Vitara vs Grand Vitara vs Pajero for 250K-350K budget

[Dambala]

Sirs,

I'm planning to buy my son a 2nd hand, reliable, orig LHD small SUV with a budget of 250-350K. I've been looking thru sulit and had inspected some. With my budget, my choices are now narrowed to Vitara, Gen 1 Grand Vitara, 3-door Pajero.

Things to consider are fuel consumption, availability and cost of parts, and ease of maintenance.

May I know your expert opinions?

Salamat.

[myk384]

I think the Vitara fits your choices but have you considered the first gen Honda CR-V?? Kasya din sa price range niya

[Dambala]

I think the Vitara fits your choices but have you considered the first gen Honda CR-V?? Kasya din sa price range niya

Thanks, bro. I'll consider that.

[GTi]

Sirs,

I'm planning to buy my son a 2nd hand, reliable, orig LHD small SUV with a budget of 250-350K. I've been looking thru sulit and had inspected some. With my budget, my choices are now narrowed to Vitara, Gen 1 Grand Vitara, 3-door Pajero.

Things to consider are fuel consumption, availability and cost of parts, and ease of maintenance.

May I know your expert opinions?

Salamat.

Dapat ba original LHD talaga? There are no 3 door Pajero's that are original LHD. Converted yan lahat, nasa quality of conversion na yan. Definitely the 3 door Pajero would be the most robust among your choices. Its got top notch offroading and flood wading capabilities, and the engine performance is solid as can be expected from a Pajero. The Vitara is very old, performance is poor and fuel consumption is not good. Off road capabilities are superb though. The Grand Vitara would be a much better choice with a choice of 2.0L inline 4 or 2.5V6 engines. But then, both wouldn't give you great FC either. As mentioned, you can try out the 1st gen CRV M/T (matics are very thirsty), just don't expect good offroad performance from it. You may also consider the Escape 2.0XLS M/T. Performance is pretty solid (unlike the A/T version which is underpowered and VERY thirsty) and so is the chassis which can stand a lot of abuse. If you want a car that's fuel efficient, has wide availability of low cost parts, and costs a dime to maintain which fits your budget, get a Revo diesel.

[Ry_Tower]

Find agood converted 3-door pajero gen2. It's design is almost timeless. Simple but very good vehicle. Planning to get my wife one also.

[Dambala]

Thanks, bros... great inputs. I'm still looking.

GTi: I inspected a 3-door orig LHD gas Pajero that I saw in Sulit. I considered it since it will only be used from home to school with occasional trips to nearby areas. I wasn't impressed though. Would you know the FC of the Grand Vitara and Ford Escape?

Salamat ulit

[Dambala]

Let me just add, bros, that this will just be a temporary car for him for the next 2-3 years until he graduates. I'm also considering the ease of maintenance para less headache for me

[myk384]

Let me just add, bros, that this will just be a temporary car for him for the next 2-3 years until he graduates. I'm also considering the ease of maintenance para less headache for me

Since ganun ang needs mo, the car must have ease of maintenance and dapat madaling mabaenta - in short, high demand in the used car market.

Honda CR-V, Suzuki Vitara pasok sa choices.

[cripple_rooster]

An uncle of mine had a 4-door Vitara. It has a decent comfort for its size (better than a lot of bantams), low maintenance cost and very dependable. But if I were going to buy one I'd consider a diesel engine swap (the Toyota 2C would be a good choice).

[GTi]

Thanks, bros... great inputs. I'm still looking.

GTi: I inspected a 3-door orig LHD gas Pajero that I saw in Sulit. I considered it since it will only be used from home to school with occasional trips to nearby areas. I wasn't impressed though. Would you know the FC of the Grand Vitara and Ford Escape?

Salamat ulit

Gas Pajero? So 3.0V6 or 3.5V6 ang engine? Malakas sa gas yan, bro. Most certainly, the one driving it will like it due to the power but the one paying for the gas won't be happy... Kung 3 door Pajero, look for the ones with the 4M40 (2.8L intercooler turbo diesel) engine. Although may pagkamakupad ang 5 door Pajero with that engine, the 3 door should do better. Kung for daily driving to school lang naman, huwag na ang Grand Vitara. Its great if you plan to go off road with it but if not, you defeat its purpose. The V6 engine most certainly isn't economical, Suzuki parts are quite expensive and dealer network is limited. We have a 2003 Escape 2.0XLT A/T, so I don't know first hand what sort of FC the M/T version gets, but according to motioncars's review, its a lot better than the A/T in both performance and fuel efficiency (partly also because it's just 4x2). The underpinnings are definitely "built Ford tough" and handling is also good.

[cripple_rooster]

Kung for daily driving to school lang naman, huwag na ang Grand Vitara. Its great if you plan to go off road with it but if not, you defeat its purpose. The V6 engine most certainly isn't economical, Suzuki parts are quite expensive and dealer network is limited.

Diesel versions of the Grand Vitara share the engine with the 1st-generation Kia Sportage, that would also be a good option...

[fullmetal]

sir imho tanungin niyo yung anak niyo kung ano ang preferred auto niya. mahirap na kasi kung kayo lang ang pipili without asking for his opinion lalo na at siya ang gagamit ng auto everyday. my 2 cents!

[Dambala]

Thanks ulit mga bros.

myk384: ease of maintenance is important because i plan to designate all the maintenance to him para naman matuto just like us before... Pasok nga ang Vit dito.

GTi: yup, gas 3.0. I was not impressed with the features for its price. His present ride is actually gas-fed and too big for them (with his high school brother) so i want him to down-grade. I can't find a decent diesel unit for my budget thats why all my choices are gas-fed and I can't afford the more expensive diesel units at this time.

Isip isp muna ako...

Salamat ulit.

[GTi]

Thanks ulit mga bros.

myk384: ease of maintenance is important because i plan to designate all the maintenance to him para naman matuto just like us before... Pasok nga ang Vit dito.

GTi: yup, gas 3.0. I was not impressed with the features for its price. His present ride is actually gas-fed and too big for them (with his high school brother) so i want him to down-grade. I can't find a decent diesel unit for my budget thats why all my choices are gas-fed and I can't afford the more expensive diesel units at this time.

Isip isp muna ako...

Salamat ulit.

Ah ganon. What is his present ride? And how much is your budget? If ease of maintenance is important, I'd suggest you get the 3 door Pajero with the 4D56 engine. Power is adequate for this body, parts are abundant and cheap, and it'll last very long with proper maintenance. See if you can get a manual unit so that it is even more economical and problem-free. Average price for these is around 200+k to 300+k depending on the condition and your ability to smooth talk the seller. Search for these ad ID's at Sulit:
3627534, 4420158, 4552007, 4488199. Take note that those with the hood scoop bear the 2.8L 4M40 engine.

For your purpose, consider also the Revo diesel. Matipid sa crudo, mura ang piyesa, matibay ang pang-ilalim, nakakasakay ng marami... Nasa 300+k average price niyan.

[blacksun25]

Among your choices, I'd go for the 3 door pajero. outside those, i recommend looking into diesel pickups like the nissan frontier - you can get a 2000 to 2002 model for your budget.

[Dambala]

Salamat ulit... I really appreciate it.

Pick up? Pwede...