Advice on new car?? Landrover or???

[Busman]

This is probably a stupid question from a Landrover Fanatic, asking a Forum full of Landrover Fanatics, but the D3 may be time for a change over.
The D3 is an amazing vehicle, but l have spent copious amounts of money on mine, and think it may be time for an upgrade to maybe another marque type vehicle.
I had a look at the new Toyota Prado Vx today, a found it to be a really nice unit.
I qualify for a Silver Fleet Discount, which Landrover certainly do not offer.
That equates to about $6,500.00 off retail.
I have a few commercial Toyota vehicles, and they give me no issues.
I just think the after say 150,000kms, the D3 is showing it's ugly side, and many many thousands need to be spent.
Do l really want to go back to the same issues, or look at another make vehicle.
This is my 5th Landrover, and should expect relevant issues, as per normal, but the old bank balance is starting to hurt a little keeping them going.
What to do think everyone????:angel:

[discomaniac]

I went through the same process when it was time to replace the D3. Suspension, Auto and alternator repair costs were getting painful.
After driving the D4 3.0L, found that I was comparing all other products with the D4. Nothing else was quite as good overall. Some may have had lower price, perceived reliability, perceived resale value, perceived fine build quality, similar power, electronic gadgets etc, but not the complete package.
I felt very comfortable with the Land Rover D4 HSE package and was convinced that the D4 was an improvement in quality over the D3. After 6 Months and 12000km I have not been disappointed, not a single problem and a totally enjoyable driving experience. My 4th Discovery and the best by far.
Must be a........
Discomaniac ;)

[Camo]

How about the new diesel territory? What I would be buying if I wasn't a Rangie fan.

Will you still need it to tow 3.5 ton? In that case a 200 series V8;)

Camo

[alittlebitconcerned]

Just reflecting back what you have already said yourself, you say the bank balance is starting to hurt and after 5 different cars spending copious amounts on them has been your LR experience to date. If you go with the odds you would have to expect things will be the same with your next one, and I think forking out what you have on 5 LR's makes you as much an authority on what to expect as the next guy.

In purely financial terms, just how much is it worth to you to own one?
If you knew how much your 5 cars were going to cost you (purchase price, repair costs, time off work sorting them out, maintenance, fuel costs etc) before you actually bought them, would you have still pulled the trigger? Especially if you were in your current financial situation?

You are having a head/heart battle which I completely relate to, but only you can decide which way to go because after all the friendly waves, the memories formed and the fun driving them, no one is going to offer to pay for all the repairs, it's your hard earned cash on the line.
My 2c's worth. Goodluck.

[Disco4SE]

16 months and 52,000Klm's down the track, the extremely minor faults fade way into the distance.
Take my wife & kids, but DO NOT attempt to take the Disco :D
Cheers, Craig

[~Rich~]

I step out of my D3 and go for a ride in a new 150 series Prado with the D4D engine and it's course compared to the TDV6.
The Disco is so much quieter too.
When Toyota updates the engine which should of come with the new model then they will complete their package to be comparable to the D4.

[sniegy]

Busman,
Dont always think the grass is always greener on the other side.
Working in the industry, we always hear of what happens to other manufacturers vehicles, dont think that the new vehicle you may pruchase (regardless of brand) will not have it niggling issues &/or problems. They all do!:p

All i would say (from another Land Rover nut) is drive the vehicles & compare everything, I think you will find nothing compares to the D4.
It is damn comfy, powerful & economical. Comes with heaps of std inclusions which other manufacturers call extra's.

So enjoy your shopping, all the best;)

[CaverD3]

If you work for large company you should qualify for the LR corporate discount.
Check prices and you may be surprised.
Prado should be compared to the 2.7L rather than the 3.0L but even then the 2.7 has more poke and is a lot quieter than the Playdough.
Tojo is a basic truck compare and make uup your own mind.
Get the extended warrranty and flick after five years?

[Disco4SE]

I'm with Sniegy, go for a decent drive in both vehicles, preferably on a variety of roads.
To date, I am yet to drive another vehicle that I would swap the D4 3.0Lt for.
Happy hunting..............and let me know if you do find such a vehicle :)
Cheers, Craig

[Dirty3]

How about the new diesel territory?

Seriously? A Ford Territory? I don't see a comparison.
Sure they might be nice, but they have their fair share of faults, etc. But if you intend to go off road, at all then they just don't stack up.

I've had the 120 series Prado, good car but nothing compared to my old D2, drove the latest Prado, nice too, but ugly and boring inside. The D3 however, must say I'm in love again!! ;)

[ozscott]

I had the impression that the question was more about ongoing faults and running costs than a direct comparison of vehicles comfort, power ride, etc where the LR is king on each head. Just be aware with Toyo that they are not what they used to be - you will have seen of course many recalls, but on Ausfish a guy just posted in the 4wd section of a Rav 4 he has that has had a very easy life with the auto crapping itself at 88,000 k just 3 months out of warranty and with Toyo allegedly saying, they can do that...

Cheers

PS. Be aware that with drivetrain I reckon the D3/D4 2.7 is very well placed v other vehicles, but because the LR just has so much extra gear it is better placed (read worst placed) to have more problems with the those extras - and they will certainly cost (eg electronic handbrake) but nowhere near as much as being up for $8k for a new gearbox just out of warranty. Thats they way I look at those things and they balance out over say 10 years in favour of LR.

Cheers

[WhiteD3]

Dave, my 2 cents worth.

Trade-in on a D4 and take out the extended warranty. That'll give you 5-6 years of hassle free motoring by which time you'll have written down the D4 to some small amount.

[brad72]

I did the same as WhiteD3. I got the extended warranty to ensure no surprises town the track but also as the warranty can be transfered when selling privately if I do decide to sell after 3 years the new owner will still get 3 years of warranty.

As for my D4, I have driven 20,000Km in my 2.7 and the only problem to date was a kinked heater hose meaning my car didn't warm up as quickly in winter. Even my mate who has a Prado says how much more refined and quite the D4 is but also how much smoother the ride is.

Best of luck with the conundrum

[CaverD3]

Dave, my 2 cents worth.

Trade-in on a D4 and take out the extended warranty. That'll give you 5-6 years of hassle free motoring by which time you'll have written down the D4 to some small amount.

:whistling:


Get the extended warrranty and flick after five years?



Reliability?



http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n32/character_04/IMG_6488.jpg

Yes that is miles. :o

See:
DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Character has an announcement to make........... (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic64287.html)



on its original turbo, 1x compressor around 100k ago :whistle:



However it is showing its age. :Rolling:



http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n32/character_04/IMG_6484.jpg

[Psimpson7]

That is very impressive! 640 k km!! :eek: awesome!

Looks like a lot of it would have been towing aswell!

Dave, If I was in the same position as you I would probably go for a D4, with the most warranty you can get ( is that 5/6 yrs?)

Then do all the oils (diffs and gearbox) at say 60/80k and every 60/80k afterwards, and sell it off around 4 years old still with warranty if its transferable?

[CaverD3]

Character did have a transfer box failure a couple of months ago though.
Serviced his trans regularly and almost all towing long ditances with double axle trailer, it's his business.

[frantic]

If I had the $$$ a D4 Now here come the BUT's:
Have a look at the new patrool but the turbo diesel version my be a while away and also have a look at the Jeep grand cheeryokee, it should be getting an italian v6tdi mid year and has a similar transmision/ traction control set up to the D4/ RR sport at about 15K less.:eek:

[Busman]

Couple of options today.
I have been offered a 2011 D4 TDV6 for $68,000 inc gst plus on roads.
Brand new, so a great price from a dealership.

I also went a did a test drive of the new Platinum Pajero Diesel.
Typical Direct Injection rattle, but fully optioned with all the bling, to inc Centre Diff Lock and Rear Factory Diff lock.
Navi etc etc.
Drove quite well, and offers great fuel economy>
$59,000.00 on road after fleet discount of $6100.00, which l qualified for, as l own Mitsubishi Commercial vehicles also.

mmmm Decisions Decisions !!!

[~Rich~]

Yeah great deals can be found on the Pajero, they are very fuel efficient off road in particular. Good deep loadspace because of the Monocoque constrruction. Worst thing is their resale value.

[Disco4SE]

Mate of mine had a Bitsa****y Pajero. The diesel was harsh and loud compared to the Disco.
The off road capabilities came no where near the Disco.
He brought top of the range and lost severely on re-sale.
Cheers, Craig

[multistrada]

When I first got my 3.0 SE D4 I didn't like it. But after a short time I realised how damn nice it was to drive - it was really the service by the dealer that was terrible! When I hop back in hired fords and holden sedans I realise how noisy and harsh they are to drive compared to the D4!:)

[bbyer]

The interesting question re choice of vehicle is that if one buys something other than the D4, will one still notice every D4 that goes by? Somehow I think that when you own a D4, you will only see other Land Rovers and sort of not for the most part, even notice anything else.

I will admit to steering my son in law away from a D4 and to a 4Runner. It was probably the correct choice for them as it was a question of temperament. Land Rovers are not appliances; if cared for, Rovers tend to respond in kind.

What is interesting is that with the current "problems", the local 4Runner dealer is starting to run into parts shortages, something that may also hit D3/D4 owners re electrical stuff.

That D3 in the UK must have been looked after. 640,000 km is good even by US pickup standards. More than 400,000 km on a 6 litre Chev 2500 Diesel is common, but will not have been trouble free either. There will certainly have been some fooling around with the Allison, (probably electrical), and the injectors will have had work on them as well as the turbo.

The real question after purchase of whatever is what will you continue to notice on the road?

[mowog]

Before I brought my D4 I had never considered a Land Rover product.

We needed to replace a Ford Territory and the base requirements were:

Diesel
3500kg towing
4WD

Anything Toyota was not even considered.
Nissan Patrol was to old
Jeep Grand Cherokee was to old
VW Toureg looked at dismissed wife hated it.
Audi Q7 looked at dismissed to expensive when optioned
BMW X5 looked at dismissed to expensive when optioned

Looked at the D4....

Now based on my first sales contact it was lucky we even brought a Land Rover. I was in grub mode with old paint stained shorts and Tee Shirt and I was clearly judged by the sales driod at the time. He let us drive a D4 but he was so un-interested in dealing with us when we got back.

The second pass was an email contact with a different salesman same dealer. I was no better dressed on the second visit. We brought a D4 on that visit.

In the 3500kg tow class there is simply nothing that comes close to the capability of the D4. (New Jeep maybe now)

Its capable off road.
It drives like a luxury car.
The interior is fantastic (doesn't look like an 80's hilux)
No WDH need for towing
At the time only one of 2 4x4's with trailer stability control (not sure if this is still the case)
Integrated towing solution (not add on like many others)

Honestly when you look at all the facts with an open mind there is no other choice.

[brad72]

I was lucky. With my test drive the dealer gave me the D4 overnight. I gave it a good drive, got to sit in it quietly for a few hours fiddling, and my wife got some peace and quiet as I was sitting in the car, in the dark, and not bugging her.:)......till i came inside that is.

I have to agree about the interior. It looks more like a range rover than D4. My brother and Dad who both have 2009 RRS's are quite jealous when they hop into my car with the leather dash, sat nav, sloping center console etc.

[Fish78]

Try a new Grand Cherokee, they look pretty good, 2012 Patrol should be special.

[101RRS]

I have to agree about the interior. It looks more like a range rover than D4. My brother and Dad who both have 2009 RRS's are quite jealous when they hop into my car with the leather dash, sat nav, sloping center console etc.

But you have to admit the exterior styling looks absolutely awful :o.

[ozscott]

I am hoping for Nissan's sake that they introduce a very flash Diesel into the Patrol for next year...that would make a very nice machine, and keep some good competition going with LR.

Cheers

[brad72]

But you have to admit the exterior styling looks absolutely awful :o.


Well.....you either love or hate them;)

[oldsalt]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :)
I like the look of my D3.....
I think the Landcruiser looks like it was left out in the hot sun too long and it's "sort of melted"....just my two cents worth.

[101RRS]

As you guys say - beauty is in the eye of the beholder - it is still ugly - but practical though :D

[Busman]

Thankyou everyone for your comments:):).
I certainly had a lot of thinking to do, and after careful consideration, l have come up with the following outcome.
After looking at the various makes, l really cannot move over to the dark side.
The Landrover product just offers the best overall package.
So where do i go from here? I have three Landrovers at present.
My sons 99 Freelander, which l just rebuilt the engine and gearbox for him, my D1 (Gumboot) which is a fantastic fun machine, with dent and scatches and no computers and last of all the D3.
I like each and every one for there own characteristics.
The D3 has now 173000kms on it and has been really reliable up until about 6 months ago.
Since then l have replaced both diff centres, hand brake acuator, front ball joints, major svc to inc cam blets, idlers etc.
Now I have had recently auto issues, with slight shuddering in top gear under load..
I have taken the car to the dealership, and had the full auto service completed. It was expensive and did not solve the problem, but the up side the gear changes are certainly smoother.
This has led me to the change over of car situation.
After considering my options and ringing around for second hand auto trans, to recon ones to new autos, the cost was at worst $9,000:eek:, yes $9.000 quoted for a new auto installed by the dealership, and the cheapest $7,000.
After further research l found out from my local Auto Trans business, that he has fixed quite a few D3's, and the issue is the Torque Convertor. Cost to repair $2200.
Easy to identify symptoms are particles in the trans fluid after the main service, attributing to the degeneration of the material in the TC>
Not main trans issues, as the gear changes are smooth at all times, inside the shudder range in top gear under load.
I can live with this cost, if the outcome is a fully operational auto trans.
The rest of the car is running well, and in excellent order throughtout.
So l have decided to keep the car and carry out this repair in a week.
I have 18 months left of the payout, so l will knock that off soon, and be left with yes alot of expense repairing the car, but the outcome around $50000 plus interest less to fork out.
I will look at a D4 when the leasing cycle comes around and look for a bargain. They do come up from time to time, and alot less capital outlay.
If my business was a bit more buoyant, l would consider the new car option.

Thanks once again everyone, and l will keep D3 ing on for a while, with my existing vehicle.:):)

[Celtoid]

As you guys say - beauty is in the eye of the beholder - it is still ugly - but practical though :D


I've always loved the look of the Disco's and the D3 & 4s are just knockouts.

It is definately in the eye of the beholder but that unique look keeps them ahead of the pack.

The old Pajero copied (I believe) the D1s but then started looking like Toyos....but I'm certain I can see lots of LR traits in US SUVs now....flat sides, etc....although less tall....

Or is it the other way round....did LR copy them....as it all started in the begining with the WW2 Jeep?.....;)

[Celtoid]

Thankyou everyone for your comments:):).
I certainly had a lot of thinking to do, and after careful consideration, l have come up with the following outcome.
After looking at the various makes, l really cannot move over to the dark side.
The Landrover product just offers the best overall package.
So where do i go from here? I have three Landrovers at present.
My sons 99 Freelander, which l just rebuilt the engine and gearbox for him, my D1 (Gumboot) which is a fantastic fun machine, with dent and scatches and no computers and last of all the D3.
I like each and every one for there own characteristics.
The D3 has now 173000kms on it and has been really reliable up until about 6 months ago.
Since then l have replaced both diff centres, hand brake acuator, front ball joints, major svc to inc cam blets, idlers etc.
Now I have had recently auto issues, with slight shuddering in top gear under load..
I have taken the car to the dealership, and had the full auto service completed. It was expensive and did not solve the problem, but the up side the gear changes are certainly smoother.
This has led me to the change over of car situation.
After considering my options and ringing around for second hand auto trans, to recon ones to new autos, the cost was at worst $9,000:eek:, yes $9.000 quoted for a new auto installed by the dealership, and the cheapest $7,000.
After further research l found out from my local Auto Trans business, that he has fixed quite a few D3's, and the issue is the Torque Convertor. Cost to repair $2200.
Easy to identify symptoms are particles in the trans fluid after the main service, attributing to the degeneration of the material in the TC>
Not main trans issues, as the gear changes are smooth at all times, inside the shudder range in top gear under load.
I can live with this cost, if the outcome is a fully operational auto trans.
The rest of the car is running well, and in excellent order throughtout.
So l have decided to keep the car and carry out this repair in a week.
I have 18 months left of the payout, so l will knock that off soon, and be left with yes alot of expense repairing the car, but the outcome around $50000 plus interest less to fork out.
I will look at a D4 when the leasing cycle comes around and look for a bargain. They do come up from time to time, and alot less capital outlay.
If my business was a bit more buoyant, l would consider the new car option.

Thanks once again everyone, and l will keep D3 ing on for a while, with my existing vehicle.:):)


Are there vehicles out there that are as complex and capable as a Disco, that fare better after after so many Ks?

Just a thought.