Discovery or Pajero

[Bluepippa]

It's almost time.... I have $30k to spend on a new set of wheels.
But what to go for.. My heart says Disco 3 HSE tdv6.. My head says Pajero Exceed...
I do 30-40k per year 25% around Sydney CBD... 50% motorway.... 25% messing around...
I need to tow a boat occasionally... carry a family and all our camping stuff for 3 weeks a year, going more and more off road on each holiday..
So comfort, off road capability, reliability.... HELP.. Which to choose?

[Naviguesser]

You do realise you are on Land Rover forums ?

Don't be suprised with the answers you get :D

[Bluepippa]

Lol... Yes I know where I am... Just looking for help with letting my heart win...:-)

[Disco Muppet]

For $30k I'd probably pick the pajero, more likely to get a better one for that money than a D3.
I did briefly look at D3s but even at $30k they were all either petrol V8s or not ones I'd really want to own.
If you can stretch the budget a bit, go for the D3 :)

[Duke4]

Ok, I had a pajero and now have a Disco 4 so in my opinion the disco wins hands down.
Why? The disco is a much better drive, better off road better on fuel, much much better on power, better tow vehicle.

My use is similar to yours I tow a boat (1,400kgs) go camping and doing more and more off road, I have no regrets getting the Disco which I've had for 3 yrs now.

I was the first in my circle of friends to buy a Disco, they gave me the "you'll spend more time broken down, it won't go off road" routine after seeing and experiencing mine there are now 5 of us with Disco's

I would never buy another Pajero just not in the same class.

[Owl]

My brother has the Pajero - 12 months old (Don't ask me which model). He had to have the rear wheel lifted so that he could attach the camper trailer and even so he can't open the rear door with the trailer attached!
Worth checking if you're going to tow.

[scarry]

For $30k I'd probably pick the pajero, more likely to get a better one for that money than a D3.
I did briefly look at D3s but even at $30k they were all either petrol V8s or not ones I'd really want to own.
If you can stretch the budget a bit, go for the D3 :)

X2

but the D3 is way ahead in many areas,particularly off road.

[superquag]

Pajero, if you'd rather drive the car than fix it... or pay large amounts for someone else to do it.
Or pay for the DIY diagnostic equipment to fix it yourself.

Sure the D3 is a fine car, but suspension is a sort of 'nuts & bolts' thing that should never need constant repair... Coily steely thingies are pretty well maintainance-free / reliable.

I ignored my head, bought a '95 Classic (also 'cos a 95 Pajero was way outside my price range...:eek:) and quite frankly, I don't think the 'driving' is anything to RAVE about... I'd hope the D3 is much better....

Think of where/how much you'll be doing the most important driving, and make your decision around that, would be my suggestion.
But don't beat yourself up if you ignore said advice.

I ignored it too....:eek:

[AnD3rew]

Having owned both cars I can tell you they are both good, I agree with others who have said the Disco is a much better vehicle in every respect but value for money the Pajero Exceed is pretty hard to beat. This will probably be exaggerated at the $30k end of the market. A $30k Pajero will likely be newer and in better condition than a $30k D3, particularly if you want a Diesel, although maybe closer if you are happy with the v6 petrol or v8 petrol.

But it is a Land Rover forum and my heart would also tell me D3.

[Michael2]

I think the Paj more closely aligns to a D2a in it's tech level, as it's 4WD technology is about a decade behind LR in implementation.

When I bought my D2a (2003 model) a mate bought a 2005 Paj, which was the same tech level as my Tdi Defender. The 2006 Paj started to approach the D2 level of development.

Another mate's got an NS Paj, but after one trip, went and bought a Tdi Defender for all camping trips.

I think the D3 will better suits all needs.

[justinc]

as good as the paj is you will get a tad annoyed at things like the autobox, these seem to hunt around a lot for gears, drop out of lockup on the highway at the slightest hill etc, the engine is fantastic (diesel i am talking here) and fuel consumption is good, but overall the disco just has more soul.

i would entertain the tdv6 s with coils then, as there are lift options, and they are quite a lot cheaper ( and simpler) than the se with terrain response and air susp. the ride quality is still way ahead of paj, so is the engine, trans, fuel economy, interior, and most importantly character:D

jc

[sheerluck]

We looked at a 1yo special edition Pajero about 2 years back, thinking to replace both the D1 and SWMBO's Merc ML. Really it was adequate, and no more.

I found the ride agricultural, the interior trim quality and finish cheap and poorly put together, the third row seat design suitable for those with no arms, legs or desire to breathe, and it had all the go of an asthmatic ant. It seemed to need to be pushed on hard all the time.

Comparing it at the time with the D1 and a 10 year old Merc, It did seem to have some nice toys though. However, comparing it now to the D3, the D3 wins with more buttons and shiny stuff. ;)

[ramblingboy42]

nothing wrong with the Pajero...but as I said in another thread, having test driven nearly all 4x4 offerings recently, just take the Pajero for a good drive, don't worry about offroad, put into some corners and roundabouts and on the brakes and stuff, then go back and do exactly the same thing in the D3.....the D3/4's have impeccable road manners that just cant be emulated except by RR.....

[UncleHo]

G'day Bluepippa.

I would suggest that you look at the British Off Road website,as they had a couple of early Range Rovers (2001-2003)models L322 's in the $30's so that would give you luxury and class,I think that they are ex company directors lease vehicles,worth a look I think,they would also have D3's as well

[vogue]

The D3 is the much nicer and a far more advanced vehicle.
However.....
30-40k km's a year is quite a few.
How long to you plan on keeping the vehicle, because you will be racking up the km's fast. If it has 150,000km on when you buy it it will be at 250,000km before you know it.
I gather it's your work vehicle. Can you afford for it to be off the road for repairs.
Unfortunately when buying a second hand vehicle it pays to find out how much it will cost to maintain. Fuel can work out to be the cheap part.
As i have found out the hard way with cars, affording the repayment is only half the story.
Lets us know what you end up with.
And lets hope the heart wins:D

[Yorkie]

that price range will get you a 2010 ish pajero, still under the 5yr/10yr warranty.
the d3 would be a 2005-2007 earliest with decent miles already.
heart says landy, head would say poojero, wife would say stop dreaming you fool. :)

[superquag]

Listen to your Wife.... - Happy Wife, Happy life...

- Bu, t are you a man or mouse ?

Why should I make your choice any easier ? :twisted::twisted::twisted:

[Bluepippa]

Thanks for your help... Not !!
Ok so budget squeezed (wife not aware yet) $40k... So next question. Which D3..
Low kilometeridge (new word for you :-) ) or younger age..