D2a or D3

**TerryO** · 16th September 2009, 07:49 PM

To me it comes back to value for money. A secondhand D3 is easilly twice the price of a similar spec D2a.

As I've said prior I don't see twice the car but I do see twice the money.

As I've also said before I'm very happy with my D2a HSE daily driver, my heavilly modded D1 used for having fun on weekends and my Aussie built 4x4 camper trailer all purchased for less then the price of a relatively cheap but really good secondhand D3 HSE V8. (For the D3 owners who think I was talking about a dunger go back several months and have a look at the one Ozducati brought, remember the guy who called Ron a Nazi and got banned? That is the one I turned down for 38K and it was no high mileage dunga as the photo's show)

It would appear that now you can't find a 05 70k V8 HSE D3 for that price so if you had to pay even more then that then the value for monay ratio gets even worse.

I'm not knocking D3's they are really lovelly to drive epecially the V8 but to me they aren't worth twice the money of a good D2a.

Still 2_Door if your heart is set on a D3 then just go and buy one and don't think or worry at all about what anyone on this website says one way or other, afterall we aren't they ones who will be driving the car or paying of your loan. Plus from what I understand you already have a great D1 and a campertrailer so my example doesn't really apply to you.

Enjoy your new toy when you get it. Chances are one day I'll end up buying one as well when the D2a eventually falls apart

Cheers,
Terry

**AndyRevill** · 17th September 2009, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by camel_landy

Hmmm.... I'll be interesting to see how far you have to lift a D2 before you get more clearance than a D3. (it's also worth bearing in mind that we're now comparing a 'Standard' D3 vs a 'Modified' D2)

M

Isn't (wasn't) the base D3 coil springs with the spare slung underneath? does that really have more clearance than a std D2a? Didn't look like it when I put my (unmodified) D2a next to a mates base D3.

I'll conced that from everything I've read the up-spec D3 with terrain response sounds awesome offroad, but I'll keep my D2a thanks - it's way too sexy compared to the D3

Andy

**Hitower** · 17th September 2009, 03:51 PM

Hi Guys,

Very interesting and by the looks heated discussion so here is my 2 cents worth.

I would have to agree with KEV0044 go for the D2a and if you go for a top of the range with all the options included great value for the money. If it is the power of the TDV6 you are after get the ECU remapped. Besides I'll guarantee you will want to put on further off-road option, with the price you'll pay for the D2a you'll still be ahead of the standard D3 price.

To give you an idea I bought a manual 7 seat 2000 model D2 TD5 for $13,900 in March this year. Throught I had bought a bargain but essentially had bought a lemon with a good engine and interior. To correct the usual D2 faults and then some, the list was long, add all the 4x4 mods I could think of including a chipped ECU, 2 inch spring lift & shocks, larger intercooler, EGR removal, silicone intercooler hoses, bullbar, cargo barrier, original CDL conversion and new clutch I now have an almost new, or at least reliable, car for under $25K.

I don't like that I had to spend the money, but I had been looking at a $25k 2003 D2a missing a lot of the extras.

So I would suggest, for what it is worth, go for the D2a and you will be able to add so much more.

Don't get me wrong, I would love a D3 but I'll have to spend so much more to get it up to scratch and then I won't want to scratch it.

Good luck with the choice and thanks for reading my 2 cents worth for what it is worth.

Tony

**Urban Panzer** · 17th September 2009, 11:46 PM

Originally Posted by ozscott

The D2 looks better....

Ditto!!!

**ozscott** · 18th September 2009, 06:40 AM

Its unanimous then....all people on both sides of the globe, in both the mother country and the testing zone for the mother country agree that D2 looks better than D3.

Cheers

**2_door** · 18th September 2009, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Its unanimous then....all people on both sides of the globe, in both the mother country and the testing zone for the mother country agree that D2 looks better than D3.

Cheers

no not all

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 20th September 2009, 05:58 AM

Originally Posted by camel_landy

...am thinking that the D3 may well still be better.

I've spent the past 15mins trying to find some technical data but have failed... However...

On the D2, the low points are the axles & diff housings.
On the D3, the low point is where the lower wishbone mounts to the wheel hub assy. The rest of the gubbins is tucked away.

I need to get out with a tape measure but I suspect that even at 'Standard' height, overall you have better clearance on the D3.

...and you can get a D3 with a V8 Auto.

M

Hmm I thought the standard spare might have been a hindrance

might have to crawl under one,,,,

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 20th September 2009, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by ozscott

Its unanimous then....all people on both sides of the globe, in both the mother country and the testing zone for the mother country agree that D2 looks better than D3.

Cheers

I think my D2 is the best looking LR ever made.

The only way to make it better would be the rear lights from the D2a(or some half inch black pinstriping)

**Urban Panzer** · 20th September 2009, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by Pedro_The_Swift

I think my D2 is the best looking LR ever made.

The only way to make it better would be the rear lights from the D2a(or some half inch black pinstriping)

For where exactly ??

And I prefer the pre-facelift upper rear lights tbh, will change the lower ones on mine when I stop spending on "other" bits lol

**scarry** · 20th September 2009, 06:53 AM

I recon the D2a looks sooooo much better than the D3.

Sure,the D3 is a massive advancement on the D2.

But there is nothing wrong with a good D2,they are a great vehicle.

Money wise,you will be way behind on a D3.Routine servicing you may be slightly ahead,but in all other areas you will be behind.

Tyres wear out quicker,as do brake pads & rotors.

Being more complicated,there is also more to go wrong,& the chances of repairing one yourself is pretty remote,whereas the D2 has been around for a long time & is easier to repair & there are a lot of specialist repairers around that are very familiar with them.They are still learning about the D3.

My D2a has been one of the best LR's i have ever owned,& has been virtually trouble free since new.

Depreciation will also be more,with a D3

It is nice to have the best.....ah,.....its only money,so who cares

Anyway,whatever you decide,hope all goes well

Thread: D2a or D3

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