Pajero or prado? Diesel or Petrol?

In the market for either a Pajero or Prado and have around 40K to spend and after some advice on the above veicles, good or bad. Looking at 06 to 08 automatic. So far it appears the pajero offers more cabin room for our tall family of 4. We also are planning to buy a van for family holidays in the near future (hopefully). It will also be the wifes everyday ride. Any advice or info with regard to either vehicle would be fantastic (FYI, have eyed a 2008 Pajero VR-X D4-D which looks good on surface).
Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Graeme M (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:07

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:07
HI there
I have a 2008 NS Pajero with 72000Km on the clock.
It is by far the best vehicle I have ever owned. You will be pleasantly surprised by the power it has when towing and the comfort it provides when used as a suburban runabout.

I sound like I am MR Mitsubishi but this is truly our experience.

Having used the vehicle on four wheel drive tracks with our club it has managed to do everything the Cruisers and Patrols will do but with much more comfort, you will not be sorry.

Cheers

Graeme
AnswerID: 451918

Follow Up By: just goin - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:13

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:13
Hi Graeme,
Thanks for the info. Is your Pajero Diesel or petrol out of curiosity? How do you find fuel efficiency etc when towing and also for city driving etc?

We owned a 2002 Pajero a few years back, petrol GXL base model and it was a bit thirsty around town but the comfort whilst travelling and room inside etc outweighed that most times for us...

We currently have a dual cab rodeo with Engel Fridge setup in canopy with dual batteries etc and looking to have this transferred to our new vehicle (Prado or Pajero) so therefore wondering any views on these once installed in the rear of vehicle....hoping to get 2nd battery under bonnet though for this 4wd rather than in the canopy by the fridge in the Rodeo etc.
Cheers again
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FollowupID: 724540

Reply By: OREJAP - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:14

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:14
Hi just goin, It's an easy choice. Buy whatever the wife is happiest with. My wife chose the Pajero VRX Auto diesel because the Prado made her feel unsafe & according to her "Not stable on the road & wallowed like a whale" Who could argue with that statement!! Seriously, the Pajero has a lot more torque & get up and go than the old Prado. If it is a NS diesel make sure the warranty has been done on the PDF...a MMAL dealer will explain all to you.
AnswerID: 451922

Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:16

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:16
Below are my opinions (had similar dilemma 4 years ago) when buying a new one. Others may see it different.

Prado has superior round town ride (softer), Pajero has superior handling but stiffer
Prado is better off road/ rock scramble so the motoring mags say, Pajero has superior handling on dirt roads
Prado has split 3rd row seats(?) Pajero doesn't, sometimes handy when carting kids around.
Do Prado seats fold flat in the floor like Pajero? (I've forgotten)
Prado has superior Petrol engine, Pajero superior diesel,
Pajero probably have a better gearbox (triptronic)
All the motoring mags say Prado has superior NVH
Prado has a significantly larger fuel tank, maybe important if going to remote locations
Pajero offers more "extras" for same/ cheaper price.
Prados seem to have better resale value (meaning Pajeros are a better 2nd hand buy if you plan to keep it for a long period)
Pajero have a superior vehicle warranty (need to check if the 10 year / 160000km power train is transferable).

Diesel Vs Petrol.
Depends on where you live (not much difference in the bush between petrol & diesel, diesel is significantly dearer in the city). Whether you plan to tow etc...
The more kms you travel, the better the diesel is.
I would never go back to a Petrol now, but I do >40000km pa.

My choice?
I went VRX Pajero diesel automatic, as I do a lot of kms (>40k pa, several thousand kms on dirt pa), don't live in a capital city, received a deal I considered to be $4-5000 (new) better, tow a Camper Trailer and plan to keep it to 250000km+
But if I was in a capital city, and or didn't do as many kms, or maybe needed the tank range, turned vehicles over more regularly I'd would have gone Prado.
I don't notice the difference in room with friends Prados and our Pajero.



AnswerID: 451923

Follow Up By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:19

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:19
PS 2nd battery will fit comfortably, I have that set up, may need minor relocation of some minor components. I had an auto electrician do mine.
I have 180000km on my 07 model
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FollowupID: 724541

Reply By: Member - Graeme M (VIC) - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:32

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 20:32
Sorry left that out. Ours is a Diesel.
We get around 10.5 litres/100Km around town and slightly better on a long trip.

Towing our van (2 tonnes loaded) we get around 17lt/100km but this depends on headwind and terrain.

We have a dual battery system (Pirahna) and this works extremely well.

When towing there are some issues. You cant get the back door open so we fold the single back seat down and position the fridge on the passengers side and access it from there.

We have had some issues hooking our van up but were able to find a final solution.

The van we have has had issues when towing (swaying). We have fitted air bags and then sports shockers to the rear and this had solved most of the problems.

The independant suspension was the major issue but problem solved with added suspension bits.
AnswerID: 451927

Reply By: Wilko (Parkes NSW) - Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 21:04

Wednesday, Apr 20, 2011 at 21:04
Hi Just goin,

It comes down for horses for courses. If you want a 4wd that is superb on road and stable as on dirt roads go for the Pajero. If you do more low range 4wdriving pick the Prado.

Both are reliable and hold their value (prado prob a little more).

Cheers Wilko
AnswerID: 451933

Reply By: Member - Terry (SA) - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 06:58

Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 06:58
Pop over to the Pajero forum to get more info on the Pajero

Cheers

Terry
AnswerID: 451961

Reply By: Peter B8 - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:04

Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:04
Both very good vehicles, but I did have a Prado 120 Series with the D4D motor and currently have the 150 Series with the same motor.
The late 2006 update to the D4D is the pick of the motors. Ignore information relating to the performance of the diesel motors if you are looking at the D4D. It has loads of power and torque and I averaged approx. 9.3litres/100km over the 3years and 130,000kms traveled.This motor is far better matched to the 120 series than it is to the 150 series, because of the extra weight of the 150. The previous diesel motor was not common rail and lacked power and torque.
Excellent resale value on the Toyota, even as a trade-in.
Not one warranty claim over the 3years. Could not be faulted.
My father has a 2007 diesel SWB Pajero and has done 60,000kms. In comparison the turbo went on a Nullabor crossing. Covered under warranty, but annoying none the less. Averages approx. 10.5litres/100kms. Very happy overall with the Pajero.
It comes down to personal preference, but I would always stick with a diesel. Petrol fuel usage will hurt, especially if you are towing.
Peter
AnswerID: 451985

Follow Up By: Madfisher - Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:54

Thursday, Apr 21, 2011 at 13:54
Interesting you have had both Pete. We have had both at work, and while I loved the 120s , I can not say the same about the 150. Mainly poor over bonnet visability, and it feels bigger from behind the wheel then the 100 series did.
Even with the seat cranked right up wheel placement would be difficult.
But we have had no trouble with either.
Cheers Pete
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FollowupID: 724618

Reply By: Member - onemore - Friday, Apr 22, 2011 at 03:22

Friday, Apr 22, 2011 at 03:22
If you decide on a Pajero, PM me for the details on a NS I will be selling soon,it might interest you.

Cheers,
Mike
AnswerID: 452036

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