Mitsubishi Pajero

masteryota · 02-28-06, 09:08 PM

I was looking for something new.
I've had a 1985 Land-Cruiser bj70 last year.
Really liked it off-road, really hated-it on highways.
Lots of time I had to go early to work not to be late. (That's how slow 3b's are)
Really liked the Diesel economy in it though.
Hated the front solid axle :( Too hard on the road here in Québec.
So I was thinking of going the import route.
A coil-over land-cruiser is still a bit expensive for me at the moment.
But I found a nice little ride, I remember when I was younger seing them on the Paris-Dakar rallye.
The mitsubishi Pajero, the ones I were looking at are either this one : http://www.j-specimports.ca/dealerne...php?id=1020258
wich are 2.5 litres, turbo diesel and 4 doors, square body style.

Or this one : http://www.j-specimports.ca/dealerne...php?id=1002823
Wich are newer body styles, with the same engine displacement, and 2 doors.

I don't plan on wheeling these on any hardcore trail, just a little trail-riding, nothing with rocks, mainly a little mud.

What I'd like to know is : Is there anyone who ever driven a Pajero before? Any experience with them? Any infos? Websites? What to look out for? Wich is the best bang for the bucks? How many miles per gallon are we talking here with a 2.5 turbo diesel (Intercooled) engine?
Can mitsubishi get all the parts for these trucks?
What's a good price range?
The one I've seen are between 5500$ and 8000$ landed cost in Canada, I know there's another fee for having it transport here by train (Québec) near Ottawa.

Any infos, input, anything at all would help.
Thanks
Matt

alkaline747trio · 02-28-06, 09:26 PM

Cruiser Forum = nobody wanting you to switch from a Cruiser to a Pajero...

masteryota · 02-28-06, 09:36 PM

Yeah, but is there a Pajero forum for canada or something I can read besides Japanese and German?

I love the cruiser's! I truely believe they're the off-road most capable machine, but then again, I'm looking for a DD with LIGHT off-road, otherwise I'd go for a fully-locked and loaded cruiser.

alkaline747trio · 02-28-06, 09:38 PM

Why not look for a used 80-Series? They still have the solid axle, but coils, and the petrol versions can be found fairly cheap, high miles aren't a problem with these rigs as I'm sure you've read, and it seems you don't plan to keep forever.

bad_religion_au · 02-28-06, 10:06 PM

newer pajero's will suit your requirements fine. they are a strong, well liked bus out here in aus, many use them for long distance touring, and the brand new models look pretty cool too.

the newer body style ones won't kick a full locked 80 to the curb, BUT they are surprisingly good offroad

the older ones (like the 1990 one you showed) like to kill gearboxes pretty regularly (usually starts off you lose 5th gear), the 1991 is a little better in that respect.

e rock · 02-28-06, 11:01 PM

My wife has a 98 Montero (same as a Pajero) with the 3.5l gasser but the same body style as the 2-door you posted (hers is a 4-door as were all the US models post-91).

http://www.mitsubishi-forums.com/f58-montero-forum.htm - about the only forum I've found online where anybody knows anything. In fact, I think it may be the only one since at least half of the posters are from outside the US. The forum covers Monteros, Pajeros, Shoguns, and Montero Sports.

My local Mitsubishi dealer has had no problem finding anything I wanted, but I haven't needed much except a cupholder and the front skid plates that were missing when we got it. It's rather capable for an IFS rig off the pavement, especially with the electric rear locker. The 3.5 is no slouch (210hp IIRC) on the highway, but we seem to average about 18mpg, which isn't as good as I hoped.

bad_religion_au · 02-28-06, 11:20 PM

also try the mitsubishi section of

www.outerlimits4x4.com

lots of aussie bias, but they know their stuff

mot · 03-01-06, 12:26 AM

I used to drive an '89 Montero/Pajero but hated the way it handled; too much play in the steering wheel (for my liking and) made it/me too nervous driving mid- to high speed.

Good luck!

masteryota · 03-01-06, 09:50 AM

Quote:

the older ones (like the 1990 one you showed) like to kill gearboxes pretty regularly (usually starts off you lose 5th gear), the 1991 is a little better in that respect.

Funny, same thing happened to my Mitsubishi Eclipse Turbo. 5th gear would pop out and falls into neutral.

The ones I'm talking about are imported from Japan under the Canadian 15 years law, the newest I can go with are 1991 so far.

I'll definitely go with a diesel for sure, since price on litre of gas will probably reach 1.50$ (Cad) this summer again. While diesel quietly sitting at 0.90$ - 0.99$/litres.

A 80 is not as easy to get here in Canada either, and what's more, they're gassers. I'd have to import one from the u.s.

And the Pajero just seemed cheaper, diesel powered, ifs (I suppose confortable)
And surely enough, cheap on insurance.

I'm still looking into it, so far I've found an australian Forum based Pajero Conversation and a french one.

Thanks for the Url!
Matt

bad_religion_au · 03-01-06, 10:01 AM

how about the izuzu trooper (holden jackaroo in oz) i think they're called. you could get diesel in them in oz, about the same age, and a top reputation

masteryota · 03-01-06, 10:46 PM

Never looked into it, and not much websites about importing from Australia to Canada either.
All we got as far as troopers go in Canada are gassers.

mot · 03-01-06, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masteryota

Never looked into it, and not much websites about importing from Australia to Canada either.
All we got as far as troopers go in Canada are gassers.

They are called the "Bighorn" or "Big Horn" in Japan　and they do have them in diesel (3.2ltr, turbo-charged and intercooled, maybe).

Good luck!

Ocelot · 03-01-06, 11:44 PM

I like the new ones, they look pretty decent

Stone · 03-02-06, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masteryota

I love the cruiser's! I truely believe they're the off-road most capable machine, but then again, I'm looking for a DD with LIGHT off-road, otherwise I'd go for a fully-locked and loaded cruiser.

I drive my BJ74 every day, for three years now. The 13B-T will give you the power and passing ability that you want, while maintaining the economy and "cool factor" of a diesel. The longer medium wheelbase will give you a more comfortable on-road ride while not compromising off road agility. And, most importantly, you'll still be riding a Cruiser. And the "locked and loaded" that you want is the factory cable lockers. I love the way my diffs are fully open, and can be locked instantly when I need traction.

mj1015 · 03-02-06, 08:00 AM

I drive a 2000 or 2001 Pajero (gas engine) on a regular basis. In a nut shell I like it quite a bit. The drivers seat seams to sit a little high, but it has springs and I may not have figured out how to adjust it. The other truck I drive is a Izuzu Trooper (turbo diesel) and that seems pretty solid also, but not a great off roader.

crushers · 03-02-06, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masteryota

I was looking for something new.
I've had a 1985 Land-Cruiser bj70 last year.
Really liked it off-road, really hated-it on highways.
Lots of time I had to go early to work not to be late. (That's how slow 3b's are)
Really liked the Diesel economy in it though.
Hated the front solid axle :( Too hard on the road here in Québec.
So I was thinking of going the import route.
A coil-over land-cruiser is still a bit expensive for me at the moment.
But I found a nice little ride, I remember when I was younger seing them on the Paris-Dakar rallye.
The mitsubishi Pajero, the ones I were looking at are either this one : http://www.j-specimports.ca/dealerne...php?id=1020258
wich are 2.5 litres, turbo diesel and 4 doors, square body style.

Or this one : http://www.j-specimports.ca/dealerne...php?id=1002823
Wich are newer body styles, with the same engine displacement, and 2 doors.

I don't plan on wheeling these on any hardcore trail, just a little trail-riding, nothing with rocks, mainly a little mud.

What I'd like to know is : Is there anyone who ever driven a Pajero before? Any experience with them? Any infos? Websites? What to look out for? Wich is the best bang for the bucks? How many miles per gallon are we talking here with a 2.5 turbo diesel (Intercooled) engine?
Can mitsubishi get all the parts for these trucks?
What's a good price range?
The one I've seen are between 5500$ and 8000$ landed cost in Canada, I know there's another fee for having it transport here by train (Québec) near Ottawa.

Any infos, input, anything at all would help.
Thanks
Matt

make sure you do a hot coolant pressure test before you buy, the 2.5 has a reputation of cracking the heads...