RE new tax bands and year of registration and ebay!

[smartyfarty]

Err OK hope I am not being thick here, but I am looking to get a Pajero or Shogun 2.8 SWB, if I go for an import that may be 10 or more years old but not registered in this country until recently is it then subject to the higher tax band even though it may be an M, N, P reg car?
Also has any one got a car off ebay, any good? is it recommended or can anyone recommend a decent dealer (honest!) in SE?? Cheers!

Sorry if this is in wrong section! did a search but couldn't find anything on this subject.

[kev]

A Shogun is a Main dealer import from new whereas the Pajero is a "grey import" from Japan as a used second hand
but good motor because the "shaken motor test" in Japan is very strict.

Click & See here ... http://www.cmimports.co.uk/web-pages/be ... rvice.html (http://www.cmimports.co.uk/web-pages/bespoke-ordering-service.html)

As a grey import the motors are usually high specced and reasonable value too.

The date of import is not the tax band factor but the age of the vehicle.

My Paj is a '95 M Reg and for 6 months tax it is £103 or 4 quid or so. Not too sad.

As for honest dealers... ot found one yet in my 30 odd years of driving :lol:

Sometimes folk on here sell their motors and know each others history and modifications.

The market for 4wd's has bombed in the last couple of years, I love my Paj for family use and on the bad weather days
and for comfort and safety, but as a runaround I now use a Saxo which means my bum is near the floor andI save a hell
of a lot on fuel.

Hope that helps. Wherabouts are you in Herts.... I could let you know one dealer to stay away from round here.

[smartyfarty]

Cool thanks for that!!

I am in Rickmansworth, would be looking to get a Paj or Shogun swb as a second car mainly for towing, BUT as a single mum need something that will be reliable as may have to sell the first car as really doubt I will be able to afford 2, although it would be nice to keep 2 as can't bear to sell the Cooper S!!

But any advice help most appreciated thanks a million!!

As for the local dealer any info most appreciated too!! Would like to know any things I should look out for on Paj in particular if and when I go to see any, may get AA inspection or something though as not too technical myself! I actually love the look of the older Pajero and Shoguns believe it or not! and understand that generally they are reliable and a stonking tow car too!

[Simon_Doc]

Re: Buying an Import. If it's manufactured and sold in the original country before August 2000 then it follows the old Taxation bands and not the new emission controlled tax bands.
IE: If it's registered on a P (1996) plate it follows the same rules as a UK car bought on a P plate. So no silly £400 road tax bills.

That said...
Is you heart set on a Pajero? They can be quite thirsty beasts in town so be prepared. I know you said you wanted a tow vehicle and you have the cooper s (New BMW one I assume). Ever thought about consolidating one for 2 and buying a newer medium sized 2.0 litre diesel car? Do you really need 4 wheel drive? Unless you want to have a plug at off roading, have 6 berth caravan or 2 full sized hunter horses and horsebox to tow is a Pajero really necessary? I know this may sound like I am trying to talk you out of buying one but just trying to make sure it's the right choice for you, especially as you have said it may become your daily driver.

Up to you of course and we'll always help you where we can if you do get a Pajero.

Simon

[smartyfarty]

Would like to keep the Mini as it's such a fantastic car (BMW) but the Pajero would be as a second car for towing a large horse box, 1 big hunter and a TB, so yes I do need the capacity, one to tow and two to get me out of muddy fields!

Was just thinking about the older car as it really doesn't have to be the latest model, will get covered in mud and C*&p and really be used for a proper job, I will leave the Mini for the school run, honest! and hey who says I wouldn't fancy a go at off roading with it, looks fun! Have looked at the smaller 4WDs and the Rav 4, Vitara type vehicles just won't have the grunt I need, unfortunately I will have to stomach the cost or look at the veg oil section on here in more detail!

Thanks for the reply!! :lol:

[Iceman]

Wouldnt bother with veg oil now, its dearer than deisel now. If you do go for a paj or shoggy, go for the 2.8 diesel or the 3.5 V6 petrol much better engines than the older 2.5 models

[smartyfarty]

Ok so is there anything I or my mechanic, if I can find one, should be looking for in a 2.8 and can anyone tell me the difference between GL GLX GLS etc which seems to be on some of the ads I have looked at!!

Thankies!!
:D

[kev]

In a 2.8 the top of the range is the 'Exceed' models, most have all the bells and whistles.

i.e. Leather/air-con/ electric everything/stuff like heated seats and so on.

In the lesser Pajero's most of the stuff is still electric this and that and a still with a good specification, mine has most
but cloth seats which I actually prefer.

A lot of the stuff on Pajeros is grade option from buyers requirements in Japan and the far east. Things like winter packs and cruise control etc.

The equivalent UK specced Shogun usually has a lot less fancy stuff.

If things are advertised on the Pajero try and make sure they are working, items like headlamp washers and folding door mirrors are usually the first to go.
The factory fitted radio/cd player is not usually any good in UK with a band expander, I and most others put a UK CD/whatever personal choice in there.
A lot of Pajero's will have an externally under-bumper mounted rear fog lamp fitted for the UK market, there is a way of incorporating it into the rear O/s light cluster.

Major points to check out are the gearbox, overdrive, suspension, coolant, I would have them thoroughly checked out.

As I said there are a lot of Pajero's on the market in auto-trader and private, plenty of lemons and the prices are well low now.

I have had three Pajeros in four and a half years, a 2.5 Lwb Exceed, a 2.5 swb, and my present 2.8td which is reasonably specced and exactly what I want from a 4x4 car. It is horses for courses, fuel economy isn't great, 20-28 mpg or lower and towing even less of course.

I still get a buzz and a grin when I drive my motor, I feel safe secure and there is plenty of room for 2 adults+3kids+2 dogs +holiday/seaside luggage

If going for diesel the one to get is the 2.8td - they are so much more powerful than the 2.5td but a lot of folk now say the 3.5 petrol has a hell of a lot of grunt and with fuel prices the way the are and economy this also might be a better option, although the diesels swim through water a lot better.

Hope that helps ... Other folk might have more to add to this

[kev]

I forgot - there is a Super Exceed. May neighbours daughter has one, I had a looky when she visited a while
back, that has everything It has heated side rear windows, curtains (now removed) and a very very high spec, but it is a shiny
I have never seen any mud on it.

[Iceman]

Make sure that the 4 wheel drive system works as it should. You should be able to select 4 wheel drive while moving, up to about 60mph.
To select any of the other drives you need to be stationary and in neutral.

Always ask if the front fuel pump seals have been done as thaey are prone to drying out and will be a pain in the arse when they do go. Cost varies between £175 and £500 :? depending on where you take it, forget taking it to mitsi's over £1300 plus pump overhaul :shock:

[Simon_Doc]

if I can add to this as well... The 3 rear chassis cross tubes are a common place for rusting out as well.
Get your mechy to have a look, particularly by the rear spring mounts and the farthest rear tube where it connects to the chassis.

By the way we tow a full sized hunter box and 2 horses with realtive ease with the Jan's (the missus) 2.8 diesel. So that would be your primary candidate IMO.

Si

[smartyfarty]

That's great thanks for all that, got an insurance quote today thinking of TPF&T as fully comp huge! Now confused as whether to go for the 2.8 diesel or the V6 petrol regards fuel consumption, suppose could always get the V6 converted to LPG or am I opening up another can of worms??!!!

And WHY OH WHY are all the decent looking cars up North??! Any suggestions for good (huh!) dealers in the South still most appreciated also would prob have to go for an AA or RAC inspection, which will add to the cost of the car but prob cheaper than getting the Lemon that was mentioned earlier in the posts on here!

[kev]

Try one of the specialist insurance companies that the guys and gals on here use....

My policy is with 2gether Insurance, 01945 465508, ask for Gary, Barney or John, they beat all the biggies.
There are a couple of others like Osbornes who like 2gether specialise in Japanese and 4x4 stuff.

The 3.5V6 is a fast mover apparently, which in a straight line is ok I suppose but 4x4 handling does have some limits :lol:
unless you go for the Pajero Evolution - that is one fast beast. Pretty rare but WOW - ( I want one one day)

Auto-trader is usually a good place to look, I got mine from a dealer in Portsmouth last year, I think you always have to pay a little bit more but
there is a peace of mind thing which means you can run it back under warranty or sale of goods act as opposed to a private purchase.

There are plenty about and prices have bottomed out and will drop even more with the credit crunch and the anti--4x4 brigade.

[CHIPFAT]

If you are looking for a grey import and can find sombody with a bit of knowlege about the pajero, you can buy a direct import from Here (http://www.a1carauctions.co.uk/current/index.php?make=MITSUBISHI&model=) they are based in southampton.

[Iceman]

Saw an N reg 2.8 in romford today @£1895 looks pretty clean too.

[Tankyboy]

Could anyone tell me the Capacity of the Gearbox Oil on a 2.5 Auto TD Pajero and what would be the Best Oil to put back in !! I have read on here that it pays to blow out the pipes when draining the ATF .
Thanks.

[kev]

Auto transmission oil on a 2.5 is showing as 7.5 litres (ATF-SP)

[Tankyboy]

Thanks for the info.

[scorpion 42]

Hi, Getting back to the petrol Pajero's, I got mine for £1700 and thats a 1997 3.5 GDI and I bought it privately, you can find good ones on these 4x4 sites that members are selling and they have been looked after, because the guys and galls on these sites know how to look after them too, if you DO want to go down the petrol road and you are also considering going to the expence of having it converted to LPG, then you will have to have a 3.0 litre, because the 3.5 doesn't like LPG, but if you take your time and look around you will find what you are looking for, once you have made your mind up, just which Model you want, as its now a buyers market, im sure you will find what you are looking for and be very happy and end up with that silly paj smile on your face every time you are behind the wheel.

Best of luck and if you require anymore info, we are here, feel free to ask. \\:D/\\:D/[smilie=thatworks.g:

[Tankyboy]

Thanks for that .