Thread: Should I buy a D1?

Hi Andrew,

If you've got $10K you'll be able to get a fairly late model D1, say 1995 to 1998 year models. In Diesel, they will be a 300TDi engine, which is a fantastic engine. 2.5L sounds small, but they are surprisingly good especially off road. I don't like the V8's as much as the diesels, but that's just my preference.

You need to do a bit of searching, as there are a number of posts on this topic here, and you probably need to get your bum on the seat of a few and just drive them to see what you think. You might love the noise of the V8

The later D1s were well sorted but you have to remember they are getting on a bit now.

Cheers
David

BTW I have a 1997 300TDi D1 - so there's my bias declared!! I still love it, and it's a "keeper".

so long as theres no rust in the window mounts pillars or the floor pan joints go for any of them...

I like both donks in the discos with a slight preferance for the tdi based soley on the fuel consumption.

Definately has to be a manual for my tastes.

they are surprisingly capable in standard trim but with a 2 inch lift and slightly bigger rubber (which is a very easy mod to do) it opens up a whole new world of capability. which then leads to you adding all sorts of other fun stuff to make it even more capable. then you add stuff to give you an excuse to be able to stay out in the bush longer which leads you to taking the missus who wants you to take more creature comforts so you buy new tents and matresses.

once you've got those you find out that theres not a lot of things to do when your out camping with just you and the missus so shortly one of 2 things happens...

the first has you smiling a lot but eventually winds up leading to you pulling out some of the extras to install baby seats in the disco so you can still go camping about a year later

the second results in you installing a DVD entertainment system.

either way call in re-inforcements for the wallet and then buy a D1. The only thing better than a D1 is a county or defender.

Thanks Blknight,

Those back seat accessories aren't too far away, hence the upgrade form my 1984 4Runner.....

Thanks for your advice...

ahh

do yourself a favor then dont get a 3 door.

I wouldnt call coming from a 4 runner an "upgrade"

if you get a good disco (and there are some lemons out there so be careful) its more like "enlightenment" when you get to looking at them and find one you like drop a line in here somewhere and you might get lucky enough to find someone to have a detailed look at it for you.

D1 diesel definately.
I am biased also.

For that money u should be able to geta good one.

There are still some under 200k km's and a good history is a must.

There is currently a silver one here in the local paper with a few extras that sounds perfect for $10k.

A white one just sold for $8k but was stock standard.
allow some $ for a good service and new hoses etc and than the fun begins like lifts and tyres and diff locks back and front and new radio and standard radio and speakers are truly crap.

I get 10-11l/100 and thats around town with slightly tweaked pump and intercooler and open road I get 9l/100.
Good for towing also.
Once you have a good one, people rarely sell them. 1/2million k's is not out of the question.

Happy hunting mate.

have a look on the car websites there, theres a heap of late 90's disco with all the accesories that can be had for under 10g's. i came for a cruiser, so like me i think you'll love the ride coming from the old leaf springs of the 4runner.

I keep hearing that Landie ownership is more like a spiritual journey rather than regular ownership. (Hours of &#%@&# for years of joy )

Here's hoping. I'll post links when I find some so people can let me know what will be fair to pay.

Thanks all.

Love my '98 tdi D1 5spd. I picked mine up for $8000 . Have had a few problems with it but that is due to the last owner not looking after it . Very capable rig but is also great on the road . when looking at one have a look around the alpine windows for rust and under the carpet in the foot wells for rust also .