Budget 4x4- Need advise!!

[mitsu_man]

@amit

Well your case is almost same as mine (not really if you wan't a pocket rocket as people here are suggesting:059:)......I have a 2011 LWB 3.8 Pajero which I'd rather not spoil too much going off-road in it......needed something to throw around(happily) without too many strings attached to it.....avir, shigera.....and viola.....found a decent 3.0 1999 LWB 98k on the dial for just 18k:021:......flew through the RTA thing too! No oil leaks, engine and tranny are in a real good nick....pretty clean except the slight roof fade....plan slapping on a good set of ATs, snorkel and some heavy duty shocks before she leaves the tarmac! Would recommend a similar 3 dr if the family size is not a
major consideration here! But...... if you are eyeing more power, I'd recommend the 3.5 version!

[FSL]

Amit, after exploring all the options...
The best choice based on all the aspects including power, reliability, maintenance, affordability would be;

NISSAN PATHFINDER
(Silvester will just love me for this :triumphant:)

Imagine, once you buy this car you will get FREE LIFE TIME SUPPORT from our very own master of stock driving, SILVESTER.



P.S: My own two cents.

[caprihorse]

@amit

Well your case is almost same as mine (not really if you wan't a pocket rocket as people here are suggesting:059:)......I have a 2011 LWB 3.8 Pajero which I'd rather not spoil too much going off-road in it......needed something to throw around(happily) without too many strings attached to it.....avir, shigera.....and viola.....found a decent 3.0 1999 LWB 98k on the dial for just 18k:021:......flew through the RTA thing too! No oil leaks, engine and tranny are in a real good nick....pretty clean except the slight roof fade....plan slapping on a good set of ATs, snorkel and some heavy duty shocks before she leaves the tarmac! Would recommend a similar 3 dr if the family size is not a
major consideration here! But...... if you are eyeing more power, I'd recommend the 3.5 version!

We don't recommend Pajero at all, whatever model it is and this advice is not coming from us, but Pajero owners. Pajero is good for flat areas, and not difficult terrain. And it is not also related to Pajero power. It is related mainly to the positions of sensors underneath of the body. After sometimes, mainly when cresting, the sensors are getting to be filled by sand, the car computer gets crazy and the whole dashboard will start lightning like Christmas Tree.

[mitsu_man]

We don't recommend Pajero at all, whatever model it is and this advice is not coming from us, but Pajero owners. Pajero is good for flat areas, and not difficult terrain. And it is not also related to Pajero power. It is related mainly to the positions of sensors underneath of the body. After sometimes, mainly when cresting, the sensors are getting to be filled by sand, the car computer gets crazy and the whole dashboard will start lightning like Christmas Tree.

@caprihorse

Thanks for the info on the 'underneath sensors'! Though I'd save my side of the story for an appropriate on the 'field' day but to say the least.... can you be more specific on which particular sensor goes bad when thrashed around? Would appreciate your experienced feedback on this....thanks once again!

[caprihorse]

@caprihorse

Thanks for the info on the 'underneath sensors'! Though I'd save my side of the story for an appropriate on the 'field' day but to say the least.... can you be more specific on which particular sensor goes bad when thrashed around? Would appreciate your experienced feedback on this....thanks once again!

Unfortunately at the moment I don't have the details, but you can better check with all previous Pajero owners, who replaced their cars with other brands to do off-roading.

[mitsu_man]

Unfortunately at the moment I don't have the details, but you can better check with all previous Pajero owners, who replaced their cars with other brands to do off-roading.

@caprihorse

Copied sir!

[bu-hamdan]

No one suggested him to go for Jeep Wrangler?:032:
wht's wrong with Jeep guys..:023:

my own opinion & view...
I've been off-roading for more than 6 years, and really tried & experienced many cars... (Wrangler, Pathfinder, Prado 3drs........)

If you are looking for the cheapest among these three, 'Wrangler 02,03' will be the one.

many cars have power & torque..but you have to consider everything such as (weight, hight, flexibility between the dunes & crests, safety from rolling over...etc)..


Jeep handling is much much easier than many cars including Vitara wich I used to have as well.

GUYS.......
I know this is my own opinion, but it's also THE FACT... for those who havn't experienced THE JEEP yet.

[Abu Jimmy]

No one suggested him to go for Jeep Wrangler?:032:
wht's wrong with Jeep guys..:023:

my own opinion & view...
I've been off-roading for more than 6 years, and really tried & experienced many cars... (Wrangler, Pathfinder, Prado 3drs........)

If you are looking for the cheapest among these three, 'Wrangler 02,03' will be the one.

many cars have power & torque..but you have to consider everything such as (weight, hight, flexibility between the dunes & crests, safety from rolling over...etc)..


Jeep handling is much much easier than many cars including Vitara wich I used to have as well.

GUYS.......
I know this is my own opinion, but it's also THE FACT... for those who havn't experienced THE JEEP yet.

Its the JEEP THING that we appreciate and understand..............

[bu-hamdan]

Its the JEEP THING that we appreciate and understand..............

Thanks Bro......

but , still we need to tell the people who have not checked Jeeps Handling yet.

there are some guys who keep on saying that, Jeep needs maintenance all the time..& my reply is " it depends on the way you drive it" not only Jeep will take you to the garage if you keep on flying on the crests.

End of the day, all of them are MACHINES & need to be looked after.

[CAMEL]

Precisely...And also another thing i got to know is that, Cars that are appreciated in some parts of the world don't necessarily get the same response in other parts......

Like when i bought my wife a VW Beetle, which is much liked and adored in Europe and other parts of the world, i did not understand why it was not as such here.. Until i bought it and 4 yrs later realized that the design and material considerations were not made keeping the middle east weather conditions in mind, The roof lining, Door pads, and also the dash could not stand the Heat....


Also appreciate the varied views, The more different views are discussed the better...Could be a good reference for any one else trying to buy a 4X4 in the future as well.

Having said that,of course it is ones own personal opinion and experiance, One can only try to understand...The final derision is gonna be with the guy who is deciding!!

So, Thanks for the information... coming back to the DEFENDER, Any one have any experiences with them??