Mitsubishi Challenger, any good?

baxtc1 · 01-11-2015, 10:04 AM

G'day all, I am looking to buy a wagon and the Mitsubishi Challenger seems to be a good value buy at the moment. I would be looking to buy new or demo. I realise they are a wagon built on the Triton chassis. I will be trading my 2012 PX Ranger (XL, 2.2 manual) on it, which I consider to be a bit of a backward move, but want to get into a wagon.
I was looking at a manual to gain the extra 50Nm torque, but after driving one I was surprised at the turbo lag, took a long time to get to 2,000rpm to gain any boost, this could get a person in serious trouble in traffic. I was about to give up on the Challenger, but after driving an auto, I was surprised at the difference between the two, chalk and cheese. All I have found on them is a recall in 2013 for the front lower control arms on the 2011/2012 model.
Does anyone here have experience with these cars?
I will be going from a 4x2 Ranger to 4x4 wagon which is what I am after. I hear the Mitsubishi 4x4 system is pretty good.
Any thoughts appreciated.

**TUF_302** · 01-11-2015, 10:12 AM

If you want a wagon why not an Everest? then you wouldn't be going backwards

baxtc1 · 01-11-2015, 10:19 AM

Bit to exxy for me.:-)

Blue Shadow · 01-11-2015, 10:36 AM

Challange are a good car, if you wait a month there will be the replacement, called a Pajero sports. It will come in 3 levels. There will be an 8 speed auto and a manual, 2.4 ltr turbo. Its a great car to drive with all the appointments you will want and need in a car. Even if you wait fust to look at it

The Monty · 01-11-2015, 10:40 AM

Mate has one that he replaced an Amarok with. Its a beast. We do a lot of camping and 4wding and with lift and ATs it handles everything with ease. Nice and comfy, plenty of power (auto) and reasonable fuel economy. Only issue he has had was a little bit of thin undercoat on a part of the underbody. Was resprayed no hesitation or question from Mitsubishi.
I have a Pajero which is awesome, Mitsi seem to been on the ball with these cars atm

baxtc1 · 01-11-2015, 11:34 PM

Thanks for the replies, the Pajero sport as with the Everest will be too expensive for me. The Challenger has been at a run out price of $33,990 for the manual (which don't seem to be available). If I can get an auto for a little more should be good. The Challenger seems to have good room in the back which is a big selling point for me with three Border Collies to go in (well, one is crossed with collie).
The trade in value of the Ranger is rather sad, $22,000, but that is life. Good to hear Mitsubishi are happy to honour their warranty, pity they don't offer the ten year drivetrain warranty anymore. Another good point is the 5year 130,000km warranty, this will give 5 years of peace of mind.

Blue Shadow · 02-11-2015, 12:16 AM

All good, nothing wrong with a Challenger, good luck mate, have you found one?

baxtc1 · 02-11-2015, 07:13 AM

Not yet, will have to check what the dealers have.

**Polyal** · 02-11-2015, 09:34 AM

I too can understand this, Everest is going to be $$$ for the first 12 months.

Ive actually been looking at MY2013/14 Pajero's...seem like good value to me.

What does a Challanger not have that a Pajero does?

ebv8 · 02-11-2015, 09:44 AM

my brother was going to get one after selling his triton but its a little narrow in the cab, perfect for a family of 4 but tight for 5
my cousin also bought one after selling his falcon and loves it

by the way in my campsite at bathurst i took a photo from my campsite and out of 15 cars that could be seen there were 3 commodores and 11 mitsubishi's and 1 nissan navara, most of the mitsi's were tritons with 2 challengers , 2 pajero's and an evo.

The Yeti · 02-11-2015, 02:18 PM

I quite like them but as ebv8 said they are narrow in the cab and would be great for 4 decent sized adults but a family of 5 would be a stretch

baxtc1 · 02-11-2015, 07:10 PM

Being narrow is a bit of a let down, but not a problem. When I bought the Ranger, the main thing I noticed with the PK was how narrow it is, the PX is about the same as the Falcon. I will get used to the Challenger being narrow. We have tried sitting in a few and the only problem is me getting my knee caught on the steering wheel as I get in, once in all good.
Our "family of five" consists of my wife, myself and three hairy dogs, very hairy dogs.
I expect to remove the left hand rear seat (60 percent side) to mount a fridge if it is legal to do so.
I also have an old Suzuki Grand Vitara, being small is an asset for that one, can go through almost anywhere, still gets scratched to buggery though but that is what it is for.

RHR · 02-11-2015, 08:26 PM

We just bought one for just under 35k with a rear spoiler, mats and bonnet protector in white. Lot of car for your $$. I have three small children all in car seats and room really isnt an issue. We were trying to get a manual but when we bought there were no more left.

So far and 2000kms later couldn't be happier

sprintman1 · 02-11-2015, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RHR

We just bought one for just under 35k with a rear spoiler, mats and bonnet protector in white. Lot of car for your $$. I have three small children all in car seats and room really isnt an issue. We were trying to get a manual but when we bought there were no more left.

So far and 2000kms later couldn't be happier

Bloody lucky you didn't get a manual as I believe they have the same gearbox and transfer case as a Pajero and they strip the spline between the two when old or used for towing (design fault)

baxtc1 · 02-11-2015, 09:18 PM

I was looking for a manual and as you said, few left. After having driven both, I would not touch a manual one. I only tried the auto because I liked the cars and was very surprised.

carwant.com.au · 02-11-2015, 09:54 PM

I've had a Pajero for years, nearly 400,000kms and never had an issue. In general, i think Mitsubishi are under valued. They may still suffer (market perception) from the early Mitsubishi days and struggle to get the extra dollars because of that; doesn't mean they're not worth more!

Good luck and hope you find one soon.

Windsor220 · 03-11-2015, 02:39 PM

Challengers are a little more sorted than the Tritons as they came out later so most of the stuff was sorted out. Reasonably reliable and good value.

I wouldn't worry about that recall as barely any were affected.

The Monty · 03-11-2015, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sprintman1

Bloody lucky you didn't get a manual as I believe they have the same gearbox and transfer case as a Pajero and they strip the spline between the two when old or used for towing (design fault)

This is a very very rare issue that was all put down to people overloading and creating angles causing the issue.

The Monty · 03-11-2015, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polyal

I too can understand this, Everest is going to be $$$ for the first 12 months.

Ive actually been looking at MY2013/14 Pajero's...seem like good value to me.

What does a Challanger not have that a Pajero does?

Pajero is a much bigger car.
Pajero is irs, ifs. 3.2l did, 7 seats. Mid sized suv/4wd vs larg 4wd. Think Mondeo compared to Falcon.

baxtc1 · 03-11-2015, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monty

Pajero is a much bigger car.
Pajero is irs, ifs. 3.2l did, 7 seats. Mid sized suv/4wd vs larg 4wd. Think Mondeo compared to Falcon.

$20,000 price difference?

The Monty · 03-11-2015, 07:10 PM

Yep, you get a whole lot more car.

SumoDog68 · 03-11-2015, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monty

Pajero is a much bigger car.
Pajero is irs, ifs. 3.2l did, 7 seats. Mid sized suv/4wd vs larg 4wd. Think Mondeo compared to Falcon.

Mondeo is only very slightly smaller than Falcon in length and actually has a longer wheelbase. Difference is more like Falcon to Focus.

The Monty · 03-11-2015, 07:55 PM

Fair call.

sprintman1 · 03-11-2015, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Monty

This is a very very rare issue that was all put down to people overloading and creating angles causing the issue.

Definitely not 'rare', try finding used Nx series manual gearbox/transfer cases at wreckers, very thin on the ground. Problem is too thin a spline and lack of lubrication, poor design and admitted too off the record by Mitsubishi.

Vesper Martini · 04-11-2015, 01:15 PM

For that price you wont find a better Deal,
Just be sure it has enough space for you, they do look rather small inside. ie narrow

baxtc1 · 04-11-2015, 03:18 PM

Yes, certainly good value. I was a bit concerned I had missed the end of October deadline, but they have extended it to end of November. The width of it shouldn't be a problem.
The dealer we have in town told me this morning that they do $500 cash back on every new Mitsubishi sold this month, then told me $20,000 trade in. I politely declined, looks like I won't stay local.