Thread: Looking at a disco 2

without over-stepping my bounds, and also not trying to unfairly pre-judged a car I have not seen, I must advise you to be careful with that particular dealer. I was dealing with them on a car about a year back, and I have some experience in Panel Beating etc, and the car I was looking at had clearly been in a collision. I asked the dealer and he denied any such thing. I went through inspecting about 10 of the cars on the lot, and all 10 had panel damage repairs, ranging from light to "heavy". Again, I have not seen the LR Disco in question, but after asking a few reasonable questions regarding the condition of the car (ie the side indicators would just pull out, most of the trims removed for paint work had not been replaced properly, and a considerable amount of overspray) I was simply told to leave the dealership. Again, I do not know the car in question, nor do I wish to imply that the particular dealer or dealership is "dodgy", but I thought it was of concern that a large number of the cars on the lot had obviously sub-standard repairs, which the dealer did not even want to acknowledge. The cheapest deal is not always the best.

What stands out to me about the Disco you are looking at is something that one of the other forum members mentioned, and that was the fact that the front lights and bumper had been upgraded. This to me indicated the possibility of a front end collision which may have given rise to the exchange to the updated lights. Having said that, the updated lights do look a lot better (IMHO) so maybe the change was purely cosmetic and nothing more sinister.

But best of luck, just do your research, and if possible ask to take the car for a half day test, so you can have a panel beater look at it. We all know that 99% of used cars have had some sort of panel work, but I am not talking about parking dents, what I saw was ranging from minor to major structural repairs. Having said that, SA has among the most stringent post collision inspections, but I have also seen some real hum dingers get through.

Originally Posted by yyeessno

Update: Have just found out about this car
http://www.carsales.com.au/used-cars/dealer/LAND_ROVER/DISCOVERY/details.aspx?R=6586832&Model=DISCOVERY&State=South %20Australia&__Nne=20&Make=LAND%20ROVER&RegionID=7 87&Region=State%20Wide&silo=1000&seot=0&__sid=1200 4D7EBE29&state_id=901&__N=4294965541%20901%20244%2 04294965540%20787%201216%20834%20285%20258%20287&_ _Ns=pCar_StatusSort_Int32|1||pCar_Price_Decimal|0& distance=25&Cr=2&trecs=9&__Qpb=true

I spoke to the dealer and will go down this evening to have a look. Everything seems to be in order, serviced by land rover etc etc and it's got the 5speed 'box, which is what I want (although not essential). Do any of you know this car?

Haven't sold the ute yet, but I think I'll be able to borrow enough to put down a deposit if all is well.

Another thing that shows up in the pics of the last one is that the rear light guards are present on the upper lights, but seem to be missing on the lower, bumper lights. It does look like the holes are there though.

If your not fussed about them being there or not, it might be another (small) bargaining point if everything else is ok.

mate, I have a d2 (v8) and as much as i love driving it in hindsight i should have gone d1. A lot less electronics to worry about and they are a constant worry. If your mechanically minded and your just using it as a tourer/town car no probs. But off road go d1 and spend the money you save building a RELIABLE weapon. Just my opinion and the missus won't let me trick out my, sorry, her d2 anyway.

Originally Posted by supasquad

without over-stepping my bounds, and also not trying to unfairly pre-judged a car I have not seen, I must advise you to be careful with that particular dealer. I was dealing with them on a car about a year back, and I have some experience in Panel Beating etc, and the car I was looking at had clearly been in a collision. I asked the dealer and he denied any such thing. I went through inspecting about 10 of the cars on the lot, and all 10 had panel damage repairs, ranging from light to "heavy". Again, I have not seen the LR Disco in question, but after asking a few reasonable questions regarding the condition of the car (ie the side indicators would just pull out, most of the trims removed for paint work had not been replaced properly, and a considerable amount of overspray) I was simply told to leave the dealership. Again, I do not know the car in question, nor do I wish to imply that the particular dealer or dealership is "dodgy", but I thought it was of concern that a large number of the cars on the lot had obviously sub-standard repairs, which the dealer did not even want to acknowledge. The cheapest deal is not always the best.

What stands out to me about the Disco you are looking at is something that one of the other forum members mentioned, and that was the fact that the front lights and bumper had been upgraded. This to me indicated the possibility of a front end collision which may have given rise to the exchange to the updated lights. Having said that, the updated lights do look a lot better (IMHO) so maybe the change was purely cosmetic and nothing more sinister.

But best of luck, just do your research, and if possible ask to take the car for a half day test, so you can have a panel beater look at it. We all know that 99% of used cars have had some sort of panel work, but I am not talking about parking dents, what I saw was ranging from minor to major structural repairs. Having said that, SA has among the most stringent post collision inspections, but I have also seen some real hum dingers get through.

You're exactly right! I went to look at the car yesterday and as soon as I saw it, something was not quite right. The impression it gave me was that it had had a serious front end collision. Not only did it have the updated headlights, but the lettering "LAND ROVER" was new, and the style lines on the bonnet were not as they should be.

The cover over the steering wheel did not fit properly, the dials were crooked and very cloudy AND they had forgotten to put the posts for the headlight washers on. Lots of things about the car were just...not quite right. It says it has great history but all he could show me was a bunch of receipts. There was a big gap between September '08 and now...

Needless to say I will not be buying that car. Not only did it have a lot of problems with no answers but the fat guy trying to sell it to me was not helpful at all. He wouldn't let me drive it, unless I was going to buy it on the spot, and when I mentioned an independent inspection by a LR specialist, he says to me "Nah, get this bloke to do it, he comes here all the time to do inspections for people and we let him do whatever he wants to the car"

That sounds like a recipe for trickery to me...not keen on that at all.

On the other hand, I today spoke to Lincoln Land Rover (in Port Lincoln). I have heard from several people that they are the best dealer in the state, and among the best one in Australia. The fellow said that he was about to get a 2004, one owner D2a, manual TD5. It has just over 100 000kms and he reckons it is as new. I'm waiting to hear if the deal went through, but that car might be worth a trip over there...

Sounds like good advice.

The 2a is supposed to have most little bugs taken care of.

Good luck

Originally Posted by wozapinin

mate, I have a d2 (v8) and as much as i love driving it in hindsight i should have gone d1. A lot less electronics to worry about and they are a constant worry. If your mechanically minded and your just using it as a tourer/town car no probs. But off road go d1 and spend the money you save building a RELIABLE weapon. Just my opinion and the missus won't let me trick out my, sorry, her d2 anyway.

...my 2 cents, the D2 2003 (and up) is far more capable in mountainous terrain. I've had 3 D1s and this later version just leaves those for dead. Took me a long time to get used to it cf the D1, but now I just would never go back.
Now if you want sheer simplicity outback, go (dare I say it) LandCrusier.

These guys are the dodgyest mob going around! I didnt want to bag them, and **** on an honest car, but they wouldn't know an honest car if it rolled over their foot! Just mention that the car has been in a collision, as obvious as it may be, and I guarantee you'll be escorted off the lot! DO NOT DEAL WITH THEM EVER! I could comfortably say that almost every car in their lot is a collision repair job. Mate, best advice I can give you, get it from a dealer (a reputable one) and get an after care extended warranty of some sort! Anything is better than nothing. Some people whine that the after care warranties have a maximum $5000 per claim, or some sort of excess, but my theory is, better they pay the first $5000 than me, and who cares about a $400 excess.... Have you seen LR repair estimates??? Get some sort of warranty no matter what, but most reputable dealers will have some sort of alliance with a reputable warranty company. I worked in electronics while I was at Uni, and I sold thousands of extended warranties for LCD's and Plasma's. Sure, I made the company $$$thousands in warranty sales, but lest we forget, thats the aim of any business, to make a profit... I also saw every single GENUINE repair claim paid out! These are some seriously big companies, and most times it costs them more to argue the point then it does to simply pay out a genuine claim, so dont believe all the BS you hear about extended warranties. The people who talk all the BS are the same blokes who make ignorant statements like "if its gonna break it happen in the first 12 months" - YEAH RIGHT! Anyways, sorry about the slightly off topic rant, but thats my best advice to you. Reputable dealer, Reputable Warranty!

GOOD LUCK MATE! - otherwise there are some awesome deals going on New Nissan Navara's at the moment!

Originally Posted by yyeessno

You're exactly right! I went to look at the car yesterday and as soon as I saw it, something was not quite right. The impression it gave me was that it had had a serious front end collision. Not only did it have the updated headlights, but the lettering "LAND ROVER" was new, and the style lines on the bonnet were not as they should be.

The cover over the steering wheel did not fit properly, the dials were crooked and very cloudy AND they had forgotten to put the posts for the headlight washers on. Lots of things about the car were just...not quite right. It says it has great history but all he could show me was a bunch of receipts. There was a big gap between September '08 and now...

Needless to say I will not be buying that car. Not only did it have a lot of problems with no answers but the fat guy trying to sell it to me was not helpful at all. He wouldn't let me drive it, unless I was going to buy it on the spot, and when I mentioned an independent inspection by a LR specialist, he says to me "Nah, get this bloke to do it, he comes here all the time to do inspections for people and we let him do whatever he wants to the car"

That sounds like a recipe for trickery to me...not keen on that at all.

On the other hand, I today spoke to Lincoln Land Rover (in Port Lincoln). I have heard from several people that they are the best dealer in the state, and among the best one in Australia. The fellow said that he was about to get a 2004, one owner D2a, manual TD5. It has just over 100 000kms and he reckons it is as new. I'm waiting to hear if the deal went through, but that car might be worth a trip over there...

Originally Posted by wozapinin

mate, I have a d2 (v8) and as much as i love driving it in hindsight i should have gone d1. A lot less electronics to worry about and they are a constant worry. If your mechanically minded and your just using it as a tourer/town car no probs. But off road go d1 and spend the money you save building a RELIABLE weapon. Just my opinion and the missus won't let me trick out my, sorry, her d2 anyway.

mate, I've had both, and the D2 eats the D1 anywhichway.

And the D3 will consume them both and not burp,,,

if you have an electronics phobia,,
the early Series are very soothing aparently,,