Cruiser versus Pajero Questions

I forgot to mention, cruiser has front and back diffs too.

Mark

Got the Pajero NP05 DiD Auto - loves the sand. Been around Australia in it.Example Trip

Just drop the tyre pressures and go.

Are you looking at the petrol or diesel models?
4/6/8 cylinders?
There is a big difference in a few things - like fuel usage and torque.

Are you limited to a manual?

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Hi Mark,

I have both an 05 DiD Pajero and a 100 series (live axle 105) diesel. The only difference is that my 105 has a factory turbo motor not the NA 1hz.

Without a doubt the Paj is a nicer vehicle to kill k's in. It rides much better, the engine response is better (even than my 1hd) the brakes are better etc etc. Unless you are towing big weights the paj will always be a better drive.

The paj is also very good on sand. Mine has MATT (which I guess yours will too) which I reckon puts a bit of a downer on it's driveability actually. I'd have prefered a limo or the factory locker (came out just after I bought mine).

I have seen plenty of them out in the boonies without anyone saying bad things about them.

All that said, I'm taking my family around the country next year hauling a camper trailer. We will be heavy as hell for the who trip with all the gear you need for 12 months on the road with 2 kids. I wouldn't put the Pajero through that as, in my opinion, it is not 'tough' enough to handel it. The LC105 is without doubt a stronger more solid beast and far more at home in the sort of role I have planned.

So, in short, either vehicle will do the job of daily driver, Fraser fun and a trip to the Kimberly but you will enjoy the drive in the Paj more. If you are not towing or heavily loaded, I'd put some Koni's in the paj, some AT's (I have Khumo's on the paj and reckon they work well) on the wheels, a uhf on the dash and head off for a relaxing trip.

Just bear in mind to, the 06 Pajero will still have factory warranty till 2011 or 160km

Thanks guys,

I did mean diff locks...

We'd certainly consider automatic, but the two vehicles we are looking at are manual - if the pajero in auto is better, we would definately consider that too and look at a few more vehicles.

It is the 3.2.diesel GLX in the pajero and diesel in the cruiser too.

John,

We'd probably keep it for at least 5 years.

Cheers,

Mark

i am biased towards toyota so i will stay away from my opinion and give you one from my brother. he has owned many pajeros some second hand and some from new. he has taken them to many places including fraser island where he successfully wrote one off (was brand new) after rolling it. lucky him he got another new one under his insurance within two weeks. when he rolled it he said he landed back on the wheels, popped every glass panel out, dented it pretty badly, got out checked it and drove it off the beach where it was towed away (all with his wife and 3 kids on board and all were ok). his next new pajero after that replacement one was a lemon. he had nothing but problems with it, the dealer, the service, the warranty including mits head office who in the end said sorry we cant fix it you have to live with it. he obviously thought he had a long warranty (it was new) but they said bad luck. after some legal advice he was told forget it as they had more money than his would take him. obviously very dissapointed after many many years owning these and bragging to me many times how much better they were in his opinion, he dragged it off to a country dealer and came away in his new (demo) cruiser. i couldnt believe it. he always said he would never buy one (despite never owning one, mainly due to value for money options when comparing them). now he is a convert and said to me he cannot believe he never bought one before. he said he will never go back. now everyone has bad luck and other manufacturers probably done some of the same things too - who knows. just his opinion after him owning so many of the pajeros over his life. he also tows a large ski boat, caravan etc too as well as the off road stuff.

one other thing he mentioned was that his 3 boys commented on the change of brands afterwards. they were so used to pajeros and their ride in the back, but they all think the cruiser offers them a better ride. i think we often forget how they feel after all we probably think if we are comfortable in the front they must be in the back too. as i said i am biased, but thought i would give you someone elses opinion as expressed by him to me over time for what its worth. i think you will be happy in either vehicle, but i personally would only drive an auto now. after you own a couple you will have your answer because it really comes down to personal choice and what you think is value for money and what you think is better optioned to suit your needs. i wouldnt be put off by the age or km of either vehicle as really they are both now second hand and despite the various warranties thay may come with they should have plenty of life left in them. cheers + good luck with it...

Hi Mark,

I too have had the pleasure of owning both. I brought the Paj only becuase I couldnt afford the Cruiser at the time. I will give my opinion and consider other things to compare apart from the ones already mentioned.

Seats....paj only 7 - Cruiser 8
paj has the two third row stuck together, they are really only built for kids and wonderfully fold into the floor - easy as. The cruiser fold up against the windows and are a bit of a struggle to get up and down. But, I put one down and leave the other up, kids get a row each to sit in - it stops fights, and the engel fridge can be put in the space with the other seat folded up. Great when we travel around.

I always found the cruiser a tight well put together vehicle smooth to drive, full of grunt, never given me any problems..but the pajero has more gadgets and not as good on the beach. the ride out bush was never as smooth and the paj broke down on me at indian head fraser island. the bush mechanic worked on it and put it back together -gearbox- but he mentioned that he knew nissans and toyotas, but was a bit vague when it came to the paj. Which is something else to consider. When out bush/central aust and beyond, most farmers have toyotas..parts are available, everyone out west knows how to work on them, and Im sure there are other reasons as well.

The back door on the paj is big and opens sideways...where as the cruiser has a two fold system makes it great to sit on, backed up on eli creek, cook sausages on it, make sandwhiches and I would be lost without it. no need for a table.

modified for road is what some 4 wheel drives are, and because of this they can cause issues out bush.

Ill be killed for this statement but I think the toyota landcruiser is a much better vehicle between the two...when all things are equal. resale value is better, and they say they are only run in once they do 100k.

finally...get a bull bar, nudge bars are for shopping centres...bull bars will help save your life when you hit kangas or cows...cheeers..

I've got an 06 NP Di-D auto and it's been about everywhere with no problems. It ate up the Simpson, has done the GCR and it just keeps on going. However, I don't have a family and the size of this vehicle suits me well. The fuel economy is also excellent. As far as robustness goes, the Paj hasn't let me down. It shines in the sand!

I've heard that the Cruisers are excellent vehicles and the only caveat is fuel consumption. I'd test drive both with the family present.

My next vehicle will still be a Paj.

I tow a 23ft 2.5 tonne caravan with my auto 2005 Paj diesel 3.2 DID. Three times across the Nullabour, once around Tassie through the mountains there, across the Blue mountains back to WA. Up and Back to Broome Twice. Never Had a problem. Done the Canning Stock Route, Tanami desert, Finke River, Gunbarrel Highway. Not one problem except for the tyre trouble that we all get. I do a lot of sand driving. Leaves others behind. I used to have Nissans but not any more. Love the Paj