Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

I received this in the admin mailbox today. Can anyone give the gent some advice - maybe he will become a member

I have not yet become a Pajero owner but intend to become one in the near future. I don't know if my request would fall within the scope of your service but hope that you will be able to help.

I am considering buying a new Pajero but might consider a pre-owned model in good condition and would like to know the following. I do not intend to tackle hard-core offroading but want to be able to go where a Pajero in standard configuration could go.
Of the various models over the past 10 years:
a) Which year model was particularly good and why.
b) In buying a pre-owned Pajero, what to look for and what to look out for.
c) Diesel or petrol
d) What could I expect to pay.

I would appreciate whatever guidance you could offer.

Many thanks
Norman Burgess

Budget will dictate.

a) No "duds" AFAIK, so all of them are good. Of the older ones, the 2.8 TD is the least inviting because of the cylinder head problems on the Colts (no so prevalent if fitted in Pajeros)

b) Full service history & signs of off-road abuse.

c) Personal choice. Diesels are more economical, petrols are better for ...... (OK somebody else will have to fill that in )

d) The range of Pajeros available will be dictated by your budget, rather than the other way round.

OK,

I have to say it again but please dont be angry at me, Im just an open person when it comes to certain details, and Im not shy sharing things others find is no one elses business,

So, Norman,
I paid R50,000 for my Pajero, Its a 96 model, 3.5V6 pertol, and is an Automatic.
Mine actually came with towbar, aftermarket Full bullbar, and a Warn Winch. Currenty, Insurance values the vehicle minus the extras
at about R83,000. I bought this one, after seeing another one for R40,000, that would have need a little bit of work done (+/- 10,000)
both had about 256,000 Kms on the clock at the time.
I'm not sure what your budget is but there are various things to look at.

1stly, to full in where 4epajero wouldnt - Petrol is better for power / off-road.

You obviously know what you want the SUV for, so All, I can say is this.

Long trips - Gen 2 LWB is better - current new models have 69 / 70L tanks, Gen 2 LWB has a 92L tank (75L for the SWB).
not sure about Gen 1, but I'm pretty sure Gen 2 is the biggest tank size.
Even if your not majorly going to go into Off-road, you might like a bit of Sand-duning.
Pajeros, are AWESOME for that (probably most other things too)
I just joined the group 2 days ago, having bought my Pajero 2 months back.

I find it very smooth, and quick on road, and totally capable offroad - so far (I have yet to do major mud, and/or rock, I'm doing my 1st grade 3 in 2 weeks)
but on sand its awesome (makes you feel like a bit of a pro.)
The Gen 2 are always a good buy, as they are powerful to boot, have decent styling, and are cheap by comparison.
The Automatics are great, as it makes life easier when sand duning. (also being a 4 gear auto, 3 standard with overdrive), and with a standard/hold/power switch, and D/1/2, your Auto possibilities are endless, and the vehicle never seems to 'search' for gears)
Thats all aside from the super-selector - which makes the Pajero, the only vehicle in the world where you can decide whether you want part time or full time 4x4, not to mention locking your center diff, and low range.

2 things I cant comment on, as (a) I dont know how the manuals are fitted, and (b) I still need a reply from someone - is the following.
1) Autos come with a viscose coupling (like a limited slip diff for centre diff, which is better than a normal centre diff) and
2) Not yet sure if the Pajeros have a rear diff loc.

Within the Gen 2 range 96 models seem to be popular, but thats personal choice (I think) as is LWB, or SWB, but most of us would tend to think LWB is better.

3.5 V6 is actually more economical than the 3 V6, as the engine does not work as hard, also the engine therefore lasts longer as well.
When looking to buy(as with any 4x4), make sure the transfer works, test it off road, in sand / mud, go through the whole selection.
Whilst doing that, make sure all the indicators work, If things don't work properly, get the seller to look at fixing, as sometimes the transfer control (elecronic) boxes
tend to go, and are about 1.2 grand (parts & labour to fix) other than that, do a thorough inspection, judging by a proper look, you should be able to see if it has been taken off road,
(scratches from bushes, possible dents on the running board(the aftermarket looking step between the front and rear wheel)
If it has been used off road, chances are the owner had fun, so climb under it and give it a good inspection.
If possible, try to find 2 possible vehicles, and test drive both, as when I test drove the 2, the one I bought's engine just sounded soooo much better,
not that the other one sounded bad to me.
Also, try to get someone who has a pajero to go with you (its a long shot, but worth trying to arrange)

My opinion, (which counts for nought) as Im new in the 4x4 world, but LOVE my Pajero is:

Try go for a 3.5 V6 Generation 2 Pagero, LWB (260,000 KM, means price will be low, and engine still quite new)
If its in good condition all round, you can expect to pay up to about R75,000, and know your getting a bargain.
Try pick something up for about R60-65,000 - you can do a lot of repairs and maintenance on these for 10 grand.

Of coarse, If your even considering buying a new Pajero, then your budget is much better than expected.
As such, you look to pay between R430,000 and R5something,000 in which case I would consider suggesting the Pajero Sport,
and Awesome vehicle, Cheaper than the cheapest New Pajero, weighing in ant approx R414,000.
It also comes with Superselect, and Rear Diff lock, so is just as able.

Look forward to seeing you on her as a member one of these days.

Good Luck,

Mcnoogle wrote: 1stly, to full in where 4epajero wouldnt - Petrol is better for power / off-road.

The second part of your statement is arguably incorrect. I have driven both diesel and petrol, and the diesel is far more suited to offroad usage. Offroading requires more bottom end torque, not out and out grunt . I dive petrol cos I love the v6 petrol and it is better in sand than diesel generally.

BUT, if I had to buy again and i could afford it , I'd get a 3.2 Did, as it is IMO the best offroading engine around.

Simon,

I eat my words, as you know, I don't know much about 4x4s, just what I read, so I'll also keep that in mind (about the low end torque / power)
although, I definately do agree with you, I love the petrol V6, Its just right for me, - the petrol smells better too.

Here is my 2 cents

Petrol models of the Paj are perform very well on sand dunes where quick acceleration might be required, but this doesnt mean they are handicapped when it come to mud and rock crawling its just that the diesel models have more power at lower revs compared to petrol (that is if you overcome the turbo lag)

Thx for the information.. I am about to sign for a DiD GLS. I can see it has done off-roading (EMU shocks and BFG Tyres) but cannot see any damage. It had all the services and all the electronics still works
Is there anything I should be looking out for before I do the deed?

Regards

Hallo almal

Ek het 'n 2000 model gen 3 manual lwb. Graag wil ek weet waar sit die selector switch wat jou 4x4 laat in skakel?
Ek het gelees dat die outomatiese model naby die selector sit, is dit dieselfde plek in die manual?

Groete Hennie