Advice needed: Budget of 55000 for Disco3

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Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

The Pajero is very capable, a bit noisier than the others, and the IRS rear end will eventually cause you dramas if you go in for heavy or rough towing.

Price a front upper control arm for an IRS 100 series. ( you have to buy the whole arm when the balljoint lets go ) ...and you thought Jeep were the only ones charging a mortgage for parts.

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Pajero - never seen that and I know a lot of owners who do a lot of offroading. The Pajero is tough, and a better drive than the Prado.

Agree re LC100 (and it's IFS not IRS, I know it was a typo), the front-end needs mods if it is to survive long and that's extra $.

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I would be thinking more on what use the vehicle is going to be put to, and then looking at the plusses and minuses of the different vehicles. They all have their weaknesses and strengths.

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exactly

Zerosecta, I am a D3 owner, HSE 08.5 model.

This forum, although better now, has lots of people that worry about newer technology. Any newer vehicle with creature comforts, has more to go wrong, and running a fleet as I do, I see problems with Mitsubishi's, Landrovers, Holdens, Fords, and definately Toyotas. I must say Subarus in my limited experience have been excellent....

To me, if you are worried about reliability, its about will the dealer fix issues for you, listen, be proactive, and not be a pain.

I see you are from Melbourne, and I can heartily recommend the Land Rover Dealer in Port Melbourne. I have 3 newish Landrovers that I get serviced there and they have been excellent. Freelander has had no issues, go figure. I have had to look around for a decent toyota dealer. The stories I could tell.

Every person has a different need out of a vehicle. If you want a very competant vehicle off road, good ground clearance, whilst ensuring grandma can get in and out (air suspension), with excellent load capacity, (no 3rd row pews getting in the way when not being used) great towing, comfortable, 7 adult (underline adult) seats, that eats the miles comfortably, I recommend a D3. SWMBO finds it easy to drive, enjoys it more than her own car. It does "feel" big, according to her.

Personally I recommend an HSE, as I find the arm rests extremely comfortable, and rear air con is a must in summer if you care about your 6th and 7th passenger.(no opening windows right at the back remember). Earlier models the stereos were better on the HSE and it has electric seat adjustment and the like. Mate of mine has an SE, he doesn't worry about his rear passengers, having to use a lever to move his seat, and he loves it, so beware my bias.

Problems - Yep, early models did have some issues, however, I have not had any horrible moments. Believe these issues were sorted after 06. Electric Park Brake is stupid, just make sure you know how to manually release it when it jams, and you are fine. Has happened to me 3 times!!!! On 18" rims, not brilliant on Sand, fine though, I "did" Robe and survived. You pay a premium for the v8 or diesel over the petrol 6, standard tow hitch a pain if you do a lot of towing. Not sure about other vehicles, but if you get a diesel, and run it on petrol by mistake, Horrible - very costly. Cannot think of anything else. Great everyday vehicle.

I trust this helps your considerations.