[53BHP]

I would like to take a leaf out of that super lateral upgrade thread

(http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/buying...r-less-13.html)

and offer up this option for discussion. Perhaps a vote too

The cars in question are the 2 M's: MMC and M&M. Its interesting to note that Mitsubishi Motors manufactured Jeeps under license for nearly 30 years. Quite a few parallels here though most are not relevant to the discussion in this thread

The factors to be considered here:

1. Price
2. Feature Set
3. On road Performance
4. Off road Performance
5. Cost of Maintenance (Approx. the cost of maintaining a Skoda)
6. Image (The X factor)
7. Reliability
8. comfort

Please be aware this is not a Thar discussion thread. Please lets not make it one. There are many many of them elsewhere. We are just comparing the Thar and the Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Mk2 Mid Nineties(Grey Import) SWB. Price 7.50 lacs (approx.)






Mahindra and Mahindra Thar 2011 CRDe. Price 7.50 lacs (approx.)

[mdsaab]

This is a really tough one. Personally i would prefer the thar, since its brand new, and you will get full service support from mahindra. Not sure if components and parts of the swb pajero will be the same as the pajero on sale in india. So parts and service could be an issue in the future. The swb pajero is also a five seater so is the thar, so you are not sacrificing extra seat space if you go for the thar. So yeah definately would go for the thar for all practical reasons. But there is something special about the pajero that always leaves me craving for one. Anyways bottomline ~ its Thar for me

[Parm]

THAR pros
1. brand new in terms of manufacturing
2. service back up
3. reputated MUV brand of india

THAR cons
1. no AC and HT
2. 30 year old shape
3. reliability

Pajero pros
1. AC and HT
2. reputed international brand
3. comfort
4. reliability

Pajero con
1. availability of parts
2. service back up

again the choice is personal, depending upon usage and the need of the utility of the vehicle.

i would say Pajero to go for as per the points you mentioned in the post.

MMC also made jeeps for a long time and so did M&M, now look at where MMC stand and where M&M is!

[Aroy]

The Pajero is a better buy if and only if the price is right. I would say not more than 5L would be a good price for vehicle which would be around 15 years old. Factor in a couple of lacs of repairs and routine maintenance to bring it upto mark of around 7L. A comparable Thar would set you back by 7.5+3.5=11 at least, but you would get a new vehicle, with warranty and a definitely better off roader.

[53BHP]

Originally Posted by Aroy

The Pajero is a better buy if and only if the price is right. I would say not more than 5L would be a good price for vehicle which would be around 15 years old. Factor in a couple of lacs of repairs and routine maintenance to bring it upto mark of around 7L. A comparable Thar would set you back by 7.5+3.5=11 at least, but you would get a new vehicle, with warranty and a definitely better off roader.

The 7.5lacs that i am assuming is for a Pajero in KA condition. No work whatsoever. Everything works. No need for any engine for for atleast another 1.5lac kms and all body and suspension in tip top condition

I am gathering specs for both so that they can also be compared objectively

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by 53BHP

The 7.5lacs that i am assuming is for a Pajero in KA condition. No work whatsoever. Everything works. No need for any engine for for atleast another 1.5lac kms and all body and suspension in tip top condition

I am gathering specs for both so that they can also be compared objectively

From experience I would say that a diesel engine is least of your worries. Unless grossly neglected the Pajero engine rivals the Toyota engine in long life.

You will rarely get a second hand vehicle which has been honestly fully overhauled, with new battery, new brake shoes, all oils changed, suspension changed, shock absorbers new, etc. etc. That is unless the vehicle went for a distressed sale after every thing was repaired/overhauled/serviced.

What happens to all of us is that we tend to sell the vehicle just when it starts eating up money. After all an old vehicle would normally have a lot of wear and tear, and what may be perfect today may present a large bill tomorrow.

So I would keep a large chunk of money for future (< 1 year) repair bills.
Normal expenses
1. Tyres -> 20k
2. Battery -> 5k
3. Brake work with shoes -> 20k
4. One change of all oils -> 4-6k
5. Suspension with material -> 30k
That is if the transmission is perfect - axles, differentials and universal joints.
Assuming the lights and beams are OK, else -> 20k

One fact to note, is that until and unless you are getting the Pajero from an off road enthusiast (and that has its own problems), bling - External Beams, winch, bull bar etc may be fitted by a dealer to give impression of a macho image to a basically unsound vehicle.

[Parm]

Originally Posted by 53BHP

The 7.5lacs that i am assuming is for a Pajero in KA condition. No work whatsoever. Everything works. No need for any engine for for atleast another 1.5lac kms and all body and suspension in tip top condition

I am gathering specs for both so that they can also be compared objectively

53, i can sense and read your heart going for the Pajero, so go for it!

[53BHP]

Parm Buddy,

Already did

But not this one, went for this:



This thread is purely academic!!

[ACM]

Old Pajero vs new thar at same price.

Select Pajero for better ownership experience.

Select Thar for lower maintenance.

[Ricky_63]

That seems like a very neat Pajero. Do share more pictures of it. Congratulations on the purchase.

One question. Does it run leaf springs at the rear ? Seems so from the snapshot.







Cheers

[53BHP]

It does run leaf springs at the back. You are correct

I have a restoration thread going for my Pajero:

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-ve...-thread-2.html

Originally Posted by Ricky_63

That seems like a very neat Pajero. Do share more pictures of it. Congratulations on the purchase.

One question. Does it run leaf springs at the rear ? Seems so from the snapshot.







Cheers

[mdsaab]

Congratulations on your buy. Love the looks. If you dont mind, how much did it cost you? Wishing you many miles of joyful motoring with her. Look forward to checking out your other thread.

[GTO]

I'd choose the Thar over a SWB Pajero 10 times out of 10. Reasons:

- A 15 year old vehicle, no matter how well-maintained, will inevitably require work from time to time. Remember, it's a collection of mechanical parts that have been through their share of wear & tear. Then, there's the question of sourcing parts for an import, and at what price? A Thar will score highly on the peace-of-the-mind factor.

- Thar is a better off-roader.

- Thar also offers quicker, on-road performance. The Pajero was never quick and a vehicle this old will have a well-worn engine.

I'd only buy such an old vehicle if I really loved it (e.g. Mercedes W126). And no, I don't have a thing for the SWB Pajero at all. A well maintained 80 series Landcruiser? Haha...you got me there.

[53BHP]

A well maintained 80 series Landcruiser? Haha...you got me there.[/quote]

Well you might like to speak to our friend Harjeev there.. he might have something for you

[rrsteer]

I have got a somewhat similar question. I too want to get a 4X4, which will be the second car in the family and I am looking at this purchase as my own car i.e one which will be bought by me as per my choice and can/will be used by others in the family. My criteria:

1) Reliable enough for me to pick the keys anytime and go to the mountains
2) Pocket friendly enough (in terms of maintenance) so that I don't regret the purchase
3) Comfortable enough so that the four other who would accompany me on it ONLY sometimes don't find it too miserable
4) I don't want the vehicle to become a white elephant for me either due to lack of spares/ high costs or any other reason
5) Has to be pre owned

My budget is between 3- 7 lacs and I am looking to wrap up the purchase before August 2015.

So far I have thought of the following cars:

Pajero
Likes: Everything; very very desirable
Dislikes: Repair & Maintenance costs, parts availability(?)

Gypsy
Likes: Low maintenance costs, lower purchase cost
Dislikes : Cabin space/soft top

Thar
Likes: Looks/distinctly personal feel/performance/engine
Dislikes: Cabin space/soft top/ reliability & maintenance

Scorpio 2.6(4wd)
Likes: Kind of hits my sweet spot
Dislikes: availability/reliability/maintenance

Please let me know your opinion as to what can be the best choice from the above and from others that i may have missed.