Why didn't you...

[rmp]

...buy a cheaper vehicle like a Pajero or Prado?

Just wondering. This isn't flamebait, it's about what made you shell out the extra for a D3 when capable wagons are available for $15k RRP less.

[300+]

Because I didn't pay anything near RRP.

The Prado seemed a little small, and I had to get the grande to get the same sort of specs as a D3SE.

The 100 series was long in the tooth.

The patrol is doesn't have a central diff (helloooo, 1980 was a long time ago...)

Pajero? With the financial mess Mitsui were in at the time? Although perhaps I could have grabbed a bargain... Not convinced of the off road ability at all.

Steve

[schmoogene]

i think it's largely a personal preferance...so give me a box on wheels....none of this girly, lovely, fluffy, flowing lines stuff. i want a machine!!!!!! deteste, loathe, disgusting prado tail lights and head lights. was waiting for them to change it over to consider the Prado.

pajero, i was close to buying but the spec that we wanted was high and not fdar off the price of a D3. had some nice bits but overall looks a bit fat. also looked at the pathfinder and similar case...top spec was 8k less, nice shape though. but not much of a rear window.

the D3 could have had more of a square back end i thought and although it doesn't look fat, who ate all the pies? the d3 is such a clean design that it's beautiful and i can't even bear putting the rear wheel carrier on it. besides it sits on the wrong side because it covers the assymetrical tail...which gives you the opportunity to look behind before you drive. the D3 (in my eyes) is already a classic shape. The D4 is already adding bling...bah!!! which is why i like the black wheel arches...practical and adds scale and proportion. the color coded wheel arches makes the body look too tall and out of proportion. the new F250 is actually where the wheels are too small!!!! idiots.

i'm a designer (not cars though) and see it from a designers point of view with no loyalties to any car manufacturer....but definately stay away from some others!!!!!. and the best on offer at the moment is the D3....never owned a LR so we'll see. loyalty to cars is not like being loyal to mates. i think you take what's best on offer and the D3 is that and more... otherwise i would have bought the Missingbitsi.

also, about technology... looks good now and works while new but only time will tell.

WHAT A RANT...is this too long?...someone should enforce a word limit to posts

Eugene

[def90]

because its a landrover, and its a significantly better car, in a different class almost...

[Timj]

It's an interesting question to try and work out the answer to. I had a 99 NL Pajero that I had for 8 years and it only had 145k on the clock. It had taken us to Cape York, Fraser many times, Uluru and all sorts of stuff like that and had never let us down in any way. I wanted to change to diesel to get better touring range and to get better economy when towing. I was going to trade up to a new Pajero and had talked them into a very good deal but just couldn't bring myself to sign. I had been silly enough to go for a test drive in a D3 and couldn't get it out of my mind. The D3 was quieter, felt more solid on the road and just felt more refined. There was more room for me and the seating felt more comfortable. The setup of the seven seats is just fantastic and adults really can sit comfortably in the third row. Then there was the technology and I do love my gadgets. I thought that the D3 would do all the things I wanted it to just by pressing a button with no compromises in ride or handling and it really has done that for us.

I reckon that if I keep this one for 8 years as well the price difference becomes irrelevant.

I didn't really think seriously about the 200 series due to it's lack of interior load space, dated seating layout and lack of features for the money. And it's a Toyota :wasntme:. 76 series is a bit of a joke as far as value for money I believe. Nissan I couldn't see the point of that old timebomb 3l turbo, less power, less torque and nothing really going for it.

I have added the ARB bullbar, Safari Snorkel, Kaymar rear bar, Long range tank, Rhino roofrack and AT2 tyres but I probably would have had to do that with any car I bought. With the D3 there has been no need to touch the suspension.

Now that's a real ramble but it is interesting to lay out the reasons.

TimJ.

[Jamo]

Old tech.

Prado is smaller and IMHO less robust.

Pajero is also IMHO less robust.

100ser overpriced for what you get, for me it was uncomfortable to sit in ( i had several drives in a Sahara - seats felt like sitting on bricks), also questions about robustness (pinion gears etc), I could go on.

Patrol....I'm not sure where to start:D

None of the above vehicles had the technology, safety or equipment level offered by my D3.

Plus, they're not Land Rovers!:cool:

In the 145000km I've done, of which around 40% has been gravel, farms etc, not one bolt or screw has rattled loose. Not one panel squeaks or creaks anywhere in the car.

[WhiteD3]

Prado and LC? Good vehicles but they're like backsides,...everyone has one.
Was tempted with the then new model Pajero but after it was optioned up it was the same price as the D3 without the same capability.

The D3 came with free servicing for 3 years and is so far beyond the capabilities of its rivals there was no other choice.

[rmp]

Interesting stuff guys. Re RRP; well you wouldn't pay RRP on any new car, so the RRP is more a relative cost figure than anything else.

Understand some people just wanted a Land Rover, but the post is about reasons other than brand loyalty.

[Graeme]

Just ordered one for the good ride and height adjustment capability of its air suspension for my wife's crook back and we certainly can't afford a RR. I'm also impressed with LR's detailed technical info available via GTR.

[300+]

I went to buy a used D2 and was offered 25% off on the spot on a D3. The RRP really is only there to scare off customers who just read the brochure.

Cheers, Steve

[Guss]

The Prado/Pajero have little leg room in the 3rd row seats

[stevo68]

When I bought my D3 in 05, a big part was that it was an LR as had always wanted one....plus I think the look of the D3 leaves the others behind. Another part was have never been a fan of japanese cars....never owned one...never will. Though to be objective I did go and test drive some of the other makes. With 4 children at the time, the 7 seat set up left the others for dead. It had what I called practical luxury and I knew it would take me where I wanted to go. It was functional and practical.

On road handling was fantastic and as I later found...off road...brilliant. And if Im going to be really honest.....prestige as well......I just dont see Prado's/Patrols etc in the same light. I still miss the D3 and as they drop in price.....like mine did...will have another one in a year or 2.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/09/726.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/972.jpg

Regards

Stevo

[Davirob]

I have had several 4wds, including Toyota, and my short list included Prado, Pathfinder, and Pajero however the test drives, including off road tests, convinced me that it was way ahead of anything else in a similar price range. So far I'm very happy with it.

[Searover]

Test drove a Toyota 100 series, 2 weeks later test drove A D3, the rest is history.

And exactly as stevo68 said except I've owned only Toyota/Nissans in the past, probably never again,the only problem i see is you get the Land Rover Bug, now all I want is a Defender 90 and a clasic series to complete the set.

Regards

[Dingmark Jim]

...i can't even bear putting the rear wheel carrier on it. besides it sits on the wrong side because it covers the assymetrical tailEugene

Alas, the rear wheel carrier which fits to the plastic bumper has to go on the right side, as the rego plate is on the left side. I've had the carrier for nearly 3 yrs now and it's much better to use when sitting in mud than trying to extract the spare from underneath. Also, when SWMBO forgets to latch the spare carrier and it swings out towards oncoming traffic, one gets lots of odd stares from swerving cars. :o

[Tote]

I was replacing a 2000 D2 and our family had grown by two since I bought it. A Prado was smaller than a D2 and SWMBO would not have a Pajero after getting sore jiggly bits from one of the old leaf sprung non intercooled ones I had as a work vehicle years ago.
That leaves:
Patrol. I dont like the 3ltr motor much and its just too old a design, although rugged enough.

Landcruiser. When I was buying the disco 3 the 200 series was just released and the attitude from the dealer when I asked if I could drive before I ordered one was "NO". Besides I'd rather nice dead cow interior than acres of grey Toyota plastic.

Defender. Not really in the same market as we were looking for a comfortable vehicle to do 50,000 Km a year in.

Troopie. As for defender but with less class.

When I bought the D2 it was a significantly larger purchase than my D1 at $56K versus 40K but I had been glad that I had made the choice as I got a significantly nicer vehicle than the 80 series GXL cruiser that was current then. Interestingly I looked at a Patrol that time but the Canberra dealer said that they didnt sell the six cylinder diesel as no one wanted them.:o The same differences between the D3 and the Cruiser apply today.

So for me the choice came down to a proper 4wd with a comfortable interior and a D3 was the only one that ticked all the boxes.

Regards,
Tote

[CaverD3]

Looked at lots of other possabilities:

Jeep Grand Cherekee- Dog wouldn't fit.

Pathfinder too plastic, rough engine. Dog fitted............just.

Pootrole- too old.

LC100 too old and crap value, when I asked for a test drive the dealer said they did not have one. Could you get one? No!.............Too expensive, same price as D3 for old technology and no goodies.

Pajero, poss but not as good value.

Prado- as LC100.

D3 was great value for money for latest and best off-road vehicle and could fit two of my dog in it.:D

[rocmic]

In my case, I have owned a Jeep and then a '03 Jackaroo TDI. The Jackaroo was great as far as room went but my wife found it very uncomfortable for her back on trip (even a Sydney to Canberra run).

Looked at Pathfinder, however when my 13 year sat in the second row seat his knees were around his ears and he is not that tall. Didn't bother to test drive.

To get Prado or Pajero of similar spec to D3 involved almost similar dollars. Prado 3rd row seat fold up and take up room an load area and affect all round vision.

Reviews of TDV6 and automatic gear box (unfortuately I am the only one who can drive a manual) were uniformly good and after 9000 km I have to agree.

Finally did a deal on an ex demo SE TDV6 - basically no contest.:D
Cheers
Mike

[cjc_td5]

We did the car comparison excercise a couple of months ago, looking to upgrade our 2003 D2 TD5.

Don't like the Prados and too expensive when compared to others.
Came down to a D3 TDV6 S or a GLS Pajero.
The Pajero has lots of fruit but the engine is very noisy (compared to our D2 or especially the D3) and has a lot of road noise through the body etc. The D3 rode much quieter and was a nicer vehicle. When talking pricing, there was about $5K difference between the two (in favour of the Pajero).

My overall impression was that with the Pajero GLS you are buying a mid spec model of the range and noise/finish etc is aimed at a $90K vehicle. With the D3, you are buying the base model of a $110K car. You see this through better noise proofing etc.

Have decided to keep the D2 for now, but was a good excercise.:D

Cheers,

[Desert Traveller]

The only reason I got a D3 was that my kids couldn't fit in RRS.
I like toys with technology all done in luxury and with a dash of class. Sorry only LR has all the boxes ticked.

[Peter_OZ]

we came out of an old Toyota 3L surf so wanted refinement. Wife had a 3 series BMW so choice was getting a new beemer or getting a nicer 4wd, I won out. :D

Looked at the Pajero but the build quality looked dubious, the warranty from what I have read on attempted claims looked dubious and the vehicle just did not feel nice. We tried to get dealers to get back to us for test drives and just got the run around. That was when we went to LR - QED

The air suspension won me! Very cool!

Basically though it drives like a Euro luxury car but with superb off road capability, you get the best of both worlds. Luxury and refinement for onroad and serious offroad cred.

As for the Prado, expensive for what you get and it was too small for our needs.

Don't like the Toyota Landcrusier and as for the Patrol you may as well drive a truck. Reminds me of the old army accos! What a beast! :eek:

[Busman]

When I bought my D3 in 05, a big part was that it was an LR as had always wanted one....plus I think the look of the D3 leaves the others behind. Another part was have never been a fan of japanese cars....never owned one...never will. Though to be objective I did go and test drive some of the other makes. With 4 children at the time, the 7 seat set up left the others for dead. It had what I called practical luxury and I knew it would take me where I wanted to go. It was functional and practical.

On road handling was fantastic and as I later found...off road...brilliant. And if Im going to be really honest.....prestige as well......I just dont see Prado's/Patrols etc in the same light. I still miss the D3 and as they drop in price.....like mine did...will have another one in a year or 2.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/09/726.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/05/972.jpg

Regards

Stevo

Hey Stevo,

The others were right !!
You took to D3 anywhere and everywhere !! (Well Done):D
Great pics.
I put the new Cooper ATRs on today.
Now ready to get a little more serious !!:eek:

[stevo68]

Hey Stevo,

The others were right !!
You took to D3 anywhere and everywhere !! (Well Done):D
Great pics.
I put the new Cooper ATRs on today.
Now ready to get a little more serious !!:eek: Sure did....now it is delegated to being a soccer mums car and shopping trolley :o. Cool look forward to seeing you out and about with the ATR's be interested to see how they perform on the D3......in the interim....get some pics up :),

Regards

Stevo

[baggy17]

Always had sedans (mostly Fords), this was to be our first 4WD. Had my heart set on a Prado - I was looking for a 7-seater. Test drove and found it OK; however both the wife and I were not impressed with the very poor leg room in the third row of the Prado.

Thought we should go down the road to the LR dealer just to check out the new D3. Plenty of leg room in third row (wife was happy since she figured the kids would be happy!); then I test drove it. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

Loved the fact that it had curtain bags all the way to the third row as well. As a sanity check I had a look at the Landcruiser. Front airbags only!!! Could not believe that this "super 4WD" only had front airbags!!!

Was an easy choice from there. Three years on and everyone in the family still loves our Disco3. Best car I ever owned...

[powella]

I was looking at smaller and cheaper vehicles to replace a Subaru Forester. I wanted diesel and automatic, which reduced the list initially but then looking at the cars there were always compromises, ie.
- Hyundai Santa Fe - reasonable car, still 50K for the one SWMBO wanted. But didn't handle all that well and required a suspension kit for towing or more serious off roading
- Nissan XTrail - Diesel - The Auto Transmission is not rated to tow anything decent, hence it was out, as we may be towing stuff in the future (this car has to last 10 yrs)
- Captiva - Simply didn't like it.
- VW Tiguan - Too small - smaller than the Forester in luggage space, probably wouldn't get the fridge in with 4 adults.

Then we went up in size:
- Pajero - NP - The Diesel was unrefined and SWMBO didn't like the interior
- Prado - I wasn't going to pay that much for leather etc.

The parents had a 2007 Prado for a while, and it drove well, but they also had the Discovery 3... The Discovery is just another level up in refinement and ride quality.

Then I started looking around and realised that Ex Lease Discovery 3's were coming up, so for similar money to a new Santa Fe I could get the Disco, so it was off to the dealer with SWMBO in tow(kicking and screaming by this stage, not another 4wd test drive...).

We test drove a 2008 SE, and immediately SWMBO fell for it, the ride, the leather, the dual zone climate... I simply loved the on-road handling in comparison to the Prado and Pajero. It definetly isn't a sports car, but you can't defy the laws of physics with 2.7 tonnes instead of 1.4.

So after a little bit of hunting, I now own the 07 TDV6 HSE (yes it was more than the Santa Fe).

AP

[asterix]

Hi all,

whilst i am approaching the end of my current vehicle lease (06 Pathfinder TD), i have been doing a lot of research on replacement vehicles and the D3 keeps ticking all the boxes. The Pathy has been a good day to day vehicle, for what it cost me. Ive added a few things to enhance performance and functionality (Steinbauer P Box, Sat nav/dvd, TJM bullbar, etc) and has never let me down. However, after reading umpteen reviews and test driving several, my mind is made up to replace it with a D3.

Fantastic performance, ride, handling, safety and ability, topped of with a sumptious interior with heaps of room. Some of the things i have seen D3's do off road have been amazing (compared to highly modified alternates).

All i can say is that i cant wait to park my bum on that soothing leather seat that will be my D3 https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/09/470.jpg.

cheers
Geoff

[CaverD3]

Start exercising the face muscles in anticipation of actually owning one. :D

[bezzita]

I went to buy a used D2 and was offered 25% off on the spot on a D3. The RRP really is only there to scare off customers who just read the brochure.

Cheers, Steve


sorry off topic. May I know which D3 you get 25% off? S, SE or HSE? Diesel of petrol? TIA

[Disco Steve]

I have a fix all kit for a Pajero......














......its called a hand granade:wasntme:

[p38arover]

I haven't driven a D3. :(

I'm not game to. :D

[300+]

sorry off topic. May I know which D3 you get 25% off? S, SE or HSE? Diesel of petrol? TIA

At the time it seemed to be all of them, although the discounts seemed higher on the petrol engined ones. This was almost 3 years ago, but I ended up with a V8 SE.

Cheers, Steve

[PCH]

The air suspension was a major factor. Very comfortable and relatively quite to drive on dirt roads with corrugations as opposed to a live axle Prado or LC. The Pajero has way to much road noise. I've been in one on a sealed road and the road noise is unacceptable imho.

Another major factor was the internal space which is great because of the boxey shape at the rear. Also the boxey shape make parking soooo easy becasue you can judge all 4 corners very easily.

The D3 is much better value for money than the LC for similar creature comforts.

I like the tailgate which acts as a shelter when opened unlike both the Prado and Pajero which swing open and also need more rear room to fully open.

Things that I didn't like about the D3 at the time was:
-very few aftermarket accessories back in 2005 but this is different now.
-there were no AT or MT's available in 18" at that time but that has changed now.
-snow chains were impossible (or a rip off price from LR) to get and fit on the 18" relegating me to get 17" rims and tyres.
-I still don't like the spare being under the back but I suppose there isn't much option to fit it to a split tailgate.
-The tow hitch is ridiculous but I've now got the Mitchell Bros one.

Chris

[TDV6]

Towing ability, 350kg download limit and 3.5t tow limit. Chassis length is better for towing than RR. We have a 3ton off road van thats usually at max load etc.

Air suspension, diesel motor, and side airbag protection. We had a 93RR LSE which I thought was dam good, but pranged it.

When going for test drives niether the Nissan or Toyota guy would get off the bitumen, while LR said take the Disco and come back in a few hours its yours to drive and sent us on our way to play.

The Cruiser just didnt cut it and a Patrol couldnt tow the weight and wasn't constant 4wd. After having a RR for a few years they didn't measure up to comfort and ability for me.