[kgduggan]

I h ave been told the same about Land Rover, stay away from them and this was by a rather young female of 70 plus who has had 4 x 4's all her life,nothing but trouble.Her husband died a few years ago and she travels the whole of the country on her own staying where she feels like it,you go girl.As for our"bus" best thing I 've had since the invention of sliced bread,as it's a 98,3.5 auto lwb full house.I have just replaced both batteries as well as all the drive belts and tension pulleys,now it's so quite I can sneak up on people in the supermarket car park and they don't know I'm there.Spares are reasonable and so is fuel consumption,just don't buy one and try to run it on a Golf budget,next trip is to the south coast with the in-laws,he's 85 and she's 83,they love traveling in the "bus" .Buy a Pajero(a good one) you will not regret it,I haven't .

[tonton]

Guys thanks for all the input and advice. I found a '99 blister fender 3.5 GLS auto for R116k that Im going to do an OTP with tomorrow. K's are low, (140k) and new tyres. Service history isnt complete so I'll get it AA checked.
I saw the 3.2 DiD mentioned, very clean and well kept and still a big temptation but im keen to get an auto!
Once again thanks for the response and a great site!

Great car. Maybe slightly high price for a 99 (Gen 2.5), but the low km makes it worth the while. What is an odd R10 k if you have a low km healthy car? Just make sure about the credibility of the clock. I believe that a reputable service record - ideally by the agents or a reputable servicing gararge - is the most usefull reference check. Firstly they have a comprehensive approach to servicing, and secondly it is unlikely that they will fiddle with km's and dates of service.

Check out the 4X4 "super select" operation. The front wheels and CDL (Centre difflock) should engage quickly and smoothly. Same with the low-range setting and the RDL (rear difflock).

Try to hear it on cold start - first start of the day - to hear the "clack" of the lashers (lifters). A clacky noise is normal, but should stop in seconds, and be replaced by the purr of a healthy (and unfortunately thirsty) V6. Compensation for the thirsty engine is that it lasts longer. Much longer than those lean alternatives...

Check out the operation of the seats!

The automatic gearbox is great. Slightly more thirsty, but much more convenient! It has been designed for 4X4 use, and you can do any terrain with it. You have to study the handbook though!

Enjoy!

Anton

[Scubadude]

Just to confuse you ...

Autotrader.co.za this morning:

2000 Mitsubishi Pajero LWB 3.2DiD R 89 900 (http://search.autotrader.co.za/www/cars ... 0186921882)

WP Motors
42 Strand Bellville
Bellvile
Western Cape
Tel: 021 946 2747 / 0766449546 / 0845131584

No mileage stated, but bound to be high. For the price anything below 200 000km would be a steal if it the rest of the car is straight ... looks OK on the very crude picture ...

[Gerrit Loubser]

I was advised to keep with petrol as the diesel engine might need attention from 200k onwards, besides being more costly to maintain. I know consuption is higher on the petrol but reliability on a high miler is more NB.

Compensation for the thirsty engine is that it lasts longer. Much longer than those lean alternatives...

These sweeping statements are not even remotely true in the case of the 3.2 DiD motor. It is not expensive to maintain and has a reputation to last and last.

[4ePajero]

I was advised to keep with petrol as the diesel engine might need attention from 200k onwards, besides being more costly to maintain. I know consuption is higher on the petrol but reliability on a high miler is more NB.

Compensation for the thirsty engine is that it lasts longer. Much longer than those lean alternatives...

These sweeping statements are not even remotely true in the case of the 3.2 DiD motor. It is not expensive to maintain and has a reputation to last and last.

This might be a bit OT, but I have to agree with Gerrit.
The choice between Pajeros (diesel or petrol) should be based on choice, not unsubstantiated statements to 'prove' your choice.

I can only post the facts about my personal experience with the Di-D.

• how long? - 5yrs
• how far? - ±75000 kms
• service & repairs? - oil & filters @ 7500km intervals. Nothing else!
• ave fuel consumption? - 11.2 l/100km
• fuel cost? - (@ ave R7.50/l) ±R63000-00

I love petrol engines, but I think the long term ave fuel consumption for the V6 engine will not be much better than 16.5 l/100km?
Based on that, the fuel cost for a petrol Pajero would have been ±R 92000-00

I don't expect any of the following expenses, which are part and parcel of owning a petrol engined vehicle:

• exhaust system
• plugs
• HT plug wires

[tonton]

Compensation for the thirsty engine is that it lasts longer. Much longer than those lean alternatives...

These sweeping statements are not even remotely true in the case of the 3.2 DiD motor. It is not expensive to maintain and has a reputation to last and last.

Looking at my "sweeping statement", I would like to clarify - I was referring to PETROL engines that are running leaner than the Mitsubishi engine, and that are not getting the mileage of the Mitsu.

I agree, the DiD is a great engine.

Anton

[Gerrit Loubser]

Fair enough, Anton. We all know who's mamma Assumption is .