S/ES D2 TD5 off road?

[shibby73]

Hi guys just wondering if people think its crazy for me to buy a more luxurious spec D2 that would be used maybe 30% off road, including river crossings and some heavy going tracks?

I'm really quite partial to nice interiors unfortunately. If only I could get a D2 that doesn't have ACE and other things that go wrong, but still the nicer seats, etc..

Ideas?

[Narangga]

Mate you are talking about a lot of the Discoveries that are sold.

Mine is admittedly a standard spec version but it lived on the North Shore of Sydney for nearly 8 years and only went off a dirt road once!

As for the comment about ACE and other things that go wrong - good maintenance is the key with any vehicle, no matter whom the manufacturer. Don't let anything but a poor service history coupled with a poor current condition of the vehicle put you off a D2.

[biggin]

Providing you can afford it, and it is insured, why not go for comfort. Mud wipes off the leather trim much easier than cloth trim anyway.:)
Don't worry about ACE either, ACE is very reliable and gives you better articulation than a standard torsion bar.:cool:

[Blknight.aus]

hell yes you should...

its your money and your vehicle as long as your insurance company will cover it offroad and your sensible about it (IE put off road rubber on before you go play) theres no reason why you shouldnt.

IF I could afford it I'd go buy a top of the line rangie whack some muddies on it and drive it straight up the cape, round the top, down the west over the biblemens, across the canning and back again just to park it next to the nearest bunch of CAV's with a big sign saying "One of these vehicles is driven by someone who knows what all the buttons and switches does" Wouldnt even wash it.

[stevo68]

Nope not crazy.......when I bought my brand new D3 HSE at $110k....it was off road in 2 weeks and then spent 40-50% of its time off road.

Mind you its first foray was a bit of an oops a daisy:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/634.jpg

All good once we got the hang of it though :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/09/726.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/635.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/636.jpg

Now admittedly some people thought I was nuts driving a brand new D3 through lantana, mud, on sand etc......but I could afford it and it was my 4WD of choice. Like any 4WD.....if your going to play......and have multitude of kids like I do....rubber mats and seat covers are a given,

Regards

Stevo

[wardy1]

Good on you Stevo, great to see you putting her to good use. Nice pics.

[simonl8353]

Shibby73, Go for it mate, get as many bells and whistles as possible. My D2 was the top of the range ES in 1999 costing $68k. I bought it for $12k 3yrs ago and at that price I can afford to bend and scratch a few panels without too much worry and spend a bit on the 2" lift, CDL and AT Tyres :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/10/855.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/03/607.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/603.jpg

[shibby73]

Awesome to see people who enjoy themselves so much. I'm so keen now to get a nice one! Thanks for all the replies, the more the merrier.

Now to sell the current car so I can get on with it.... anybody want a lovely Magna -TL VR Limited? Its a great P plater car

Happy Christmas guys, expect to see me post pics of my disco soonish!

[Basil135]

Shibby,

A D2 update (circa 2004) Classic Town would suit you. Leather seats, SLS, duel zone ac, etc etc.

Spend a bit of time looking, and you will find a good one.

They came with ACE & without. Personally, if I had the choice, I would get one with. But for me, it wasn't a deal breaker.

One big advantage of the update, is a lot of the little niggling issues were fixed - to a point. But they do have nice headlights... :-)

Sure, you still need to check the oil pump bolt, the oil in the loom, EGR stuff etc, but a good sorted D2a will give you the comfort you desire, while being one of the most capable off-road vehicles around straight out of the box.