I need your help again, Pajero or Pathfinder
Submitted: Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 12:22
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woddonnee
G'day all
Sorry to be mainly a harvester of knowledge on this great site rather than contributor.
I sought advice 3 years ago prior to buying my gu3 nissan 3L auto. This car has served me very very
well, exceeding all my expectations and zero problems. Being so happy with the car (and its only done 45,000k) I intended to renew my lease but due to the way the fbt and lease works I am now looking at new cars.
I like a versatile car, able to tow a 1.5 tonne boat or caravan on the occassional long trip and do the occassional bit of moderate 4wdriving, with a decent luggage area and good fuel economy. Also good weight on towball capacity.
1. First choice a new patrol, unfortunately I don't like the changes they have made and I don't like the current blue compared to my velvet blue, so have ruled out a new patrol. Also whole new patrol in 2006
2. Took a new Pathfinder 2.5L Diesel (drove a manual but I want auto) and was quite impressed, now seriously considering one. This is a whole new vehicle with good economy and 'should' hold its value quite
well. All the specs look good. A bit boxy looking but not too bad. 3 tonne towing capacity.
3. Pajero 3.2L diesel auto. Highly rated, but I have never liked appearance that much and this model been around for years. I'm concerned about Mitsubishi's future, not just in Oz but worldwide and effect of a company collapse on vehicle resale. My mechanic tells me the scrub tyres badly and sink miserably when towing and he doesn't like the motor? The high ratings and my drive of one yesterday have put one of these as a possible.
As getting my boat around to the back of my house is an extremely tight operation my first to choice at the moment is
1. A New Pathfinder 2.5L (gee thats a small engine isn't it) auto. its a little smaller than both the patrol and pajero.
2. Keep my gu3, I may do this in the end if I am not sure about a change.
Any "unbiased" :-) and informed comments appreciated.
Cheers
Rod
Reply By: camship - Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 13:02
Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 13:02
I work in the vehicle sales industry, not for either of these brands.
The Pajero IMO is; UGLY as sin. Noisy and horrible to ride in.
The Pathy is a little more attractive, up to date and a pleasure to drive.
Issues would be unknown resale and reliabilty (given the 3.0s rep.)
I would probably buy the Disco 3 TD, It is definatley the best Td 4x4 I have driven in that price range.
As for the product I do sell, the Td is
well below par in this company.
the petrol however...
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Follow Up By: woddonnee - Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 13:37
Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 13:37
Thanks for your thoughts Cam
I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or beer holder LOL)
I have never liked the pajero appearance but am warming to them.
I must say I was shocked when starting and in particular stopping the 3.2L DID paj, it felt like there were no bolts in the engine mounts, don't know if this is normal, but it was a shocking shake rattle and roll.
Re the disco, I saw they got best 4wd in one publication recently, but next level up in pricing, which I don't want to go to.
Perhaps I should have a look though?
Cheers
Rod
PS I'm thinking Prado is what you are talking about
woddonnee@hotmail.com
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Follow Up By: camship - Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 14:07
Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 14:07
Spot on woddonne.
I would look at the Disco, only thing I would be worried about is resale as the earlier ones are not good. However I think if the 3 can keeps its reputation in tact It should hold up ok.
If you can splurge a little more on fuel (probably 4 litres to the 100 more), the other one mentioned is a more sure bet for resale and reliability IMO.
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Follow Up By: woddonnee - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 08:44
Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 08:44
Thanks camship
You and pbob have convinced me to a least look at the disco's, but I do think they will be to pricey for me
cheers
Rod
FollowupID:
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Reply By: gaz4 - Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 17:03
Thursday, Jan 26, 2006 at 17:03
Not sure where the story about Pajeros scrubbing tyres comes from....my '02 NM V6 got a bit over 80,000k from the original Yokohama Geolandars, about 25-30,000k of that was towing a 2.3 tonne van. Get a good weight distribution system, make sure the alignment is right, and no problems.
On paper the new Pathfinder looks interesting - in my view ugly as sin (beauty is in the eye of the beholder) and the writeups I've seen say it is pretty rough around the edges. It's sourced from Spain, not a Jap vehicle at all. I tend to stick with the Japs (I've had mainly Toyotas and Mitsubishis, a couple of Nissans) for reliability, assembly quality, and toughness. Sadly, age has proven to me that there is no such thing as a perfect vehicle - an expensive education.
Gaz
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Follow Up By: woddonnee - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 08:10
Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 08:10
G'day
Sorry for slow reply had to work last night.
I think I heard that Pajero's scrub tyres when I searched exploroz. I asked my mechanic and he confirmed that he has a client with a paj and that the tyres splay out when towing, the guy only got 20k out of his last set. ??? Dunno, just repeating what I heard.
I asked the Nissan dealer about the made in spain thing, he reckoned that nissan had been extra careful about having their vehicles made there and have 300 japanese working in the factory to make sure all is done right??
I have also read a few reviews and noticed the "rough around the edges" you mentioned re Pathfinders. It seems that this relates to the return to a proper chassis and more serious off road capability. Some writers seem to love this and others not. I'm thinking perhaps it is a personal bias on their part, or perhaps the fact that most driving is done on the blacktop. I'm going to take an auto for a drive today.
Cheers
Rod
PS I've had a few differnt expensive educations :-( LOL
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Reply By: PBob - Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 08:53
Friday, Jan 27, 2006 at 08:53
Rod,
Be interested to hear wghat you say when you have a look. Accessories are dear, they wanted 1200 bucks for side steps for my series 2, i bought non Landrover, had them powder coated (black) total cost $640.00! Mind you, all genuine dealer accessories are expensive for all models, thats why you have to
shop around.
Places like "4 wheel drive" landrover
shop in vic, often have parts imported for about 2/3rds the price of the dealer. Just remember to go in hard (really hard) if you are looking for a deal - I am certain they have a fair bit of room to move. Make sure you have a drive, they are a drivers car.
Happy hunting, oh and by the way, the Pathfinder got a really good write up as
well, though they copped a serve for their price I noticed.
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