Thread: Good buy or something amis?

as they say... caveat emptor...

much can be amiss - but on the other hand it can be ok

I'd be cautious of the coastal location (beach use??) added to the fact that it is on fleebay (can be a way to unload dodgy stuff)

if it was me considering it I'd HAVE to look at it for myself...

Originally Posted by Larns

Now before you all rant that this is in the wrong section, I know, but I value the opinion of people that work on their own rigs a little more, and being Isuzu owner/lovers your cut from the same slice so to speak.

The missus has been Heavly suggesting that we need a bigger car as a family car, up untill recently I've been pretending to not hear her
That is untill I did some work on a mates 96 disco, when I realised......hay this would make a great family car, comfortable, power steering, central locking, high field of view, no ECU, same as a defender underneith and can fit heaps more crap than in the kia.

I've been trolling the classifieds for a bout a month now an have found this
Land Rover Discovery TDI - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 07-Aug-08 18:08:21 AEST)

Now this is on the cheap side for even a 97 model, sounds the goods though. Now the sinic in me says "there is a reason this is so cheap" but I cant afford to let it pass if it is on the level, probably my only chance to get a disco.

I'm in the process of talking to the owner at the moment.

Please post all thoughts, I'm on the fence on this one. I don't won't to fly down and drive back to darwin with a dud.............I can't afford to.

Thanks in advance

Hope this helps;

$4500 is a good price, but yes, i'd be concerned buying it without an inspection at least. I notice No bids!! ???

You will also note the 'WA' VIN number prefix. This is a LATE 1997 more likely a 1998 build and as such MAY even have a suffix K R380 fitted, the stronger edition of these boxes.

The other thing to note with these compared to a 'fender, is they are pretty weak in the body. They suffer from cracks and fatigue in the footwells and rear body mounts, and these are expensive to repair unless you have a mig and plenty of time. This is only a problem with overloaded and improperly sprung vehicles travelling harsh roads, and I have seen lots like it. In fact this is an area of vehicle inspections I make a note of looking at first. If it is cracked and dmaged etc, I won't even go further with the inspection due to the cost of repairs. I have even seen the battery trays and front rad support broken clean through in these
The whole drivetrain is almost identical to a fender except for the absence of a sals in the rear, and bigger brakes on the 'fender.
I would buy one, but pay $$$ for a good example. The cost of getting one up to scratch if it has problems will be almost the same in the end!

E bay is a risk unless you can inspect thoroughly!

JC

I was going to say spend a bit more and buy P38arover's disco, it was a good car before he bought it, ( I nearly got it myself) and knowing how Ron is with his vehicles it would have only got better. I cannot find the ad, perhaps a pm is in order.

Originally Posted by justinc

E bay is a risk unless you can inspect thoroughly!

That's the key

I wouldn;t hesitate based solely on price, If everyone did, Dobbo would never have got the fabled 2.5k county

But be weary, as with all things from ebay, and have a look at it, or atleast get someone nearby to

Originally Posted by rovercare

But be weary, as with all things from ebay, and have a look at it, or atleast get someone nearby to

From bitter experience, I'll back that.

Wish I'd had rovercare check out my bucket of pus before I bought it

Thanks so far guys for all the comments, it sort of settles me to know that I'm justified if being a little cautious. I just don't know disco's other than the drive line.
I don't mind if I have to do a little welding as I hold my structural certificate and have my own fab business, and I also don't mind fixing the drive train up either as I was a Diesel mec for over 10yrs (still am ocasionally). However the engine is something I can't afford to rebuild and the body,ie. interior panels and such. I don't want to have to deal with.

I have talked via e-mail with him so far, seems a genuin bloke, he's a diesel mech and has done the work himself (presumably in his workshop).
He has told me that the car has pretty bad paint on the roof and bonnet, and told me that he wouldn't hesitate to drive the thing to Darwin (which is what I'm gonna do if bought).

I'm going to call him tomorrow so I spose I'll see how it goes. Thanks for the VIN info, where did you pull that from? I'd love to have someone check it out for me, but alas, I know no one around "South Cardiff", plus being a mech I think if he was really dishonest he'd know how to hide things pretty well.

Thanks guys, if you can think of things that I'd need to check on inspection I'd appreciate it

Originally Posted by Larns

I know no one around "South Cardiff",

If it's South Cardiff in Newcastle NSW you know a few people from this forum. I can't check it out this week and apart from the basics probably couldn't tell you much anyway.

One or two of the Lake Macquarie, Newcastle or Stockton boys may be able to help.

So much for not knowing anyone around that area, turns out my fishing buddy's parents live just around the corner!
They arn't mechanicaly minded though so I think I'll fly down have a look myself, that way I have no one but myself to blame if it is a lemon. And on the plus side if it dose have a few thing that need fixing, I'll crash at my mates parents place for a few days and use his old mans tools, he's a fitter so he should have the majority of things.

Cheers, don't forget any disco tips to look for if you have any.