Thread: D2 or D2a which to buy

TD5 or V8? Manual or auto? Cheers

Just some aspects to consider that don't normally come to mind:

D2(as opposed to D2a) headlights will be cheaper and easier to locate if it came to a breakage. Happened to me in my D1. On the highway hit a bird that flew into my path, smashed the headlight lens. D1 and D2 both fit(even tho they are different) .. so got away with a cheap fix.
If you go bush, it's not unreasonable to expect a bit of panel damage(accidental or otherwise) .. and D2s tailights are fewer and further between too ..

So the way I'd rationalise the decision, is that if you can't decide either way on one aspect of the differences(history/klms done/condition), then rationalise it in an overall possible cost analysis(cost of replacement parts/panels/etc).

Both auto diesels, he not the fastest drive either so I,ll be taking them for a spin to clear the cobwebs out
of them occasionally when he moves down here later this year .

Unless you have good reason to avoid, the D2A is a better thing.

There were a myriad of changes, from steering box to body mounts and everything in-between.

You should have all the later ECUs in it as well, which were probably all better.

The headlights IMO look better, but will let hard to keep looking that way, especially if you park outside a lot.

D2a lights look better, but are less effective.

However, service history and why is old mate selling in 12 months?

Hi Tombie,
Its his mrs,s car and she now works from home so they have decided on a small runabout as they dont need the disco anymore.
Thats the story I got from the ad - also from the bloke when he rang me back yesterday.

Despite what was touted in terms of some several hundred changes, the practical reality is that the D2a and D2 have nothing between them in ability, finish etc. I would not hesitate to get a lower k and well serviced version of a D2 over a D2a with much higher k's and a lesser service history (ie when you are talking in the 200k to 300k band say). Get's more tricky when the lower mileage version has an unknown service history...for that I would probably go the higher k version with a full history but 300,000k is getting up there, even for the TD.
Cheers

Thats my mates quandary....
Buy a good serviced slightly older model or go for the newer, less mileage but unknown service history hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

DG