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Thread: D2a shopping fun

  1. #1
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    D2a shopping fun

    Well I have had a look at a few D2a TD5 models over the last week or so and at the moment there are two I am considering but neither is without some issues to address.

    Both are 04 D2a Classic models with 7 seats.

    First one is white VIN: cant find right now but I pm'd it to Scouse last week
    Second is gold VIN: SALLTGM834A856412

    The first has just under 100k on the clock and is due for a service. It is at a dealer whom is using it as his commute car at the moment. One owner (aside from the dealer!) with a good service history.

    There are a few dings which are being fixed and a headlight that looks like it is about to fall out. Also the black wheel arches are faded badly which suggests that the car has sat in the sun for most of its life.

    The major issue is two part. One, under the rear of the car (ie the fuel tank) someone has spray painted it black. The job looks rough with some paint on the muffler. When I asked the dealer he suggested that it may have been done during a detail (right!??). He was happy to put the car on a hoist to have a look but was adamant that it was fine. The car drove fine and I couldnt feel or see any damage etc.

    The problem was that when I mentioned I would like to get it checked out by MR Automotive the dealer flatly refused. He said he would rather not sell the car than deal with them. He was happy for RACQ or the local LR dealer to have a look at it but not MR. I got the impression this may have been due to some bad blood in the past but it left me uncertain about the car.

    The second car has very low kms 80k and has an adequate service history (ie every 20k but has only had 4 services in six years). The body is in fantastic nick (unlike the one above) but there were two issues.

    Firstly the air springs have been removed. There was no extra fob on the key for the SLS and when I got underneath to have a look two bright yellow springs were there to greet me. Problem is when I asked the owner about this they said they had never changed anything or were aware that it had SLS! I spoke to the wife so maybe the husband knows about this?? It seems odd to me that a car with very low kms that has never done any hard work would need to have the SLS fixed or replaced but hey it is an LR!

    Car seemed to handle okay and no warning lights etc were telling me there was a problem with the SLS so I assume the coil conversion has been done properly.

    The big concern with this car is the auto trans (I think). Car shifts gear with no fuss as long as I keep it under 4k revs. When you push the car harder up to 4k it is like the car gets stuck in gear and wont change. Eventually it does but not without some fuss. There are no loud clunks or smoke etc

    Can anyone tell me what is happening here? Is the auto just in need of a service or is there a major problem? The owner is happy for me to take it to MR for an inspection but I dont want to waste time if the auto is rooted

    And finally which one to go with. The missus is sick to death with me talking about Discos!!! The first one has the SLS still in and has no issues when driving it but the dealer refuses an inspection by MR and the painted underbody issue is a concern. The second drives nice until you hit 4k rpm and the box has trouble changing gear it also has no SLS anymore however it has 20k less on the odometer and the body is in good nick.

    Both cars are similar in price at $25k. I know there are D2a models out there in better nick but they are fetching prices above $25k and this is my limit budget wise.

    Any opinions or advice would be welcome.

    Cheers

    Michael

  2. #2
    Discobaker Guest
    Forget the first one, I'd bet money that if you looked under all the cars in the yard, some would have had components of the underside painted & others wouldn't, hence, what are they trying to cover up??? Especially considering he won't let you have it inspected by your desired party. Even if there is bad blood between the dealer & MR automotive, who said you even had to tell him it was a yard car? You could tell him it's private sale & u want a second opinion.
    Second one sounds great provided the spring conversion has been done correctly & chances are, if it was released from factory with SLS all the components (compressor etc) are still there & you could put bags in later on if you're not happy with the springs. I've done the spring conversion on mine & am more than happy regardless of what others opinions are. I don't do heavy off road & don't do alot of towing.
    The auto trans may just need a service? They hate old dirty oil & I'd be surprised if a service doesn't fix the issue.
    My 2c worth
    Hope it helps get you over the line, good luck

  3. #3
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    Go for Gold

    Rockstar.

    More inclined to go for the gold rig. Sounds like they might do a lot of towing to have already changed springs if it's all in good condition and no other mods. Does it look like it's been off road?

    This may also explain the changing in the transmission, which probably just needs to be serviced (tweaked).

    The dealer sounds like a goose. Cut off his nose despite his face.

    Also with regards to price not sure if $25k is too much, assuming you have checked against redbook etc and the market. Other's on forum will no doubt jump to this one.

    Regards
    Andrew

  4. #4
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    re the auto - I'd get it checked out. My Td5 auto cost $2500 to rebuild (cash- and that was 5 years ago)

    re the SLS. unless you want better flex and an easy way to lift why would you change the airbags? They tow better with the airbags than the coils - carry more weight etc. Even if an airbag leaks they are cheap and easy to replace. Are they the first owners? Definately need to speak to said husband.

    cheers

  5. #5
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    They are both one owner cars with books. I prefer to buy from a private owner than a dealer but having said that

    the white one still has SLS whereas the gold one has had it taken out (I tow a trailer and while it is not a deal breaker it would be handy) and

    the white one has had the underbody painted but the gold one has an issue with the transmission (or MAF could be the problem, I don't really know).

    The gold one is really low kms and looks as though it has never seen dirt.

    Comes from a very affluent suburb in Brisbane and was used for the school run. No scratches and the underside is very clean without looking suspiciously clean (if you know what I mean!!).

    I guess I might take the jump with that one and rely on the fact that MR are good at what they do and will sort it out before I commit the dollars

    OR

    find out it needs a rebuild.

    On a side not when I took the Gold one for a drive I went past a D2 parked on in a side street sitting with its arse flat on the back wheels. Obviously both airbags had leaks.

    Cheers for the feedback

    Michael

  6. #6
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    Hi Michael

    Agree with others - dont buy the first one ! You need to get a full inspection from someone you really know and trust.

    Get a thorough inspection of the second one - 4 services in 6 years is not enough especially as it sounds like its done lots of short trips (school run). But if it all checks out, it still has the SLS compressor etc in place I would seriously consider it. But $25K with no ACE or extra's is not a bargain, so be prapared to haggle as it wont sell quicly at that price.

    Good luck !
    Cheers

    Simon
    2003 D2a TD5, ACE, SLS, Vienna Green.

  7. #7
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    I would disagree about price. I would rather pay less for it but I have been looking for 4 months now.

    There is a handful of D2a models that have been on the net now for months. Some are asking around the $30k mark. Others are closer to $20k but have kms well over 150k or in some cases over 200k.

    The other one I was planning to look at sold to an interstate buyer for $26.5k with 120k on the clock with some extras such as sahara bar and aftermarket shocks. A black 04 classic with leather sold for $30k in about a day or so with 130k. HSE models are rare and have been priced above the $30k mark and sell in less than a week. ACE on a D2a is very rare. There are plenty of earlier models with it fitted but then there are other issues with kms and age of vehicle.

    When I first started looking I was ready to buy a Platinum edition with 120k for about $23k but it sold like a hot cake (I missed it due my son being hospitalised!!). Another one was a 5 seat classic with 100k sold in less than a week. Since then anything with lowish kms under $25 goes like a hot cake.

    I am back at work next week and interstate trips/inspections are not possible anymore (I had some time off work until now).

    Basically if I cant secure a truck within the next week or so it will have to be something else that is easy to find in good nick (like another suby in the family).

    I will speak to MR tomorrow and will negotiate on price regarding the transmission as I am sure there will be something to fix there.

    Red book values are way below what people are selling these for. Market value on insurance sits around $22-24k

    Thus I agree Simon, its not a bargain but people buy these cars quickly and often without any proper inspection. Things like leather and 7 seats a major drawcards for many buyers outside of the LR universe. Carsales has 20 TD5 D2a models currently listed. At any time in the last 4 months this has never increased past about 33 cars (in Australia). That is not many to compare or bargain with locally.

    $25k makes me nervous as it leaves little to cover all the niggles and gripes that I am sure the car will have over the first few months.

    BUT it only has 80k on the clock and I do long trips nearly every day. I need the kms up my sleeve!!!

    Cheers for the feedback

    Michael

  8. #8
    Discobaker Guest
    Is this an option?
    Item number-250722577701?
    It has hail damage but only 170 odd thousand kms fir 19K, with the change you could have it repaired in your own time?
    Meh, I'm bored lol

  9. #9
    Discobaker Guest
    Prob not now I've just realised where you're located lol

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by rockstar View Post
    The second car has very low kms 80k and has an adequate service history (ie every 20k but has only had 4 services in six years)
    Is that really adequate? I cant remember my Td5's service history but i'm sure i got it every 10Kkm. I know that i do with my V8.
    At the very least i would want the oil changed every 10K max. After all oil and filters are cheap in the sceme of things.

    ps Toyotas and Pootrols need it every 5K

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