Thread: looking for opinions about first 4wd to buy

Just something for starters.
Patrol GU - avoid the 3 litre like the plague, they go bang big time. High mileage 2.8 will crack its head and the clutch is an expensive dual mass jobbie.
Jackaroo Diesel - very expensive and unreliable [?] injectors.
Cheers.

Hi Richard
You will most likely get a bias view on this site, but what the heck I believe it will be an honest one.
My choice would be a disco1 with 300tdi
my reason are
simple engine with no electronic controls on engine
probaley the best of that size 4x4 on fuel
good example within your budget
engine will go for 1/2 million kms if serviced and looked after
The only down fall would be the way the seats face in the rear
cheers
blaze

A late 90's Dicovery I with the 300Tdi (4cyl) engine will come in under $10K, and they were very sorted by then (end of model). After that you go to the TD5 engine (5 cyl) in Discovery II. Both engines are 2.5 litres.

Have a read here for an overview: [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover_Discovery"]Land Rover Discovery - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Both diesels get excellent MPG. The 300 is a bit better than the TD5, but you can really crank up the power on a TD5 by chipping it, which you can't do on the 300. Mileage is generally around 10L/100Km, perhaps 11L/100 for the TD5.

The boot in a Discovery I is quite a bit smaller than a DII and you can get 7 seaters in both models.

You've got a lot of reading in front of you!!

I don't own a land rover but I can answer some of your other questions. I currently have a GQ patrol on Gas and a MQ Patrol on Diesel. If your going to be doing mostly 4wding around civilization than GAS (LPG) is fine. If you want to do remote desert crossings and anything for extended periods of time away from the city then the LPG in my mind is not an option. It just isn't as available as a jerry can or long ranger tank. MY GQ at best will get 500k with LPG and Petrol on the highway. Hence why I'm looking at Diesel Disco's and Defenders myself. What ever you do don't buy a 3 litre patrol as it is a grenade. There is heaps of topics on that motor on trucks in your price range. They have the new ones sorted out but your not getting one of those for 10g. The 2.8's are good and the 4.2's are better but you'll be hard pressed to get a good 4.2 for that coin in a GU. Maybe in a GQ. My GQ is great for driving around town on gas and eats the bush like no other but for me she won't cross the Simpson and that is my ultimate goal at the moment. It's really all up to what you want to do with your truck.

G'day Richard

Given that this is a Land Rover site - the answers are bound to be biased toward the pommy product.

For weekend work the discovery 1 is a good vehicle - the diesel is cheaper to run.

They are quite comfy although the 6th and 7th seats are only for short journeys or little kids ( < 5 yo )

What ever you do, leave room in your budget for maintainance - These will be 10 yo vehicles, whatever you get, and will need something repaired and then ongoing regular maintainance

You will also want some 4wd gear - leave $500 to $1000 for basic recovery gear

You may also need new rubber - $1000 +

Then you may need a roof rack or tow bar/trailer combo.

Look for one with a detailed service history.

Don't fall for the first shiny vehicle you see - Dealers have a way of making vehicles look more than what they are worth.

Good Luck

Here's a thought. Do some research on where the local Landy independent workshop centres are. These often have Discos and Classic Rangies for sale as well. You just may pick up a well maintained and reasonably priced vehicle. Especially if you intend to have them look after it for you. Bargaining point and also an honesty point. Also get them to do a precheck for you. More honesty.

Hi Richard,
You would probable be best to ask on each site for each model you are looking at. Ie/ Landrover on landrover site and Nissan on Nissan site as you will get different answers for each model on there own sites.
Once you have done this that will give you a model of each to try and find to look at.
I like the simplicity of D1 side facing seven seat option but the D2 has your forward facing 7 seat.
The V8 seems to be more reliable then the TD5 but uses more fuel.
If i was chooseing between V8 and TD5 I would still go the TD5.
But i still like V8 just can not convince wife re fuel.
All the little problems you have can be fixed and there are a lot of threads on here about them. Me I am still staying with my TDI 300 for now.
Just clicked over 270000 and i have had it for 10 years.
Its a Landrover thing they tend to grow on you.

Originally Posted by bblaze

Hi Richard
You will most likely get a bias view on this site, but what the heck I believe it will be an honest one.
My choice would be a disco1 with 300tdi
my reason are
simple engine with no electronic controls on engine
probaley the best of that size 4x4 on fuel
good example within your budget
engine will go for 1/2 million kms if serviced and looked after
The only down fall would be the way the seats face in the rear
cheers
blaze

I agree with Blaze.
Also you can get a D1 V8 on gas(If you buy petrol get one on gas already as it is expensive to put on rovers) For 5G's easy then you have 5G's left to spend on tyres suspension ect. The gas will be o.k around town and short stints but as said if you want to go further the diesel is the go.
The patrol will also be a good choice but for the money i think you would be looking at a GQ. Whatever you get in this price range will most likely be high Kms So get it checked by someone that knows that type of vehicle.