300k plus 2008 NT?

[chudatkin]

I've found one at a dealer for around $9k but it's got 300k on the clock and no service history after 180k. Thinking of trading in my 2011 Challenger and getting some cash back my way.

Long story but we've had another kid since I bought the Challenger so she needs more room but for running around with kids but doesn't like driving it. I'm also do 30k KMs a year for work so so serving adds up.

Figured I'd keep our older subie as my commuter and have the Pajero as family hauler (around suburbs during the week, some longer trips on weekends and occasional longer trip/ beach driving/ camping trip).

Hoping someone can answer the following...

1. Do the NTs still have much life in them after 300k KMs?

2. Is the lack of servicing after 180k a deal-breaker (was planning independent mechanical inspection anyway)?

3. What would a major service cost to ensure vehicle was in best shape post service (including suggestions of work required)?

4. Were NTs made as early as 2008 or has the dealer made a mistake (i.e. is it an NS)?

5. Any other advice?

Thanks!

PS. Was originally thinking of selling the Challenger privately bit hoping to push for good changeover deal to pocket cash and not have to deal with tyre-kickers.

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[Dicko1]

I wouldnt touch any car that I was depending on if it has near 300,000KLMS. A major and expensive rebuild is just around the corner..

[Pwoffey]

Got to agree with Dicko1 here. It's one thing to keep your own truck after 300,000km when you can truly judge its condition and you've lovingly looked after it all its life, but to take on an old-timer like this when the last 120,000km are a black hole - that's too brave for me.

[Pwoffey]

BTW, according to Australian Car Reviews the first NTs were released in December 2008. The spec sheets can be found here:

http://australiancar.reviews/_pdfs/Mitsubishi_Pajero_Mk4-NT_Specifications_200812.pdf

I once read somewhere (probably on this forum) that a way to tell a NT from a NS was that if there is a keyhole in the rear door it's a NS, no keyhole then it's a NT. Others with first hand experience of those models might advise on this.

[Aspey]

I'd avoid this one like the plague. Whoever buys it will probably turn up on the forum asking what they can do about the lemon they just brought.

[fourocker]

The engine power/torque upgrade (to 147kw, 441nm) and production including the Aisin auto transmission (as per 100 series Landcruiser) occurred in 2009 so even if it is an NT it may as well not be.
Dealers don't lose money so getting good cash adjustment your way is a pipe dream, I would have those km's but only on a vehicle I've owned and looked after for a long time .
Sell the Challenger privately if you think you have to and cough up for the newest, lowest km Pajero you can afford, then there is money to be spent "future proofing" your investment if you plan to keep it a long time and depend on it.

[chudatkin]

Thanks for the replies, good/ accurate advice all round. I think I knew that it was not a good option all along just thought "what if" for a moment there...

Anyway, will look to sell the Challenger privately even though I'd rather keep it - took me ages to find a good one and I've looked after it well.

I'll have a look at my options for there and steer clear of this Pajero regardless.

Thanks again.

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[tommo123]

I bought a 2009 NT 3.2 with 310k on it a few mths ago for 7.5k. Was used for towing a caravan by an elderly couple who bought it new.
They had looked after it as it needed to be dependable... EGR delete, 2 x manifold cleans, auto fluid changes x 2 and so on.

It now has 324k on it and hasn't missed a beat. Seriously good car to drive.
Don't be scared.

[erad]

The distance a vehicle has travelled does not really mean much - it is how the vehicle was looked after which matter more. Of course you cannot guarantee anything, but if you have access to the service history and can speak with the previous owner(s) about how/where they drove, this means a lot more. When I say service history, I don't mean the handbook stamped every 15000 km by a dealer - that means nothing.



Look at the general condition of the vehicle. At 300000 km, if it has been abused it will show, unless it has been specially detailed prior to resale. And even then little things will show up if you look hard. If it has done 300000 km, it must have been driven long trips, not just down to the shops and back. I would rather have one which has done regular 100 km trips rather than regular 3 or 5 km trips to the shops and back. Look at the suspension - is it original? Has it been lifted? How are the tyres wearing? Look under the seals on the rear door - is there lots of red dust there? If so, maybe it has been a mining vehicle. What is the condition of the front passenger's seat relative to the driver's seat? If they are both similar, it probably means that the vehicle was driven around Oz by a couple/family. If the passenger seat is pristine compared tt the driver's seat, it is likely it has been used by one person - commercial use maybe? How does the rear cargo area look? Bashed around or clean?


As you may be able to see, you may be looking at a well maintained vehicle in which case I would not be too worried about buying it but of course you could then still buy a bomb. Distance is not the prime consideration - how it has been driven that distance does matter.

[spot01]

Also check the condition of all fluids (incl. coolant, battery, brake, auto, diffs & transfer) + air filter, fuel filter (may be difficult to tell), cabin filter, belts, hoses, etc. This will tell you a lot (unless it has just been fully serviced). Look for service sticker in case it has details of who last serviced it - if so, call them.

Find out the details of the previous owner & call them re service history & reason for selling, etc. (If dealer won't provide details, be wary, as they will know the prior owner's details).

Get the VIN number & call a MMAL dealer to check if all the recalls were done & ask if they have details of the previous owner recorded or any of the missing service history.

Go over the car carefully & check everything works, esp. electrics & 4WD system. It may be worth getting a workshop that knows these cars well to check it over if the above & your own checks all check out OK.

Allow a far bit for a full service (unless already done) - could be $2k to $3k, depending on which workshop you use (try to find a Paj specialist, but not dealer as big $).

Use this & any issues found at inspection to negotiate price down.

[tommo123]

i should add, confirm it's an NT. Much better spec than the NS...

[chudatkin]

Interesting to hear some opinions in the other direction... The reason why I innitially entertained the idea is that I do similar KMs with my Challenger now (30k KMs a year) and it's mostly highway driving (super easy on a diesel motor), no guarantees that this Pajero has had it so easy though...

Obviously there's a risk with any used car but which increases towards the 300k mark (especially with a gap in service history). I was in touch with the dealer today to let them know I'd sell privately, he mentioned there was a sticker on windscreen for more recent service but that doesn't mean much.

Thanks everyone for list of things to check, chances are I'll give this one a miss still but it will be good to know what to look for in case I change my mind/ when looking at other vehicles.


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[HeavyPizzaz]

300k plus 2008 NT?

Out of curiosity mate, you say above that you want to change from a Challenger to a Pajero because you’re having another bub (I saw the listing in the other thread too)... but what feature/ specifically in the Pajero is/are convincing you to want a Pajero rather than the Challenger?

The Challenger is still a great vehicle - my wife’s uncle loves his and another mate likewise.

On our Pajero, my wife misses being able to open the tailgate and have the door provide protection over the boot area, which definitely comes in handy when changing a baby’s nappy while out and about. You already have that in the Challenger.

Changing from a 95,000km Challenger to a 300,000km Pajero is a big deal... that’s a huge difference in mileage... If it was me and there was nothing wrong with the Challenger I’d entertain keeping it. The Pajero won’t feel that much smaller for your wife to drive surely? So if she doesn’t like the Challenger will she like the Pajero? Also the Challenger will likely cost less $$ for maintenance in the long term too since it has way less kays on it. And it’s not like it’s less capable off road.

Just my thoughts. As a dad of three young kids.


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[chudatkin]

It's a bit of a story, comes down to cash in the end, and keeping the wife happy (that mostly comes down to cash also).

I love the Challenger, had been after a 4wd for ages and originally bought it for myself to drive. Purchased between arrival of first born and new bubba, wifey was happy driving our older Subaru Forester (with just the one bub).

She's never been a fan of the Challenger, doesn't like it. Driving manners is the issue mostly but she does find the space handy including ease of loading kids in and out...

Since arrival of second bubba, she's been driving the Challenger and I've had the Subie (older car makes sense to use it for my work commuting and not devalue the Challenger).

She'd ultimately be happier in an SUV/ softroader so likely outcome will be sell the Challenger and but something along those lines for her to drive kids around in.

We are short on cash too without her working so selling Challenger/ buying cheaper car to loosen up funds is the main motivator.

I was looking at the Pajero as a way of still be able to have a 4wd while having something that has better raps manners. Wishful thinking though, can't have it all I guess...

Hope this makes sense.

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[Tronic72]

it's not the Km's, it's how they were done.

It's not a simple as some members are making out. Car/truck that has sat in traffic for 120,000 kms or been hammered with a caravan for the same Kms may be much worse propositions than one that has zoomed up and down the freeway for years. While big k's can ring alarm bells, you may still find a great car with high kms. My 2 cents.