Thread: Is it time to get a Pajero?

Originally Posted by steane

The current Paj, like it or not, is a reliable, capable and robust unit. The 4M41 is a strong engine, in fact now that they have the Aisin 5-speed it's hard to beat for the money, and because they are getting a bit long in the tooth, they are very well priced.

It looks as though Mits won't be replacing the current Pajero.

I've often wondered about a late model 4M41 conversion for the Deefer. Has to be nicer than one of those Isuzu lumps

Totally off topic but surely you'd go the 5 cyl Ranger diesel conversion if you could afford it?

Slightly more on topic, having lived with both a 2010 2.7 D4 and a 2012 Paj:-
- Around town the Paj does have a great turning circle, and feels more nimble. The third row is excellent for easily taking out and using the storage space. Just don't try and put people in it. And the 2nd row child seat anchors are actually in the middle of the cargo bay. WTF??? For the sake of my cargo space I ended up hooking the child seat anchors onto the bottom of the cargo barrier. Also the massive one piece swinging steel tailgate with door mounted spare wheel was often physically beyond my wife, and I would have to put my back into it just to prop it open with the tragic little locking mechanism that was a common failing point. (NB I never found the D2 door anywhere near as hard to live with). The D3/D4 split tailgate is simply the best. Even the motoring journos can't find a way to rate Toyotas higher on that one. The Paj had disgusting cloth on the seats that was like velcro to pastry crumbs etc.
- On the open road the Paj was way louder (in the D4 my two year old could talk to Grandma on the handsfree from the back seat at 120 kph, whereas I didn't bother trying to call people from the Paj), less economical and sloppier on the bends.
- Offroad the Paj was adequate with a 2 inch lift, but had poor exit angles, average traction control, limited articulation and pretty woeful engine braking in the auto, with no proper Hill Descent Control. Doesn't mean you couldn't get them most places, just a bit 'exciting' doing so - and the front diff actuator is very easy to damage, leaving you with a 2WD. Also as a result of the monocoque body there's a lot more transmission of AT and MT tyre noise, more body flex, and while there's built in "recovery" points which Mitsubishi Australia won't officially recommend, to my knowledge it's the only full-sized 4WD in Australia for which the ARB bull bar doesn't include recovery or high-lift jacking points, which to me says it all (don't try having that conversation on the Pajero forum, bless them!). There's more room under the bonnet for accessories in the Paj and you can run 17 or even 16 inch rims easily. There's not as much cargo space in the Paj, and more than 100 kg or so in the rear was enough to start getting suspension sag, and of course reduced clearance.
- Towing, no contest. Apart from the self-levelling suspension in the D4, it purred like a kitten whereas the Paj was like a dying beached whale with a thirst to match. And then when you asked a bit more for overtaking or a hill... It was remarkable how differently two engines with similar on-paper power and torque stats can perform. Particularly given the extra capacity of the Paj. Both can be remapped with good results. Although the OEM towbar isn't as low on the Paj, it already has so much worse exit angles than the D4. You need a factory kit to lift the spare wheel if you want to be able to open the tailgate.
- The OEM halogen lights on the Pajero were shameful whereas the D4 was first car I ever drove that I didn't feel driving lights were necessary. There should be a law against such poor headlights. My Paj was just a GLX and I think the higher models might have xenons.
- The Mitsubishi entertainment system is an ugly bugger of a thing that even die-hard Pajero fans can't pretend is better than average. For better or worse it's nowhere as integrated into the car as in the D4 either.

But after all that, the Paj was an honest workhorse that never let me down, with a 5 year warranty and all for $30k less. It's still a tricky decision.

Cheers Disco, thanks for also being the only one to reply to the intro thread lol. Just gave myself second thoughts after reading this one.

I found a nice 4.4 with 150 000 km on it. Will grab it if its still there next week when i have the cash.