Thread: Is it realistic to buy a 'reliable' 4x4 for about $15k .. With $10k repairs fund..?

We paid $19k for a 2008 D3 with ~150k on the clock in 2017. The parts/consumables bill total is currently at 6.5k and I've done all the labour since 2018. That excludes the ~3k we spent with another mechanic in 2017 before I started doing it all myself.

I wouldn't call it reliable, but it hasn't let us down since March 2019 and technically it hasn't needed a flat-bed since we bought it.

I agree with Brad and Arnold, Discoveries of any vintage are pro'ly the best bang for buck.

D1, basically a newer body sitting on a RRC chassis minus the Boge at the rear.

Cheeeeeeeap.

Totally out of fashion, cheap parts, blah blah. Not too much electronically, not much forest product (if any) decorating the interior.

The 2 door ones might even become collectable.

Most likely you even wouldn't need a fault code reader. or need to use the D3 /4 forum to see what the fault codes might mean.

DL

I brought a Disco 1 for about $12k in 2007 with about 180,000 on the clock. Spent about $5k on her on servicing and maintenance until about 2019 when she was becoming unreliable at 280,000KM. Picked up a Disco 2 then for about $14K with 160,000 on clock, mint condition. Spent very little so far, but due some maintenance work now. Both motors never let me down.

I am no mechanic either, only advice would be to read as much as you can from on here first so you know what too look for and what to avoid.

Brought both mine from a dealer with RACV inspection and 12 month warranty in Melbourne.

Used both just for hiking trips in the Alps, etc.

Plenty of great knowledge, support and parts for old discos. I deliberately chose models without fancy electronics or air bags after bad experience with Range Rover.


D

Originally Posted by Arnoooooooooold

Evening all. First post so want to extend my thanks to everyone on the forums.

With lockdown coming to an end realised it'd be nice to have a car to get out in during weekends. Into the hills really. Just me and the mrs. I'm in Melbourne, currently living in a CBD apartment. Grew up in the country (UK) but i'm a proper townie now.. haven't owned a car in 5 years. Last car was a 15 year old BMW in the UK.. Took it apart and rebuilt various bits of it fairly competently. Not shy with a spanner.
Depending on what's sensible I might move out of the CBD to somewhere with more space for tinkering.

Reckon it's possible that I could buy a generally sound 4x4 for around $15,000?
Bearing in mind that I have a kitty of about another $10-15,000 to spend on repairs if it would be sensible..

Ute, Wagon, no preference. Although would prefer to avoid Dual Cabs (don't need the extra seats, would prefer more storage behind).

The plan is currently to buy the neatest Disco available.. Run it for a few months to get used to it.. Then spend some money on preventative maintenance. Seems that nice Discoveries are cheaper than everything else (Navs, Patrols, LC's)..

Ideally want to trust it to go camping in weekends, a few multi-day camping trips to the High Country.. Some of the easier tracks just to enjoy a bit of 4x4ing (but nothing that would raise a heartbeat). Always wanted to be able to get off the tarmac and into the woods.

Will be moving from Melbourne to Brisbane in around June 2022 so IF it's realistic would be happy to do some tinkering with the car to add some overlanding/camping stuff. Maybe a rooftop tent, dual battery etc.


If anyone could lend their 2c and set me right i'd appreciate it.
Wouldn't surprise me if you tell me to run a mile for that money but i'm fairly flexible on price, depending on if it can be resold. Some staggering prices for below average cars at the moment though.

Just wary of dropping $25k on a peice of junk that dies in the middle of nowhere leaving us stranded.

Having been down this road with our eldest daughter, yes, its possible but you might need to consider your requirements more closely. If you want a capable , reliable 4WD there are Jeeps around for that money, but the tradeoff is that comfort may not be everything you want. In our search we were unable to find a Landrover product that met her requirements of being reliable for less than 10K. There are some Jeeps like the KK cherokee which can be had at very reasonable prices with leather interiors and are pretty capable. (if you don't mind the styling and ensure that you buy the 4wd one)
She ended up with this

LRC-DriverTraining-20200223-202-(ZF-7921-35543-1-001).jpg

Sadly it met it's demise against a tree as a result of P plater exuberance but it was less than 10K with a service history, good paint and less than 100,000KM on the clock. She's driveing her mum's old JK now, SWMBO needed an excuse to buy a JL Rubicon.

Also it seems that all low end car sales now take place on Facebook, if you aren't on there its probably worthwhile joining just for that purpose.

Regards,
Tote

Originally Posted by Arnoooooooooold

Evening all. First post so want to extend my thanks to everyone on the forums.

With lockdown coming to an end realised it'd be nice to have a car to get out in during weekends. Into the hills really. Just me and the mrs. I'm in Melbourne, currently living in a CBD apartment. Grew up in the country (UK) but i'm a proper townie now.. haven't owned a car in 5 years. Last car was a 15 year old BMW in the UK.. Took it apart and rebuilt various bits of it fairly competently. Not shy with a spanner.
Depending on what's sensible I might move out of the CBD to somewhere with more space for tinkering.

Reckon it's possible that I could buy a generally sound 4x4 for around $15,000?
Bearing in mind that I have a kitty of about another $10-15,000 to spend on repairs if it would be sensible..

Ute, Wagon, no preference. Although would prefer to avoid Dual Cabs (don't need the extra seats, would prefer more storage behind).

The plan is currently to buy the neatest Disco available.. Run it for a few months to get used to it.. Then spend some money on preventative maintenance. Seems that nice Discoveries are cheaper than everything else (Navs, Patrols, LC's)..

Ideally want to trust it to go camping in weekends, a few multi-day camping trips to the High Country.. Some of the easier tracks just to enjoy a bit of 4x4ing (but nothing that would raise a heartbeat). Always wanted to be able to get off the tarmac and into the woods.

Will be moving from Melbourne to Brisbane in around June 2022 so IF it's realistic would be happy to do some tinkering with the car to add some overlanding/camping stuff. Maybe a rooftop tent, dual battery etc.


If anyone could lend their 2c and set me right i'd appreciate it.
Wouldn't surprise me if you tell me to run a mile for that money but i'm fairly flexible on price, depending on if it can be resold. Some staggering prices for below average cars at the moment though.

Just wary of dropping $25k on a peice of junk that dies in the middle of nowhere leaving us stranded.

It would be a lie to say any 4WD cannot be a money pit That said my two have been Cheap to buy and put the miles on in some very very cool places.

My current tow tug and off road only Disco3 2010 did get a new engine which as a surprise $6k cost (I had allowed for). The first engine in the 2005D3 is still hundreds of thousands of Km and driving about happily despite the golf ball like hail damage that made the rotten insurance company take it off me Fairly sure a rational reason exists for the surprise engine failure on my 2010 which is still a baby in my view.

I suspect a lot of people thinking as you are so the competition might be a little more than it used to be especially at the bottom end of the price spectrum.

The trick I think is to find why the car is for sale and really check the history. If you cannot I suspect its a bigger gamble than its saving is worth.

Have fun looking.

I bought the old 1985 110 v8 in November 2018, 320000 on the clock for $3000.
Needed a new set of tyres (got some ex land cruiser 225/95 16 cheap) and a new set of everything else on the vehicle

I gave her the once over with the grease gun, new oils and filters and have been using it regularly to and from the farm,

travelling into the wilderness camping a few times and also given her a few runs up the old 4wd tracks for a bit of fun
Slowly repairing things as needed and decking it out to make it more usable

We are now coming up to 420000 and with one failed thermostat (removed on the side of the road), alternator ceased to produce power and one busted cv (resting at the farm while parts are on order)
I’ve known people with newer vehicles to have more breakdowns in less kms so reliability has been better than expected for such an old POS
A total of about $1500 in tyres and parts (labour by myself) the old bus has been relatively cheap motoring (if you don’t count the fuel bill)
The COVID factor may affect the purchase price at the moment but the older Discos are still good value and with the $15000 in reserve for repairs I believe you’ll get years of Land Rover fun (get yourself a good tool kit)


Gav

Can get a nice late D2a for under 15k ,add a few upgrades for 5k and it will do everything you ask of it in comfort and style.
Love my D3 but i wouldn't recommend one to anyone but a spannered up LR tragic unless you are prepared to do any work yourself, if you are then they are great all purpose vehicle.