Team-BHP - New Fortuner / Pajero versus Used '08 Montero. Which would you pick?

Pajero's fuel tank is 92L. This gives you more range, very handy in frontier regions where fuel is hard to find. The so called "old design" also doesn't have low slung ground effects plastic cladding and bumpers to worry about. It's got some G.C. It also has a good turning radius for a vehicle of its size.

A good used one would be a great value. New? Pricey, as 4x4addict said.

A clever mechanic might know how to squeeze several more HP out of this neutered BSIV motor.

BS3 units are still available and thats what I will likely buy.

If we buy a pajero, it will likely be new. Most of the used vehicles I have tried to look at have been for sale through brokers who have left a very bad taste in my mouth. Not going to touch another one. The mits dealership had a new montero that is being bought by a person who is replacing his '08 manual montero. the dealer mentioned that car will be available for sale in a couple of weeks. That is now the only used vehicle in consideration.

I was going to look at two monteros for sale by owner in the classifieds, but they sold by the time I came back from srinagar and I am not seeing any more anywhere that are for sale by owner.

Not going to touch a broker with a bargepole. I jerkweed I called was not only rude on the phone, he put my number on his SMS mailing list and I get messages from him 6 times a day.

I just test drove a manual transmission 2008 Montero. I am deeply impressed with this vehicle. It drives like a very modern Pajero and very differently from the automatic, and has none of the automatic's sluggish, clumsy indifference. On the move, it feels very much like a Pajero but with very modern ride and steering, an extremely swift engine, and interior ergonomics that are very modern. The Montero is a Pajero with all that is wrong, outdated, vintage inadequate about the Pajero corrected.

This is tentatively the vehicle for us.

Unfortunately this vehicle showed evidence of repaint on the fenders and the interior had a considerable amount of wear. I feel like some degree of wear is to be expected in a used vehicle, but spending 20+ lacs on a vehicle that looks considerably worn inside and has imperfect body panel repairs gives me pause, even though the vehicle feels mechanically just fine.

I am going to start looking for manual transmission monteros that are cosmetically good and within our price range.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbir (Post 2459585)

I just test drove a manual transmission 2008 Pajero. I am deeply impressed with this vehicle. It drives like a very modern Pajero and very differently from the automatic, and has none of the automatic's sluggish, clumsy indifference. On the move, it feels very much like a Pajero but with very modern ride and steering, an extremely swift engine, and interior ergonomics that are very modern. The Montero is a Pajero with all that is wrong, outdated, vintage inadequate about the Pajero corrected.

I would suggest that unless you get your hands on a really good pre-owned vehicle, stay away from it. There are 2 reasons for this advice:
1. Spares are pretty expensive to replace and find in some cases.
2. You wouldn't want to be stuck in the middle of nowhere in your 20 Lac INR SUV for no fault of the vehicle or you but its previous owner/s.

If I were you, I d either buy a new Pajero/Montero or a sparingly used one year old Pajero(not Montero) and call it a day.

You could probably tap into the membership of this community (word of moth thing) as well as the dealership network of HM-Mitsu to locate a suitable unit.

So if you will allow me to summarize the essence of your observations. The MT Montero is a better option vis-a-vis the AT due to it being primarily a more nifty handler, retaining the essence of what you found good in the Pajero. Is this an accurate enough description of your observations?

yeah, except I told the broker selling that car to stuff it. He didn't return my phone call for a day and then when he called back, instead of asking me how he could help me he started demanding to know who I was and where I was calling from.

I don't mind sellers wanting to know who they are talking to but I got mad when I told him my name (harbir) and he bellowed "HAIN?!" into the phone when he didn't understand. then he demanded to know here harbir lived. I told him that he should be asking me how he can help me instead of interrogating me. Instead of sensing my annoyance and adapting to it, he got beligerent and said he's got a right to demand to know whose asking him questions about his business. I hung up on him. and he didn't call back.

perhaps I need to learn how things are done in this country. or perhaps I can be a drop in the tidal wave that will change how things are done in this country. I don't know.

If I need to compromize my standards to buy a vehicle, maybe that vehicle is not worth having. or maybe here standards are so cheap and good things so precious that its better to get the good things and not worry about standards.

or maybe i am the idiot here. no worries.

EDIT: the broker selling this vehicle is the jerkweed who added my phone number to his SMS list and from whom I now get 6 advert SMSes a day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbir (Post 2459733)

OMG, I didn't know you have spoken to this joker already. Car wale says the ad was posted on the 7th of August. I guess he refreshes his ads daily.:deadhorse

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbir (Post 2459733)

he demanded to know here harbir lived. I told him that he should be asking me how he can help me instead of interrogating me. Instead of sensing my annoyance and adapting to it, he got beligerent and said he's got a right to demand to know whose asking him questions about his business.

That is outright unacceptable and unproffessional on his part. However, if you like the vehicle, I have a wicked idea. PM me if you want to know more.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbir (Post 2459733)

perhaps I need to learn how things are done in this country. or perhaps I can be a drop in the tidal wave that will change how things are done in this country. I don't know.

I have dealt with many of these people for my friends and know most of their ways and tactics, but I m surprised he was so rude to you. You need not change yourself for an automobile. Period.

PS: By the way, Harbir is very north Indian name, right? I wonder why he was so hard pressed to understand it.
In fact, I had, for the heck of it searched for a car at carwale yesterday and got a pretty courteous call from a dealer in Delhi. I guess it was from a cell phone number: +919818902000.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbir (Post 2459733)

yeah, except I told the broker selling that car to stuff it. He didn't return my phone call for a day and then when he called back, instead of asking me how he could help me he started demanding to know who I was and where I was calling from.

Ans : That is a very common & annoying practice of most Car Dealers here

I don't mind sellers wanting to know who they are talking to but I got mad when I told him my name (harbir) and he bellowed "HAIN?!" into the phone when he didn't understand. then he demanded to know here harbir lived. I told him that he should be asking me how he can help me instead of interrogating me. Instead of sensing my annoyance and adapting to it, he got beligerent and said he's got a right to demand to know whose asking him questions about his business. I hung up on him. and he didn't call back.

Ans :That response is very very typical, especially as a lot of the Car Dealers are Sikhs / Punjabis - they are very suspicious (do not know why) till they are able to establish that you are a customer & not a dealer yourself . I have faced the same problem (irritating surely) if I speak in Punjabi or I give them my name. LOL Get used to it, yeh mera India !!!

perhaps I need to learn how things are done in this country. or perhaps I can be a drop in the tidal wave that will change how things are done in this country. I don't know.

If I need to compromize my standards to buy a vehicle, maybe that vehicle is not worth having. or maybe here standards are so cheap and good things so precious that its better to get the good things and not worry about standards.

or maybe i am the idiot here. no worries.

EDIT: the broker selling this vehicle is the jerkweed who added my phone number to his SMS list and from whom I now get 6 advert SMSes a day.

Ans : Harbir, you should not get so agitated with these jokers, instead try & laugh it off at their silly behaviour. If you are going to stay & work here, best to get used to the way of the city / country.

All the best !

Quote:

Originally Posted by n.devdath (Post 2459754)

In fact, I had, for the heck of it searched for a car at carwale yesterday and got a pretty courteous call from a dealer in Delhi. I guess it was from a cell phone number: +919818902000.

Is this the number for the dealer whose ad you also posted? called this number and found it's a different dealer from the one I called earlier though these are the same pictures. The person I talked to is showing me a montero tomorrow but I don't know if it's the one in the pictures in that ad. This person was very courteous.

Let's see what I discover tomorrow.

Edit: Ricky, yes you are right.you have to laugh it off. The guy whose montero I saw yesterday, I messaged him thanking him, saying how much I liked how it drove but how I had concerns about the wear and tear and asking his final price. The guy got really emotional. Said he'll just keep it because it's in such bad shape instead of distress selling it and I should go buy a a new one. I had to laugh. What else is there to do?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harbir (Post 2460258)

No, this is not that dealer Harbir. But yes, like you said, he is very courteous.

looks like Harbir is getting used to "HAIN"!

i would still advise you to get a TD Fortuner and see its utility over the other vehicles in question.

dude you dont have to beg anyone in Toyota dealership for a TD, its just the way things function in our country.

it took a salesman 1 month to reply to my email about Polo and by that time i was back in dubai.

now i write them emails before i land up in india.

all the best and choose a Fortuner!:D