Advice needed: Budget of 55000 for Disco3

[zerosecta]

Hi There,

I am new to this forum and looking for Honest no bias advice on weather I should get a D3 or not and what year model I should be carefull of or aim for.
I am selling a 4 door Wrangler JK due to been unhappy with its build quality and general reliability and looking into Prado, Pajero etc.
So I stumbled across the Discover 3 in Carsales and like it.


My question is with a budget of around 55K should i be looking at newer model (2007) with more klm's or older model (2005) with less klms.
Is there really much differance in them?
Will I regret buying a landrover instead of a prado like i am with the jeep?
What would be the first things I should check or have sorted so as not to hate it one month into owing it.
I would prefere higher spec model like HSE but would consider SE if it were newer with lo klm's.

I will be using it as a daily driver, the odd tour up north and back, towing a Jayco Swan outback and hopefully once a year or so a little 4x4ing in the high country etc.

[Drover]

Hey Zerosector,

A D3 is a very comfortable and capable vehicle. I would go for the TDV6 as it is a very nice motor, lots of NM's.

Avoid 2005 and 2006 models, as they were the first of the D3's and they have their share of ongoing problems. (I know I had 2005 SE TDV6 for 3 years).

If you can target a 2008 or 2009, these are apparently very well sorted.

HSE or SE will give lots of extra's and air suspension. S models have coils.

If you intend on doing lots of off road work have a good look a Defender "PUMA". You could probably buy it new with sort of money.

Cheers

[zerosecta]

Thanks Drover,

So stick with 2007 and up,

BTW - there are plenty 2007 and even 2008 SE's on carpoint under $55000 and many have less than 40000K's

So does anyone have any advice on things I should be aware of in terms of known issues with 2007 up D3's

I just don't want to buy another lemon like the Jeep

[Neil P]

I just don't want to buy another lemon like the Jeep

There's no guarantee your D3 won't be a lemon . Try and buy
a vehicle that still has Factory Warranty . How long would you
keep this car ? The track record isn't good ...............
Many problems aren't sorted in the crap component department.

[zerosecta]

whatever the car I buy now I intend to keep it for a long time 10 years perhaps so want to make the right decision.

Will give more time but so far looking good for prado and not so good for D3

[Neil P]

Don't touch a LR with a Barge Pole if you want 10 years.:lol2:
Mitsu Pajero's 10 year power train (for original purchaser ) warranty
looks good. New Mitsubishi Pajero Wagon for sale, Mitsubishi Pajero NT GLS Wagon 7st 4dr 4x4 3.2DT - Discount New Cars (http://www.discountnewcars.com.au/mitsubishi/mitsubishi-pajero-nt-gls-wagon-7st-4dr-4x4-3-2dt-mits09kt.aspx) 10% off is easy !
Try and get a diesel if you need 10 years . Fuel's heading north again.

[zerosecta]

Being a LR forum i was expecting to get advise that would have been just a little bias - but instead I have got really honest real world advise -

And from what i have recieved so far that 2005 100series Sahara (95K klms) is starting to look good again.

Should have got a LC to start with.....

[Neil P]

2005 100series Sahara (95K klms) is starting to look good again.

.....

Parts holding is excellent . My mate was Toyota State Parts Manager.
The few electrics that required attention on my LC100 V8 Sahara '05
where available on the day or over night. I don't think you'd lose sleep.

[ADMIRAL]

Not wise to make a decision based on a half dozen posts.

All vehicles have their weaknesses and Toyota are not immune from dramas either.

A closer look at the Prado will show you how much smaller they are inside than the others mentioned.

The Pajero is very capable, a bit noisier than the others, and the IRS rear end will eventually cause you dramas if you go in for heavy or rough towing.

Price a front upper control arm for an IRS 100 series. ( you have to buy the whole arm when the balljoint lets go ) ...and you thought Jeep were the only ones charging a mortgage for parts.

I would be thinking more on what use the vehicle is going to be put to, and then looking at the plusses and minuses of the different vehicles. They all have their weaknesses and strengths.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Hi There,

I am new to this forum and looking for Honest no bias advice on weather I should get a D3 or not and what year model I should be carefull of or aim for.
I am selling a 4 door Wrangler JK due to been unhappy with its build quality and general reliability and looking into Prado, Pajero etc.
So I stumbled across the Discover 3 in Carsales and like it.


My question is with a budget of around 55K should i be looking at newer model (2007) with more klm's or older model (2005) with less klms.
Is there really much differance in them?
Will I regret buying a landrover instead of a prado like i am with the jeep?
What would be the first things I should check or have sorted so as not to hate it one month into owing it.

I would prefere higher spec model like HSE but would consider SE if it were newer with lo klm's.

I will be using it as a daily driver, the odd tour up north and back, towing a Jayco Swan outback and hopefully once a year or so a little 4x4ing in the high country etc.

heed the Admiral!!

take an hour or two and READ the posts in this forum,,

there are LOTS of very happy D3 owners(in fact I doubt we have an unhappy one!!)

[rmp]

The Pajero is very capable, a bit noisier than the others, and the IRS rear end will eventually cause you dramas if you go in for heavy or rough towing.

Price a front upper control arm for an IRS 100 series. ( you have to buy the whole arm when the balljoint lets go ) ...and you thought Jeep were the only ones charging a mortgage for parts.



Pajero - never seen that and I know a lot of owners who do a lot of offroading. The Pajero is tough, and a better drive than the Prado.

Agree re LC100 (and it's IFS not IRS, I know it was a typo), the front-end needs mods if it is to survive long and that's extra $.




I would be thinking more on what use the vehicle is going to be put to, and then looking at the plusses and minuses of the different vehicles. They all have their weaknesses and strengths.

exactly

[Forest]

Zerosecta, I am a D3 owner, HSE 08.5 model.

This forum, although better now, has lots of people that worry about newer technology. Any newer vehicle with creature comforts, has more to go wrong, and running a fleet as I do, I see problems with Mitsubishi's, Landrovers, Holdens, Fords, and definately Toyotas. I must say Subarus in my limited experience have been excellent....

To me, if you are worried about reliability, its about will the dealer fix issues for you, listen, be proactive, and not be a pain.

I see you are from Melbourne, and I can heartily recommend the Land Rover Dealer in Port Melbourne. I have 3 newish Landrovers that I get serviced there and they have been excellent. Freelander has had no issues, go figure. I have had to look around for a decent toyota dealer. The stories I could tell.

Every person has a different need out of a vehicle. If you want a very competant vehicle off road, good ground clearance, whilst ensuring grandma can get in and out (air suspension), with excellent load capacity, (no 3rd row pews getting in the way when not being used) great towing, comfortable, 7 adult (underline adult) seats, that eats the miles comfortably, I recommend a D3. SWMBO finds it easy to drive, enjoys it more than her own car. It does "feel" big, according to her.

Personally I recommend an HSE, as I find the arm rests extremely comfortable, and rear air con is a must in summer if you care about your 6th and 7th passenger.(no opening windows right at the back remember). Earlier models the stereos were better on the HSE and it has electric seat adjustment and the like. Mate of mine has an SE, he doesn't worry about his rear passengers, having to use a lever to move his seat, and he loves it, so beware my bias.

Problems - Yep, early models did have some issues, however, I have not had any horrible moments. Believe these issues were sorted after 06. Electric Park Brake is stupid, just make sure you know how to manually release it when it jams, and you are fine. Has happened to me 3 times!!!! On 18" rims, not brilliant on Sand, fine though, I "did" Robe and survived. You pay a premium for the v8 or diesel over the petrol 6, standard tow hitch a pain if you do a lot of towing. Not sure about other vehicles, but if you get a diesel, and run it on petrol by mistake, Horrible - very costly. Cannot think of anything else. Great everyday vehicle.

I trust this helps your considerations.