Two problems: 2nd hand SUV choice (250k) and a wife

[leonlieb]

When reading the heading, I thought you need to decide, either 4x4 or wife, difficult question

I can add a vote for the Pajero.

I got a 4x4 for my wife...

Not a bad swop hey??

[Slobbers]

In ALL fairness, it's just a pavement...

Indeed... !

[ôita]

I have the 3.2 Pajerosport 2012...very very nice vehicle..space, groundclearance,you can use all available types of diesel,very capable offroad. Mostly used in town at about 6.5km/l and yesterday on the open road 10.8 doing 120...The resell is very low to what they were new so I think you would be able to get one under R300k with low miles...I'm a toyota man but would not trade my pajsport for a fortuner...
My 2c

[dazza]

Considered an X3, if you not going to do serious 4x4 then a 3.0D X3 is prety decent. Decent consumption, power etc.
Does well in soft sand so getting to the beach etc should not be an issue

[Reenen]

Based on what has been said on this Forum about maintaining used Pathfinders I wouldn't consider it.

Have you maintained one? I have. Up to 200 000 km. one wheelbearing (R2000 fitted) and UJ on front prop (R860) was only stuff replaced. 180 000 km service( the big one), R2617. All done at nissan dealers.

Did my homework on maintanance. Got quotes at 5 Nissan dealers, and 5 toyota dealers for cost of services over 120 000 km for Pathy and fortuner. Average cost for fortuner, R36000, pathy R24000.
Boils diwn to same average cost per service, but toyota every 10 000, nissan 15 000km.

Parts like brakepads and injectors, pathy cheaper than fortuner...

I dont think a pathy is more expensive to keep on road than a fortuner, D3, or a Jeep.

[willben]

Have you maintained one?

No. Didn't say I did either.

[Veneficus]

Personally I love the Forester
Mine does everything I ask of it without issues
And this includes the off road where necessary

They are very well built and reliable

and in my personal experience the more your drive it the more you love it

[thabogrobler]

I'll ad my vote to the Freelander! Got the wife a nice one about six months ago. Nou is dit net gatskuur!

But also look at Paj sport - lots of car for your money, never a Fortuner. Even a Pathy is good value.

[Johan Slabbert]

Freelander 2, great value to be had now that it's discontinued.

[Noel Arbuthnot]

You definately have to test drive the freelander 2 before you buy something. It will be silly to buy something els without driving the FL2! It is by far the best softroader.

My favourites are Freelander 2 and subaru forester.

[Noel Arbuthnot]

If you dont like the freelander 2 after driving it then please dont get it...i would only want you to get what ever it is you like the most. I just dont want you to miss out on what may be the best option for you. If you dont check it out properly, you may never know ;-)

[Duster Jack]

seeing you had the x-Trail. what about the Duster? Ja Ja I Kknow, but X-Trail 4WD system, just a bit better as the split between front and back is 50/50, best price and Fuel consumption

[DJ Payne]

In that price range I have just gone through the exercise and ended up getting a Volvo XC60 D-5 auto. Only thing my one doesn't tick out of your requirements is the sunroof. Which I specifically didn't want. Otherwise, it's in the top 2 of the most comfortable cars I've ever driven. Just did Durban and back this last weekend with a couple detours up dirt tracks along the meander, handled without any issue or complaint. If you willing to keep an eye out you could probably get one with a factory maintenance plan still in place which you could extend.