Thread: What to do?

1. Anything you can walk away from makes it a good weekend.

2. TD5 Disco: Comfy, long range, more space and familiar engineering.

I have just used Sam from Rangeland at Mortdale.....full engine rebuild and rad etc etc etc on my 98 .......very good work...0410 664 194

Cheers

It sounds like you need a highway vehicle for work, and as you say the running costs of the RR are likely to hold you back there. When I was running a V8 (Stage 1) I was happy while I had a work fuel card but as soon as I didn't I bought a little runabout and kept the V8 for play.

As a former Subaru owner I have to say they are a fabulous vehicle, and really only limited by their low stance. The diesels haven't been fabulously reviewed but certainly the economy would be there. On-road they are excellent. I took mine, stock, to Fraser Island once in the long dry - and I wouldn't do that again. But with raised springs and an aftermarket metal sump guard (factory is plastic? WTF?) I would take one most places I would take an IFS 4wd.

The TD5 disco suggestion sounds good too. But if you have young people and an increased sense of the need for active and passive safety in the car, the Subaru's really are hard to top, IMHO, for a road-baised but light-off-road vehicle.

Hi Shotlister,
Mate as mentioned by one of the other guys you had a great weekend, your son is alive and well, buy lotto.
In regards to a run about, not sure how much of the folding stuff you have, have you considered a Disco 300 Tdi, you can pick one of these up for a reasonable price, you get some safety gear, ABS dual air bags etc, off road capable, not as fast as the Td5, runs on the sniff of an oily rag, easy to maintain, parts are still readily available, I can't comment on a Scoobaroo never had one and I doubt I ever will.
Might be good for a bit of father son bonding doing a few off road excursions learning to drive a 4wd etc he might get the bug.
I just got a 97 300 Tdi for $6k, service history, 2 inch body, 2 inch suspension, bull bar and spotlights, maybe worth considering.

Good to hear that he walked away, I had a friend who wasn't so lucky earlier in the year- in a subaru actually.

In saying that, we have 2 subarus in our fleet. A '01 liberty wagon and a '00 wrx. Both cars are absolutely fantastic. The liberty just keeps going, is great on fuel albeit a tad underpowered and it is incredibly reliable!

I also own an 82 rangie 2 door on 35s.

If the car is a write off i'd take the money and buy a forester or something similar. The rangie will be a money pit, trust me! Definitely not worth it if you're doing long trips, the fuel bill will kill you! If you want a similar vehicle, as said before, a disco is a good choice.

I agree with below.
Realistically to make the rangie as good on the highway and everyday use as a modern subaru or equivalent will take a large sum of money.
I know that driving the rangie is a pleasure, I own a 75 2 door myself, but driving it everyday kills the bank account so I have a subaru for that. Admittedly, its an old brumby but the little 1.8 chews hardly any fuel.
Its actually good because it makes me appreciate my rangie even more!
You could always consider a diesel conversion into the rangie, but without serious know-how and DIY abilities there is a fair bit of money there I think (but couldn't be more than the cost of a 2nd hand disco).
If you could drive the troopy you said you had access to, everyday then I think that changes things...

OK Insurance money is in the bank.

Crunch time.

Soobys are not so cheap and I really love my rangie so here's an idea.

Sell the 2 door and get a 10 yr old P38 for about $20K. That is within my price range.

Q: Is this a bad idea and what do I look for for in an old P38 4.6?

Keep the 2 door and buy a P38 4.6litre. They are much better on the highway for fuel and comfort. My 96 P38 gets close to 700k on a 100litre tank on a highway trip and the 87 RR gets about 350k on 72 litres.
If buying a P38 and have the dough get a Thor engine with the bosch electrics (that is a 2000 or later model) heard they are less problematic but hey its a RR so you are never to be guaranteed to be without some issue.