Pajero vs Land Rover LR3
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Hi everyone. New here. Recently moved to Dubai, and I can’t wait to get out in the desert with some other people who also love being out there, and to learn the ropes from all you people that have been there (and got stuck) before me!
I’m working my way through the mine if information that’s in the forums here, but wanted to ask a straight up question here. I need to to buy a car really soon, and want to get something that’s good on and off road. I’ve done a lot of research and have narrowed my search down, but lots of stuff that I hear comes from people who aren’t driving in conditions like we have here.
I’ve just read some good info about Pajeros, and obviously they’re really common here. But my budget will probably stretch to either a 2010/11 Pajero or a 2008 LR3.
Which do you think I should go for? And do you think the larger V8’s are worthwhile over the V6’s?
Thanks so much for your help,
Ben
Hi Ben,
I agree with you LR3 and Pajero are good vehicles for offroad and onroad. What is your budget?
If you prefer Pajero, take 3.8 V6 2 doors instead of 4 doors as it will have balance between power to weight ratio.
Also would suggest you to go through the below forum prior to deciding your vehicle.
http://www.dubaioffroadlive.local/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=2266
Good luck.
quote Ben Barber:Hi everyone. New here. Recently moved to Dubai, and I can’t wait to get out in the desert with some other people who also love being out there, and to learn the ropes from all you people that have been there (and got stuck) before me!I’m working my way through the mine if information that’s in the forums here, but wanted to ask a straight up question here. I need to to buy a car really soon, and want to get something that’s good on and off road. I’ve done a lot of research and have narrowed my search down, but lots of stuff that I hear comes from people who aren’t driving in conditions like we have here.
I’ve just read some good info about Pajeros, and obviously they’re really common here. But my budget will probably stretch to either a 2010/11 Pajero or a 2008 LR3.
Which do you think I should go for? And do you think the larger V8’s are worthwhile over the V6’s?
Thanks so much for your help,
Ben
Hello Ben welcome to DO, well you ask good questions. Each response you get will be different you can put your money on it!!
I must state as a precursor that the driver is the important piece of equipment, it’s all about the driver Ben.
There are a lot of 4×4 cars out there, I’ve seen LR’s perform in deep desert but always with tweaking plus the AC isn’t as positive as other brands, I’ve seen Pajero’s perform in deep desert in the hands of experienced drivers, both the 3.8 lWB and the SWB …but as I said, in the hands of experienced drivers who choose this vehicle & modified to suit the sands, by this I mean chopping bit’s of bodywork off, raising suspension, tuning the engine, it is however a cheap/less expensive new car & we all mod our rides to some extent.
Vehicle choice is very personal of course, subjective in the sense of your accumulated experiences. The Japanese Nissan & Toyota out perform every time the LR, the FJ Crusiers have a great power weight ratio and are brilliant deep desert cars, this was my last vehicle in fact. My current ride is a Nissan Patrol 4800VTC is without a doubt the workhorse of desert cars, it’s the preferred ride of lots of locals, I mean Emirati’s ..that and the FJC. Their are people driving Toyota Prado’s and Land Crusier’s too… Hummers and the occasional LR.
At the very end of the day I’d advise you to buy a pre owned vehicle Toyota FJC, NIssan Patrol 4800, Toyota Prado, Jeeps are also fun in the local stuff but lack range for longer multi day work.
Check out Dubizzle on line, go visit the Automarket out at Al Khor Industrial Area. Contact a DO member via PM, advanced driver – ranger or Marshall it’s all the same category, ask if you can ride shotgun with them for a drive, watch the action, learn a little about what it is like, talk to the other drivers standing out in the desert, test your comfort zone then go buy a car.
Good luck see you in the sand
2 great responses already! You guys are awesome, thanks. I’ll look into your suggestions more when I get a chance, but suffice to say budget is probably somewhere between 70&80k AED. (I have to buy a car for the wife as well so can’t go too crazy!) Thanks again, and I’m open to any more suggestions.
I suppose that I would also consider something like a Fortuner or Xterra, if anyone was to recommend either of those. I know I’m probably not looking at the ‘real, serious’ off roaders, but my budget is a bit limited, I’m new, and I want something I can park in a tight space in an underground car park!!
Any more thoughts from anyone?
HI Ben
Both Fortuner (choose 4 ltr engine only) and Xterra (choose offroad version) are decent offroaders. However, amongst the two, Xterra would go to the desert without any modification. Even Fortuner would go but you may bring it back with damaged bumpers, especially if it carries front/rear spoilers.
whichever of the two you choose or get within your budget, you can enjoy most of the beginner/intermediate offroad drives that we do.
However, as Brian said, you may consider riding with any DO member to one of the drives and see how different cars behave.
Good Luck
Hello Ben,
With so much happening in this country there isn’t a better time to move in as dweller, so Welcome to UAE 🙂
Furthermore, good to have you onboard DO Club where we offroaders make new friends, mingle, gossip ( about cars cars & only cars 😉 ) & most importantly satisfy our urge for adventure with the only motto “JUST FOR FUN”
When you find time call me to learn all about Fortuner. For avoidance of doubt im not selling my ride 😉
I own a 4L variant & must admit am mighty pleased with the way she performs on all terrain for all purpose B-)Look forward to catch up in one of our :drive: soon…
all about Fortuner is also good choice either 4L or 2.7L, only its depend on drivers how to drive in sand. I am driving 2.7L Fortuner and really i am very happy about my choice, Fortuner 8 seats car if you like to travel wid family and friends in one car.
70K to 80K you can easily find this car.
FJ also good but this cars in future maybe not available so listen to all but think urself.
cheers
Slatch
I agree with the inputs given earlier.
In the Middle East it is sensible to restrict one’s choice to either a Toyota or a Nissan and even when you do opt for an offroading vehicle try to get one which has not been extensively used in the desert.
Dubizzle is a good place to start looking.
quote Ben Barber:I suppose that I would also consider something like a Fortuner or Xterra, if anyone was to recommend either of those. I know I’m probably not looking at the ‘real, serious’ off roaders, but my budget is a bit limited, I’m new, and I want something I can park in a tight space in an underground car park!!Any more thoughts from anyone?
Evening Ben, well I guess your quest for some input has been partially satisfied, both founders have weighed in, you have had identified a good cross section of the vehicles one finds in the sand…some burnt out hulks of that same collection are also out there, a sad reminder that it can all go badly wrong.
It’s an extreme sport Ben …well I guess that depends how committed to getting experience under your belt you become. You should take Razik up on his offer and call him, take a co-pilot trip into the sand, it’s all about the driver Ben! However as Ahmad has remarked Toyota and Nissan are undoubtedly the most prolific. As I said in an earlier post and Ahmad has reinforced in the latest post, scour Dubizzle call up a few sellers, test drive a few cars, one thing is for sure…..what you see on the highway is not what you’ll experience in the sand.
I live in an apartment block too, our parking is 2 floors down and our spot is between 2 pillars, the Patrol goes into the slot no worries…when I’m allowed in of course, most of the time the missus is in possession!!
Come play in the sand 😀
Thanks everyone. I’ll take all of your inputs on board and see what I can find. I’ll definitely be in touch with a few of you and hope to see you in the sand!
P.S. My father is a landrover fanatic and has owned 20 or so of them over the years, so always claims that they’re the best. That’s one of the reasons I was considering the LR3, but if no-one else seems to use them, maybe that says something too.
Thanks guys!
For anyone that’s interested, after all of that discussion, I’ve ended up with the 4L fortuner. Still hoping to get out with you all to ride shotgun and see how it’s done before I tackle anything myself!
Thanks for all your help,
Ben
quote Ben Barber:For anyone that’s interested, after all of that discussion, I’ve ended up with the 4L fortuner. Still hoping to get out with you all to ride shotgun and see how it’s done before I tackle anything myself!Thanks for all your help,
Ben
Ben,
Good choice i must say 🙂
Now that you have a ride may i suggest u do it yourself the first time as there is no substitue to hands on experience 😕
We have a learners drive this Friday & if u are available then pls join in for the :drive:
Rest assured u will have lots of experienced offroaders around to guide, demonstrate how its done & also brief u of the do’s & dont’s :yesss:
You may choose to spend on the offroad kit later should u decide to carry on offroading after your intial experience. That said it will be to your advantage if you have a radio atleast during your first outing :yesss:
Being in a profession that you are in I’m sure you will like this form of adventure too 🙂
Good luck!
Thanks, I’ll give you a call some time Razik to discuss. Are you planning on going on the Friday ride?
quote razik:quote Ben Barber:For anyone that’s interested, after all of that discussion, I’ve ended up with the 4L fortuner. Still hoping to get out with you all to ride shotgun and see how it’s done before I tackle anything myself!Thanks for all your help,
Ben
Ben,
Good choice i must say 🙂
Now that you have a ride may i suggest u do it yourself the first time as there is no substitue to hands on experience 😕
We have a learners drive this Friday & if u are available then pls join in for the :drive:
Rest assured u will have lots of experienced offroaders around to guide, demonstrate how its done & also brief u of the do’s & dont’s :yesss:
You may choose to spend on the offroad kit later should u decide to carry on offroading after your intial experience. That said it will be to your advantage if you have a radio atleast during your first outing :yesss:
Being in a profession that you are in I’m sure you will like this form of adventure too 🙂
Good luck!
Ben, as my good friend Razik ( haven’t heard from you in a bit bro?) has just pointed out, now you have the wheels come and use them, he has also stated that there is a Cross category Friday drive this week, as there are most Friday’s BTW …come and join in; meet the people, check out the rigs, taste the sand 😀
Razik also makes a point about a radio…it should be your very next purchase. Without it you are putting yourself in possible harms way: you can receive no warnings or advice or call for help …cost you AED200 for a Motorola 777 or AED250 for a Motorola 338…follow the information posted under ‘technical articles’ Radio FAQ’s, in fact I’d go as far as saying buy now before your first drive, if you don’t enjoy and decide it’s not for you, no worries I’ll buy the radio from you …provided it’s a Motorola of course 😉
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