[Traveler]

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

I think you pretty much figured out the good & bad in the vehicles being compared. Overall if you are looking at a brand new Fortuner vs a used Pajero, expect some little niggles here & there, unless ofcourse you can get your hands on a really well looked after Pajero (they are available, believe me)

You are right about the ride & handling of the Pajero, it is perfect for a vehicle it's size & weight. Yes it will drink more diesel than the fortuner. Mine returns in the region of 8 to 9.5kmpl (city driving). The car is built to last & no matter how old school the engine - IT DELIVERS LIKE NO OTHER. I routinely go over "obstacles" on my construction sites & have had to engage 4L only once till date. She sailed out like a sailboat in good wind !!

The build quality is second to none. The COST of maintaining one is not astronomical if your lube changes are done on time & your tyre pressure is monitored. All parts for the Pajero are easily available in the after-market so no worries there. Needless to say a good private garage should be able to maintain it within reasonable numbers with parts sourced from the after-market.

The gearbox is a joy to use, way better than the Fortuner. All around visibility is good

The X-Trail suggested above is TOTALLY different class of vehicle, and I doubt it is capable of handling off-roading as is the Pajero. But a hoot to drive none the less, with great mileage too.

Guess only you yourself can judge what you like or dislike in each of the contenders. They all have their -ve & +ve points.



Cheers

Thanks Ricky,

I would go in for a new Pajero only. Have almost finalized the deal already, just tying up some loose ends.

It is reassuring to know that spare parts are available easily and that should be good. I totally agree, the Pajero engine does not feel anemic at all, I was surprised with the ease at which it transversed the steep off-road incline with full baggage, my Safari 2.2 with much more power struggles on the same spot.

God willing I should end up buying the Pajero soon. Will keep you updated.

Thanks

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by Traveler

Thanks Ricky,

I would go in for a new Pajero only. Have almost finalized the deal already, just tying up some loose ends.

It is reassuring to know that spare parts are available easily and that should be good. I totally agree, the Pajero engine does not feel anemic at all, I was surprised with the ease at which it transversed the steep off-road incline with full baggage, my Safari 2.2 with much more power struggles on the same spot.

God willing I should end up buying the Pajero soon. Will keep you updated.

Thanks

My sentiments exactly. By the way has Pajero come with BS-IV engine or is it still BS-III?

[Ricky_63]

[quote=Traveler;2293015]Thanks Ricky,

I would go in for a new Pajero only. Have almost finalized the deal already, just tying up some loose ends.

It is reassuring to know that spare parts are available easily and that should be good. I totally agree, the Pajero engine does not feel anemic at all, I was surprised with the ease at which it transversed the steep off-road incline with full baggage, my Safari 2.2 with much more power struggles on the same spot.

God willing I should end up buying the Pajero soon. Will keep you updated.

Thanks[/QUOTE


WOWZIE you are buying a new Pajero inspite of the so called odds The Pajero sure is one of a kind. Wannabes will always find reason to put it down, but once you drive it - ESPECIALLY OFF ROAD..all hogwash of old design & technology is put to test.

Kudos to your choice. Will look forward to the purchase & pics & the drive !!

Originally Posted by Aroy

My sentiments exactly. By the way has Pajero come with BS-IV engine or is it still BS-III?

It is available in BS-IV, so tells me the dealer. If it can be registered in Delhi, it can pretty much be registered anywhere.



Cheeeerrrzzzzzzz

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by Aroy

My sentiments exactly. By the way has Pajero come with BS-IV engine or is it still BS-III?

I am not sure if the BS IV has been launched yet, the dealer that I am talking to confirmed that it is still the BS III version.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by alligator

Had a word with Mitsubishi Dealer, according to him pajero's BS-IV version will be lunched by 25/01/2011 without any changes to engine and pajero sports is delayed till 2012 march

Ah thats a bummer!! The Paj is such a fine chassis and Mitsu is really killing it by not giving it a modern engine.

Originally Posted by Harbir

what is the Pajero Sports?

Its a pickup truck (L-200) converted to SUV on the same lines of Fortuner, Endevaour, Xterra etc. See if you can get a preowned Montero for 20.

[Ricky_63]

Originally Posted by Mpower

Ah thats a bummer!! The Paj is such a fine chassis and Mitsu is really killing it by not giving it a modern engine.


Its a pickup truck (L-200) converted to SUV on the same lines of Fortuner, Endevaour, Xterra etc. See if you can get a preowned Montero for 20.

Montero though brilliant, is quite expensive to maintain. A friend had it & sacked it simply because of the expense of maintaining it. Availability of parts was the other issue, as they have not sold in good numbers here, so the parts inventory with the dealer / company is negligible.

[Sawyer]

Having used the SFX for a year, I can say that it is a brilliantly engineered car. The Fortuner is not a dedicated 4x4 as the Pajero is, nor is it as well engineered for the application. When one considers how old the Pajero is, it says a lot for Mitsubishi tech.
The problem with the Pajero is that if you break it, it will be expensive to fix, and parts may be scarce/take time to get in hand. So, if you use it for 4x4 driving to get to places you want to visit, it will serve you well. But it is not a car for the 4x4 events where the journey is the destination, to see how extreme it can go - it can't, it is heavy and you are better served with a cheaper car. But as a car to explore nooks and corners of India with - as opposed to doing 4x4 for the sake of doing 4x4, it is still unbeatable.

The other problem with the Pajero, is that for its size, it is a 4 seater! If one looks for passenger comfort, it can take just 4 people.

But, all of the above said, it is still the best engineered/reliable 4x4 in its price segment - the one below Rs 30 lakhs - in India today.

[m_upreti]

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

Montero though brilliant, is quite expensive to maintain. A friend had it & sacked it simply because of the expense of maintaining it. Availability of parts was the other issue, as they have not sold in good numbers here, so the parts inventory with the dealer / company is negligible.

Absolutely right about the Montero, one of my friends has it and he has to source the parts directly from Japan for his Montero import.

[B-2R]

My 2 cents on this topic having been through the same decision making process about 2 years ago : it comes down to what you like more after you try both . As an all rounder the Fortuner makes a lot more sense. As off road equipment ONLY, I'd take the time tested Pajero. It's like buying the right equipment for the required purpose, the Pajero fulfills a very narrow need of hardcore off roading best (5 stars there) and is poor to average in other departments. The Fortuner is a general purpose beast, sort of 4/5 stars all around.

Off road : the Fortuner does everything I've asked of it. Handles terrain i've done back to back with my Isuzu Trooper SWB (with winch, OME suspension, front diff lock, etc,.) and tackles it quite well . Of course we haven't put it through the stuff the trooper goes through(hard core slush and rock bashing) but feels like it could if i didnt mind scratching and bashing he body work, given the constraints of overhang, long wheel base,etc,. being "managed" . What i mean is - any vehicle has it's strengths and weaknesses. If we just look at it practically - i think what gets you through a tough spot is the ability of the driver + working to that vehicles strengths and avoiding its weaknesses, as a package it's *the key to getting through and over terrain. I'd personally be surprised to come across terrain the Fortuner cannot handle but the Pajero can. Bottomline, if I was really worried about not getting stuck somewhere, i'd have to get a winch and invest in mud tyres or AT's depending on purpose. Note though that the Pajero comes winch ready. With the Fortuner we have to get an OME or aftermarket bumper or fabricate some set up (better avoided?). If the regular use of a winch and that level of terrain is expected, it's the Pajero in any case ? Else either vehicle can make it or get stuck fairly equally unless the driver is a total pro off roader. Where I think it will also tell *is over the years, the Pajero after repeated bashing will i guess not show the wear and tear as much *due to having the right design elements to handle the abuse (the purpose built comment in the earlier thread). Looking at the under chassis is the other way to tell, plastic bash plates *on the Fortuner (sigh,) so there is no way you can slide around on your belly or bash rocks with any degree of confidence in getting home intact. The Pajero has the goods, all the critical / vulnerable parts are well protected with real bash plates .

I've had the Fortuner for about 18 months now, taken it offroading within reason and am extremely happy with it. The only thing I'd give to the Pajero is the suspension package, where the Pajero smothers terrain with disdain, the Fortuner is no where near as settled a ride. No question of not getting through though for most us I think, equal chances of getting stuck or managing to get through in either. Given the amount of Tarmac between the off road stretches in my use, if I had to do it again I'd still buy the Fortuner I think. Simply put - the *all wheel drive and the torque/grunt is worth its weight in gold on twisty mountain roads and the diff lock covers the tough off road bits. The other consideration *for me was, being the family "tourer" , for*sheer mile munching capability - it was the Fortuner hands down. If I was buying a boys toy to play around with and take to the Limit off road, it's the Pajero but then again we can make a case for the Gurkha a half the price and *with front and rear diff locks, etc,. To take that to the next level. Maybe we should just have one of each.

Just my experience and opinion since I've been able to compare the Fortuner to the hardcore Trooper that we use for serious offroading.

[Turbanator]

I'd personally be surprised to come across terrain the Fortuner cannot handle but the Pajero can

Plus One , in fact for the complete review .

having owned & driven Pajero for over 40 T km and Fortuner for about 20 T Km , Fortuner is definitely an Overall better package . Yes the only difference that I also feel is the handling on Bad Roads - Pajero is much more composed than Fortuner . I have recently got my tires upgraded and in short run could feel some difference and shall post more comments as soon as I finish my Leh Trip planned for next week but for any one spending close to 20 Lac - Fortuner is the best bet

[TheARUN]

MONTEROs are becoming very popular with the politicians. Jayalalitha has one as her personal ride and now Baba Ramdev has got himself one

[dinesha]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Don't know about your socks, but Thar can blow away both Pajero and Fortuner when it comes to offroad terrain. But Thar doesn't have AC or lockable cabin, which SUVs have.

Originally Posted by Harbir

The vehicle will be a truly exploring vehicle, i.e. it will spend 10-15000km a year driving in wilderness areas, i.e. places that don't see any visitors apart from a couple of army or civilian administration vehicles a month. The vehicle really has to be very good offroad. not just capable of wading through meltwater streams and grossing gulleys in deserts, but being comfortable, confidence inspiring etc. ease and capability off road have to be THE primary traits. this is why I keep gravitating to the Pajero.

Originally Posted by Aroy

Glad to be of help. Here is my take on the current 4x4 SUV options.

1. Tata Safari - Most comfortable, but with most niggles. If you can devote the first three months to "debugging" this vehicle, it will be the best you can get. Buy it for good ride and low purchase cost.

2. Mahindra Scorpio - Niggle free, but has more body roll than safari. Is not as luxurious inside. Rugged build and provision to take last row seats to create a huge luggage space. Buy it for rugged build and low cost.

3. Toyota Fortuner - Toyota reliability, but not as well appointed as the Safari. Reports of it rolling over, hence to be used with caution on uneven roads. The best performance on highways and the most frugal engine. Buy it for predominantly highway usage, with occasional bad/off roading.

4. Mitsubishi Pajero - the best off roader of the four, but the worst FE. Buy it if you are traveling on predominantly bad roads and hills, as then you will not need high speed of the other three, and retain the excellent ride and off road capabilities.

Originally Posted by Sawyer

The problem with the Pajero is that if you break it, it will be expensive to fix, and parts may be scarce/take time to get in hand. So, if you use it for 4x4 driving to get to places you want to visit, it will serve you well. But it is not a car for the 4x4 events where the journey is the destination, to see how extreme it can go - it can't, it is heavy and you are better served with a cheaper car. But as a car to explore nooks and corners of India with - as opposed to doing 4x4 for the sake of doing 4x4, it is still unbeatable.

Few thoughts:

Surprisingly nobody has discussed the issue of Serviceability and maintainability of the above Vehicles in the Wilderness.

I have been myself looking for a 4x4 for quite some time with a budget of upto 25L and after lot of jostling I was nearing my choice on Fortuner/Pajero. However the primary use of the rough terrain capability would be to conquer the high altitude passes as well as rough himalayan roads in J&K, Himachal, Bhutan and North-East. For the plains I am quite happy with my Civic. My wife and my kids also like travelling with me so the above choices suited me with one mind problem.

However what happens in case of breakdown? Forget A.S.S I doubt there one can find knowledgeable mechanic for the above vehicles. What about Spares? It will be very hard to come by. The vehicle should at least be serviceable at Srinagar/Leh/Manali/Siliguri/Guwahati.

From serviceability point of vie there are only two options available Scorpio and Safari. Mahindra being better then Tatas. But these vehicles will not provide comfortable ride especially the rear seats. Long hauls in rough roads will be difficult for the family.

So a big dilemma. My heart says Fortuner/Pajero and the head says Scorpio. I can't make up my mind.

Somebody please help?

Should I wait for w201 (August launch?)?

Regards
Dinesh

[Harbir]

the only advantage I can see the Thar having over the Pajero off the road would be its short wheel base and better torque to weight ratio. but the Thar has very poor axle articulation compared to the Pajero and thats nothing to scoff at. The naked bottom line is that Mahindra has not advanced the state of 4x4 art the slightest bit from where the CJ5 was, in terms of suspension and steering.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by dinesha

Few thoughts:

Surprisingly nobody has discussed the issue of Serviceability and maintainability of the above Vehicles in the Wilderness.

I have been myself looking for a 4x4 for quite some time with a budget of upto 25L and after lot of jostling I was nearing my choice on Fortuner/Pajero. However the primary use of the rough terrain capability would be to conquer the high altitude passes as well as rough himalayan roads in J&K, Himachal, Bhutan and North-East. For the plains I am quite happy with my Civic. My wife and my kids also like travelling with me so the above choices suited me with one mind problem.

However what happens in case of breakdown? Forget A.S.S I doubt there one can find knowledgeable mechanic for the above vehicles. What about Spares? It will be very hard to come by. The vehicle should at least be serviceable at Srinagar/Leh/Manali/Siliguri/Guwahati.

From serviceability point of vie there are only two options available Scorpio and Safari. Mahindra being better then Tatas. But these vehicles will not provide comfortable ride especially the rear seats. Long hauls in rough roads will be difficult for the family.

So a big dilemma. My heart says Fortuner/Pajero and the head says Scorpio. I can't make up my mind.

Somebody please help?

Should I wait for w201 (August launch?)?

Regards
Dinesh

Serviceability is better for Scorpio no doubt, by both Pajero and Fortuner are built tougher. If you are not going to bang your vehicle about, and have sump and differential guards, then all the 4x4 discussed will be saved major repairs. If you want ultra reliability get the vehicle serviced and critical parts changed regularly, whether required or not (just like in aircraft). That way you have no fear of failed parts. In case of a major accident/breakdown, in my opinion it is better to get the vehicle to a major metro for repairs any way.

While traveling to remote places
. Learn how to carry out simple repairs/replacements and get a DIY tool kit.
. Carry major consumables, belts and bulbs, other small spares. Most mechanics will know how to change them.
. Carry tow cable and jumper cables if you are going to remote places.
. A copy of work shop manual will also help you in emergencies.

Fortuner is excellent for highway travel, and if you are careful it is comparable to Pajero in rough conditions. The major advantage of Pajero is that its suspension is designed for off roading, has excellent visibility and excellent ride. Toyota A.S.S. is slowly spreading across the country while Mitsubishi is more or less static.

All the roads you will be traveling have decent truck traffic who will help you out if you are stuck. Ultimately very few travelers are stuck in remote places due to vehicle failure (and they mostly have ancient badly maintained vehicles!), so listen to your heart and get either the Fortuner or Pajero.

[Parm]

the MMC 4Wd vehicle in question is sold as following:

its sold as Montero in North America (its been withdrawn from there for lack of sales).

its sold as Shogun in europe.

its sold as Pajero in the rest of the world.

the Pajero sold in India is 3rd gen vehicle and world over the Pajero is selling in its 5th generation. (we indians are getting leftovers)!

please look up the meaning of Pajero in Spanish>

Harbir, please buy T-Fort, you wont regret the decision!