What 4wd to get?

[krokkie]

Cheers for that Pouw.

From the Trademe listings, I can see the Pajero IO is 1800cc, and apparently they have low range and centre diff locks, but I cannot confirm this.
The Pajero Junior is the 1100cc one, and only available in 3 door.

[turoa]

However I take turoas point, truth is if you are paying someone else to repair, it's always expensive.

Yep it is, goes for everything though

[pouw]

The Pajero IO sounds like an interesting option. If I was looking for a small, relatively capable offroader that was cheap to run I would probably still go the Vitara/Escudo. Bit more common then the Pajero IO

Theres a reason they are so popular and there are so many around

[Heath]

1.6 MPI vitara/escudo LWB with 30 inch tyres, manual hubs, a 2 inch lift, throw on some extractors and a free flowing air filter to let the engine breath in/out a little better and you are done. Or leave it stock with some 29 inch tyres and it will be fine too.

Goes well, heaps of parts out there (can be expensive if you thrash them though). They are an IFS vehicle and have a front alloy diff that is prone to breaking if hammered (but an steel one is available - rare as hens teeth though and really expensive ). Will tow a lightish trailer okay too.

No centre diff but they are part time 4WD so the centre diff doesnt need one as it locks up when 4wd is engaged. Diff locks are available for both ends too.

The wife had a LWB one and loved it a few years back (wouldnt let me lift it for her though - little short arse that she is ). We used it for our family/work/travelling car and it was fine for all aspects (yeah a tall driver might have issues).

[krokkie]

Are they comfortable for long trips?

We bought the Pajero to go to the beach and do long trips, due to it being very comfortable, but we never got to use it for long trips as it was too bloody dear to fill up.
We are not tall people, I am around 1.72m and my wife even shorter.
How good is the fuel economy?

[Heath]

Longest drives were to Taupo and back and it was fine (not as comfy as my prado though ), new shocks might have helped as it was a little bouncy (stuffed shocks). Fuel economy was okay (cant remember the figures been too long). If you can find a diesel one then it will have the steel front axle housing (stonger) and be better on gas (though more with servicing).

If I wanted another little run about for offroading I wouldnt hesitate to get another vitara/escudo (going to get another one when I get settled in Chch for a toy offroader - dont tell "her indoors" though )

The wife is considering getting a newer one for a daily driver to replace her swift.

[krokkie]

Cheers for that Heath.
I will prefer the petrol at this stage, simply because I know petrol vehicles and the services are not so dear.

Are there any differences between the 1.6, 2.0 and 2.5?

[Heath]

1.6 is a 4 cylinder.

2.0 and 2.5 are V6's, so are a little thirstier.

There is a 4 cylinder 2 litre as well I believe (j20 or something like that) that came out in the widebody vitara.

[lincooln]

1.6 is a 4 cylinder.

2.0 and 2.5 are V6's, so are a little thirstier.

There is a 4 cylinder 2 litre as well I believe (j20 or something like that) that came out in the widebody vitara.

Yes it is a J20A, there are a few around. DOHC so they are pretty good.

been doing some research and I would get a 413, put a G13b in it and get a turbo kit from japan. these engines seem to have a huge potential. Guy i know has a mini with on in it and has a turbo kit and engine has 250hp. awesome little engine.

[adimw2]

I've just started to notice how bad fuel economy is in my 3Litre v6 LWB 92 Pajero, I've been driving it 'round town like i drove my 3l v6 camry... and i use shiteloads of gas. Trying to nana it this week to get better economy but never realised just how much i am actually spending.

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/adimw/pajero

(view it in metric (link in top left corner))

edit: and i get the worst Pajero economy out of the ones on the site.

[adimw2]

[MikeL200]

I suggest you may want to do some simple jobs that will help with the fuel economy- Air filter, spark plugs, timing check, tyre pressures, oil and filter change. Later on you may want to look at a bigger exhaust and extractors. I have a '93 L200 V6 and my numbers are a bit better than yours.

http://www.fuelly.com/driver/mikel200nz/mighty-max

[krokkie]

i don't think a service will really make a big difference, it is a heavyweight vehicle. I have tried lightfooting it, but it doesn't make a huge difference.

[MarkT]

I get about 7.5km per ltr out of my 3.0 NH Auto on 33's. I also had a 3.0 v6 windom a while back, and I can say there is absolulty no point in trying to replicate the driving response in the Paj. Yes you will use a shit load of gas and at the end of the day, it is simply a much slower vehicle. That said, get a decent stereo, chill out a bit and drive it 'normally' and IMHO the gas consumption is fine....
And again, IMHO, i'd much prefer driving a truck with a curb weight of 1750 kg than an Vitara at 1000kg or an IO at 1200kg....After a Paj, i'd say both would have to feel like driving an empty coke can with 4 nailed on biscuits for wheels...still I guess they come with lots of air bags inside???....

[krokkie]

You're lucky, I got around 5 km on a litre with my LWB, mind you the O2 sensor failed. I thought the SWB would be better, but seeing as it is only 200kg lighter it is not much better. Having said that, I do love the spaciousness and comfort, but I cannot enjoy it because I cannot afford to drive it long distance.

[MarkT]

Good plugs, good oil, clean filter and remove cat converter...

[adimw2]

Cheers for tips!

[MarkT]

just done another check....388km for 48ltrs.....a fair bit of motorway driviing tho...8.08km/ltr. 3.0 Auto Paj.

[krokkie]

That's not bad at all.
I have decided to keep my Pajero after all, I think I will miss it too much.
I am going to give it a good service over the weekend and see if that improves things a bit.

Thank you to all who replied.

[MarkT]