1985 Mitsubishi Pajero NB from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

7th Jun 2006, 06:32

"A pile of junk"

What things have gone wrong with the car?

The back wheel fell off while driving due to faulty wheel bearings.

The Gearbox is incredibly noisy and on it's way out.

The Automatic front locking hubs lock up whenever they like, causing the front diff to spin consistently.

The front differential siezed also while driving, causing the front wheels to lock up due to the auto hub locking problem.

General comments?

Although the list of rather unusual problems I've had, this car is excellent off road. A limited rear differential and chuncky off road tyres make it incredibly capable in mud and on steep slopes.

I don't know weather it's build quality or lack of care taken by the previous owner, but this car has given me nothing, but grief. I had it for only three weeks, and when I was driving down a rather steep slope the rear wheel and half-shaft basically fell out off the axle leaving me with 3 wheels and hardly any brakes. It goes without saying this was quite an eye-opening experience. $400 later that problem was fixed.

The gearbox developed a shocking whining noise in all gears. It has become worse, and I believe it is draining power from the already powerless engine.

It has come to my attention that the automatic locking hubs sometimes engage whenever they like, not just when the vehicle is put into 4x4. The front differential siezed for whatever reason while driving, causing the front wheels to lock up (i.e. stop rotating) while I was flying along at 110 km/h which made for yet another interesting experience.

Apart from those, it is a nice car to drive around in. Although, it is very gutless and has a lot of trouble making it up hills especially when towing a trailer.

The power steering is very light, the air conditioning works really well, but the stock radio is total rubbish.

It has a good riding position, comfy seats and the back seats fold down into a double bed.

I think Mitsubishi focussed more on a comfy, cruisy ride than a long lasting and robust 4x4 when they brought out this vehicle. The old Sigma engine doesn't stand up to much in a massive offroader such as this.

All up a total waste of $7000 in my opinion, but considering the age it can't be blamed totally on Mistubishi.


9th Jun 2006, 11:21

I don't think you can blame anything on the manufacturer after 20 years, and was the $7000 purchase price a typo?

Vote:

12th Jul 2006, 06:52

I own a Pajero of the same year and model as this, and I have nothing but good things to say about it.

I purchased it for $4500. The body was in top condition, although the engine smoked a little while idling. The car has taken a big thrashing off me and I have put it through its tests to the limit. Although powerless, I have put it under some harsh conditions, although I have managed to buckle 2 of the wide 4x4 rims :-)

Vote:

17th Oct 2007, 11:08

I hate to be at risk of copyrite, but my pajero is exactly the same as the person who posted on the 12 of july 2006, mine cost me $4500AU engine smoked a bit during idol, body in good nic (looking a bit worse for wear now because of some of the narrow tracks I have encountered) and taken a big thrashing also (except I bucked all 4 big rims) all in all a really good vehicle.

12th Jul 2006, 06:52.

I own a Pajero of the same year and model as this, and I have nothing, but good things to say about it.

I purchased it for $4500. The body was in top condition, although the engine smoked a little while idling. The car has taken a big thrashing off me and I have put it through its tests to the limit. Although powerless, I have put it under some harsh conditions, although I have managed to buckle 2 of the wide 4x4 rims :-)

Vote:

4th Nov 2007, 03:35

Hello all. I have just purchased a Pajero off eBay for 1125 dollars. These things, apart from general wear and tear and replacing 'consumable' items, are the best.

If you have problems with them, it could be down to lack of maintenance.

With my car, it will be great to go off road in. If I have a ding in a panel, it's not going to hurt as much as scratching a 50,000 dollar car.

Basically look after them and keep in tune - or they will bite in the ass.

Vote:

20th Jan 2008, 18:57

Hello all, I purchased an 86 Pajero, excellent car altho after 3 weeks or so its in for a service now, again it smokes a lot when in traffic, which really scared me when I was in the city. really good off the road tho, we got it for $2700 aud, which in my opinion is a serious bargin!!

Vote:

Add another comment

Note: A Comments RSS Feed RSS Feed is available. New comments appear in the Members Area before the main site

All Mitsubishi Pajero reviews