Flame Suit on .... New VX Diesel L/Cruiser picked up 15/7

[Gus]

Hi all, you'll probably have noted my pride & joy NM Paj is for sale..

It's a tuff call to make but it has to go.. Genuine reason is my back has degenerated. Living with back issues you learn to do things differently to decrease pain.. Well in doing this I've inadvertently caused mussel wastage in my lower back & stomach.. Thankfully I can reverse this but 6mths of exercises is in front of me to get things back on track..

Anyway this threw a spanner in my works as I was looking at going for a dual cab! So over the last 3 months I've driven NX Exceed, Jeep Sumit & VX Landcruiser after ruling out all others..

Crossed the Jeep off pretty quick after driving but have to say bloody nice vehicle plenty of punch & bloody comfortable on top of that stacks of features that leave the others wanting! But & a big But the bloody park brake is floor operated & as the jeep is designed as a left hand drive, (passenger side foot well is a lot bigger), no room for a foot rest.
My problem is due to my back I have the seat high & fwd which found me having the park brake peddle hitting the shin of my leg

Now this is hard the NX was next of my list.. Don't get me wrong love it yes it's more refined than the NM, quieter, more power & features ..
This's where I whack the flame suit on.. for my needs I have to go with what's comfortable seating wise. And really with all the mods on my Paj which I will be adding, not all, but suspension, bar, draws & so on add weight so this means really as the suspension hasn't changed will see me with the same car! Quite yes a little more power & new..

So VX Landcruiser is about to be ordered.. Just so comfortable & will keep me out on the tracks longer .... Due to that fact!

When it arrives I'll start a build thread

The VX will proudly have "Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria Public Forum Member" Decals on it too

My back pocket is screaming at me but the old back is thankful

Now I'll be staying on here & continuing my membership with the Pajero Club of Vic.

Gus

[Dicko1]

Hi all, you'll probably have noted my pride & joy NM Paj is for sale..

It's a tuff call to make but it has to go.. Genuine reason is my back has degenerated. Living with back issues you learn to do things differently to decrease pain.. Well in doing this I've inadvertently caused mussel wastage in my lower back & stomach.. Thankfully I can reverse this but 6mths of exercises is in front of me to get things back on track..

Anyway this threw a spanner in my works as I was looking at going for a dual cab! So over the last 3 months I've driven NX Exceed, Jeep Sumit & VX Landcruiser after ruling out all others..

Crossed the Jeep off pretty quick after driving but have to say bloody nice vehicle plenty of punch & bloody comfortable on top of that stacks of features that leave the others wanting! But & a big But the bloody park brake is floor operated & as the jeep is designed as a left hand drive, (passenger side foot well is a lot bigger), no room for a foot rest.
My problem is due to my back I have the seat high & fwd which found me having the park brake peddle hitting the shin of my leg

Now this is hard the NX was next of my list.. Don't get me wrong love it yes it's more refined than the NM, quieter, more power & features ..
This's where I whack the flame suit on.. for my needs I have to go with what's comfortable seating wise. And really with all the mods on my Paj which I will be adding, not all, but suspension, bar, draws & so on add weight so this means really as the suspension hasn't changed will see me with the same car! Quite yes a little more power & new..

So VX Landcruiser is about to be ordered.. Just so comfortable & will keep me out on the tracks longer .... Due to that fact!

When it arrives I'll start a build thread

The VX will proudly have "Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria Public Forum Member" Decals on it too

My back pocket is screaming at me but the old back is thankful

Now I'll be staying on here & continuing my membership with the Pajero Club of Vic.

Gus

Bloody hell Gus....going to the darkside!!!!

I,ve had a dicky back and unless you have experienced prolonged back pain you really have know idea how it can really limit your body and soul for an enjoyable active life. Its interesting how different car seats affect your driving and back pain. The worst experience for me was my Toyota hi-ace van I had for the last 2 years of wqorkd. Absolutely crap design for vehicle entry and seat construction. All the patrols and cruisers I had few issues with. I have found the NW , with the mods, to be one of the best vehicles for my back. With modern materials, assembly techniques and engineering (plus, good old competition) there really is no need for a poor seat design. Hope you get on top of the back issues and get to enjoy the tojo for many years. You have paid the toyota tax so make the most of it.

cheers

[P4J3R0]

If we all drove pajero's who would we recover.

Thanks for getting a different car Gus. Now we have someone to recover, someone to remind us how fuel efficient our lil 3.2 is, someone to tell that it's not so bad in a pajero and this Jeep/Toyota/Nissan is much worst.

Then we will smile and once again relax knowing we made the right choice.

LOL

Good luck with the new rig, I spend a fair bit of time on multi brand forums as there is such a great range of different ideas for different cars it gives me more inspiration when getting creative for things to do to my cars.

I'm sure you will love the big girl, they are definitely in another class.

[Aussie_Dan]

No need for a flame suit Gus, you've picked a ripper 4WD to purchase - congratulations!
When I win the Nigerian lottery (and hence can afford to both purchase and maintain one), I would buy a 200 series too
In my opinion, the 200 series is the only Japanese wagon that is a step up from the Pajero.
Cheers, Dan.

[Gus]

Thanks guys, On the Test Drive same loop 80Ks inc. Hwy & the very average road out to Boolarra I reset the factory economy computers< (yea I know not 100& accurate):

Jeep cleaned up at 8.2Ltrs/100klms - Jeep had a total of 250ks on the clock new demo.

NX Paj 8.9Ltrs/100klms - Paj was a Demo had 2800Ks on the clock (Yes Dave after talking to you I went back & checked I miss read 26000thou, not even close, I put my glasses on)

VX Cruiser 9.9ltrs/100klms. had 20Ks on it was a customers Sahara who gave the O'K as the Dealers haven't got any! Couldn't believe he allowed me to drive 80Ks in it prior to him taking delivery, Dealer looked after him too.

So pretty happy that on a trip I'll get similar 10-11ltrs/100Ks loaded as my paj.. I will be getting 285/65R18s KO2s as part of the deal up from the stock 60 profile so will see after I've done a few ks checking with GPS..

Gus.

Yes Service expensive - 1st 6mths fixed $220 after that Creightons TJM will be looking after that..

[Gus]

Toyota forums..

Well over the last few months I've obviously looked at other forums

It just proves what Dave & I have said..This forum is a credit to all on here!

Yes we get a few but boy talking about being precious..

I've always said, (stand by it too), a serviced, maintained & set up right, for your needs most makes of 4WDs will get you there & back. After having an 80 Series for 8yrs getting into the NM Paj I can tell you it went anywhere the cruiser did plus some.

Yes I'll jump on the Toyota Forum so I can keep an eye on things but very low profile otherwise I'll get booted for stating BS or rubbish when they bag other brands

[spot01]

Well done Gus - you have to buy what suits you rather than what others might say, and as your needs change over time, sometimes you change horses. I would have considered the 200 except it won't fit in my garage (the Paj is a very snug fit) & my new NX GLS MY16 only cost $49,990 on road. Whilst the 200 is expensive, they do appear to hold their value well. I would also have looked at the Disco4, except I want to get home again.

It will be very interesting to hear your evaluation of the 200 once you have used it a bit, as you will be well placed to give an unbiased, real world opinion.

Hope your back behaves & you have many more adventures in the 200.

I reckon you will be having some interesting conversations with the forum sticker on your Tojo!

Glad to hear you are staying on the forum - you & the other Admins do a fantastic job.

[KiwiNTPajero]

the only thing i will add is that after having vehicles with very good seats you wonder why others dont have them.The other issue is that a lot of non euro cars just dont have seats designed for thos of us at the taller end of the spectrum.I am seriously considering finding some seats from an euro car to put in the pajero.most decent euro cars have seats that are well designed from the get go and then add adjustability in all directions.The ony downside to a 200 series is that they are BIG A 100 series is big .A 200 series is bigger!Enjoy.

[Gus]

cheers spot01.. Yes expensive but in saying that the dealer had a VX diesel 2013 model with 58,000 ks on the clock..I saw it 1st time I dropped in had $88000 thou on it 2 days later I dropped in for the test drive & was going to ask to drive it too it had sold for $86 thou.. not to bad hey! (Can't believe they got that but they did! When you can get brand new for about 8 thou more & why I've gone new).

A new VX Diesel RR $108 thou, I'm paying just over 10 thou less with tyres & a few other bits & pieces.. So yes hold their value better than I realized..

Gus.

[Gus]

the only thing i will ......the ony downside to a 200 series is that they are BIG A 100 series is big .A 200 series is bigger!Enjoy.

They are big but I was surprised behind the wheel great vision & easy to drive..

enjoy I will mate

[spot01]

the only thing i will add is that after having vehicles with very good seats you wonder why others dont have them.The other issue is that a lot of non euro cars just dont have seats designed for thos of us at the taller end of the spectrum.I am seriously considering finding some seats from an euro car to put in the pajero.most decent euro cars have seats that are well designed from the get go and then add adjustability in all directions.The ony downside to a 200 series is that they are BIG A 100 series is big .A 200 series is bigger!Enjoy.

In the old days, you could install a set of excellent after-market seats (some were suspension seats) to give a dramatic improvement at reasonable cost, but I think side airbags in the seats has stopped this, or at least made it more difficult? Having said that, I find the Pajero seats to be the most comfortable of any car I've owned, but we are all different (thankfully!). When checking out the GLX v's GLS recently, I found the firmer side bolsters & adjustable lumbar in the GLS much better for me than the GLX seats.

[Gus]

Unfortunately your right no aftermarket manufacturer does seats for the Paj..

Can get them Custom made from memory, Recaro will do them but your looking at $4000 thou a side..

[KiwiNTPajero]

Recaro will do them but your looking at $4000 thou a side..

prolly cheaper than upgrading tho

[stevemc181]

We want lots of pics of the VX being recovered when out on Paj forum outings
I've thought a few times of selling the NW, but then I think about where it has taken me and the very few issues it has given me. I also love wiping the smirk off others faces when they struggle in areas the Paj has made it through with ease.

My next vehicle will probably be a kitted out Iveco Daily 4x4, just need a small lotto win first!

[spot01]

Unfortunately your right no aftermarket manufacturer does seats for the Paj..

Can get them Custom made from memory, Recaro will do them but your looking at $4000 thou a side..

Just looked up the Recaro importer - interestingly one of their dealers has a display seat in a 200 series, so I assume they can deal with the side airbags in the seats. Expensive, yes, but they could probably be transferred from car to car or re-sold when no longer needed.

http://www.idealseat.com.au/html/contact.html#SA