good, bad and ugly- P38a or 03 disco?

[Dan00h]

well, I am looking at buying a P38a or 03 disco. currently upgrading as our faithful 96 mazda v6 is too small with the family.

looking for opinions on both (autos) as a family car - driven 4 days a week. Considerations are cost (purchase and running), maintenance, comfort, RELIABILITY :) and usability (some light and occasional heavy towing).

I am also thinking about the following - XC70, grand cherokee or pajero. Cruiser and patrol are too big.

budget is 25k tops.

Thanks

Daniel

[V8Landy]

Depends on if you will take it offroad. I have seen a standard p38a in the bush and it was awesome until the electrics played up then overheated. The Disco would also be a good choice I think less likely to break down. Make sure the Disco has the centre difflock as some(certain yr models someone will know which)did not have them and some had them but not hooked up. If you go a diesal disco fuel economy will be good but a V8 (my favourite) will be expensive to run so get one already on gas. You will get either in the price range. I voted the Disco;)

[JamesH]

There are too many XC90s on the road and they are so popular with people who like them for the "wrong" reasons that i suspect they are over priced. I love a P38a and it seems though just from reading here they cause too much grief for a family workhorse.

D3, it's a Landy, it's modern, it's an easy choice.

[Jock The Rock]

I'd say the Disco as well, maybe a TD5 auto. Theres heaps around in that price range

I don't think I'd ever touch a P38 (personal preference) after hearing other peoples problems and the cost of parts I would much rather a nice DII

[Grumbles]

Grand Cherokeee - has the same problems as a P38. Blend motors, V8 - head problems. Electronics. And extrordinarily expensive parts pricing. Diesel GCs can be a time bomb - I wouldn't touch one.

Pajero - probably reliable but perhaps prone to oil leaks. A bit boring though.

P38 - a well maintained one with the heater 'O' rings, blend doors and top hat liners done would be the go for me. For sheer driving pleasure and pride of ownership [with all its foibles] it can't be beaten.

[stevo68]

A picture tells a thousand words....my choice.....

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/05/189.jpg

Regards

Stevo

[willem]

P38 - a well maintained one with the heater 'O' rings, blend doors and top hat liners done would be the go for me. For sheer driving pleasure and pride of ownership [with all its foibles] it can't be beaten.

Agreed 100%! A good P38a is a magnificent car, and very competent and capable. Get to know it, sort the issues out, and you will have a magnificent chariot that will take you anywhere in comfort. 25K should get you a very late model one with low kms.

Not all P38s have reliability problems. I was talking to one P38 owner whose 99 4.0 had travelled over 280 000kms, including trips to the Gulf of Carpentaria with no significant problems.

Willem

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

g'day,

i can most certainly tell you that the p38a is a great fourby to owne.:thumbsup:
i myself have had one and taken it off road with not a problem. pretty much had all the goodies that come with a rangie, leather, climate, electrics EVERYTHING. the only down fall is the lack of accsessories available for it, ie: Snorkels
Bullbars ( i think you can get one now but for a high price).

when off road she handled pretty well and the fact that they have air suspention if you do decide in getting one is that invest in spare air bags. (you dont want one of them going on you in the bush. You have to look out for river crossings as well, rangie electrics and water dont mix very well and some of the boys on here could tell ya about it.:o

At the moment i own a 95 D1 300tdi which is a bit earlier than what you are after but all i can say is i thank my luck stars i got it. Fuel milage is great, i get about 650L to 700L per tank depending what i do with her, accsessories are endless and over all just a great fourby in and out of the bush.

So in conclusion i would go for a Disco with diesel.

happy decisions!!!!!:D

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

Depends on if you will take it offroad. I have seen a standard p38a in the bush and it was awesome until the electrics played up then overheated. The Disco would also be a good choice I think less likely to break down. Make sure the Disco has the centre difflock as some(certain yr models someone will know which)did not have them and some had them but not hooked up. If you go a diesal disco fuel economy will be good but a V8 (my favourite) will be expensive to run so get one already on gas. You will get either in the price range. I voted the Disco;)

lol that wouldnt be a certain p38 that challenged the otways now would it brett?????:p

Hell of a lot of fun though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ace]

In the end it doesnt so much matter what you buy brand wise, you just need to do your homework and buy something that has been looked after and serviced.

An 03 TD5 Auto discovery would make an ideal family vehicle, economical, handles well on road and very competent off road.

The P38A is a great car, and they do have a bad reputation, they arent all bad, but if you are unlucky enough to get a lemon then they cost big dollars, or can do.

Im told the P38A models post 2000 have bosch electrics so are less problematic than the mid 90's models.

Dare i say it, but the Diesel Pajero is also a good vehicle, and again you will hear horror stories about them like any other brand, but essentially a well serviced diesel Paj is a good choice aswell. Not as capable as the Disco though, and probably not as nice to drive either.

I wouldnt even bother with the Jeep, but thats a personal thing, they have their problems like anything else, but there are many people who are as passionate about Jeeps as we are about land rovers, and post this thread on a Jeep forum and they will have you convinved a Jeep is the way to go.

Volvo isnt my thing, but i might suit your needs.

In the end test drive them all and buy the one you like and that you feel will best suit your needs, however i still stand with the TD5 Disco choice, nice vehicle and good value for money on the second hand market.

[V8Landy]

lol that wouldnt be a certain p38 that challenged the otways now would it brett?????:p

Hell of a lot of fun though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was a lot of fun and as i said it was awesome offroad until the troubles started. A good one would be very nice especially as the wifes car to tow the van and scoot the family around in.:D:D:D

[Ace]

It was a lot of fun and as i said it was awesome offroad until the troubles started. A good one would be very nice especially as the wifes car to tow the van and scoot the family around in.:D:D:D

thats for sure, i've been for a ride in Ron's and they certainly are a very nice vehicle. Its a pitty they are plagued by certain issues, and whilst not all of them are troubled if you get one that is they are costly to repair and the electronics make them a bit more complicated for the home DIY mechanic.

[adm333]

If you don't want to buy a P38 then for god's sake, do not under any circumstances test drive one.

Even a short test drive and you will likely be infected with the P38 virus.

This like getting an instant addiction to crack. It feels soooo gooood you just want more.

You justify things to yourself that no rational person could understand.

It will cost you money, but the high is worth it.

....... or you could just be "Mr Sensible" and buy a discovery.

Seriously though, at arond 10 years of age a P38 has some mandatory maintenance tasks that need to be done. It is better to bite the bullet and get each area fixed properly rather than to tinker with bits and pieces - this is like death by a thousand cuts. If you budget around 8K for these necessary repairs then you will have a VERY decent, reliable car.
So budget = 25K, buy one for 17 - 18K and keep 7 - 8 K for these repairs and you will be fine. If you buy one for 25K then you may be in trouble.

Just my two cents

Dave

[PAT303]

I've driven all the vehicles you have choosen and from a drivers point of view all the ''common'' vehicles are the same,the D2 is above them and RR's from the P38 above are a lap in front. Pat

[PhilipA]

Geez, look at the result.

What was he thinking posting this on a LAND ROVER forum?

Did he expect a majority for Pajero?

I agree witrh the Disco.
Regards Philip A

[Bytemrk]

I guess my personal choice in vehicle makes me slightly biased..

But it looks like I'm in good company ;)

Mark

[andrew e]

Disco 2s are a bit more reliable with the smaller simpler things, (like ac blend motors) but i would say that a p38 has a more reliable drivetrain. Yes some of the engines have liner problems, but after 99, they used the same block as a d2 anyway. The gearbox's are larger and stronger, as is the steeringbox. The transfer cases do eventually get a bit of backlash, after many many kms, but that is just a stretched chain. The axles are a similar design, p38s have bigger wheel bearings. The p38s have stronger diffs - rear is a 4 gear. compressor seals wear out, but you can get rebuild kits for 150 (or 35ukp). airbags are not much either these days, and last 8-10 years. Exhausts seem to rust out, but mabe thats just the cars i have seen.

The P38 has better vision, seating position, aircon, chairs, suspension, handling, sterio (way better than most aftermarket ones aswell). They are longer wheelbase and more power, so they tow better.

Personal opionion here, but i have found p38s very easy to work on, even easier than a D2.

Take them both for a test drive and report back.

Andy

[Michael2]

May I discreetly whisper the word DEFENDER in your ear.

Iconic, ageless, capable, has character, and is by far the most popular vehicle with families (read - children).

Also the least likely to lose much value, and the one that will last long enough to pass on to the kids as thier car.

As for family comfort, friends with more oppulant vehicles comment that the Defender is more comfortable over a long distance. Ie the seat on a Paj may seem plush, but after 5 hours, it's the Defender that will give you a more supportive ride. Go on a winding gravel drive and share a passanger with a Pajero, and they will comment that in the lesser vehicle (over the same terrain) they felt car sick.

[81stubee]

I voted for a P38, but see terms and conditions below:

- Must have top-hatted/new motor
- Must be 2000 or later
- Must have decent warranty or perfect service history at a specialist mechanic or similar.
- Even better if you can twirl your own spanner or two

They are an excellent wagon, The ride is fantastic, handling is better than you would expect for a 2 1/2 tonne four wheel drive, but the Disco II's with ACE are meant to be pretty good from what I have been told. There are other options like you have listed, that will probably be better on road, I guess the XC90 would be OK handling wise, the pajero, disco, and P38 will be above the others when off-road, all depends on what you want.

As a family wagon that is extremely comfortable, great on-road and even better off-road, you can't go past a P38. As someone above said:

IF YOU READ ALL THIS, AND DECIDE A P38 WILL BE TO UNRELIABLE ETC. DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMTANCES TAKE ONE FOR A DRIVE!!!!:o

My Two Cents

Styu

[81stubee]

Oh, I forgot to add, If you buy a landrover, you will have all the help you ever need on this forum and others. And the ability to buy diagnostic equipment for as little as $1000

Stu

[Dan00h]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback :) the P38 and 2003 on are what heads my list.

still waiting to drive a p38, but suspect I will enjoy it :) drive a friends ML320 and it was RUBBISH! really impressed how the disco is on road. I had to throw in the other makes to show I have looked around!

i will let you know my progress - thanks all