Pajero

We are 65 and have a 2010 NT auto T/D Platinum purchased new - now has 60,000 kms and no trouble - good for highway and off road also towing a camper trailer. Good fuel consumption and good ride and can handle some rough stuff. Know of guys like us who are on their 3rd or 4th Pajero. If I was buying again, I'd go Paj without hesitation. Look for one of the limited edition models as you can get good extras like upgraded headlights, rear air lockers etc. Ride/suspension is a little soft for rough off road work and towing so we fitted 2 inch lift with upgrade shocks and springs and rear airbags for towing.

Hi Dave,

We have one and are happy with it...have done almost 28,000kms since we bought it new last September.

Not sure whether you intend towing anything but just be aware that although it can tow 3 tonne, anything which weighs between 2.5 and 3 tonne is limited to having a 180 kg down ball weight. Kinds of limits what you can tow as we have discovered...

regards,

Heather

Hi Dave I am a Toyota fan as I believe that they are more reliable than the pajeros ,mine is a 2000 model petrol auto that has just (12 months ago) taken us for a 2 year trip around oz . Our only trouble was 1 flat ,and we towed a van .Twice we spoke to pajero drivers who where having problems with thier auto transmissions .they where both towing vans
Another concideration will be the running costs I service mine myself (except timing belt service at 150,000klm) . towing my Jayco Eagle at a steady 90klm I get 13-14litres per 100 klh and without I get 11-12 litres per 100klm at 100klh
Hope someone can give you more info on the Pajero
Cheers
Joe

We see lots of Paj's come through our training and on tours as well and I think they are pretty under rated. Very competent out of the box and with a suspension lift and decent tyres are as good as anything in the right hands (read you have been trained by someone). Apart from that if you can find a second hand one with the factory rear diff lock grab it as it is an excellent option and well worth the few dollars if you purchase one new

A long range tank is really not necessary unless you want to do the Canning. There are plenty of other options for additional fuel

Regards

Rob

Hi Dave,
as you know I am a Jack fan, but a while a go a Cust hired one of our large Pantechs for a week and asked me if I would mind running his 3.2 Paj into the yard of a night. Ea morning I would start it and drive it around the block to park it as we are short of yard space. Anyhow this Paj had 280000ks on it, started perfect eac morning and I was amazed how well it drove.
When he returned I guized him on the Paj, and he said he had had a great run , with very little trouble.
Also we run Prados at work reliable, but awfull to drive in my opinion. Same driving Dynamics as a 50s yank tank, anyhow recently I had a drive of a near new Paj, and o boy their is no comparsion, no float, handled like a car and felt much smaller. Having said that I had better head for the hills before the Toyota brigade come out guns blazing LOL
I dont think you can go wrong mate, they have the best rep of any of the later diesels.
Cheers Pete

G’day Dave,
I’ve owned both brands and currently have a 100 series I wouldn’t swap for anything. Having said that, I reckon the Pajero is a very under rated and capable 4wd. I recommend the Pajero.
Myles.

We had a 2010 Prado,accidently went into a Mitsubishi car yard 4 months ago & walked out having ordered a Pajero NW.Better tow capacity,smaller vehicle in size but suits us .Big price difference so got to expect that some things are not quite Toyota standard.It,s a Platinum & had the spare tyre lift & not much else had to be done.We tow a 21ft (not off road) van.

Owned 2 Paj's 1st one was a 2002 petrol which we sold @ 190 000km, no problems
Current one is 2007 diesel with 220 000km on it, no problems again.
Most of the NS models had problems with ECV valve (or something similar) for which there was a factory fix.
Like all vehicles there are good and bad, but Paj, Prado and Jackaroos are excellent vehicles, Jacks are getting a bit long in the tooth and Paj V Prado verdict is very much dependent on strengths and weaknesses of each vehicle (whether each vehicles strength/weakness is important for you).

But to your specific question, we have been very happy with our two over 400 000km and chose them (new) as we thought they offered better value for us.

Mark

friends pajero with the did 3.2.
timing chain let go, and needed to find a replacement motor.

and a few of the electrics were going hay wire. sensors, solenoids.
doctors car, soo not short of money but damn peice of crap!.

landcruisers arent cars, solid built vehicles to go the distance.

Dave,

One thing I have noticed is more and more property owners are using them for their highway vehicle. I think that tells you something.

We saw more Pajero's in the Simpson this year than any other vehicle, go figure. Every highway and every town the numbers were obvious, some towing some not. For the money you cant go wrong but do upgrade the suspension including airbags if towing or carrying heavy loads.
DE

Hi Dave

We bought our 2004 NP 3.2 DiD in 2007 with 72,000 on the clock - specifically for van towing. Only modification was a set of King Springs to stiffen the back end for the weight. Other than that it is unmodified.

Previous owner had racked up greater than normal k's on trips north but kept vehicle serviced and good nick.

It now has nearly 190,000 k up and the only problem experienced to date was a starter motor failed after 160,000 k.

So far towed across to Qld 2008 15,000k round trip - two x 10,000k hauls to the Kimbeley and Terriroty, plus probably further 30 or 40 more thous round this great state of ours without a hitch. (Initially a Coromal Silhouette then to a 20ft Supreme Spirit)

Have owned many makes of vehicles over 50 years and can't fault this one.

I don't take on 'extreme' tasks but not concerned about a bit of rough going.

Good luck with your choice

regards - Phil

Thanks for all the comments, looks like a Pajero might be my next vehicle.

I realise that all vehicles have their faults, but if you can get a general consensus (good or bad),from like minded people, then it gives you a fair indication.

I should have mentioned that the ones I have been looking at are 2007 onwards, the NS or NT model. I also should have said that I tow a van, but it is an Avan Cruiseliner with a all up (loaded) rating of 1300kg, so not really an issue. It has the 'Adventure Plus' pack, which makes it as off road as an Avan can be, but not a serious off roader by any stretch.

Thanks again for all your help, Dave

P.S. Young fella at work just dropped a timing chain too, and had to replace his motor.... in his Commodore.

Hi Dave,

Take a look at thread # 89120.

Cheers Wilko