Japenese Imports

TLambertie

Hi Guys, I'm in the market for a Mitsubishi Pajero and I was seriously considering going for a Japense import, has anyone out there got experience of these cars and or Japenese imports? thanks Tom

ando

you may have a better responce from http://www.cruiseirl.com/forum/

Ratchet

ando wrote:

you may have a better responce from http://www.cruiseirl.com/forum/

in regards to the car
yeah right , like cruiseirl people drive pajero's


Anyway, there was thread on boards.ie about imports. There is nothing wrong with japo imports. Try to get them from importer here instead of buying the car in japan.

pajero is nice if you need pulling power and have access to cheap diesel

bazz26

Pajero's are generally bullit proof but are very expensive especially Jap imports. The plus side is that the Jap imports usually are higher spec and are available with climate control and leather.

There are a couple of different Pajero models to look at:

Pajero Junior/Pinin: Shrunken version of the standard 4x4 (very cramped and expensive). Available in 1.1 and 1.8 petrol only.
Pajero SWB: This is the 3dr version and comes in 2.5/2.8TD and 2.8 V6 petrol.
Pajero LWB: This is the 5dr version and comes in 2.8TD and 2.8 or 3.0 V6 petrol.

There is also a Pajero Sport/Challanger which fits in between the standard Pajero and the Junior. It is probably the most practicle of the range and shares most of the engines and running gear with the standard Pajero.

Here are a couple of photos:

Pajero Junior/Pinin:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=175957
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=206670

Pajero SWB:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=198115

Pajero LWB:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=205092

Pajero Sport/Challenger:
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=177811
http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carid=167330

Headleylamarr

As Bazz said the Imports tend to be higher spec'd. Another plus is that in Japan they're big into their off roading - of sorts. they have parks in suburbs like quad bike or moto-x courses except for jeeps.

Any Japanese imported Pajeros I've driven have had uprated suspension, wheels, spoilers, turbo timers, spots, sunroofs, A/C fromt and back, sidesteps, nudge bars, roof racks and a mixture or all of the other extras that you might want to fit... they tend to either leave well wnough alone or pimp their rides.

Can't say I noticed much of a difference between the 2.8 and the 2.5, I'm sure it shows on the mpg figures though and should say that I've most experience with the 2.8 in auto form. Personally I think that if you compare a LWB with the folding boot seats (like an Executive) to a SWB with rear seats, the LWB really isn't worth the extra length/weight. Oh and all the ones I drove were proper everyday towing workhorses and were bullet proof...

AlienGav

Try these guys....

http:www.hpimportswaterford.com

They're slow to update their website, but I reccomend getting in touch.

Hope this helps,

Gav :cool:

TLambertie

thanks Guys, by chance does anyone know a garage that supplies the Workhorses yet also takes a trade in :-(

I've contacted a number of them from Carzone and unfortunately they're not interested in Trade ins

My final question on the pajero exceed, fuel consumption, should I be afraid?

thanks again for all your help
Tom

BrianD3

Which Pajero are you looking at, an older model or the current one? Also, what will you be using it for - off roading, towing, the school run?

I've only driven the previous model Pajero and IMO the (previous model) Toyota Landcruiser is a superior vehicle with better handling/ride/brakes while at the same time is more of a workhorse. Build quality is also better and the interior is less plasticky and gimmicky. Also, I have heard a couple of reports of rear axle/diff problems on Pajeros although those problems were probably due to serious abuse. I don't have a whole lot of experience with driving the Pajero however I have done a lot of driving of its cousin the Mitsubishi L200 which is an *awful* vehicle, the Pajero would be a lot better but probably still has some of the same failings. Eg I'm not a fan of the part time 4wd system in the 200 which cannot be used on a paved road without suffering transmission lockup. I think the old pajero has a similar system. In contrast, the Landcruiser has permanent 4wd and a centre differential which eliminates this.

BrianD3

CuppaCocoa

I've a Jap import Pajero Junior. Have had it for about 5 years. Passed 2 NCTs with flying colours. Best little car I ever had. Never had a minute's problem with it. Bought it from Pat Igoe on the Naas Road. Great garage and after sales service. He does a lot of Jap imports including the big Pajero's. All my cars apart from my new Ford Ka were imports and all were super cars - Corolla, Starletts but the Ford Ka was a heap of crap! Gave me nothing but grief. Switched to the Pajero and I'm laughing!

TLambertie

BrianD3 wrote:

Which Pajero are you looking at, an older model or the current one? Also, what will you be using it for - off roading, towing, the school run?

I'm thinking of a 97-99 model, I'll be using it mainly for commuting up and down from Dublin - Galway and family holidays. I don't plan any off roading per se (unless I'm on holidays with the kids and I'm showing off;-) )

Silvera

Pajero's are nice jeeps, no doubt.

However, wasn't there a programme on BBC (and RTE!) about japanese imports (usually fast cars and jeeps) being stolen in japan and ending up in Ireland and the UK.

Apparently, lots of people in the UK are/were driving about in their jap imports and the cops were stopping them (or calling to their homes) and confiscating their vehicles !

I believe that it's one of the reasons used jap import sales have declined here and in the UK.

'Buyer beware' as they say !

BrianD3

TLambertie wrote:

I'm thinking of a 97-99 model, I'll be using it mainly for commuting up and down from Dublin - Galway and family holidays. I don't plan any off roading per se (unless I'm on holidays with the kids and I'm showing off;-) )

If I were in your position, the *last* thing I'd be thinking about buying would be a big offroader like a Pajero. There are loads of reasons why this is the case. I don't want to put you off if you really have your heart set on a Pajero and in a way I can understand why people like these vehicles (chunky and beefylooking, macho, high driving position, perception of safety etc.) But IMO you'd be far better off getting a normal car or possibly an MPV. Have you thought about something like a Toyota Previa or Renault Espace.

BrianD3