Stock Number: 5355

Mitsubishi's rugged Pajero is known globally for its tenacious grit yet all too often gets overlooked in the SUV market. The Pajero is a capable, reliable, go-anywhere type of body-on-frame SUV that companies just aren't building anymore. Especially if you're after a shorter wheelbase two-door which changes the look of these dramatically. Big boxy styling with brooding over fenders hint that this thing means business. The factory polished brush guard and giant fogs look awesome and offer add a little extra safety. 15" ZZYZX Raguna 5 spoke wheels look awesome wrapped in a new set of 30"x10.5" all terrains. The Summit White (W09) and Hamilton Silver (A71) two-tone paint job look great. This color scheme is arguably the best for these as it really lets the bodylines shine instead of the color being so bright you can't take your eyes off it. The paint itself is in good shape with only some routine blemishes. The plastic on the bumpers, for instance, is starting to fade a bit from sun damage over the years. The hood also has some markings which look like sap may have sat and etched the paint a bit, but nothing particularly concerning. The body is nice and straight with only a few little door dings but nothing out of the ordinary to note. Instead of being a hatch, the rear is on a swing arm which means you've got easy access for loading instead of constantly having to duck which you never realize just how convenient it is until you have to live without it.

The interior is well-appointed without being over the top. The front captain's chairs are done in a soft gray cloth and are comfortable over long cruises. Slide those forward and you've got access to the rear row which is more spacious than you'd expect. It wouldn't be my first place to hop in for a 12-hour road trip, but it's plenty good to run around town in. The rear seats also fold forward so you can nearly double the cargo capacity when you don't need the extra company. Both the driver and passenger seats are in great shape, free from the typical bolster wear on the seat base and side from climbing in and out. The back seats look hardly used which comes as little surprise. The carpeting and matching door cards are just as clean and tie in the bright patterned seats well. Power equipment includes functional locks, a one-touch driver window, power-folding mirrors, and that swanky new automatic digital climate control system. Impressively, the rear seats have their own separate climate zone and switchgear which is located on the back of the center console. The OEM audio system still works even if it has limited range here stateside. The dash has held up particularly well for being 26 years old, which while it may sound minimal is a good sign of how it was maintained. A gauge suite with a functional compass, altimeter, and thermometer sitting atop the dash, which is in awesome touch. You've even got the original books still in the glove box.

Normally we see these come through with one of the numerous diesel options, but this one is actually the easier to use 6G72 3.0L V6. Not everyone wants the added hassle of diesel, for instance just filling up can be a little more tricky since not every service station offers it. The V6 still makes good power and the torque is right on par. These have no issues getting up to speed and are cruise well on the highway despite the shorter wheelbase. With a mere 61K verified miles this thing is only just getting broken in. Another indication that this one was well maintained, the previous owner replaced the timing belt just a few hundred miles ago before it left Japan. The auto is easy to use and well geared for our higher speeds here and was just flushed for good measure as well. Mistubishi designed one of the most advanced 4-wheel drive systems for this model and it works just like it should. The driver has the ability to switch between two and four-wheel drive on the fly at speeds of up to 100 km/h. The other cutting-edge option that this Pajero is equipped with is a fully adjustable suspension. On the fly, you can select firm and soft settings depending on your preference. The brakes are competent, as the front has new pads and rotors, and the power steering is light and effective. The exhaust has had a little help thanks to a Ganador high-flow catback. While under there we did notice that there is a little bit of surface corrosion starting near the back half of the chassis. It's not severe, you could hit it with a steel brush and little undercoating for good measure just to make sure things don't develop into a problem. We also went ahead and flushed the coolant system as well that way you won't have any general maintenance for some time to come. This sporty, rare rig is in great shape and is dying for a road trip. Its efficiency, performance, and low cost of ownership make it a safe purchase that's just as fun to drive!

*California Residents: In order to register a Grey Market vehicle in the state of California then it will have to be made CARB complaint first. CARB certifications will have to be performed within the state. Depending on the vehicle and any existing modifications will affect the pricing. Typically CARB compliance will range between 5-10K. Additional information can be found on the California Air Resources Board website.