I am from Malaysia.
The Scorpio was launched in April 2005. At that time I was looking for a MPV/SUV and for the last 9 months was looking at models from Toyota, Nissan and other. There were 3 areas that I was looking at i.e. space (at least 7 seater), manual and price. Most of the models had one or the other.
When I saw the Scorpio in the new paper, we decided to go to the showroom for a view. At first sight the huge unit had attracted me, sitting in the unit at the show room the space that I was looking for was there and it could sit 8 people. It was manual and the price was good. The petrol 2.0 version.
Even before leaving the showroom decided that I will purchase it but wanted to go for a test drive and we did it the next day.
It is fine machine but as another writer indicated about the noise level. If you are in the vehicle and windows are up you will not hear the engine but if you are outside the is some level of noise.
It is a much more solid unit compared to the Japanese units.
My only other concern is at full capacity the air-con running a 1speed is not enough to cool the passengers we need to put it as speed two.
It is the best vehicle in its range in Malaysia.
Wish there will be more aggressive marketing of the unit to increase awareness.