Pajero Owners Club of South Africa

Hi all,

My search for a SWB Paj continues, interrupted by a trip to Morocco to do some climbing in the Atlas. I'll be back tomorrow and am wanting to get my hands on a vehicle before too long.

There are currently two possibilities which have checked out in my price range (around 80k):
A) A 2001 Gen 3 3.5 auto with around 300k on the clock
B) A 1999 Gen 2 3.0 blister fender (24-valve) with around 125k mileage

Presuming both vehicles have excellent service records and are in great condition, what would be the opinion on the forum as to which to buy? The Gen 3 is obviously newer with more mod cons (and has had skid plates and a rather nice roofrack added), but although it has been very meticulously maintained the previous owner used it for frequent runs to Namibia and the mileage worries me. The Gen 2 is pretty much unaltered and as been driven somewhat infrequently, and has not really been used offroad.

Thoughts?

Welcome here

Both models have the 3.5l 6g74 engine and they are pretty tough and reliable but the lower mileage would seem a better option for me as that engine is barely run in.
The gen 3 is a newer shape and might have a few more fancy bits but in my book the gen 2.5 blister is one of the best models available, not only do they have rear diff lock but they are the last models with a ladder frame suspension, the gen 3 has monocoque suspension. Depending on how rough you want to play these factors could influence your decision.

WildMedic,
I recommend you have a look at both models first.
If I recall correctly, the Gen2 "Blisterfender" had the 3.5V6 twincam motor and the Gen3 3.5V6 with a single cam per bank. The kw difference between those motors has been discussed on this forum and it isn't too big. The Gen2 3.5V6 has a tendency to have noisy "tappets", which is almost always cured by using correct oil. Another topic that has been discussed at length.

Both those cars should have rear difflock, ABS and cruise control. The Gen3 has climate control.

Henk is correct about the ladder chassis vs the monocoque design, which allows the Gen3 to have independant rear suspension. The pros and cons of independant suspensions have been discussed to death on this and other forums. It gives a more comfortable ride and will be safer on the road (tar and dirt).

The third row of seats makes quite a difference between those two cars. The Gen2 has the jump seats that fold up to the side and the Gen3 has a bench-type seat that folds down under the boot floor. It is designed to be removeable (30sec job) and then leaves you with a huge storage area under the boot floor.

Personally,
I think the "advances" made with the Gen3 makes it the better car, but if the Gen2 in your case has REAL 125k and was "not really" off-road, then I would be tempted to go for it rather.

Finally: both those cars are very good, and reliable, and safe, and not scared to use lots of petrol. Drive both and decide which one you like best.

Roelf

WOW, 125 000 km @ R80K?

BUY. If those km are real, you have a brand new car. True about the noisy lifters, but what a great car!

The Gen 3 is also a good buy, but you must be realistic and realize it is much closer to an overhaul. That could cost you around R30k, and the price @ R110k for a Gen3 with a recon engine (but 300000 km on clock) is not that good (comparing with the alternative you are looking at).

I realize that I may be biased, having a Gen 2, but you'll have one of the best Gen 2's around for R20k less than what they go for with low km (150k - 180k is low).

Make sure of the authenticity of the km's on the clock. Credible service records is probably the only way to check this.

Anton

HBannink wrote:Both models have the 3.5l 6g74

Henk, WildMedic's option B is actually a Blister Fender 3.0 V6, so that would be the 6G72 motor in 24 valve guise.

HBannink wrote:Depending on how rough you want to play these factors could influence your decision.

The Gen 3 is just as durable as the Gen 2 in the rough (however rough you choose). Both can and will pick up cosmetic damage if you are not careful, but there are no structural concerns. Just make sure that you integrate towbars and winch plates properly into the monocoque of the Gen 3 and there will be no worries.

I have owned both and would estimate the offroad mobility of the Gen 2 and Gen 3 to be just about equal under most circumstances.

Gerrit Loubser wrote: Henk, WildMedic's option B is actually a Blister Fender 3.0 V6, so that would be the 6G72 motor in 24 valve guise...

I missed this - the LWB is more pricy than the SWB, so the Gen 2 is suddenly not THAT much better priced. I presume the Gen 3 is then also a SWB?

Be it as it may, the 3.5 gives quite a bit more performance than the 3.0 at no extra cost, so the Gen 3 is quite an attractive option. The new body is more spaceous, and the roadholding on tar is superior. Off-road may be a different question, but as Gerrit said - very similar. You may be able to push the owner of the Gen 3 for some discount and buy a Motorite - type policy for the money...

Anton