Srikumar

This is because your rear differential bushings have failed. To change the entire arm would cost a lot. So you might have to search for the bushings separately and replace them. Doing the same for my Jeep, but with Jeeps you get the bushings more easily. Pajero will be a bit more of a challenge. And also dont try to replace the control arms with those from the scrap yard as they would also be equally worn out.

There used to be a link for "Vehicle Condition Certificate" and NOT "Vehicle Status Certificate". The Vehicle Condition Certificate used to provide the accident record. @Pradeep Rajasekaran have you tried the MOI link for Dubai registered vehicles. I tried it for my Abu Dhabi registered vehicle and it showed all the accident records. Not had the chance to try it for a Dubai registered vehicle.

Ah...yes..

The other name for Pajero is Shogun. Montero is the smaller sibling of the Pajero.

Not in today's world. It's more a style statement than for purpose. We see so many big American pickup trucks like Silverado, etc but do they carry any cargo?

Based on my recent purchase which till date I am extremely happy, my experience is as follows: 1. Try to get a low mileage car even if its an older model 2. Check for the complete service history. This is very important. Service done at dealer is preferred and its worth paying the little extra premium. 3. Get a reliable mechanic to do a thorough inspection of the car. Better than the RTA comprehensive test 4. Not meaning to be biased, but some nationalities do tend to keep the car in better conditions than others. Even if there is a small work, they will get it fixed. 5. You can check the accident record on the MOI website (https://portal.moi.gov.ae/eservices/PublicServices/AccidentsInquiry.aspx?Culture=en), just enter the chasis number and you get the entire record for non-Dubai vehicles. For Dubai registered vehicles, the link is as follows: https://www.rta.ae/wps/portal/rta/ae/home/rta-services/service-details/?serviceId=5810003

However best you maintain, serious offroading does take a heavy toll on a car, be it the engine, gear, mounts bushing, etc. Its almost like 5 times the toll compared to onroad usage. Thats why the maintenance of an offroad vehicle is mugh higher compared to an onroad vehicle. While I do know some members who keep their offroad car in better shape than their onroad car, this is a rarity. Hence, the general assumption is that to stay away from a offroad vehicle as they have been reasonably abused and would have a limited life remaining. And what @Frederic mentioned hits the nail on the head, that when you can get plenty of onroad vehicles in good condition why take the risk of purchasing a vehicle which has been abused, especially when you intend to use it as a headache free daily driver.

I think I am one of the best qualified to answer this question as I have a big tendency to sleep while driving. This is what I do in the following order of preference: Nothing beats getting a power nap of 20 - 30 mins Talking on the phone is the next best thing Eating sunflower seeds as its an activity in addition to eating something Eating chips, chocolates, chewing gum have no effect to keep me awake

For me, more than the route and ETA it's about knowing if there is any incident or accident on the road. The updates on Google maps are reasonably quick following a traffic incident.

Absolute Newbie Drives would start post September once the day time drives restart. In summers we do night drives where it's not advisable for a person who has absolutely no experience of previous sand driving to join.

For me it was two entry model cars that I had purchased. The first was a Chevrolet Optra bought brand new from the showroom. The car expired just after 3 years of usage. Everything on the car was falling apart and finally scrapped the vehicle just after the loan got over. The next and the biggest mistake was trusting a Nissan. I bought two brand new Sentra from the showroom and both of the CVT gearboxes failed like clockwise precision which I recently had to rebuild. Lesson learnt is that when it comes to entry level cars it's better to go with a trustable brand like Toyota or Honda as the cars made at this segment are with cheap material. And yes of course, stay away from CVT.

@Chirag S. have a look at the below video. You will need do something similar for your roof rack to reduce the noise. The other option which is easier is to get a custom made cover, and just close it.

I drove a 2010 Pajero for 9 years and its steering is heavy compared to most other cars. So if your steering fluid levels are ok, I guess you will have to live with it

You can put a cover or atlernative if you install some wind deflectors that would help

As you only did a top-up the last time, I suggest to first change the oil and filter and see if it improves.

For the tires you get multiple options. If you are on a budget go for the Koreans like Nexen and Kumho. You would get it at a price of about 300-350 per piece. I have used Nexen upto almost 90k kms and then got them changed. Changing of 2 or 4 tyres depends on the conditions. Ideally advisable to change all 4 at the same time (plus you can rotate the tyres every 10000 km) but it's your call. Regarding battery, stay away from ac Delco. Heard good reviews on Amaron and am currently in my first year of this battery.

I am most definitely having a sleep before driving back 😁

I rather say An Asshole.

Like Rahim bhai, said you get lights in 5D or 6D from Toby (Dragon Mart). They are all with Cree Light bulbs. The difference is in the reflector which causes the light spread. 6D is supposed to give a better light spread than a 5D and hence the Toby sales guy says that a 31 inch 6D light bar would give more light than a 50 inch 5D light bar. My suggestion is that look at the 6D light bar and try to mount it above your headlights (if there is a possibility). That position gives the best lighting without reflection from the engine hood.

Did someone say chocolates? Frederic if you are held up today, no issue. We can pick it up on the way to the drive.

Modifications are definitely not required when you start offroading. A stock and proper 4x4 should do just fine. You can do the mods after you understand thoroughly what the vehicle can and cannot do. In the budget of 25,000 you can get a good condition Xterra which would be capable as well as reliable. Jeeps are fun to drive but they get abused a lot and reliability is not their main forte. I do drive a Cherokee XJ and though it has initially troubled me I love it completely as it's a simple car and I enjoy doing self work on it. But reliability is an issue. Regarding getting the vehicle checked you can take it to any known mechanic who can do a thorough check. I am not aware of any mechanic in Dubai, maybe someone else on the forum would know.

Wrangler TJ with a 4.0 litre engine is a very capable car in stock condition. Also, you are in the right season to buy an off-road car as the offroading season is over and you can get a good deal. Few points from my side: 1. Buy a vehicle which is as stock as possible. 2. The 4.0 litre engine is bullet proof and you should not have issues with it. But regarding the automatic transmission, transfer case, etc. are things that need to be checked. 3. Try to get a GCC spec car. Try to find out the accident history of the car. Some cars have been in rolls or flips. 4. And you definitely will have to keep AED 5000 aside to get a full maintenance done and all fluid changes. This depends on your budget. If you can mention that you can get some good advice.

I will join

Its hard to believe, but my XJ has finally come to terms with me and visits the garage only for regular maintenance. Touch wood. Love the XJ and would be the last car that i would sell. Another 2 years and it's eligible for a Classic Number plate

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I had done some work and have shortlisted the following cars: 1. Lexus GS300 - GCC Spec (2006 - 2009) with mileage of approx 200K 2. Lexus IS 250 / 300 - GCC Spec (As latest model as I can get) 3. Honda Civic 1.8 L (2012 +) - A small but fun car to drive, but doesnt carry the image like the above. The only car that I would buy if mileage is the main criteria Regarding Honda Accord, already one of my family members has the 2014 model so wouldnt want one more. As much as I love how the LS 430 feels, having a V8 will kinda defeat my entire purpose of selling the Pajero. Mind you I am still quite happy with it, its just the rising fuel cost is starting to hurt. So I felt to get something that gives me the mileage between a 1.5 litre and my Pajero. Regarding the Mercs, I was always afraid of their reliability issues. Any particular models that is the safest of the lot and things that I need to watch out for. Hows the reliability of the C200 (2007 - 2009) or the S320 (which years should I be looking) Also, many of the cars are US specs but have been registered in UAE for quite a while like 4 - 5 years. Do i need to keep away from those as well?