[GT3]

Status Quo

Here is a link to my previous thread: https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/luxur...-e60-530d.html (Used BMW: E90 320d vs E60 530d)

Since I was not able to find a well maintained E60 530d, I got a 2011 Jetta DSG in 2019 and Code6 remapped it. Then in 2020 got a 2010 W212 E350 CDI. Still silently searching for an E60 530d. Other cars in the garage are an Etios D and 1st gen Swift P.

Need for an SUV

The last SUV's we had were the Scorpio(sold in 2009) and Xylo(sold in 2013). Since we haven't owned an SUV in a long time, the urge to try out a different flavour of car has become very strong.

Requirement and usage pattern

1) Need imposing looks
2) Will be used primarily on the highway
3) Plan to start basic off roading
4) Budget- 10 lakhs
5) Will be owned for a minimum of 5 years and maybe even more
6) Will see a usage of 20000 kms per year
7) I am ok with waiting for parts but the vehicle has to be reliable

Rejected options

1) Toyota Fortuner- too bumpy, bad brakes and over priced in the used market
2) Xuv500- looks not imposing enough but otherwise perfect
3) Pajero SFX- engine performance not enough
4) Old Safari- bad handling, questionable safety and niggles
5) Scorpio- already owned and find it too bumpy
6) Old Endeavour- too bumpy and low seats

Final consideration list

After eliminating all cars only two SUV's stand out and both are from Mitsubishi. PS: Have only driven the Pajero Sport MT and I am yet to drive the Montero.

Pajero Sport 4x4 MT

Pros:
- Comparatively easy to maintain
- Newer models available

Montero

Pros:
- Vehicle from a higher segment
- Offers better safety features

Cons:
- I am seeing very contradicting views regarding the ride and handling package. Some have very high regards for it but others feel its got too soft a suspension so it pitches a lot and handles like a boat. Which is true among this???

Final thoughts

Please suggest the better option between these two for my needs. Also if I indeed go for a Montero, which is the better among AT and MT. Do suggest any other SUV's if you feel it meets my criteria.

[GTO]

Frankly, for 10-lakh rupees, I would prefer to buy something newer & locally made. Remember, a used 10-lakh rupee import can quickly become a 14-lakh rupee import as the maintenance & repair bills come in. And it's not like you'll get the crème de la crème examples for 10 lakhs. They'll either be high mileage, abused or both.

I would personally get something like an XUV500 (only thing you don't like is the design), Hexa or similar. Both are better with their smooth & competent ATs; the XUV500's MT is clunky, while the Hexa's has poor ergonomics.

Originally Posted by GT3

I am seeing very contradicting views regarding the ride and handling package. Some have very high regards for it but others feel its got too soft a suspension so it pitches a lot and handles like a boat. Which is true among this???

It's comfortable, but very soft, especially the later models & facelifts. Not a handler at all.

Please suggest the better option between these two for my needs

For 10 lakhs, neither. Get a used XUV500 or Hexa AT and you'll be happier. For touring & basic offroading, consider the talented Duster AWD too.

Related Thread (Advice needed: Used Mitsubishi Montero?)

[GT3]

Originally Posted by GTO

Remember, a used 10-lakh rupee import can quickly become a 14-lakh rupee import

Not too worried about the maintenance cost, since I am already maintaining the Jetta and the E Class but it has to be reliable and the parts should be available within a max of 15 days.

Originally Posted by GTO

I would personally get something like an XUV500 (only thing you don't like is the design), Hexa or similar. Both are better with their smooth & competent ATs; the XUV500's MT is clunky, while the Hexa's has poor ergonomics.

Looks is one of the important criteria for this purchase, so the XUV500 is rejected. Regarding the Hexa, I don't like the looks and performance.

Originally Posted by GTO

It's comfortable, but very soft, especially the later models & facelifts. Not a handler at all.

How do you rate the Pajero Sport against Montero on ride, handling and other factors?

Originally Posted by GTO

Related Thread (Advice needed: Used Mitsubishi Montero?)

Yeah saw that thread. Again vastly contrarian views, owners like RedOne and benbsb29 state it has got good ride and handling balance and that parts can be arranged in 2 weeks.

[asit.kulkarni93]

I think you should stick to the Pajero Sport. Monteros didn’t sell as much as the Pajero Sport and their spares would be an issue. Pajero Sport’s spares can be arranged with relative ease. The Pajero Sport has an amazing suspension setup and the engine is pretty good too. The low end is a bit weak which a remap will take care of. Rest the Pajero sport is pretty reliable and fun to drive.

Please avoid a pre-owned XUV. The reliability is questionable and it’s far from robust. Hexa is a decent product but reliability is typical of Tata. Expect niggles and shorter interval for running repairs. You won’t find such issues in the Pajero Sport.

[GT3]

Will the LandCruiser 100 Series or the Nissan Patrol Y61 be suitable for my needs? And can it be had within my budget? A point to note is that this will not be my primary vehicle so a little bit of downtime is manageable.

[landcruiser123]

Originally Posted by GT3

Will the LandCruiser 100 Series or the Nissan Patrol Y61 be suitable for my needs?

If I were you, I'd consider upping the budget. You're used to a Merc E class and a VW Jetta which are pretty well-engineered cars. A used SUV which costs 10 lakhs isn't going to impress you in the areas of NVH & comfort, especially if you're going to clock 20,000km a year on it. Would have been a different case if it was a weekend toy to be used in your farm.

The LC 100 is an interesting choice - the best, considering your requirements. If you can get a used example in good condition that doesn't already have 3,00,000km on it, I'd say go for it.

[GTO]

Originally Posted by GT3

Not too worried about the maintenance cost, since I am already maintaining the Jetta and the E Class but it has to be reliable and the parts should be available within a max of 15 days.

It's not just the cost in terms of money, it's also the cost in terms of "TIME". If you buy such an old car with high mileage, it helps to be technically skilled like talented BHPian Vigsom and have the time & motivation. Take a look at his recent thread (My pre-owned Mitsubishi Pajero Sport | Return of the overheating ghost & solving it) on a used Pajero Sport.

There is no such thing as a cheap premium car (Montero & Pajero Sport are premium in the Indian context). Either they are expensive to buy & reasonable to maintain (at least in the initial years when they are new), or cheap to buy and expensive to maintain (in terms of money + time). Which is why I strongly recommend a newer, locally built product like the XUV500, Hexa etc which are also very competent cars.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by landcruiser123

The LC 100 is an interesting choice - the best, considering your requirements. If you can get a used example in good condition that doesn't already have 3,00,000km on it, I'd say go for it.

Will search if I'm getting any good LC 100👍🏻

Originally Posted by GTO

Which is why I strongly recommend a newer, locally built product like the XUV500, Hexa etc which are also very competent cars.

Yeah definitely understand your concern. What I could guess is that the Montero has definitely got a huge parts availablity issue. But the Pajero Sports seems manageable. Also the parts availablity and reliability of the LC100 also seems good.

Reg the XUV500, I don't really have a connect with the car due to its design. This purchase is solely for my want than for my need. So the XUV500 is rejected.

Another option I'm considering is waiting for 6 months to 1 year and getting a used Endeavour or the L322 Range Rover 4.4 D. I would have never considered owning the RR but BlackPearl's thread about of the RR Sport inspires some confidence to own the RR.

[Doppelkuplung]

Pajero Sport is a bit cramped on the inside compared to Montero. Sport is not a monocoque. Sport doesnt have aluminium hood. Sport doesnt have carbon fibre wrapped driveshafts. I believe Montero is a better choice for your application. Put spacers and slightly stiffer springs if you wish for a bit more handling. Using a 200K used 3L variant for a month now. It is slow on highways but capable for basic offroading.

[Oggy]

Whilst I would not consider myself an expert on the subject, I'd recommend the Montero. Used one for around a thousand kilometres in Dubai a few years back and absolutely loved the vehicle.

Since you mentioned that the car is a want and not a need, why not go for something special (at least in India) as opposed to an ordinary run of the mill car. Since you already have quite a unique garage, the Montero should complement it pretty well.

Spare availability coupled with the lack of Mitsubishi support in India may be a pain, but since the vehicle isn't a daily driver and you're fine with waiting for parts (and already maintaining a Jetta and a W212) this shouldn't be too big a problem. Handling seemed normal for an SUV of that category if I recall correctly, and the vehicle was planted at speeds in excess of 140kmph in Abu Dhabi.

This is quite an unusual choice of vehicle, but it's a far better option than a regular Pajero Sport, and certainly better than any of the older Jaguar-Land Rover vehicles (which I would never consider). Whilst a newer endeavour may be a viable option, I'd expect it to cost a lot more and it would not have the exclusivity that a Montero would have.

Please take my thoughts and comments with a grain of salt and experience the vehicle properly on a long test drive and then decide. Do update us BHPians on what you finally decided upon buying.

Good luck and happy motoring

[Aakash118]

Why not try the Compass. You will get a newer car which should be more reliable. It feels premium too. Another reliable and premium option is CRV.

[Iyencar]

A wild card option is the Freelander TD4 HSE.
Pros
1.Boxy, butch looks
2.Wasn’t too expensive new so used prices are fair
3.JLR Pedigree
4.JLR still exists in India so can procure spares through official channels
5.Global model which sold well so easy to import spares
6. Decent reliablity

Cons
1.Hard to find especially the HSE variant with the higher state of tune
2. Grand total of 1 Team bhp review
3. Probably a little over your budget

[EightSix]

Mitsubishi Montero, LC100 etc — the fact that you considered these cars tells me that you have an FNG or something that can help you maintain it.

So, why not consider a Nissan X-Trail? Check out haneeshN’s awesome review on it.

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/long-...n-x-trail.html (Living with a decade-old used car : My 2006 Nissan X-Trail)

Or — if you are looking for exclusivity — old Hyundai SUVs like the Tucson, Santa Fe etc will be great. Check them out too.

As Oggy said, take my opinion with a grain of salt too. I am no expert in used cars either, and I would stay away from all these if I had to make a choice.

Veterans can help you better.

[GT3]

Originally Posted by Aakash118

Why not try the Compass. You will get a newer car which should be more reliable. It feels premium too. Another reliable and premium option is CRV.

Compass is a nice vehicle with good engine and handling but it doesn't have the butch looks. To be frank I don't like anything that the CRV offers.

Originally Posted by Iyencar

A wild card option is the Freelander TD4 HSE.

The Freelander was in my shortlist but good vehicles seem to be in the 15-17 lakhs range. For that budget I'll stretch a bit and go for the Endeavour, which seems a better option than the Freelander.

Originally Posted by EightSix

So, why not consider a Nissan X-Trail? Check out haneeshN’s awesome review on it.

Thanks for the suggestion, but X-Trail doesn't pull my heart strings.

[kamilharis]

I don't have experience with the Pajero Sport, but with Pajero SFX (in India) and Montero(in Saudi). I would recommend proceeding with the Pajero Sport as that would be better considering the part availability and maintenance. You can go for Montero if you have a good friend in the middle east who could help you in getting the parts with ease at a cheaper cost.

Also, I would recommend checking out the old LC and Prados. Anyway, you are willing to go for something unique, then why not cash on something unique? The only concern among your requirements is you would want to cover 20000km a year, and for that factor, I think a Toyota would be better. The downside might be the NVH of those cars. Some examples from Kerala.