Hello Tsikoters - I am new to this forum. I have been browsing this forum and found the threads very informative. Need to seek your advice.
I am in the market for a mid-size SUV with a budget in the range of 1M-1.3M. Will use it for daily commute and occasional out-of-town trips. 4x4 will be a nice to have. I have sort of narrowed my choice (after reading thru your discussions in the Fortuner threads) and go for a brand new Fortuner VVT G variant (despite its shortcomings I still view it as the best value for my money). However I browsed thru the Sunday Manila Bulletin ads and came across quite a fewl 2nd hand SUVs at competetive prices. My choices therefore expanded to include (in order of priority):
The Gen3 Pajero is my dream SUV but I just find the price too high for a pre-owned. The Patrol is a full size SUV and price is attractive but I do not know much about Nissan quality and reliability. The Trooper too is nicely priced and engine performance is great but the looks and body design is very much outdated.
If you were in my shoes which SUV will you go for ?
I would very much appreciate your views. I need to hear a different perspective so I can have a more informed/balanced decision.
I'd get the brand new Fortuner 2.7 vvti, no doubt. I'm not a fan of pre-owned vehicles or second hand bec. usually there is something you got to fix after buying it (case to case basis, btw). And if you're getting it from a stranger, it would hard to tell how they treated their vehicles.
As for the Fortuner, I'm not sure of any shortcoming of getting a 4x2 unit unless one does lots of off-roading in slippery mud. It would suit you nice for daily commute and out-of-town trips (as long as you are NOT traversing through lahar or the like).
for more comfortable ride, i think you should get the pajero... i think 1.5M for 2003 model is quite expensive... i saw a rally art version pajero 2 months ago which is just approx one year old, fully loaded with in-car entertainment system priced at only 1.4M.
patrol? nissan's diesel engine has also a good track record of proven reliability, comfy ride? i think not quite... same experience also with fortuner, you might wanna consider fortuner if you're after the resale value.
The & quot ;cut e ass&a mp;q uot; CAR GUY
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: qc
Posts: 2,925
Re: New Fortuner or 2nd hand SUV ?
bnew is bnew. unless you have a one class up (say, Prado or Patrol) second hand in a pristine cond and you know the owner. then, that's a different story....
That was quick. Great feedback. Keep it going. Thank you very much.
I will be keeping my options open for the next few weeks.
I did saw some 2006 model Fortuners in the ads. The 3rd Gen Pajero is really tempting. While the Patrol really commands respect.
I guess I need to start making some calls and see the 2nd hand alternatives upfront to determine its real value. This is going to be one busy weekend for me.
Hindi pa naman siguro na-total wreck or nalubog sa ilog yung mga 2nd hand Fortuner.
One unit was recently sold off because the owner was not satisfied with the ride. Tough customer, probably.
i totally agree! just before getting a new fortuner, i was able to inquire 2 slightly used fortuners which they claimed to be a brand new (mileage is less than 100 kms) and they were willing to give it at less 100k the original price. From what the agent understood, the owners were not that satisfied with the ride.
Hindi pa naman siguro na-total wreck or nalubog sa ilog yung mga 2nd hand Fortuner.
One unit was recently sold off because the owner was not satisfied with the ride. Tough customer, probably.
Personally, it's a toss up between a GU Patrol and a GEN III Pajero for me with the Patrol having a slight edge.
probably the ride quality of the fortuner kaya binalik. parang yun Amerkano na ni-vandalize yun Everest nya for not having the ride quality of Expedition
im a fortuner user and i dont want to brag more about it... with your money in hand ,go for the brand new (fort, sorento, sta.fe etc) .. picking 2nd hand SUV is a gamble, you might find the good one or otherwise... you can never easily tell if the 2nd hand SUV is well taken care of or abuse by simply looking at it and driving it for 10 min...
probably the ride quality of the fortuner kaya binalik. parang yun Amerkano na ni-vandalize yun Everest nya for not having the ride quality of Expedition
That was something, eh? pati mga differentials, sinitahan niya!!!
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I'd prefer brand new over secondhand, as I've had the worst luck buying secondhand vehicles (what can I say? I'm adventurous! ), but it's possible to find very low mileage vehicles in good condition within your budget.
Difficult, but still possible.
Despite the harsh ride, I'd prefer the Fortuner. It's a newer vehicle, and it handles commendably well for ladder frame SUV on the road (it's toe to toe with the new unibody Pajero for handling) and is tough. Disclaimer, don't drive it like a car... it feels like a car to drive, and I see lots of people driving these around really quickly, oblivious to the fact that it weighs almost two tons and has off-road tires...
If power isn't a big deal for you, you can save and get the 2.5... but personally, I'd hunt around for a secondhand 3.0 turbodiesel. Test it first for the D4D problem (exhaustively chronicled here...), but I've met owners with over 40,000 km under their belt who've experienced nothing untoward.
And if the previous owner has changed the shocks already, all the better.
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i'll get the pajero kasi I have a feeling that the thread starter will just use this more for on-road use... maganda suspension ng gen 3 paj kaya dun nako sa komportable....
saka wala pakong nakitang laspag na gen 3... patrol??? hmmm cgurado laspag yan tough ride pa....
New Fortuner or 2nd hand SUV ?
just before getting a new fortuner, i was able to inquire 2 slightly used fortuners which they claimed to be a brand new (mileage is less than 100 kms) and they were willing to give it at less 100k the original price. From what the agent understood, the owners were not that satisfied with the ride.
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