Looking at first 4x4 SUV - R600k - MUX, Pajero Sport, or other!?

[byaru1]

5. Consider Everest (the one I've done the least research on so far - eek!)
(Question: I was told that some Everests have gearbox issues... do we know which ones? Is it a particular model? Gearbox? Year? to avoid)

I have seen more broken down rangers (sometimes on car carriers) than any other bakkie. Just my random observation, which may not necessarily be based on any empirical data. And Everest is a fancier ranger.

[Spectaitor]

It's fairly common knowledge that the Rangers will be voted "Least Likely to Succeed" in highschool.

It's a gamble with them fords. Lots and lots of evidence of it on this forum, where you have niggles in some cars, the Rangers just all out implode.

[QuQ]

Most of this vehicle's life will be spent getting me to the office, shops, and to walking spots with the dogs, with my girlfriend (just the two of us - no kids on the horizon).

This absolutely screams FJ Cruiser! So many people would love to own one but just a little too impractical with kids, but you don't have that issue.

[Caracal]

Agreed some are (x)fan boys, I would take their comments with a pinch of salt.

But to mention a vehicle that someone currently owns doesn't necessarily make them instant fan boys. The o.p did mention a price bracket so it does open the door to other suggestions.

As for my own, I have owned 34 vehicles to date all paid for with my own money, and from many different brands, some of them quite left field, so I don't think I qualify as a fan boy of any brand.

I can however say that my current Mahindra's offer exceptional value for money, between the two I have already covered over 30 000km and they have done as well as any of the more expensive mainstream brands I have owned before. I have also done al lot of research and spoke to a couple of owners before taking the plunge on the brand, and to date I have been satisfied. The teething issues that some Scorpio-N's had seems to get sorted and the company has stepped up to the plate to help their customers.

The fact that the company has a manufacturing facility in Mzanzi shows their commitment to our market.

I am unapologetically a Toyota "fan boy" as i have predominantly owned and currently drive a Toyota. Its the OP's money so he should do the test driving and tyre kicking and make up his own mind.

Now to Mahindra. Great brand, sold all over the world. They make good cheaper vehicles. BUT....their service delivery and their parts availability leaves a lot to be desired. And I have this on good authority, not just hearsay from my 3rd cousin's second wife's current ex boyfriend.

Case in point is the turbo booster pipe on a 2023 Mahindra double cab causing the vehicle to be down on power. Problem arose almost 5 weeks ago. The vehicle is still not repaired, yet Mahindra Windhoek have said the customer can use the vehicle as is. Who wants to sit with a half functioning semi-unreliable vehicle for 5 weeks while they dont have the fully functioning reliable use of it? To add insult to injury, Mahindra, and i quote "are not sure what the exact problem is" unquote.

That alone puts me off unfortunately.

[Mr.G]

I think most modern electronic 4x4s have a bigger chance at failures/problems than the old tech tried and tested vehicles like 3lt hilux/fortuner the prado and pajero..
I think venturing into the unkown with a modern vehicle could be risky even a newer toyota.
You could save 100-200k by getting a higher kilo prado/pajero..See if the lifestyle is for you and you use the 4x4 for what its meant to be used..Then trade on something more modern if the bug bites

[Hooly]

I am unapologetically a Toyota "fan boy" as i have predominantly owned and currently drive a Toyota. Its the OP's money so he should do the test driving and tyre kicking and make up his own mind.

Now to Mahindra. Great brand, sold all over the world. They make good cheaper vehicles. BUT....their service delivery and their parts availability leaves a lot to be desired. And I have this on good authority, not just hearsay from my 3rd cousin's second wife's current ex boyfriend.

Case in point is the turbo booster pipe on a 2023 Mahindra double cab causing the vehicle to be down on power. Problem arose almost 5 weeks ago. The vehicle is still not repaired, yet Mahindra Windhoek have said the customer can use the vehicle as is. Who wants to sit with a half functioning semi-unreliable vehicle for 5 weeks while they dont have the fully functioning reliable use of it? To add insult to injury, Mahindra, and i quote "are not sure what the exact problem is" unquote.

That alone puts me off unfortunately.

So you are making a general reliability statement based on one vehicle and one dealership!

I had a Jeep Renegade with in intermittent turbo issue it took Jeep 3 months to import the part and I had to keep using it while waiting for the part...... therefore all Jeeps and Jeep dealerships are crap.

I'm sure we all know of somebody driving some brand that ran into a problem that wasn't resolved to their desired time frame/ satisfaction, even your beloved Toyota's.

Here's a fact for you based on hundreds of cases, Toyota Hilux's, Fortuners, Prados and Land Cruisers are at such a high risk of being stolen/ hijacked that major insurance companies have changed the terms and conditions under which they insure these vehicles in South Africa.

To me this is a complete turn off to buy another Toyota any time soon.

[Erwin Schimper]

I have to ask. Why not a bakkie

[Erwin Schimper]

These SUV's are based on the bakkie version. Thus, it's the same ride with less space. Bakkie is the better choice.

[PsyPhin]

These SUV's are based on the bakkie version. Thus, it's the same ride with less space. Bakkie is the better choice.

You have just ruined the entire ladder on frame SUV industry

[pjf110]

These SUV's are based on the bakkie version. Thus, it's the same ride with less space. Bakkie is the better choice.

Same ride? Shorter wheelbase and coils would beg to differ. Some suv versions also have rear disc brakes.

[Hooly]

These SUV's are based on the bakkie version. Thus, it's the same ride with less space. Bakkie is the better choice.

If one is hauling mostly stuff a bakkie is better if you are hauling mostly people a SUV is better. You can hook a trailer to haul more stuff with an SUV but you can't make double cab more comfortable in the back or add an extra row of seats to haul more people.

[Koebelwagen]

Wowzer, thank you for all the valuable advice! My takeaways:

1. Can't really go wrong with MUX and Paj Sport (although parts and service could be an issue with Mitsubishi)
2. Go Fortuner or Prado if parts are the main concern (I'll weigh this one up vs the theft risk)
3. Consider FJ Cruiser, because why not
(Question: as a daily driver, quarterly camper, and yearly overlander, hoping to last a decade, where would you draw the line on mileage? 100k? 150k?)
4. Scorpio N is a solid option (being weary of "new car niggles", possibly rust, but otherwise proving itself amazingly well-priced and well specced)
5. Consider Everest (the one I've done the least research on so far - eek!)
(Question: I was told that some Everests have gearbox issues... do we know which ones? Is it a particular model? Gearbox? Year? to avoid)

I know, I know... "Go test drive them all, choose your favourite, and you'll be fine!".
I will, I promise

People get fixated on spares availability. Toyota isn't that great either, I have owned three and on all three vehicles had to wait for parts at some point. If there is the mythical Toyota parts tree growing somewhere, I have yet to come across it. They remain good vehicles but I have my doubts they are better built or any more reliable than any other japanese brand.

Vehicles do break down but the chance of a well maintained vehicle, driven with some mechanical sympathy and not loaded beyond manufacturers recommendations breaking down is really, really small. I took a R200k Mahindra Bolero on many adventures and made awesome memories. It never left me stranded on the side of the road nor made me wonder if I should/ could go where I wanted but I always ensured it was well maintained.

[Fluffy]

People get fixated on spares availability. Toyota isn't that great either, I have owned three and on all three vehicles had to wait for parts at some point. If there is the mythical Toyota parts tree growing somewhere, I have yet to come across it. They remain good vehicles but I have my doubts they are better built or any more reliable than any other japanese brand.

Vehicles do break down but the chance of a well maintained vehicle, driven with some mechanical sympathy and not loaded beyond manufacturers recommendations breaking down is really, really small. I took a R200k Mahindra Bolero on many adventures and made awesome memories. It never left me stranded on the side of the road nor made me wonder if I should/ could go where I wanted but I always ensured it was well maintained.

Until your car spends 3 months off the road because of a side shaft oil seal or a break calliper (my Jeep JKU Rubicon) . the big boys fly in weekly/daily shipments of spares from a centralised international warehouse. The problem vehicles wait for months to consolidate a container shipment.

The problem is often not break down and service spares. It is accident repair components.

[Peter Connan]

Until your car spends 3 months off the road because of a side shaft oil seal or a break calliper (my Jeep JKU Rubicon) . the big boys fly in weekly/daily shipments of spares from a centralised international warehouse. The problem vehicles wait for months to consolidate a container shipment.

The problem is often not break down and service spares. It is accident repair components.

A friend of mine waited three months for spares to fix his 4l Prado's engine after he damaged the radiator and cracked a cylinder head.
Keep in mind this engine is used in at least 5 different vehicles available in the local market.

[Racer-X]

I'm always fascinates with these vehicle threads.

It always boils down to one's image.

People want a vehicle that looks like a camel trophy defender or a Moab rock crawler to drive to woolies to purchase the chicken.

How often does one's vehicle actually need all these spare parts?

My vehicles break due to me fiddling too much with them.

Just buy what you like and what fits your budget.

Stop talking about resale value, you are not a car dealer.


Buy a pajero sport and try it. Don't like it?
Sell and buy an FJ cruiser. Get a lekker exhaust and hit the limiter.

[Ahmedi]

I will shortly be new to the 4x4 world, hopefully with your help. Looking for a capable 4x4 SUV, mostly for South Africa, but I don't want to rule out the rest of Africa as an option.


With a budget of R550k (maybe some wiggle room to R600k), I've narrowed the list down as follows:
1. Isuzu MUX (2021* model upwards)
2. Pajero Sport (2020* model upwards)
*May have got the years slightly wrong, but basically looking for the newer generation ones from around those times.
I like the bells and whistles of the newer models - I will be driving this to the office for half of its life too, hence a preference for the later generation models and lower mileage (<75,000kms). (I also want this car to last a decade.)


Should I be worried about availability of parts in Africa for either or both of the above? Or anything else?
Comparable maintenance costs?
What else should I factor in?


Ruled out: (but willing to hear arguments)
1. Ford Everest - gearbox issues? Availability of parts?
2. Toyota Fortuner - stolen too much, and don't like the rear side-folding seats.
3. Land Cruisers - too big, too expensive for my mileage preference

I've done a lot of research, but have no experience, and would love your guidance please, I'm very close to pulling the trigger!

I've been in your situation recently, but came from a Chev Trailblazer 2.8 4X4. My first stop was the Isuzu MUX. After driving it, it just did not compare to the Trailblazer in terms of power and Torque. It felt like I was downgrading. i was also concerned that there are not too many on the road and was worried about spares availability etc. I also did not want a Fortuner. The Pajero compared to the Trailblazer was also somewhat less spacious and less powerful. Eventually i have settled for an Everest 2.0 Bi Turbo. Ride was much more refined, however did not feel as well placed as the Trailblazer and seems a bit soft. Have only had it for 2 months, but it is growing on me. The model i got still has a warranty and had only 40K on the speedo. Keeping fingers crossed that I dont end up with gearbox issues. Hopefully the warranty will cover that. Initially I was not convinced that I made the right choice, but so far its all good and enjoyable. Not as great as the Trailblazer in my opinion, but not too bad.

[BruceHun]

The Trailblazer was and is highly underrated.

[wessa1999]

These SUV's are based on the bakkie version. Thus, it's the same ride with less space. Bakkie is the better choice.

Cheaper to kit out for overlanding if you're 2-3 people. 4 people a bakkie becomes more favorable.

[Redman]

If it was me in your position?

I would read each and every valuable comment on this thread, make myself a lekker coffee and thank everyone for their input

And then go and buy this

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for...pq=0&pr=2&po=1

[Mypro-D]

If it was me in your position?

I would read each and every valuable comment on this thread, make myself a lekker coffee and thank everyone for their input

And then go and buy this

https://www.autotrader.co.za/car-for...pq=0&pr=2&po=1

I agree, I don't think you will get better than that.