Time for a new 4WD....but what to get??????

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Originally Posted by PCH

If you can pick up a TDV6 SE for under $70K then you would be lucky. It will be most likely a MY2005 meaning that it will be an early build which tend to have a few more electrical problems than MY2006/7 - this is my observation being an owner of a MY2005 and knowing 2 others with MY2005's.

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Sorry to disagree with you on that one, but my 2005 D3 has been fine, no electrical problems. The only problem it has suffered is the suspension compressor overheating which 2006 D3's suffer from as well. As you will be aware LR change the compressor and valve unit for a much better one (made by CAT in the USA I believe) and upgrade the software as part of their customer assurance programme. Mine had this done in early 2006 and hasn't had a fault since - it's been 100% reliable and even before the fix when it did give errors it never failed to work and never let me down (no pun intended). The software on these cars measure so many parameters that a problem is flagged to the driver before it becomes a real issue.

I think some owner's issues came down to lack of knowledge of the cars by the dealers in the early days, many cars were sent out with the ECU still in "shipping" mode as the PDI procedure wasn't understood or correctly followed by the dealerships.

Don't forget that D3's came out in the UK in 2004, that would be an "early build" D3. The fact that they never made it to these shores until 2005 doesn't mean that a 2005 car is an early one ;)

Anyway, mines still for sale, it's mint and it's less than $60K. I've only advertised it on AULRO, but I will be putting it in the paper / online in the next week or so.

__EDIT__ Car no longer for sale, I've come to my senses and I'm keeping it. :)

Jon

Here's one on eVilBay: LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 CURRENT MODEL TDV6 HSE

Item number: 190135958606

Yes, I thought it was a little expensive for a 2year old car that has done nearly 50k. I can buy one new for $73k plus ORC. Also they are the 2nd owner which worries me a bit and I had some pics emailed to me and the paint work has a lot of scratches

Hi Walker, it really depends what you actually want the 4x4 for.

If it’s reliability then there is only one choice and that’s the Pajaro BUT they still don’t last as long as an RR so in the long run you still loose money on the resale value down the road.

Now if you after the best ride, the most comfort and a driving sensation that only a car can equal, then it’s the RR.

I tried quite a few 4x4s before I was tricked into test driving the RR and there is just nothing like driving one and this was the over riding factor for me when it cam to the difference in price. The RR IS worth the extra.

BUT based on a dollar for dollar value basis, save up your pennies and by a D3. It’s not quite the same as driving an RR but it’s still heaps better than the other two.

Again, it all come down to what you really what the 4x4 for.

Cheers

Hi Walker,

In a way I went through this process last year when I had an insurance cheque ... and a heap of options re which fourbie to purchase.

Looked at Patrols.... and the Pajero...and as I was looking for the new vehicle, a "non-Landie" mate said:
Mate, how're you going to feel when you see, not one, but two or three Land Rovers driving past - all on a trip somewhere. And you're sitting there in your Pajero".

Answer the question truthfully and you will know the answer.

I think I said at the start. It is mostly for driving around town for work and then for our annual BIG trip. The next 2 year are already planned so it's Madigans next year and Cape York in 09.

The car is a company car and I usually get rid of them after 3 years. But I just cant stretch it enough for a new D3.
The first thing is to go out and drive them all which is something I have never done. Normally when I buy a car I know what I want and often I dont even test drive it before I buy it. I mean really, how much can you learn about a car by driving it around the block.

But I guess a nice iding car AND reliability is what I want at the moment. If I knew the RR was going to be reliable I would buy it tomorrow. I do like the idea of trying to find one with the 5 year extended warranty.

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Originally Posted by Barra1

Hi Walker,

In a way I went through this process last year when I had an insurance cheque ... and a heap of options re which fourbie to purchase.

Looked at Patrols.... and the Pajero...and as I was looking for the new vehicle, a "non-Landie" mate said:
Mate, how're you going to feel when you see, not one, but two or three Land Rovers driving past - all on a trip somewhere. And you're sitting there in your Pajero".

Answer the question truthfully and you will know the answer.

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My problem is that on many of the big trips we have done it is ME sitting there while other pass me by because I am broken down. :( And since I will still have 2 Range Rovers I will never leave the Landrover group. We have a couple of friends now who have "moved" on from their Landrovers but they all still come on our trips with us so I don't see that as a problem.

Geez, has every one forgotten about the Nissan Patrol---- I agree with the general stuff about Playdos--- a recent trip to Fraser Is. with a late model Pajero showed they are good stuff--- . Huge budget!! gee D3 must be looking good:)

Check out the torque and gear ratios on the Patrol 3.0L Auto. You'd be better off in a 2WD! They are absolutely terrible in soft stuff like sand or mud, if you wanted a Patrol you'd have to go for manual.

I'm sorry. Even if I was looking at other makes I could never lower myself to a Patrol. I have drive the 3.0T before and I reckon it was rubbish....rubbish that rides like a truck!:twisted: