Replacing Frontera ... What car will you buy?

Hi

Reading the Auto trader thread i got the idea to make this thread.I am thinking at a suzuki grand vitara 1.9 5dr that have transfer case...if the taxes are ok i am still looking at the Pajero 2.5 from 1997..

cheers...

Avoid the 2.5 and go 2.8, theyre far more reliable and more powerful :wink:

The tax at 2.8 is prohibitive ...

Go Toyota surf maybe?

Isuzu

Guys ... This thread is about opinions what WE will buy ...
I don't know about UK but Toyota surf in my country is expensive at everything from parts to taxes and consumption and maintanance...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Hilux_Surf

I have people in my off-road club that own Hilux and land Cruisers..Also a guy works for Toyota dealer in the service stuff..But in UK/Scotland may be is more afordable..

Isuzu is nice but again ... 3.0 engine have "awesome" taxes per year and insurance and maintance..3.1 is even "better" ...

Anyone with Land Rover Dc100 ? I know it's not released but i heard they will put a transfer case and a 2.0l engine ...?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover_DC100
http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/dc100/concept/

Actually i really like the design and transfer case + 2.0l is perfect for me..I hope the maintanance would not be prohibitive..

More details here...
http://blog.landrover.com/vehicles/dc10 ... z2mSKaXUYW

I would have a jeep jk 2010 make.

The problem is that cars that are relatively cheap here cost a fortune over there, hence why the export market is so active at the min, a surf over here will cost anything from £500, were as over there your going to be looking at £2000 :shock:

So im thinking your going to be looking at a smaller or older truck, as you mentioned the suzuki and the 2.5 :sick:

pajero(i had one..............never again!! :roll:

), what about a Rav4 or mitsi pinin? 1.8 or 2.0. abit unsure about off road ability tho :think:

Or im sure over there youd have a chance at a Lada Niva/Cossack......mmmmmmm, yes please!

Wow danny ... You looked over eastern europe market .. Nice :p ..
Lada Niva is out of discussion because i am not a mechanic and the chances that something will brake are big...Is too risk for a non-mechanic...Rav4 No -- no transfer case (bleah) ...If i ever go the route of Crossovers i will get a duster..In Offroad same performance as both lack transfer case..Mitsubishi Pinin have transfer case but the ground clearance is lower than my frontera and is hard to raise that car..It doesn't have ladder on frame..Also is pretty rare and it may be expensive at maintance..
Tell me about your Mitsi Pajero 2.5 experience.The pajero here is very popular and easy to maintain.

if i had the cash it would be another fronty. or a g class...
wouldnt mind the fuel consumption if i could aford a g class, esp for the G63 amg 6x6

I look at the markets as ive been known to supply the odd vehicle at the request of a buyer to make a little bit for myself :wink:

.
As for the mitsi, i used to be a mechanic at Mitsubishi here, so thought that might be the way to go............... :oh yer:

WRONG!
Firstly the electrics went bad which took ages to sort, then the turbo went, so new turbo but no power, tried loads to get it right n the head gasket went and i had a cracked head

, after sourcing the new head and repairing i had even less power :axe:

, so new injectors, full gasket set, new glow plugs etc etc etc, then i had no power and lots of smoke :roll:

.
After lots of money and a full rebuild and much shouting the gearbox went bang :cry:

So i sold it n bought a v6 fronty :thumbup:

, and then had to sell that

now i regret having sold the v6 everytime i look outside, but hey ho, i got the 2.5 now and its been a good truck, mustve been cos ive had it well over a year now n thats not like me :lol:

Thx for the answer danny ... You had a bad luck with your Pajero 2.5 ...
Many people run away from the Frontera 2.5 because the unusual engine and plenty of sensors that may get broken...Can you recomend it ? ...Or maybe the correct question is ... Can you recommend it to non-mechanic guy that had a 2.0l x20se without any real problem on engine side ?

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/buying-guides/view/1040

The only problem mines had/got is rear crank oil seal, they seem to be prone for leaking, other than that, ive removed egr and i run it on cooking oil/diesel mix n its great.
I honestly cant fault it so far, was abit dubious after reading certain things on here but, eather ive got a brilliant one or theyre not as bad as people say?

Both look pretty good mate, like that 2.4, don't see many of them around anymore.
Both have plus's tho, the swb 2.5 would be my choice and it already has the Tyres to set you off or to sell? Make abit back maybe?
The lwb looks to be pretty mint and original, which is a huge plus point.
Suppose at the end of the day it's personal preference that will help you decide :thumbup:

Now depending on your plans for it, the lwb will lift higher easier and be better laning, the swb has more torque/power and be better in the play site environment, but that's just my opinion, others will differ.

Again I would say avoid the 2.5 Shogun/Pajero. Have heard nothing but problems with them from cylinder heads that crack/leak/warp, head gaskets that blow faster than a 2.2 petrol Frontera, parts costing a fortune, glow plugs that have to be replaced every year as the pattern ones just don't last long and Mitsubishi ones cost an arm and a leg.

Last edited by badsykes on Sun Dec 08, 2013 12:31 am, edited 1 time in total.

Thx RatCav.
My dad says in 5 years i have to change my car...Now it have 113.000 km.The electronics will be a turning point..
Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.9 seems to fit almost everything except electronics...I suppose i have to live with electronics at some point ...
Fuel consumption is around 9 vs 14 (my frontera)
Tax like my actual car
Transfer box
Frame

Any 2.8 Pajero is best don't touch anything less. Advice from a very experienced mobile mechanic. Oh and the older ones are best.

I am just talking about Pajeros, less than 2.5 are underpowered and they have chains not belts and by old ones I mean about 1997 back.