Who has owned/driven a Pajero 3.5lt?

[Mario]

HI guys,

I'm getting rid of my BA Futura and I have decided to get a 4WD. It's going to be Mitsubishi Pajero Exceed.

I've heard comments that Pajero V6 consumes more petrol then a V8 cruiser. Does this seem right? I know Cruiser will do 20lt/100kms (city)


Should I spend the extra $$$ and get a diesel?? I dont know.

Any input would be appriciated.

Regards,


Mario

[willsy01]

Keep the BA and pay a visit to Nizpro

[edo]

Lol, being the qld distributor for nizpro BA kits Id love you help you out but I suspect your not looking for something faster...

I own a V8 auto Cruiser, I test drove the Paj.

Now, the cuiser engine is lazy, I drive around town at about 1500rpm nearly all the time. While doing this I get 14 litres per 100km. If I pointlessly decided to race everyone at lights & tear around then Im sure I would use a lot more, but driven sensibly this is genuinely what you can do.

The Paj in comparison felt gutless, it might have the same power but it wants to change down a gear (auto) at the slightest press on the throttle, wheras the cruiser will just lug along unless you give it a good poke. Given thts the case Id be surprised if you would get better economy from the Paj than the cruiser. The finish & build of a cruiser also shits on that of the Paj from a height.

The TD paj is a better thing to drive than the 3.5, but I still preferred the cruiser.

[The Pupat]

Parents have a 96 3.5 it's fairly good. Don't think you would get better than it in the price range. That said I've used had time when I've used the same amount of fuel to start it (warm-up) and drive to the highway as I have to then drive from Brissie to the Gold Coast. The highway cycle can be good (though it would benefit from a higher 5th gear IE drop the revs on the highway). The new ones with the indepentdant suspension and a bit suspect if you want to bush bash them so to speak. The plastic guarding underneath has a habit of tearing off. They've lost that inherent toughness they used to have but have probably picked up a lot as far as road manners goes (not saying the old ones are bad on-road but that the new ones are probably better).

[Southo]

If you are concerned about Fuel Consumption, then the current TD Paj is your best bet. As edo pointed out the 'Cruiser is happy to chug around all day at low RPM and sip the fuel, the Pajero doesn't.

On Paper, the SOHC 3.5L Pajero looks OK with 140kW and 303Nm, but the later model (NP MY04 series - Introduced Late in 2003) SOHC 3.8L engine gives far better performance for its slight increase (150kW and 314Nm)

But seriously, take a Newer (NP MY04 series also) 3.2L Turbo Diesel for a run, they have been quoted as being better to drive than the old 3.5 Litre, but with heaps more torque. (121kW and 373Nm) - and they respond well to minor breathing and exhaust mods

[Mario]

thanks guys.

I think there is just something about owning a cruiser. heritage build quality etc, but in terms of safety doesn't Paj have monocoque construction, and also give it more car-like handling?

Also Edo, whats the turning circle like on cruiser??

[edo]

Big, but only as bad as a paj...not as bad as a live front axle truck like a patrol or 80 series.

I drive it everywhere, park it anywhere & while you know its a bit big you become used to it very quickly.

[JabberWocky]

My parents had a 96 3.5L and it was pretty zippy in contrast to friends cruisers of the same era. I hated the clutch, felt like to much flex in the drivetrain somewhere and was hard to crawl off from a stop and changing into 2nd. My mates parents had a later model one, two years ago but current shape and to my disappointment, also had the same shitty clutch. My parents recently upgraded to a prado, more so in the same ball park as a paj than a cruiser, and it shits on it. I know its a newer model but like said, build quality and its so nice to drive. The paj was never real bad on fuel. In hindsight, we still have our 84 model paj that is by far the easiest car I have ever driven and served us well on many adventures, hence why we still still have it.

[maddy]

definately pay the extra for the 3.2TD. The old 2.8 is nowhere near as good.

Petrol is ok, but i'd get the 3.8 exceed if you have the dosh.

[edo]

Oh crap, isnt the current Paj a 3.5? Everything Im talking about is about both the current paj & cruiser, I bought the cruiser in October 04.

[Mario]

The car will be a late 04 low kays. I'm swinging towards the cruiser more even though exceed has all the goodies. ie leather etc..

Also cruiser has a much bigger fuel tank.

[crx2gen]

Olds own a 3.5L 01 Exceed - regarding the fuel consumption, its great when you baby it, but the second the foot goes down it becomes very thirsty indeed. If I was to buy one I'd definitely go the diesel.

[Mario]

Thanks crx2gen. Any idea how many kays to a 90lt tank??