Second-Hand Sense: Not all that long ago, four-wheel-drive was an exclusively utilitarian business, confined to trucks, tractors, Land Rovers and the like. Today, of course, four-wheel-drives have become de rigueur in towns and cities and they have become quite the fashion statement for people who conveniently ignore their general impracticality about town, their levels of fuel consumption and their often dreadful handling.
The Japanese manufacturers must accept much of the blame in this regard. When they first decided to take on the world motor industry they came with cheap cars that were well equipped and reliable, but many other niches also attracted their attention. The four-wheel-drive market was one, where companies saw an opportunity to offer something with a little more emotional appeal than the bog standard and often temperamental Land Rover.
The Mitsubishi Pajero was a good example. Early versions were shown in 1973 but the vehicle we have come to know did not really come on stream until 1982. Mitsubishi had the right idea - build a solid and dependable four-wheel-drive, give it a bit of a profile in terms of styling and offer something a bit extra in terms of equipment.
The Pajero certainly gained popularity in Ireland and the three door commercial version is still one of the main choices of the farming and self-employed brigades. The passenger version is not a very practical option, however. The choice of engines was originally between a 2.8 litre turbo diesel and a 3.2 turbo diesel, but now the choices are direct injection units with the same capacity. The engines have been dependable but loud, and the Pajero does not have the refinement of a Range Rover.
Inside, there is a lot of plastic evident and the seats are on the big side. The layout is, however, practical and the seating position comfortable, even if you have a bit of a climb to get up into them. The handling and ride have never been great but that tends to be the case with four-wheel-drives - they are primarily built for work, not for motorway driving. Neither are they necessarily economical, even with diesel because the diesel engines are big and so is the Pajero.
The short-wheelbase model is the bumpier proposition but the long-wheelbase version (which has two small child seats in the boot space area) is not exactly the smoothest either. The turning circle also makes for a struggle in confined spaces and it is not a comfortable car to drive in the city. The Pajero is at its best when it is at work, especially in four-wheel-drive mode.
There are no EuroNCAP crash test results as it has not been tested. Small numbers of Pajeros have been recalled for problems with brake hoses and power assistance to the brakes. However, a relatively large number - 45,000 - had to be recalled for possible loss of steering control in certain extreme conditions where the vehicle is used mainly off-road in wet and muddy environments.
The Pajero may be an impractical proposition for many but it does not come cheap. A 2004 five-seater (but only three doors) with 18,500 miles on the clock, alloys, electrics, air conditioning, metallic paint and a CD player, has an asking price of €34,950. A 2002 long wheelbase seven-seat model with the same equipment (but with extras like leather and multiple airbags) and with 55,000 miles up has an asking price of €31,500.
FOR: Great off road, which is where you won't see it very often. Good reliability record
AGAINST: High second-hand prices. Poor handling and ride quality for anyone who is not using it for work