Trying to choose a 4WD - need opinions from owners :)

Thank you for the comment - I'm not worried much about resale value at the moment, as I do plan to keep this car for at least 5 years and then we'll see what happens. I thought Nissans were quite good on quality with their Patrols?

Hi strelecki , i am interested in on your comment about pathfinder faults & quality control. If u could supply more info thankyou.

He is probably referring to the tow bar issue mentioned in the last week or so..

Patrols not a prob,excluding the 3lt.Navara I bought a new one 2002 and could not get rid of it fast enough.Pathfinder just from what i have read they have had a few issues,do a search.Maybe only some early production gremlins but still a pita if its your vehicle and nissan don't have an envious rep for customer/product service from my observations and dealings.Obviously some dealers try harder than others.

I agree about the dealers - some can be better some worse, but if the car is good then this shouldn't be a problem :) I'll try to find out if those early problems have been fixed (if there was an update to the Pathfinders). Thanks!

HI Guys i was just curious as i am a nissan tech & have found the pathfinder to be problem free in our d/ship, also surprised to hear strzelecki comments about the nav i used to own a 04 str, loved it, maybe it is just some dealers. But hey this is the real world we live in & bleep happens.

Sorry for the confusion, the Pajero is in fact a 3.2.

I spoke to a Mitsu dealer and they said that the new model is not due till Jan-Feb 2007, and they don't have any info, not brochures - nothing. It might be worthwhile to wait a bit, but then again, maybe not?

Thanks for the input!

I thought new models come out in August/September not earlier on in the year? (i may be wrong)

They never seem to commit to a timeframe for the new models yet, due to them wanting a sale NOW! Doesn't really matter which brand of vehicle, they all tend to do the same. The 2007 timeframe may be to scare you off waiting.....

My understanding is that it is being unvealed at the Paris Car show on 30 Sept.

Andrew

i just read oldplodders post and i may be wrong with the dates ;-)

Andrew

Andrew,

I think you may be right.

.Release at the Paris auto show in Sept.
When in Oz I don't know.
Traditionally Mitsu release in oct, but may be late this year?

links to new model photos

Site Link

Site Link

Thank you for the info and the links - I like what I'm seeing! :) Unfortunately though it's really unknown at the moment (at least to me) when they'll be here and what the price would be. I'll try to talk to another dealer tomorrow about this and see if I can get any more info out of them. I could wait a bit if I knew what I was waiting for ;)

Yes, sorry about that - I got confused. The Pajero is a 3.2. I'm looking for a new car.

Thanks for the suggestion - I'll keep it in mind when comparing them!

As you can see, i own a 3.2 pajero and found the ride on the best of most 4wds due to the independant suspension all round.

A negative of the DiD pajero is that it is considered noiser than others due to the engine setup. As most people will say, you get use to it :-)

You will have a hard choice ahead of you ;-) Don't forget to look at issues such as spare parts costs, after-market accessories, resale, servicing costs/intervals, warranty lengths, etc.

HTHs

Andrew

Thanks Andrew - the Pajero was my no. 1 choice at one point and I'm still open to it :) I didn't realise it'd be so hard to choose - finding a suitable sedan is so much easier.

I don't mind the noise - that's why there's a sound system :) I know a diesel will be noisiser than petrol, so it's something I can live with.

The Mitsus do have the best service interval and warranty, from what I gathered, so that's a plus :)

Yes, I did consider it, but the new model is not due till next year (that's what the dealer said anyway), so it might be too long for me :) I would prefer to get something before December. I appreciate the input, thanks!

Unfortunately the Disco3 is a bit our of my price range :( Thanks!

Thank you for the suggestion, but Disco3 is too expensive for me :( I need to fit within a 70K (or very close to it) budget.

Check your dealer on Disco 3 - you can get an SE TDV6 for 70K on road, I am told.

I'll see if that's possible, but it seems more likely to be around 75K, which is over my budget, considering there're many options that cost a lot and are missing :(

gee - how do you spell suspension again?????

LOL

Cheers
Muddy

As long as you can spell bank manager and loan I would take any of the above.
Good luck choosing!
Niffty\Perth

Thanks to all! :) Actually I didn't think of picking up a magazine yet :( I'll get one tomorrow. The Commander looks the best inside, IMHO... Why would the Pathfinder die? Aren't they supposed to be tough and well-built?

The Patrol is out of my price range - I like the ST-L Diesel though... But I need to fit within 70K or very close to that (better less than that!). The Cruisers I like in their Sahara edition which is close to a 100K :(

Wish I had a spare 40K :)

Thanks for the input! Those cars are both in the top price range (of the 4 models I'm considering), but then I'd rather spend a bit more now, but have something reliable and that I enjoy.

With the new model of Pajero coming out, it's interesting - you would think they'd have a run out sale sometime soon, perhaps :)

Thanks - I looked at the Defenders and eventhough it's a good tough car, the interior is, sorry, horrible :)

Don't apologise - it aint much to look at!

I thought about a Hyundai, but not sure about their quality - I test drove a Tucson Elite a year ago when they first arrived and the plastic inside was constantly making squeaky noises. But the price is certainly very good :)

I might just take a Terracan for a test drive, can't hurt :)

Thanks Tony!

I took a test drive in Jeep Commander Limited CRD 3.0 today and I really loved it :) I'm not sure about its build quality though, as I've seen some negative feedback here and from other people as well, so this needs a bit more research - what's wrong and where.

The Pathfinders I have scratched from my list as of today, as the 2nd row seats are useless for adults. I've added the X-Trails though, as a replacement (they're almost the same size after all!). The X-Trail Ti would be my "budget" choice at the moment.

The only concern I have with the Mitsus is that they have a new model coming out really soon and I'd prefer to buy that then, but I couldn't get any specific details on the date nor the price, so it's a bit fuzzy...

A vary biased opinion indeed.

The difference in 5 year resale value between the pajero and the grande would be around $7000 (less in some cases) if your figures are to be believed. However this would be negated to a huge extent by the fact that the difference in fuel consumption of these two vehicles would add up to 3100 litres plus in favour of the pajero using their quoted fuel economy numbers and averaging 25000km per year. (13.2 vs 10.7)

I'm not even sure where you are coming from when stating that "Pajero is not in the ballpark for the way they drive"........what is this based upon? Have you actually driven one and compared it to the others?

Why do "the others" have dubious reputations? Why should the new pathfinder dissapear into the landscape? There seems to be too many inconsistencies in the argument to say that the prado wins on almost all accounts.

If the jeep was extremely wierd looking, why do they sell them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Maybe not your cup of tea, however a poor reason to bag the vehicle. I think the front of the Prado looks wierd with its lights however it is not helpful for the OP to decide on the vehicle. The fact that they have listed these four vehicles means that the looks of it hasn't turned them off purchasing one.

Whilst i drive a pajero, i hate it when people promote false accusations. Each vehicle has its benefits and disadvantages, and you have to weigh up all factors to form a guided decision. I'm not saying that the prado may not be the best choice for the OP situation, just that the information you have provided is incorrect.

Andrew

Thank you Andrew.
All Im saying is what I would do.
I guess I get to see things from a different point of view, as a vehicle wholesaler I need to make wise descisions on buying and selling vehicle that are secondhand, looking at the second hand market objectivley is very important for anybody looking at buying a new vehicle.
Unfortunatley some dealers will not even take on their own products seconhand because they are incredibly difficult to resell, for varying reasons. Once a vehicle gets a bad reputation in this country, it tends to stick.
I have never had a problem trying to resell a Prado, Dealers in fact line up for them, and will pay very good money to get a good one. Its not the only car like that, but certainly compared to the others mentioned.
I dont dislike the Pajero at all, and its is not a bad vehicle to own. However my opinion on this topic is shared by many in the industry.

Cameron.

That's ok.......as a vehicle wholesaler, i would summise that you would be looking at the bottom dollar, buying low, selling high, sell quick :-) The value that the vehicle is sold for is higher on your priority rather than life cycle costs, though these costs do affect price in the end to some extent.

I would agree with you though that it would be easier for you to sell, say a prado, due to various reasons, however not necessarily due to "being a better ride" etc. Each owner is looking for different features, however i am always wary of people who try to sell you a product due to their belief that it is better (when really it is a matter of "i have this vehicle etc for sale"). I'm not saying your one of these people, as i don't know you :-)

thanks for your response,
Andrew

I dont think it was a biased opinion at all - and it certainly wasnt incorrect. Camship was offering one point to look at that he has experience with. Rightly or wrongly resale is a matter of varying importance to most buyers and can often sway them to a vehicle that was maybe second on their list. Certainly doesnt mean the best resale vehicle is the best vehicle but it is something to factor into your purchase.

BTW Ford Taurus was an UGLY car but they still sold (some). Good luck offloading one now.

It was incorrect in the fact that several statements such as "Pajero is not in the ballpark for the way they drive" cannot not validated. Whilst i agree he is looking at it from one point, it would have been handy from the onset to understand where he was coming from. I do agree with your statements on resale though.

No thanks, i will pass on the Taurus :-)

Andrew

Yeah I agree with the Paj handling part - they definately sweet on the road with four wheel ind susp.

Hello!

Yes, I might give it a try after all.

It's so hard to choose something within a certain budget :(

Thanks for the suggestions!

Hi Lenni,

Thank you for your comments - I'm glad you're enjoying your car :) The Pajeros might actually drop down in price with the new model coming out soon, so I'll be watching them if I don't decide before that.

It's actually a combination of price-features, because at that quite a high price the diesel is offered in 4sp automatic, while the petrol is a 5sp auto. I believe that if getting an auto and looking at quite expensive cars, I should at least get a 5sp auto tiptronic, as anything below that is becoming outdated at the moment.