Help Choosing a Car please

[WantOne]

Hi all,

I would be grateful for some further guidance to what I have been told already...

I have about $15k to spend on a 2nd car for myself. Im looking at 4x4's and Im interesting in a Land Rover hence i'm here. However, I don't want to put myself in a situation where reliability is a problem. I heard that Land Rovers can be big gamble to take on road trips. People are steering me to a Patrol or Land Cruiser. But i just don't know what the truth is....

I have been told that the unreliable cars to avoid are early Freelander's the discovery 1?

I'm hoping for something not too old. 2000 onwards and plenty of space for road trips and touring and not towing. I wont be doing extreme off road but something good for muddy forrest tracks and beaches and all the family junk in the boot!

Which is the best car for my money which would give me the least problems?

Thanks in advance.

[Chucaro]

IMO a 1998/99 Disco Tdi300, perhaps an ex "mums taxi" would be the way to go.

[Disco Muppet]

Every car is a gamble to take on a Road trip.
For the most part it comes down to you, how on-top of maintenance you are, if you drive with mechanical sympathy, etc.
But there comes a point where the universe will step in, nothing you can do about that.
Freelander one had a bunch of issues, and personally I wouldn't own one as I think they're ugly as sin but that's just me :)
Depends what you want, Tdi motors are simple, economical, and simpler to work on, but you lack the refinement that later motors like the Td5 have.
So.
Simple, bush fix, don't mind going slow? dislike hills? 300tdi. Simple to work on, lotsa parts for them. Disco is more refined than a Defer but then again I found the perenties comfortable so I'm weird :p
More to play with, more to go wrong, equally good if not better, Td5. You'd be limited to a disco with a 15k budget as Td5 Defers fetch top dollar for what they are :)
So you want a weekend off-roader that doubles as a family friendly vehicle. Kinda rules out Defenders if you ask me, so Discos.
Td5 is smoother, more powerful, and a better engine if you ask me, chip them and :burnrubber:
For 15k you can get yourself a Td5 disco 2 with not unreasonable kms on it, these engines last so don't be put off by upwards of 200k kms. You'll have less to spend on goodies but that's the nature of the beast buying a newer vehicle.
15k will get you a good 300tdi disco 1, with more to spend on goodies or work. Would be fine for what you want, capable off-road and a good platform for touring.
I like Td5s, but that's just me :) If you're limited to 15k I'd probably pick a D1.

[MR LR]

5k can get you a good D1 Muppet! Unless you get ripped off!

Cheers
Will

[Disco Muppet]

5k can get you a good D1 Muppet! Unless you get ripped off!

Cheers
Will

My point exactly Will, 15k should net you a top D1, sort all the niggles and have some dosh left over for toys :)

[Chucaro]

I do not not the experience of other people but in my case every time that I have bought a used 4x4 with in the next 2 month I have to invest about 2 to 3 thousand dollars in make it reliable.
Timing belt service it is a must and for sure suspension will be on the list
Add to that few must have extras like the engine saver and money will be go very fast indeed.
I will say $7 to 8000 for a good example plus $3000 in preventative maintenance and extras and the Disco will be a very good vehicle.

[WantOne]

Personally I like the D2

I have seen a few 1999 - 2001 V8's with little over 150k's on. these are for about 12k -15k. Im not planning on uprating suspension or a bull bar etc.

Not fussed about the fuel bull's, as I have driven plenty of thirsty big engined cars so. How about one of these for about 12k and keep 3 in my pocket?..

[frantic]

The petrol's will be a fair wack cheaper but have a look in the markets on here as well as carsales, drive etc as with some of the disco's up for sale here, they may have threads on things done and what problems have been fixed. I have seen a few very nice disco's in the markets on here and would have bought one if my defender ever gets stolen.

[Slunnie]

Disco2 with a service history. Prefering a 2000 or early 2001 or a 2003+ with facelift. Misses the 99 first batch niggles and then the late 2001 - 2002 had no CDL in the transfer box. The later the better.

Fuel type, whatever rocks your boat, but I think the TD5's will have a longer life - so far they dont seem to be wearing out. I also do recommend ACE for driving pleasure.

[Cobber]

I'm very much a td5 man, but not knowing what you do and don't prefer, I'm not in a position to point you in the direction of a particular car. However what I will say is that a full/decent service history is worth it's weight in gold regardless of what powers it IMO :)