Help me with my dilemma

What are your opinions on the Pajero? I might consider one aged from '93 to '98. How good a 4WD are they?

Not just for a low budget one either Jimbo. It took me about 6 months to find one. LOL
Even then I still haven't seen it other than some pics

Kev

Agree on the Jackeroo's. I picked up an ex govt. one 18mths old with 30K on it for 20grand. Has served us well for the wifes car (no 4wding) and towing duties for 5yrs and 100000km (now has total of 130K).

Happy hunting.
Trevor.

Sorry Craig for the long to reply but the computer wouldn't let me post anything.
Yes, I plan on using it for; beaches, dunes, forestry tracks. I don't plan on river crossings or driving on the canning stock route. I want an all-rounder sort of 4WD. Low range and half decent ground clearance a must. Also, if anyone can give me some names of, "what not to buy", that would be great.

Any of the mid sized utes (Hilux, Triton, Navara) with a couple of mods will perform fairly well on intermediate forrestry tracks & dunes although can be a bit rough. Petrol versions would probably be better suited in the sand as earlier models had smaller unturboed diesels.
In wagons the 90 series Prado would be excellent requiring little to make it both comfortable & perform offroad. Both the diesels & petrols do a good job. May struggle to find a low KM one under your budget. Pajero's have had some excellent models suitable for your type of driving but dont know their pricing or problems specificly to recomend
I'd stay away from 2nd hand Jeeps, Disco's, Landrovers, Musso's & Lada's. (amoung others)
Cheers Craig................

I've been looking alot at the hilux utes. Seen alot of diesels that I assume are not tubo diesels (i.e. '91 - '94 models). I've driven a turbo diesel Terrano, how much different is a non-turbo? I mean, will the acceleration be real bad, or will a little bit of extra patience be enough to get me by?
What sort of mods would be required on the utes?

Up until the last model, Hilux diesels have always been pretty slow. The 2.8L & 3L diesels are reasonable but not very fast. With extra low gearing they'll go most anywhere but you do need to wind them up to overtake. (max speed around 130+) After market turbo's transform them into great vehicles & are pretty reliable too.
Extra's to improve them would be tyres, shocks & springs. Toyota never made a ute that rode very well ;-)
Cheers Craig...............

About how much would an after market turbo set me back?

Haven't priced one for a lux but are in general around $3K.

I've looked at some patrols, but aren't they massive fuel guzzlers. I'd much rather have something less capable that isn't gonna send me bankrupt at the bowser.

Depends what you call a massive fuel guzzler. My 4.2 Diesel returns 12lt/100kms. (so at 1.40 a ltre it's $16.80/100kms) My last Patrol was a 4.2 Petrol/LPG. Ran about 23lt/100kms.(So at 52c a litre it's $11.96/100kms)

Doesn't seem too expensive to me in 4WD circles.

Well I suppose that's not too much in the grand scheme of things. I'll look into some of the patrols. Are there any problems associated with them (ie mechanical problems)