After encountering numerous problems with our Freelander TD4 we are trading it in and getting a new (second hand) 4X4. After months of looking we are tempted by a Shogun, we like the fact it has a large boot area when the seats are folded up (we have a German Shepherd) and it seems as though you can get a pretty high spec shogun (leather, sat nav, etc) for less money than what you get in a LR Defender for example (another choice we've been looking at - but we are reluctant with another LR). Looking at spending about £8k approx, not worried about fuel consumption as this is our 2nd car.
Any thoughts or comments on a Shogun (good or bad!).
Oh, and when I say last January, I meant 2009. We don't think the fuel consuption is too bad but that compares to our previous Chevy which was horrendous.
We had a 2.8 T.Diesel Pajero which is the imported version of the Shogun. We had a Lunar Delta caravan at the time which weighed in in at approx 1580kgs and it managed it very comfortably. We changed the caravan to a Coachman which was almost 200kg heavier and have to say it struggled with it. It was an Automatic and regardless of how we changed the load, it was still difficult for it to tow the Coachman comfortably. We then asked on here which was the best 4X4 and ultimatley we changed the Pajero for a Manual drive Toyota Landcruiser. The difference was amazing and we have again changed the van now for a Bessacarr Cameo 625 which is just under 1900kg and tows it effortlessly. I am not by any means saying the Shogun is rubbish,they are not, in fact these 4X4s have a lot going for them. All I am saying is they are very capable towing vehicles for caravans up to around 1650kgs max. (Maybe the 3.2 Diesel Shogun is much better), However,I would recommend avioding the 2.8 TD if your caravan is heavier than 1650Kgs.....
We used to have the Mitsubishi Pajero 2.5l which is the original mitsubishi, [Pajero being a swear word so they came up with shogun for export purposes] Ours used to tow anything put behind it with no bother at all, it was a manual gearbox TDI and was 15 years old when we sold it in January We never had any real trouble with it and treated it as a work-horse, and it never let us down in the 9 years we owned it. Hope you get one as good as ours was.
Quote: Originally posted by pinkfloyd on 28/3/2010
We had a 2.8 T.Diesel Pajero which is the imported version of the Shogun. We had a Lunar Delta caravan at the time which weighed in in at approx 1580kgs and it managed it very comfortably. We changed the caravan to a Coachman which was almost 200kg heavier and have to say it struggled with it. It was an Automatic and regardless of how we changed the load, it was still difficult for it to tow the Coachman comfortably. We then asked on here which was the best 4X4 and ultimatley we changed the Pajero for a Manual drive Toyota Landcruiser. The difference was amazing and we have again changed the van now for a Bessacarr Cameo 625 which is just under 1900kg and tows it effortlessly. I am not by any means saying the Shogun is rubbish,they are not, in fact these 4X4s have a lot going for them. All I am saying is they are very capable towing vehicles for caravans up to around 1650kgs max. (Maybe the 3.2 Diesel Shogun is much better), However,I would recommend avioding the 2.8 TD if your caravan is heavier than 1650Kgs.....
Ours is the 3.2 diesel Shogun Field. I have only ever seen one other Field and that was on a site in the south of France!
I ran a mega-mileage mk1 shogun through mud, often for 10 hours a day - absolutely brilliant car!
I think the quality probably peaked with the Mk2 which has to be one of the best made cars around. The Mk3 isn't bad, but not quite in the same league (in my opinion).
The only real competitor for me is the toyota landcruiser. Again the 80-series (the big one/Amazon) and the 90 series (Colorado) were outstandingly good. The 100 Series (the newer Amazon) and the 120-series (the LC3/4/5) weren't quite in the same league.
I ended up going for a 120-series landcruiser this time around. Not regretting my choice, but they're quite a bit more expesive than the mk3 shoguns.
We have the Toyota Landcruiser Colorado (the 90 series) 3.0 TD Auto, it tows very well.
My previous tow car was a 1994 Mitsubishi Pajero 2.8 TD the imported Shogun, and it also towed superbly, the only reason we changed it was that it was geting a little tired (15 yrs old) and the Lancruiser is a little more refined.
We tried many 4x4's before buying a 3.0 D4-D Auto Landcruiser - a Colorado first and now an LC3. We thought the Mitsubishi was a bit 'agricultural' whereas the LC drives and feels more like a car. MPG towing with old Colorado was 25 & 30 solo. LC3 is 1mpg better - both were Auto.
OH's second choice is the Landcruiser but I'm a bit reluctant as they are so huge and I may have to drive it one day if our other small car breaks down/goes for service. Will show him this thread on all your feedback. Much appreciated.
Im on my second Shogun, both 2.5 td, first a mk 1 now a mk2. I also have a v8 rangey. The Shogun is a little unrefined but will go anywhere and doesnt break. The Rangey will also go any where and pull anything but bits do break and it the shogun feels more sure footed with abig trailer at motorway speeds.
Mark