Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Entering the Lion's Den like a Lamb !
Based on experience & problems ( inc spares) would you buy a 2013 LWB Pajero Exceed 3.2 25 000Km's for R520 000 ? or would rather a Prado D Auto VX 2012 85 000Km's for R 540 000.

Or a radical change to a Amarok 2013 8Auto 30 000Km's for R450 000.

The Pajero comes with full roof rack and Wrangler Tyres (6), what other Modifications would be necessary for Offroad. Northern Cape, Botswana, Zambia etc. Space for Long Range tank ? Can it take Standard Diesel ? etc.
Your input is valuable
Busbug

There's not much wrong with a Prado, except the looks (for me IAC). Which engine?

I would rate the 3.2 Di-D way above the D4D in the Toyota.

The Amarok does not really compete, since it is a double cab.

From your post, I don't think you have owned a Pajero in the past.

Hell Yeah!! I would buy it at the drop of a hat!

Spares really is not as bad as it might seem on the forums. I don't think it is that much worse than many other brands and has seemed to stabilize of late. Common problems I am not aware of any.

The Prado with the D4D engine is a bit "pap" and I think the 3.2Did in the Pajero is much better suited to the body.The Pajero engine does gulp 500ppm and lower diesel no hassles so that is a plus point on the touring side. Between the Prado diesel VX and the Pajero I would go Pajero. With the specs listed by you I would say maybe extra fuel tank and upgraded bash plates and you are good to go exploring Africa. The Exceed is also WAY better specced on the luxury side in comparison to the VX Prado. You can maybe look at a nice "Legend" edition GLX Pajero if you want to compare to the VX and there it comes with ALL the overlanding goodies already included but without the luxuries of the Exceed like leather etc.

The Amarok is a total mind change being a bakkie. You would need to spend money on a canopy etc which can add up. I dont know the engine enough to comment on that but Volkswagens have been known to be good solid and reliable vehicles in general so it should be OK. Feedback from people that I know who use it in town are very favorable.

For overlanding use with the choices that you have given I would say the Pajero wins hands down.

CATS

Thank you CATS & 4 Pajero your input is very helpful.

You are corect , this my first foray into true 4x4, for 12 years I have had an Audi 2.7T Quattro variable suspension. This is a big investment , so need to make the best decisionYes an Amerok would need Alucab etc.

Obviusly I turned to this forum to gain advice on Go-NoGo and what acessories I would need on Pajero ?

At low Kms the GLS Exceed seeems the best Pajero around at the moment. I have been searching the Internet since Mid Jan !

Who would you go to for Acessories and tent, fridge, undercarriage protection, L R Tank etc.

Hi Bushbug53

If I had the cash....pajero all the way. It is a very underrated vehicle.

VX is probably also not a bad buy.....but I'm biased so I'll have to vote pajero. Had my pajero for 2 years now...loving it everyday.

I'm almost sure that you will pay more on insurance for the VX, but I might be wrong.

Undercarriage protection: Bashplate, you can go to Uys from stofpad 4x4, best price for quality. There is some other slightly cheaper options, but the stofpad bashplate will last forever.

Fridge: I have a Waeco. No complaints. Good quality, good price. Indel B, campmaster, snomaster, Arctic, national luna and the older waeco fridges all use a danfross compressor. Tried and tested over time..they work. Best price is probably Indel B for plastic fridges and Snomaster/Arctic/Campmaster for a stainless steel body.

Engel is also very well known, bit expensive if you ask me.

Tent, that is a personal choice. Visist as many places as you can, read reviews, whatch youtube videos and decide from there.

L R Tank...I have no idea, visit frontrunner, LA sport, 4x4 megaword, safari centre, and all the no franchise shops to compare pricing.

Good luck with your choice, if it's the pajero.....you will enjoy every moment it.

Bushbug,

The math is pretty simple:
1) The Pajero has the better engine and gearbox.
2) The Pajero has the better suspension.
3) The Pajero has much more of the original maintenance plan left - being newer and less kms.

4) The Prado will retain its value better - hense the difference in kms and year for the same price already.
5) Toyota has a better established dealer and spares network.

Every time I replace my car, I sit with this exact problem - except in my case I also bring the VW Treg into the contest. Thus far has the Pajero won the race for me, but that is just my personal preference.

To answer your original question: Hell Yeah!! I would buy it at the drop of a hat! or has somebody already said that

I have a 2006 LWB, 3200 GLS dID, I would buy another any day, economy still the best even towing speed it gives me 7.85km/l, not bad, such good value for money

You have picked 3 tough choices in your shortlist. The Amarok is a vehicle I like very much, economy and looks are in it's favour but it's a DC versus an SUV so very different. The Pajero is great with some Stofpad bashplates and maybe even a suspension lift. The front bashplate is about R2650, the one for the gearbox protection is about R1550 and the Stofpad spacers are R2800 for the full set plus about R1000 for fitment. The spacers do stiffen up the suspension in my experience but the extra 50mm clearance makes up for it. I love my Pajero, I hope you make the right choice, good luck

I have had 2 Prados and 3 Pajeros.
The 140kw 3.2 DID is a great engine and leaves the Prado D4D in the dust.
Even if I could afford a new Land Cruiser VX or a Range Rover at over R1m - I would stick with Pajero.

Although I'm a Pajero 3 owner, and I'm very confident with it (except for the bad departure angle), but I would place this question in a Prado forum to get a fair answer from both sides.