Buying first 4x4, help!

horsemad23

Hi everyone Im new to this and as the name suggests Im horse mad!
I have recently decided to take the plunge and invest in a 4x4 for towing. I have been looking at Commercial SWB (Im a girl and would feel a LWB would be too big for me) models of Pajero,Landcruiser,Trooper and Terrano preferably manual. Has anyone any suggestions where I could pick one up cheapy for approx 2000e? not so concerned about age more that its reliable. Also has anyone any advice on the most fuel efficient 4x4? Im open to any other suitable vehicles for towing 2 horses (from the what ive looked into 2 horses and a horsebox would weigh approx 2500kg +) so it needs to be capable of towing that.
So any advice where I could find a jeep in my price range and the best one to go for? Thanks

coolmoose

Seriously though...the LWB model in general can tow heavier loads so it's worth having a look at them too. They're not much bigger, and give you more options with regards to carrying stuff. I have a LWB Pajero (95) and it's a joy to tow with. Just remember you'll need to have an EB licence to tow a trailer heavier than 750kg.

€2000 is small enough money for a decent model in any of those that you've listed. They're all pretty reliable (don't go for the 2.5 Pajero or 3.0 Trooper though). As regards fuel efficient, you'll never get one that will compete with car fuel economy, but a good service, good tyres, and a gentle right foot will have you doing ok...I'm getting up to 35mpg with my Paj at the moment.

It's also easy to convert an Irish registered passenger model to a commercial...take out seats and seatbelts and putty over mounting holes. That's all you have to do, get the class changed over from private to commercial, go get it weighed, DOE'd, and then tax it as a commercial. The passenger models are normally in better condition.

Have a look at the Daihatsu Fourtrak, Opel Frontera and others too...

here's a carzone search for a few models, up to a max of €2999 for ya...

link here

best of luck with the hunt!

horsemad23

Thanks a million coolmouse, its given me some food fro thought. I am in no rush to buy so will shop around until I find what I am looking for.:)

Skuxx

coolmoose wrote: »

don't go for the 2.5 Pajero or 3.0 Trooper though

I'd agree with this anyway, mate of mine has the 2.5 pajero and its a ball of sh1t!!
The l200 also has a 2.5 engine but I'm not sure are the engines the same so it might be worth checking that.....

You'd get better value by looking on websites such as donedeal.ie rather then in a dealership and there is plenty for sale at the moment

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1256239 - SWB Pajero
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1253248 - Jeep Cherokee

Just another few options there, I dunno what the pulling power of them would be but I'm sure someone here will be able to tell you more

Slidey

Oh jaysus, stay away from that Cherokee.

There is a reason it is that cheap and still not sold

horsemad23

Whats so bad about the 2.5 pajero? Is it the pulling power or is it harder on fuel than bigger engine? or are they just unreliable?

fits

Get a nice older 3.1 Isuzu Trooper.

And dont worry about the lwb. They're actually more stable for towing.

SGKM

Hey, I'm in a similar situation to you - I'm looking at buying a c. €2k jeep but for fairly hard core off road use and I had a 2.8 Pajero before for nearly 5 years so I'd know a bit about them. I'm pretty sure that I've narrowed it down to the Pajero or Trooper, more than likely the Pajero.

I completely agree with the other posters on avoiding the 2.5 Pajero - I've driven a few and they are pathetically slow, I could only imagine how bad they'd be with 2.5 tonnes of horses behind! And at the €2k range the 3.0 Trooper is coming into reach - avoid at all costs unless your a mechanic, I have no personal experience of this but have heard enough stories about injector problems and engine rebuilds to know that they are horrendously unreliable!

On the LWB models - they do tend to be more stable towing and have a slightly higher braked towing ability but for what you're looking for a SWB will do just fine. And on fuel economy - expect about 23mpg from a manual 2.8 Pajero or 3.1 Trooper in regular driving and expect it to drop significantly with 2 and a half tonnes of horse behind it!

Is this going to be your main daily driver? I'd recommend going for a 2.8 Pajero or a 3.1 Trooper (Landcruisers are way out of budget and most Terranos here are LWBs due to VRT). Probably the Pajero as it's less agricultural. Donedeal will is the best source for that price range in Ireland. Be very careful when buying in this price range though - there is a lot of dirt out there, the last thing you want to do is buy some one else's problem. There is a lot to look out for and that can go wrong on these if they have been abused or not maintained correctly. Remember that a DOE cert doesn't mean that the jeep is in good nick - the DOE is nowhere near as strict as the NCT and is run by small garages.

horsemad23

Thanks SGKM, that actually helps a lot.

I would be using it for daily use however I will not be driving to work in it, don't see the point in sitting in traffic in a 4x4! :P I would be mainly using it for short journeys (dual carraige ways mainly) and towing one/two horses not very long distances.

Now that I look into it I am thinking of spending a few bob more as there is nothing that looks suitable for €2000 and at the end of the day I might end up spending more than €2000 if I end up with something that needs work.

I only seem to see 2.5 Pajeros '99-'02 models so I am a bit wary now if they are no good

I wouldn't mind having a vehicle looked over before I buy, any suggestions where/who could do this and the rough price?

Cheers

colm_mcm

there are a good few old Pajs on donedeal.

SGKM

horsemad23 wrote: »

Thanks SGKM, that actually helps a lot.

I would be using it for daily use however I will not be driving to work in it, don't see the point in sitting in traffic in a 4x4! :P I would be mainly using it for short journeys (dual carraige ways mainly) and towing one/two horses not very long distances.

Now that I look into it I am thinking of spending a few bob more as there is nothing that looks suitable for €2000 and at the end of the day I might end up spending more than €2000 if I end up with something that needs work.

I only seem to see 2.5 Pajeros '99-'02 models so I am a bit wary now if they are no good

I wouldn't mind having a vehicle looked over before I buy, any suggestions where/who could do this and the rough price?

Cheers

No probs,

So what do you reckon that you'll spend then? If it is your car in opposed to your second car, I would strongly advise spending as much as you can afford... a couple of grand more will push you into Landcrusier territory. This isn't bad for €3k and looks genuine & clean, although it doesn't state the mileage (Timing belt done so obviously over 60/70k) - http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/1230554

Here are a few others:

This looks like a stunner - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Landcruiser/3.0-TD-S/201014197519603/advert?channel=CARS. They're asking €5k but you'd probably get it for a few hundred less. If you could stretch to €4,600-ish I'd say this is probably the best one for sale at the moment. I actually really like this one but it's way over my budget and way to nice for what I'm looking for!

This looks like it might be okay - http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1185263

There are sh1t loads of Pajeros on Dondeal - most around the €2k mark are 91-97ish 2.5s and a few 2.8s. The 2.5 from '91 to '99 had 98bhp, the 2.5 from '00 to '05 (I think) which is the newer model had 115bhp so it's slightly better. The 2.8 from '93 to '99 had between 123bhp and 135bhp(later Jap imports had slightly more power). The 2.8 had a lot more torque (pulling power - which is what you're looking for... don't know how much you know about cars!). A 2.8 SWB manual would probably do about 24ish mpg and the 2.5 about 27ish, the extra power and torque is defo worth it! But if you're spending more money I'd go Landcrusier if I were you - they're more reliable (Pajeros are also reliable but Landcrusiers are better), faster, more economical and probably better to drive. The interiors in Pajeros are as nice in my opinion though.

Have you looked into insurance yet? I got a great quote today for a commercial policy (in my dad's name cause I'm a 24 year old lad) with me named on a 3.5 205bhp V6 petrol Pajero commercial worth €2,500 for €320 Third Party Fire and Theft. But we both have our own policies so that makes a difference I think. I'll send you the details if you want?

Where are you based? I think the AA do it but it's probably expensive. If you find one you like that's miles away from you do not let the seller recommend a local "independent" mechanic. Personally I wouldn't spend €100/€150 on a mechanic to look over a €2k jeep cause I'd probably be confident enough to do it myself at this stage, particularly a Pajero but I think you should definitely try and get a mechanic or someone who know's their stuff (preferably jeeps) to go with ya to view it. As there is so much sh1t out there you have to be very careful not to be taken for a ride. I have a reasonably detailed "guide" on viewing used Pajeros (but would be applicable in most parts to all jeeps) that I can send you if you want? It's bascially what to check and look out for when viewing used Pajero.

Just realised this is a VERY long post, sorry!

101sean

May be long but very informative so probs there

dunsandin

Hi, I like Daihatsu 4 traks, they are cheap, tough and simple and will happily pull your house along behind em. But, my wife hates them, so horses for courses. A Pajero is another good option, and is nicer to drive, less agricultural. Avoid anything with the word "Rover" written on it. And anything that says "Jeep ..." . Just for giggles, look around at the number of Dearlanders that you see with a broken rear window - if they feck up the rear window, how good can the rest be? The Opel Backterror is also a wonderful example of how to make a robust oive-rode-her. Possibly the nicest 4by to drive, if you are a laydee, is the Suzuki grand Vitara - lovely handling, fairly car-like manners, tough and good to pull. Bit like meself.:)

horsemad23

Wow a lot to take in! Ive done a bit of research into 4x4 towing etc so I'll pretend I know a bit haha...
Well im thinking of 4000-4500 max! So im reckoning a 99-02 Pajero or maybe an older Lancruiser.
If you have the name of that insurance company that would be great. I did get some quotes for €1100 (fully comp) for a pajero 2.5 worth 2000, which i personally dont think is too bad considering I'm 23 and my 1.3 car worth 1000 is costing me €850!
If you have any info on what to look for when buying a jeep that would be great
And yeah I have heard rangerovers, jeeps are useless,Im steering well clear

SGKM

101sean wrote: »

May be long but very informative so probs there

Cheers Sean, it's good to be able to use my useless info on cars and jeeps to help someone!

SGKM

horsemad23 wrote: »

Wow a lot to take in! Ive done a bit of research into 4x4 towing etc so I'll pretend I know a bit haha...
Well im thinking of 4000-4500 max! So im reckoning a 99-02 Pajero or maybe an older Lancruiser.
If you have the name of that insurance company that would be great. I did get some quotes for €1100 (fully comp) for a pajero 2.5 worth 2000, which i personally dont think is too bad considering I'm 23 and my 1.3 car worth 1000 is costing me €850!
If you have any info on what to look for when buying a jeep that would be great
And yeah I have heard rangerovers, jeeps are useless,Im steering well clear

Would you not be better off getting rid of the car? Are you on a provisional licience or something!? That sounds dear for insurance... I'm 24 and paying €900 or so fully comp with Aviva on a 1.9TDI Audi A4 that's probably insured for €16k (but that was before my penalty points:() Try Munster Group and Arran Insurance for the jeep.

For €4,500 I'd defo go Landcruiser, but at that budget you'd be able to get an early 3.2 DID. I assume that you are aware that running costs on these are high (insurance and tax are cheap, fuel is okay) servicing is expensive on these - you'd be talking €300+ for a service and on that rare occasion when they go wrong they are VERY expensive to repair... I paid €1,600 to fix mine when the flywheel failed! Don't want to put you off, just want to make you aware of what's potentially in store.

I'll PM you that guide, I'm pulling it together at the moment from a couple of different sources - It's pretty detailed and will be 4-5 pages in MS word.

horsemad23

Thanks SGKM.
Yea the car is def going, cant afford to run two of them. I'm going to drive a pajero this weekend and we'll see where that leaves me. '02 SWB Pajero, 125k on the clock, DOE'd in Feb, no tax and never towed anything, apparently only for sale coz the guy lost his job....but we'll see!
Yea I realise its going to be expensive, thats why I dont want a big loan to be paying back too. More importantly I'm really hoping nothing major will go wrong with it. Eitheir that or ill be back to my little run around and the horse will be staying put. Failing that I need to find a cheaper hobby!
In general would you say more things go wrong with 4x4 than cars? Ive a 96 colt and it never has much wrong with it, only regular things like tyres, timing belt etc.

SGKM

How did you get on with that Pajero? 125k miles is resonably high mileage for a 2002 - Is that a 2.5 or a 3.2? Be aware that the 2.5 has a timing belt and 125k miles is about time for the second change - that'll probably be an expensive job.

In my view 4x4s (Pajeros, Landcruisers, Troopers, Patrols...) are generally more reliable than cars and rarely go wrong but in that rare instance when they do go wrong they are VERY costly to repair! So long as you get one that's been maintained correctly and had regular oil changes (essential on 'old school' diesels) you could have a very reliable jeep!

Slidey

The 3.2 with the injector pump has a weak enough pump. If you do get it, do not let it run out of diesel. This is apparently what causes them to fail.

horsemad23

Went to see the Pajero. It was lovely to drive and looks to be in good nick with 4 new tyres and a spare. It actually has 130k mileage, a lot for a 2002 I know. However I called into a few dealers/garages to see what they have and it seems that for around 4500e im looking at 100-140k.

The pajero I went to see was a 2.5, didn't seem slow to me (i know it might be a different story towing). It will need a new timing belt I reckon, it was supposed to have been done at 75k! Im having someone to go look it over on Monday see what kind of condition its really in! So I'll decide then. Am I mad? I really liked it.

Haven't seen many 3.2 pajeros for sale, maybe just not in my budget.

I had a qucik look into a local dealer, I also saw a nice 99 3.1 Trooper, looks ok, comes with full years DOE for 4000e, its in a dealers and I dont know how realiable he is, he couldn't tell me on the spot what the mileage was (reckoned less than 100k). Im not sure if he'd let me have it looked over. So just wondering whats my best bet at this point

Slidey

horsemad23 wrote: »

I had a qucik look into a local dealer, I also saw a nice 99 3.1 Trooper, looks ok, comes with full years DOE for 4000e, its in a dealers and I dont know how realiable he is, he couldn't tell me on the spot what the mileage was (reckoned less than 100k). Im not sure if he'd let me have it looked over. So just wondering whats my best bet at this point

No 99 Trooper should have a 3.1 engine. The 3.1 finished in 98.

It could be a late registration but I reckon it is either a transplant into what was once a 3.0L or else it is a 3.0L. Either way I would think it would be a bad move

SGKM

horsemad23 wrote: »

Went to see the Pajero. It was lovely to drive and looks to be in good nick with 4 new tyres and a spare. It actually has 130k mileage, a lot for a 2002 I know. However I called into a few dealers/garages to see what they have and it seems that for around 4500e im looking at 100-140k.

The pajero I went to see was a 2.5, didn't seem slow to me (i know it might be a different story towing). It will need a new timing belt I reckon, it was supposed to have been done at 75k! Im having someone to go look it over on Monday see what kind of condition its really in! So I'll decide then. Am I mad? I really liked it.

Haven't seen many 3.2 pajeros for sale, maybe just not in my budget.

I had a qucik look into a local dealer, I also saw a nice 99 3.1 Trooper, looks ok, comes with full years DOE for 4000e, its in a dealers and I dont know how realiable he is, he couldn't tell me on the spot what the mileage was (reckoned less than 100k). Im not sure if he'd let me have it looked over. So just wondering whats my best bet at this point

First off... who told you that the timing belt was supposed to be done at 75k??? The interval for those is 62k miles! Are you saying that it is still on its first timing belt? If so do not walk away from that jeep... run!!! Is there any service history with it?

That Trooper is defo a transplant engine, Slidey's right.

coolmoose

130k and no timing belt done yet? run...run as fast as you can.

still think you cant beat a Mk2 Pajero, 3.1 Trooper or an older Cruiser...but I'm biased, love the older models!

horsemad23

Think I'll avoid the that "3.1" trooper then! Place looked a bit dodgy I have to say. There was also a 3.0l '96 Trooper but had no tinted windows in the back, I thought this wasn't allowed in commercials?!

As for the pajero it last had its timing belt done at 75k so would need it done again as it is now at 130k (sorry didn't make that clear)...hmm I'm thinking maybe this one is a no go!

Just out of interest how much would a time belt change set me back? I believe the 2.8l has a chain and not a belt whats the difference?

Also is the 2.8l only available in the older models and the 3.2l in newer pajero models?

Phoned around a few people about landcruisers and pajeros in my price range and some were sold and others didn't seem that suitable, but I'm still on the hunt! And will be doing more phoning and trawling thorugh the internet today

SGKM

horsemad23 wrote: »

Think I'll avoid the that "3.1" trooper then! Place looked a bit dodgy I have to say. There was also a 3.0l '96 Trooper but had no tinted windows in the back, I thought this wasn't allowed in commercials?!

As for the pajero it last had its timing belt done at 75k so would need it done again as it is now at 130k (sorry didn't make that clear)...hmm I'm thinking maybe this one is a no go!

Just out of interest how much would a time belt change set me back? I believe the 2.8l has a chain and not a belt whats the difference?

Also is the 2.8l only available in the older models and the 3.2l in newer pajero models?

Phoned around a few people about landcruisers and pajeros in my price range and some were sold and others didn't seem that suitable, but I'm still on the hunt! And will be doing more phoning and trawling thorugh the internet today

Well I would only avoid a 99+ 3.1 because you don't know the history of the engine, there isn't really anything dodgey about replacing the newer 3.0 with an older 3.1 unit as the 3.0 was so unreliable, if you look around it's actually fairly common. I'd be more wary of a '96 3.0 as there is no real rationale for that!

You can have a commercial with clear glass in the back... basically if you import and VRT a jeep as a passanger and get fed up paying €1,500 road tax you can rip out the back seats, put in a flat floor, make the seat belts unusable, weigh and DOE it you can bring it down to your local motor tax office and get it moved to commerial tax. BUT if you are VRTing a jeep as a commercial you have to have metal panels in place of the glass (or behind the glass)

In my view if someone has left the timing belt 13,000 miles past the recommended time of replacement when there is a massive risk of it snapping and if it does the engine is fcuked... you have to wonder what else have they skipped or done on the cheap! I would avoid that jeep if I were you.

Yep, the 2.8 and 3.2 have timing chains (I don't know a lot about engines but my understanding is that the 3.2 is based on 2.8 with an increased bore and stroke and more modern components), timing belts/chains control the opening and closing of an engine's valves. Timing belts are cheaper and apparently quieter. I don't know how much a timing belt would set you back but I recently paid €380 at my local mechanic for my 2004 Audi A4 1.9TDI 130bhp and was quoted up to €800 at Audi main stealers so I would guess that a Pajero is a bigger job... I'd hazard a guess at around €450+ at good local mechanic, but that could be miles off the mark!

The 2.8 123bhp & 215lb/ft was only available in what I would call the MKII ('91-'93), MKIII('94-'97) and MKIV('97-'00) Pajeros from 1993 to 2000. The 3.2 160bhp & 275lb/ft is in the MKV('99-'03), MKVI('03-'07), MKVII('07-'10) but has been updated in the MKVIII('10+) with 200bhp & 325lb/ft... My God I'm sad and anal!!!!

Still think this is BY FAR your best bet... http://www.carzone.ie/search/Toyota/Landcruiser/3.0-TD-S/201014197519603/advert?channel=CARS and at least worth a phone call, it look so genuine from the ad!

Hope that answers all your questions!!

Slidey

The Paj should probably be cheaper than the A4 as there is far less stripping to get at the belt.

I work in an Isuzu garage and have DoE'd probably close to hundreds of Troopers and have yet to see a 3.1 conversion

SGKM

Slidey wrote: »

The Paj should probably be cheaper than the A4 as there is far less stripping to get at the belt.

I work in an Isuzu garage and have DoE'd probably close to hundreds of Troopers and have yet to see a 3.1 conversion

I was just taking a complete stab in the dark on the cost of the cost of a timing belt on a Pajero costing more than an A4. I know that the from of the engine has to come off to do the belt on a 1.9 TDI A4.

Well you'd obviously know a fair bit about engines so! But here are three 3.1 conversions that I have come across over the last few days on donedeal...

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1222967

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1168808

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/commercials/1250289

Slidey

^

They must stay away from us!

Bitten & Hisses

I may be imagining this, but I seem to remember seeing in the owners book for the 3.0 that the newer shape Trooper was offered in some markets with the 3.1 engine fitted

DirtyDiesels

fits wrote: »

Get a nice older 3.1 Isuzu Trooper.

And dont worry about the lwb. They're actually more stable for towing.

YIP...STICK WITH THE 3.1 TROOPER....IVE HAD 3 IN THE LAST 7 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A BOTHER WITH THEM.. THE DO AROUND 30mpg, GREAT MACHINE FOR TOWING... 2 WERE swb AND 1 WAS A lwb....THE LWB IS A BIT STURDIER ON THE ROAD BUT NOT A WHOLE LOT.
I PREFERRED THE SWB OVERALL.
AS SWB GO THE TROOPER IS ONE OF THE BIGGER ONES...
HECK I CAN EVEN THROUGH A SET OF GAS BOTTLES IN MINE ALONG SIDE A GENE AND A FEW OTHER BITS...

DirtyDiesels

Slidey wrote: »

No 99 Trooper should have a 3.1 engine. The 3.1 finished in 98.

It could be a late registration but I reckon it is either a transplant into what was once a 3.0L or else it is a 3.0L. Either way I would think it would be a bad move

COULD BE AN IMPORT EITHER SLIDEY........SEEN 3.1 TROOPERS UP AS FAR AS 01 AND 02 RECENTLY..

DirtyDiesels

Slidey wrote: »

The Paj should probably be cheaper than the A4 as there is far less stripping to get at the belt.

I work in an Isuzu garage and have DoE'd probably close to hundreds of Troopers and have yet to see a 3.1 conversion

AH JASE SLIDEY - THERE HEIPS OF 3.1 CONVERSIONS OUT THERE.
THERES A GUY IN ENFIELD DOING THEM.
THINK THE GEARBOX AND WIRING LOOM NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ALSO.

Rovi

Please stop SHOUTING!

DirtyDiesels

Rovi wrote: »

Please stop SHOUTING!

SAY WHAT?

MidlandsM

DirtyDiesels wrote: »

SAY WHAT?

use lower case Durty, Caps demonstrates you are shouting on the net - LIKE THIS!!:D;)

LordSutch

dunsandin wrote: »

Avoid anything with the word "Rover" written on it.

What, the whole Land Rover Range :cool:

Quite fancy the Defender 110 for myself (if I lived on a farm)

gbee

00 Terrano Owner since 2004. 2.7TDi Turbo. With good off road or multi purpose tyres [€175 each] it will out pull and out mud drive a Land Rover.

There are more specified, many with sunroof and are reasonable on the diesel when kept serviced ~ upto about 30MPG.

However; they are rubbish to maintain and parts are expensive and of VERY poor quality, rubbers and front anti roll bars every three months, electrics are a disgrace, subject to phantom shorts setting off alarms and all lights. Instrument cluster fails individually ie, trip counter, backlit LCD, fuel gauge, main beam indicator etc, all need a €400 instrument panel replacement ~ madness. Nothing stays fixed on this car.

I should have got the Toyota Land Cruiser ~ but the sunroof on the Terrano swung me and it's a feature I love and use a lot ~ but otherwise ....

horsemad23

Just want to say thank you to everyone who gave me advice on buying my first 4x4.

I bought one recently and so far so good. Its a pajero '02, its a 2.5. SWB ......I know many of you won't be impressed but I didn't find a suitable 3.2 or 2.8 after looking through many garages, websites and magazines so I settled for the 2.5. Had a mechanic check it over and he can't see any problems.
Also on the plus side the tax and insurance are cheaper than my '96 1.3, so happy days!

Now I just need to learn to park the thing! :eek:

So cheers everyone, if any one has anymore tips on running a 4x4 as cheap as is possible Id love to hear it! I'm thinking very easy on the right foot and getting a bus pass for rush hour traffic haha

CJhaughey

horsemad23 wrote: »

So cheers everyone, if any one has anymore tips on running a 4x4 as cheap as is possible Id love to hear it! I'm thinking very easy on the right foot and getting a bus pass for rush hour traffic haha

Just keep it at or around 50mph, tyres inflated correctly and tracking done properly and you should be OK.
Also remember to keep up to date on servicing and make sure the cooling system is 110% to avoid expensive problems down the road.
Good luck with the Paj, hope it works out well for you.

Mycroft H

horsemad23 wrote: »

Just want to say thank you to everyone who gave me advice on buying my first 4x4.

I bought one recently and so far so good. Its a pajero '02, its a 2.5. SWB ......I know many of you won't be impressed but I didn't find a suitable 3.2 or 2.8 after looking through many garages, websites and magazines so I settled for the 2.5. Had a mechanic check it over and he can't see any problems.
Also on the plus side the tax and insurance are cheaper than my '96 1.3, so happy days!

Now I just need to learn to park the thing! :eek:

So cheers everyone, if any one has anymore tips on running a 4x4 as cheap as is possible Id love to hear it! I'm thinking very easy on the right foot and getting a bus pass for rush hour traffic haha

I drove a LWB 2.5 pajero, and they were horrid slow but hopefully as its a SWB it might be a bit faster....


Keep any ear to the gearbox for any whines or rattling as they are first to go on any high mileage old pajeros

Best of luck

FusionNet

Well Horsemad I have the 3.2l D-iD LWB Auto Exceed for three years and the only problem I had in all that time is the starter motor, so I have to say Im a big fan of the Pajero and will definately buy again. Well wear with yours and I hope she see you well like mine..

Regarding the manual, after driving a commercial Automatic for three years now Id never go back to manual. I mean the Pajero offers Tiptronic style manual in the Auto but I was surprised at how good it is.

Enjoy all the reversing!!