dare I put my toe in? 1995 TDI Disco purchase

[Fairlane]

Hi all, we are brand new here. been long time Jeep owners and occasional Landcruiser owners, still looking for something that fits.
I am looking at a 1995 Disco TDI Auto. we have a small caravan and like to do some light beach work/bush work. what should I look for and am I heading for financial ruin as we have an EXTREMELY tight budget.
any thought, ideas or good taste jokes are welcome!
Thank you
John & Gail

[mike 90 RR]

Hi to both of you

Have you already found your new ride .... If you are on a tight budget ... then keep in mind that it is a 13 year old car

So having said that ... I would suggest that you have it checked out via a LandRover dealer for it's condition prior to purchase

Mike

[discomuzz]

Hi guys!

If you are handy with a spanner and don't mind being last off the lights!

You will not regret buying a Disco!

But, as said, get it checked first or at least read as much stuff on this forum (it is brilliant) as you can first and ask the right questions.

Look for timing belt and oil change intervals. A good recorded service history is the go.

Where are you? Folks on here can advise on pre-purchase checks.

Define "tight budget". Folks on here will tell you whether it's good value or not.

[Fairlane]

wow, quick replies!
tight budget is $7K with little to spend on repairs!
might be asking a bit much.
located on the Gold Coast. looking at one north of Brisbane

[mike 90 RR]

wow, quick replies!
tight budget is $7K with little to spend on repairs!
might be asking a bit much.
located on the Gold Coast. looking at one north of Brisbane

You could PM Dave & ask him if you could take it to him for a prepurchase inspection

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/blknight.aus.html

[taff]

in all honesty i'd say if your budget's that tight then don't buy it.
to buy a 13yr old car that you don't know (whether it's been inspected or not)and expect to pay no money on it, is asking for trouble.
your better off dropping your budget down a bit on the car so you've got a little more to play with for those unexpected costs

jason

[spudboy]

... and don't mind being last off the lights!



Hey - they are not THAT bad!! Drive it like you hate it, and it'll get up and go, and almost no change in fuel economy either.

$7K is a bit tight.....

I've got a '97 300TDi and just recently had to replace the clutch + a few other tidy up jobs that you get with a 10-12 year old car which came to $2.5K. First time I've spent anything significant on it since I bought it, but it's getting to the age where a few things need replacing. Next on my list is the electric windows which have just given up the ghost.

Having said that - I'm quite sure it'll keep on going for another 10-12 years. Brilliant vehicles.

[Fairlane]

the car is on carpoint id 6331986 I am dubious as to the affordabillity with the comments so far. I am trying to find a reason not to by an older turbo sahara landcruiser for the same money.:( I really appreciate the honesty of the responses so far!

[big guy]

Hmm
Don't be fooled by toyota parts.
Similar age, way more to run and parts cost same if not much more for some.

A call to parts shop will confirm.

best of luck, I bought a V8 disco for less and spend a little to get up to date.
Great car.

Beware of age.

[mike 90 RR]

There is nothing wrong with the choice of wheels ... It just that they are all old ... And your budget for repairs suggests that you would like to make a good choice :cool:
A fair amount of these models are in near enough great condition ... Ask any of the owners of such models on this forum :)



But your asking for a quick guide for sorting out the "good from the bad" & unfortunately all photos & promo's look great :(



So I would rather have you drive a GREAT Disco that will bring :) happy :) adventures
rather than give you info that will be fruitless and give you a sense of false security :(

If you get it checked out "up close and personal" via the L/R mechanic .. That will be Gold for you :cool:

Mike

:)

[discomuzz]

Spoken like a true gentleman!

[87County]

in all honesty i'd say if your budget's that tight then don't buy it.
to buy a 13yr old car that you don't know (whether it's been inspected or not)and expect to pay no money on it, is asking for trouble.
your better off dropping your budget down a bit on the car so you've got a little more to play with for those unexpected costs

jason

yes.....what he says......

looks a bit too expensive for a disco with no history eh?

remember the posted price is only a start - there's nothing to stop you politely making a substantially lower offer - be prepared to walk away :)

(dealers are not even polite when they offer extremely low trade-ins you know)