Buying a D3

[cj_greta]

Am looking at buying a 2008/9 D3 SE auto on a novated lease, unfortunately can't afford a D4.

Would prefer a diesel but am having a hard time with the price difference compared to the petrol.

Apart from age is there any advantages between the years?

And are there any major diffences taking the motors from around 90,000 to 160,000km apart from fuel cost?

Cheers,

Chris

[~Rich~]

It all depends on what you want to do with the D3!
For outback touring range it has to be the TDV6!
For towing economicaly it would be either the TDV6 or V8 petrol, both have great torque.
For resale value it has to be the TDV6.

Same engines over the life of the D3.
I have never regretted buying the TDV6, I'm sure most others will agree too. ;)

[oldsalt]

Try to stretch yourself and get the diesel ... you'll love it. Keep us informed of your search .... and good luck.

[dominicbeirne]

I love my V6 Petrol 2009 D3. I get good economy both around town and on highway, not as good as the TDV6 for sure. Would I have gone diesel, if it was offered and affordable when I bought yes but I bought during the run out of existing stock and during govt depreciation bonus in August 2009.

As previously stated what the car will be used for will drive the decision making for you. Don't shy away from the petrol version. I have more fun and better ride etc than mates who are in Land Cruisers, Hiluxes, Patrols and Pajeros. The kids love it too, especially when they get to "drive" on the beach and paddock bashing.

As an aside I find a lot of people get very precious about their cars, they are quite expensive so I understand that, but I learnt to drive in my father's Rangies on Straddie, Fraser and properties in the Maranoa during the mid to late 70s. By the early 80s I was knicking off shooting and paddock bashing without him.

I look at my D3 as a way of giving my kids similar experiences to the ones I had. I let them get behind the wheel, have a play and enjoy their time with me in a safe non-urban environment on private property. Hopefully these activities will build in them a love for the marque and back when I was learning all this stuff there was only petrol motors on offer. We seemed to get everywhere OK, and back again which is very important.

My thoughts are , for what they're worth, if you find a car you like in your price range that is mechanically sound and meets your needs get it, regardless of V6/V8/TDV6 aspects. Once you have the car get out and enjoy it.

Cheers

Dom

[TerryO]

Hi Chris,

might be best to drive all three engined versions and find out what best suits your needs and bank balance.

Having driven all three and owning a TDV6, for me anyway its hard to go past the V8 for value and driving experience.

I would agree with Dom though a V6 petrol D3 is better to drive then a 100 series or a Patrol.

cheers,
Terry

[gasman]

What you spend now on the diesel will be proportionate to what you loose when on selling the petrol, except you will have a hard time shifting it and will no doubt fire sale to get rid of her.
Why not purchase an earlier model, say from 05-07. Same vehicle.
Don't do it!

[Sadie]

Hi Chris.

I've got my '09 SE petrol for sale at the moment. PM me for details if you like...

Steve

[Robgw]

Firstly and note only my opinion is that D3 looks stronger and chunkier than the D4 anyway. The grill and twinkly lights on the new LR's are designed for the UK Chelsea/Cheshire yummy mummy crew. Prime target audience over there. Much prefer cars without Christmas Tree Lights.

I have had TD's and Petrol across many cars. My current a D2 V8.

Fuel is not a massive issue. Our 2.5 Petrol X-Trail only does 100k more than the Disco which in reality is $20 -$30 bucks.

I dont really care how much the resale value is, as i really like the car I drive. I don't think any of us went into buying Land Rovers to save on $$$ or the environment truth be told?.

If you want it buy it. V8's and V6's are so smooth.

One tip on a Novated lease, be careful what the garages add on at service time. They thing the Lease Card/Motorpass Card is a licence to hit you with extra's.

[Disco4SE]

Hi Chris,
Sure, there is the buy price, re-sale price, fuel costs etc to consider.
One thing I do know out of all this, is that everyone I know that has changed from a petrol powered vehicle to a diesel, would never go back............including my own wife. The dealership gave her a petrol model in the same vehcile while hers was getting serviced, and she couldnt wait to get hers back.
Good friends of our just changed from a Falcon XR8 to a Jeep Cherokee TD (sorry for swearing), and are so happy with the diesels low down torque and fuel economy.

Cheers, Craig

[ozscott]

Everyone is different which is why they still make and sell a heap of V8 petrol in the world. Every time someone has given me a TD to drive (and I am talking having driven quite a few in different makes over the last 10-15 years) I cant wait to get back to my V8 petrol (x2)....

As for resale - you have already saved a heap from depreciation on the V8, so as long as you hold onto it for a while you cant lose can you...this idea that on the second hand market the TD is going to lose so much less does not stack up versus the purchase cost second hand in my view.

As everyone has said just drive a few and make up your mind. And also bear in mind that modern TD's are not the 500,000+klm motors that the old 4.2 patrol naturally aspirated's, or the 6.2 Chev diesel NA's are still. My bet is that the 4.4 V8 will last just as long as the diesel. Given our diesel quality (lack of) and water in diesel issues for diesel pumps and injectors (with very high costs at times to replace those items - the ones that I know about are not LR, but there would be no difference - its just that there are FAR more non-LR TD's out there so the chances of copping water in the diesel are proportionately greater for them) the running costs may in the end be about the same for some people...

Cheers

[TerryO]

Hi Chris,
Sure, there is the buy price, re-sale price, fuel costs etc to consider.
One thing I do know out of all this, is that everyone I know that has changed from a petrol powered vehicle to a diesel, would never go back............including my own wife. The dealership gave her a petrol model in the same vehcile while hers was getting serviced, and she couldnt wait to get hers back.
Good friends of our just changed from a Falcon XR8 to a Jeep Cherokee TD (sorry for swearing), and are so happy with the diesels low down torque and fuel economy.

Cheers, Craig


I must be the exception then because if I had my choice again I would buy a V8 petrol D3 any day. In fact I'm looking for one at the right price at present.

I have not sat down and done the numbers 100% but I would bet, for me anyway, it would be cheaper to own a V8 than a diesel.
This applys to buying second hand one of course after someone else has taken the big hit and when the vehicles are out of warranty and the big mid life service bills start coming in.
And as I have said before how many 4.4's has anyone heard of blowing up? Now compare that to how many TDV6's have gone south in a big way?

Often how much a vehicle costs to run in fuel bills isn't the true story once you add up all the other costs involved.

Plus the V8 is smoother, quieter and much quicker.

cheers,
Terry