Hey Scotty,
I am thinking of importing a 2008 Mitsubishi Pajero Mini from Japan and wondering your thoughts on the car itself. It has 85,000 kms, it's 4WD, Turbo but it is a Kei car so it has a 660cc engine and not entirely sure of the durability on small engines. Car is at an auction and it's in mint condition, 4.5 out of 5 so the car looks in very good condition. Have you had any experience with the 90s Pajero Mini in the US? Fortunately here in Canada we only have to wait 15 years so going for a 2008.
Giant PITA. Don't do it.
But I see a lot of Americans using the Pajero Mini/Junior and so far they have nothing but good things to say about the dog. This car would be used as a daily, not really planning on using this thing off road
I have never seen an American with a "Pajero". You'd be hard pressed to even find an American who has even heard of one or knows what one looks like. Mitsubishi is a niche brand here. You don't even see many of the models around that are sold here.
Well they actually excel off-road. That's what they're for. Not city driving.
I know a few people who have bought JDM Mitsubishis. They all got rid of them quickly, except one, and that's because he's a JDM Toyota fanatic/fabricator/dealer/mechanic and Toyota info is more readily available. I would not recommend one to the average guy, and certainly not for daily use.
Don't forget that they're all geared for Japanese roads, and usually speed limited to 60mph.
You will have no parts, no service, and the steering wheel on the wrong side. Sounds like a losing proposition to me.
and no information unless you speak Japanese
no parts? But it uses the same parts as the Pajero no? what do you mean by no service? :thinking I imported a JDM Nissan Fairlady and not once have I had any issues with that thing! in my opinion, JDM cars are way way way more reliable than the ones made in North America
There will be differences in parts due to different requirements in the Japanese market vs Canada. Service information may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Different diagnostic tools may be required. Sounds to me like more trouble than it is worth.
Chuck is correct.
it uses the same parts as the Pajero no?
No.
The Pajero is a real SUV (V6 engines, Aisin trannies, etc.) while the Pajero mini is a TINY thing with 600cc...
There a 5 foot length difference, almost a 1.5 foot width difference, a 2500 lbs curb weight difference etc.
Other than the name, these cars don't have anything in common.
That thing is literally smaller than a 2nd gen Smart ForFour, the Pajero mini is 4 inches shorter and 6.5 inches narrower.
Also, the Smart ForFour actually drives better because the Smart's 70 horsepower engine (Renault SCe, naturally aspirated, actually pretty solid) because it has 40% more power than the Mitsubishi, and the Smart has a quick shifting transmission not the Pajero's slow shifting half-alive 4 speed automatic V4A11.
Personally, if I was passionate about a car, and wanted to take the time to care for an older car, knowing full well parts and manuals lack of ability, and I had some extra $$$ I would totally do it. I would consider it a project car.
For a daily driver, or a trouble free car, no way.
Granted it could turn into a daily driver, if it proves itself. But I would first treat it as a project.
