2006 Mitsubishi Pajero NP GLX3.2L Turbo Diesel 5 spd Tiptronic

The only issue I am aware of with sand is that the rear bumper acts like a sand scoop. But mine was an NM with no traction control so that might be an issue. Otherwise no problem. If I had my time over again I would probably have bought a Prado, mainly due to the NVH of the Pajero, especially on corregated roads. The diesel is pretty loud. Mind you , on the other hand the earlier Prados were only 90 kW or so if you get a Prado get one with the new donk.

Hi Spikey
Both are good vehicles. As for saying that they are no good in the sand, who has given you this information and did they have first hand knowledge and know what they were doing??

It does not matter what vehicle you drive, if you are not used to sand driving, you will have the same response - get bogged and very easy if you do not know what you are doing.

A few very basic things like reducing tyre pressure and learning how to read the surface is the best teacher. Have said all this, there have been many times when I have been caught out.

As for Pajero v Prado, this is a very big debate, as I have owned 4 Pajeros over a 17 year period and now have a Prado and would I change back or regret buying the Prado - simple, NO WAY, but time will tell.

Cheers

Stephen

As a club 4wd trainer I have taken numerous Pajeros out and test driven a few.
Even had the opportunity to "borrow" one on Stockton beach.

I drive a 3.0l patrol and have no hesitation in recommending the pajero.
This weekend, I drove a pathfinder, 100 series, 80 series, GU patrol, pajero, latest prado and a 65 series.
All through some pretty serious stuff around Lithgow.

Pick of the bunch would have to be the pajero.
Only my humble opinion.

best advice is to hire a few, test drive for a weekend.
Its a small price to pay to make a smart choice on a major purchase.

Brian

Depending on where you intend to drive, And what type of driving you do, One of the main criteria I would look at is what Dealerships are around those areas.
With mitsubishi you have Mt ISa, Alice Springs, Darwin or Broome. Which leaves you with a long way to get your car towed with a warranty issue. A hell of a good way to buggar up a holiday.
Just a thought.

I owned an NP Pajero from new. It lasted two years. Having said that it was used to drive up and down a 1500 Km long gas pipeline with very average access. The vehicle quite literally spent 75% of its time off-road.

So far as capability goes, it would go anywhere and the only time I bogged it was my fault. Didn't let the tyres down.

That said, as pointed out by a previous poster, the rear bumper is a sand scoop and I replaced mine 3 times in two years. Additionally, the radiator support panel cracked in 16 places and had to be replaced. Thank goodness this was done under warranty as the job would have cost over $4000.00 otherwise.

In the two years that I had it, the vehicle was out of action for a total of 17 weeks. Everything was fixed under warranty - but be warned, not without a hell of a fight with Mitsubishi. It got to the point of threatening legal action on one occasion.

I suspect that 99.99% of vehicle users would never use a Pajero for what I did and most, therefore, would not have the troubles I did but just be informed anyway.

Cheers

Hi Spikey,

I bought a new NL Pajero (petrol) in 1999, and then upgraded to a NS diesel Pajero last year.

The NL was fantastic, never missed a beat. My husband and I took it around OZ in 2004, including some very sandy areas on the West Coast of WA, and never had a problem. We did however deflate our tyres when driving in sand! We took it into Francois Peron National Park, and up Cape Leveque immediately after a cyclone, just to name a couple of spots.

I have had a bit of trouble with the NS Pajero - due to the DPF. It had to be towed twice within 6 months because it went into "limp mode". Very frustrating, but Mitusbishi reckon they have fixed the problem now.

Before both purchases, I looked at Prados. The main reason for me choosing the Pajeros was cost - the Pajeros are a few thousand cheaper, and generally come with more options as standard. This issue may not be relevant if buying second-hand. I also bought the NS Pajero because of my great experience with the NL. Whether that turns out to be a good decision, I'm still waiting to see if I have any more problems with it!

When it comes time to upgrade again, I will still look at the Prados too.

Cheers
Leanne

They are a bit boring ie No major mechanical issues, Drives on the tar and gravel roads well. Has won the DAKAR record number of times, Reasonable service chargers, does off road well. Tows in 5th gear, no diff or engine problems, lasts for many 100,000's ks.
comfortable, the quite achiever.
Honky

Hi Spikey

Looks like your looking at previous models , but its worth reading the current 4X4 australia mag which compares the latest Paj , Prado and Pathie.

The Paj wins hands down , and from article you can get some insight into the how it has been improved and hence the weaknesses in previous cars.

One of the Pajeros strengths is actually sand, provided you turn off the ASC control via a switch below the console. I've taken my NP auto Diesel 06 across the Simpson in a very soft year, plowed through deep mud and water on the Plenty, experienced very nasty corrugations between Dalhousie and the Fincke and it has yet to let me down. Yes, did collect some sand during the Simpson crossing but this was a minor issue.

I'll be buying another Paj when the lease runs out in two years time.