2005 SsangYong Musso 290 Sport Double Cab 4x4 290 turbo diesel Inter-Cooler from South Africa

Summary:

With these changes I am very much satisfied with the vehicle as a package for what you pay

Faults:

The body panels are very soft and dent easily. Still need to find ways of protecting load body on top.

The clock is a disaster. Had it replaced under warranty. Still not working. I tried tightening the electric plug at back and seemed to have helped (for a while).

The radio can GO! - Tape decks don't do it!

Off-Roading the departure angle (load body over-hang) is non-existent and one needs to continuously take care, got some "brandy" marks on the sides.

General Comments:

Bought my Musso (3rd one) in May 2005 in Pretoria, RSA. Done 12000km which included highway, clogging through traffic in morning/afternoon and some off-roading.

Very impressed with smooth comfortable ride. Fuel consumption good. Ride comfort good. Off-roading excellent when compared to other open differential 4x4's. If you do not have one get one...

Overall:

Made some changes and additions to the vehicle to suite my need. This include:

(a) Fitting longer coil springs at back to stop sagging when carrying a load. In addition I turned up the front torsion bars, if too high one gets a very uncomfortable ride. Had to lower it. Stands a bit nose down, but comfortable and balance nicely when towing or load on back.

(b) Fitted after market shocks. Did not make much difference on ride comfort though scored more wheel travel as they are longer.

C) Fitted an ARB Air locker in the back. Had some difficulties as specs on diff changed from previous model and the locker did not. The guys did a great job and it makes a huge difference as the traction control requires a too high speed over rocky terrain and does not work if one wheel in the air.

(d) Made a protection bar below the back to protect rear, not tested yet.

Will definitely get another one after this one, hopefully they will bring it out soon with the 270XDI machine in the near future.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th October, 2005

31st Jul 2006, 19:53

Any comments on the Musso Sports RX290S. Is it powerful enough? Would anyone prefer it to the the Nissan Navara?

11th Sep 2006, 02:24

I own a Ssangyong Musso sports dual-cab Ute and have done 20,000 with it. First off the good points. The styling is different, plenty of rear leg room (for a dual-cab Ute), it has enough power, good fuel economy and its affordable with reasonable off road ability. The turbo has already failed once. The gear shifts are very far apart and the clutch travel is huge as well as having gear ratios which are too short for Australian conditions or freeway cruising. The load area is small because of the good leg room. The rear sags a lot under load, but I corrected this by installing airbag suspension. I would recommend spending a bit more and buy a Rodeo or Navara.