2002 PRADO versus 2002 Pajero

Hi Chris,

I had an 03 Pajero (Petrol) that I loved. It was an NP, ie the model after the 02 which is an NM. (The differences between the 2 were largely cosmetic, unless you talk about early Petrol NMs which had a 3.5L V6 which lacked the ESP ectc available on later 3.8L NMs and NPs.)

I think the two vehicles (Pajero and Prado) are very comparable and so it will be a bit difficult to pick one over the other. My approach (when I bought my first Paj) was to just pick the car I most enjoyed driving, without over thinking things.

The Pajero should drive a little better around town because of the independent suspension. I assume they are both petrol or both diesel? For that year the Paj diesel has more grunt, don't know about the comparison between the petrol versions other than to say they will both be thirsty.

70Ks is quite a difference, so given the machines are fairly well matched (watched the furore that comment will provoke), I would go for the one that feels, looks and drives like its in better condition. Ie, why buy a vehicle thats done a very hard 100K and looks like it's been flogged its whole life over one driven by grey wanderers for the last 7 years. Of course if the situation is reversed, I wouldn't buy a Paj with much higher Ks just because it has better whatever (eg clearance, fuel economy etc - I don't know that it does, just illustrating a point).

Good luck, pretty hard to go wrong either way. If you have any really technical questions about either vehicle try the Victorian Pajero Club website and forum and the Prado Point website.

cheers

Ben

Hi Chris,
I can only speak for the Prado. I had an 02 turbo diesel since new which I sold last year. I think I paid about 52k new and sold it 6 years and 180,000k later for $25,500. Apart from normal servicing, the prado's only mechanical repair was a front diff bearing at 170,000k. It still had the original clutch when sold. We took it off road on a regular basis with several long trips thrown in.

I was so happy with it I now have an 08 D4D which in 30,000k has not had a warranty claim.

A suggestion though. If it has or you intend to have steel bullbar/winch I strongly suggest aftermarket suspension as the standard is too soft for the weight so far forward.

Cheers

Kevin

Prado has a separate chassis while a Pajero does not. Hence they are very different designed vehicles.

Have you also considered a Jackaroo? They are similar size but more comfortable from all accounts I've heard.

G'day Chris,

We just bought a 2004 Prado 4.0V6 VX and could not be happier. It is a beautiful car to drive and we can not fault the build quality. Just fitted sequential gas injection with a flash lube kit. We will be mainly towing with occasional mild off road.

Both exceptional vehicles and could not find much wrong with either of them with the 18 months research we did prior to our purchase. Pajero tended to have more bang for your buck.

If you intend fitting gas to the Pajero you will have to remove the third row seats when not in use as the underfloor stowage is lost when the gas tank is fitted. No major drama. Mitsi also more accepting of gas conversion.

Check out the Pajero and Prado specific forums for detailed information.

Sorry for this, but have you looked at the Pathfinder ? Finish not as good and reported to be not as good off road but pretty impressive on paper. Again could not find much wrong with them.

Good luck with your search.

Cheers,

Jezz.

2002 Prado would be the last of the 90series. 3.4 petrol V6 or 1KZ-TE TD.
2002 Pajero would be the monocoque chassis.

The prado is a better offroad vehicle
The Pajero is a better on-road vehicle.

Both are well sorted and reliable.

The Prado is the 3.4ltr Petrol Auto.

The Pajero is the GLS Petrol. I test drove the Pajero today and it drove quite well.

The bumpiness on the Prado test drive may have been caused due to the car needing new tyres all the way round.

I can get the Pajero for about $2600 cheaper than the Prado, the Prado has no ABS or Airbags where the Pajero has no Roo Bar or Side Steps.

Thanks

I'd probably choose the Pajero if the Prado is a 90 series. But if you can stretch your budget a little, consider the DiD Pajero from around then. The petrol will be thirsty (as would the prado petrol).