the seating in the Challenger to that of the Pathfinder of the same year.
I believe the Pathfinder performs slightly better off road.

The challenger 00 is an excellent towing vehicle having leaf springs at the back. I have read that the later models are very good too. Up to 00 it was based purely on the Triton chassis and in that it is tough.

When going through the same decision I chose the Challenger and the missus and I are very happy with our car. 3L V6 with bullbar, averages 13.5L/100kms for us.

The turning circle isn't so crash hot. Its offroad ability doesn't match that of full time / full size 4wd's, but imo unless you're getting a Prado then all the other mid-size 4x4's are much of a muchness for that and the largest limitation to their offroad abilities is sitting behind the steering wheel, not in the mechanics of the vehicle.

Is there any reason why you have ruled out the superior Toyota option ?

Just remember that you may pay more for one but you will also resell it for more and far quicker. Try and sell a Challenger these days , terrible resale and the Pathie is not much better.

Total cost of ownership in a Toyota is less and you get a superior vehicle to boot.

Have fun.

Hi,last year we were in the same boat looking at the vehicles to tow a windsor rapid too, could of gone the challenger and liked the pathy but ended up with a holden frontera se.Its a about the same size as the challenger and has a 3.2l engine.

You should also consider a Jackaroo from 98 on. There are quite a few with very low mileage around.

Big Cabin space. Low service costs. Low aquisition price nowadays, resale value after 5 - 10 years probably zilch, just like the navara and challenger will be.

If you buy a Toyota, you will pay more up front, more every service, and have a better resale, but the total cost won't be less.

Yup, they've all been mentioned now.
I think this is the list of Mid-size family 4x4's

Challenger
Jackaroo
Prado
Pathfinder

The Prado is the cream of the crop as far as wheel travel, resale, fuel tank range (not 100% on that one), any of the others are fair vehicles for your purposes I reackon. Quoted fuel economy figures from the manufacturer puts the Challenger at the top, though I've never seen 10.5l/100 from mine, more like 12.5/100 and I can't believe the bullbar would increase its consumption that much so I'd better get mine serviced ;-).

The Challenger has the 3Lv6, Jack is a 3.2, Pathy is 3.5.
Pathy and Chall (I think) both have the lift up rear door, Jack has barn style (pretty sure thats right). If you're ever going to consider putting it on LPG to save even more, the Challenger is said to be a compatible engine but you would need another $1k for a rear wheel hanger whereas the other 2 come as standard.

Post 2000 with ABS the Challenger is hard to fit another battery under the bonnet, on mine it was easy. 2000 and pre 2000 have leaf springs at the back and torsion at the front (= a little cheap lift with extra spring and winding up the torsion) it also has 15" wheels, the tyres for 15's are cheaper than 15's (worth noting). Not sure what size the others are. Aftermarket bits for the Challenger are few and far between. The LS version comes with LSD and cruise control, both very nice so look out for one of those if going for a Challenger. I believe post 2000 it has a different chassis, but dunno what difference that makes, post 2000 it does have coil suspension and I believe that is better for everyday driving than the leaf, but leaf is better for towing (again, just what I've read on the forum's).

Any closer to deciding? ;-)
Go out and drive all of them!

An appointment?!?!?!? Where was this?
How annoying!