Thread: Which Model - Long Term Purchase

In a D4 the SDV6 SE would be my choice. Brilliant for touring and towing. No need to modify, just some accessories and stronger tyres.

Kind of thinking the same.

I'd like to chime in if you don't mind.
Caveat - I don't own a D4, yet.

But this is my ongoing search in Carsales;
- SDV6 (power/economy)
- 8-speed (power/economy/[and I believe]coincides with a traction control software update/better for towing - more time in lock-up [less heat])
- full display screen (not small screen with number pad underneath)
- HSE (rear A/C [3-kids, plus more to come], adaptive headlights, memory seats)
*or an SE with rear A/C, memory seats, and full screen - adaptive headlights aren't a deal killer).
- less than 80,000km's (gearbox service)
Preferably in white, with the e-diff.

And the cheapest one (and only one for sale) today for my criteria is $69,990 :-O The one for sale is silver, but has the e-diff. We've taken a wrong turn

I would still need to add a few things like
- roof rack (firewood/swag/rifle box/chainsaw)
- front bar (no explaining needed)
- winch (as above)
- long range tank (overnight drives Vic to SA/Stuart highway driving/Kimberleys)
- rear wheel carrier (facilitate above/touch parking)
- radio

Also I am confused - you say you can\t afford a HSE, but you pose the question... 'If you were given a blank cheque'

I went for the SE poverty pack as don't yet feel the need for the gismos which tell me I'm too close or straying from my lane etc. which are all available on the HSE. When I reckon I need that stuff I'll give up driving. Plus the SE woz heaps cheaper....
You can always add on things later as they're a fairly adaptive vehicle but if you get one with a reversing cam. it'll already have the wide screen suitable for the GPS system later.
I'm pleased with it so far but ma scratching my bald head for the best way to fit all our crap in the back..... cooks cooking and cleaning gear takes up mobs of room.
Good luck.
AlanH.

Alan, I don't think it is a poverty pack - maybe the sweet spot though. Not sure what is harder - the fit out or the purchase.

Kreecha, why the blank cheque. Well I think a lot of the new HSE units that are out there are not from people who would read these forums. People who read this forum may own them as they come onto the market second hand (Sorry, not trying to offend anyone). In looking at car sales I seem to see more TDV and HSE models than SE. Thinking therefore that there are people who are buying price wise (TDV) and luxury wise (HSE). This might be reflective of - I want the car but can't afford the upmarket versions as opposed to the tax man told me to buy it and it will never see dirt or tow. So if given the choice what would people buy and put with it - hence blank cheque. When I started this research I think I would have said HSE - I am sure I wouldn't now.

Buying a second hand car is always compromise. My current car has low profile tyres - looked great when purchased (still does) but I would NEVER buy a car with low profile tyres again. So bringing it back to the Discovery - Perhaps people are buying the TDV simply because it has 18" rims. Sure after reading heaps here you can get AT tyres for the 19" & 20" rims but would you want to go that route. Would you option up a SE or HSE to 20" rims? To buy that car new, realising that you were going to do some beach work might be leading you to trouble or the expense of having to buy 5x18" rims and tyres - $4000. True, a consideration for a second hand purchase also but would it impact on a purchase with a blank cheque.

Yes there are specific options you get with a car to suit your needs. You have mentioned rear air conditioner. Perhaps someone with kids would forgo that but perhaps someone with no kids and experience with the Discovery would say - it is a big car and you need the rear AC no matter what. That is the type of comment/advice I was hoping would come out.

Similarly reversing camera - one of the things on my list. It can be optioned up to surround cameras but is that a waste of money in the real world? I thought it would be good if you were driving by yourself on tracks but is it? Probably get advice here not to drive by yourself or that the driving companion outside giving advice is a far better option. As Alan said - reversing camera = wide screen.

As far as the navigation system - with my last purchase I said I was going to use my iPhone rather than have an inbuilt GPS. The data in them dates very quickly and the updates cost $$$$$$. So is the GPS system not worth having, but is the bluetooth functionality essential and does that mean you need the updated stereo. The Hema maps app is $99. Map apps on your phone iPad can be free and work well. An iPad mini isn't that expensive.

I love my music but really, is there any difference between 11 speakers and 17 speakers when you are driving along the road with all that extraneous noise. Suppose it depends - AC/DC or Mozart. But if that brings bluetooth then a different story.

So hopefully there will be some advice on what are the MUST HAVES rather than the wants.

Kreecha, I wonder if you are finding this process as difficult as I am. In the real world there are a lot of inflated prices out there, especially form private sellers. I can understand dealer pricing with the need to provide warranty, finance while it sits on the floor, etc. I can also understand private sellers wanting to get top dollar also but I am sure that there is no understanding, or perhaps just plain indifference (too much money) when it comes to trades. The dealer tells them they will give them $60K as a trade on a $100K vehicle - they think their car is worth $60K. If I walked in and asked for the the identical vehicle for cash they may say $80K. That means the trade is really only worth $40K. If they can sell the vehicle for $40K plus they are in front. I have always asked for a cash price, haggled them lower before letting a dealer see my car as a trade option. Then I know what they are really giving me for my car. Anyway - my perspective.

I will continue my search with my list - my wife has only one stipulation - Cream Interior. Makes it a bit harder.

All the best

Laurie

We had been looking for a while, and acted very fast when the ALMOST perfect car came up. As you might expect, the good deals don't stay up long.

Our desired list was very similar to yours Kreecha, but ultimately our budget dictated where we were able to go. Ended up with a 2010 SE model - older than preferred, but has been kept in awesome condition. Non-land rover nuts can't tell if it is brand new or not!

So, we had to forego the rear air, e-diff, 8 speed, and adaptive headlights, but did manage to squeeze in the SDV6 (named the 3.0 TDV6 in this year model), full screen display, close to the right km (~100k vs target of 80k), and the right colour (white).

I ended up setting the search for the really desired items (Price, Location, SDV6, White) which in WA narrowed the field enough to check each one out carefully as they come up.

A few months on, and absolutely no regrets. In the hottest of weather the car is still plenty cool, the lower price has meant we were able to send it off for a transmission service right away, brake rotors/pads were changed to new as a condition of sale, as was getting a full service. I sincerely doubt our off-roading level will ever result in missing the e-diff, the standard systems on the car are pretty epic already. Resale might be better with one, but for a long term purchase resale is probably less of an issue anyway (and if you're buying used, it makes less difference again)

Some gizmos are easier to add than others - I would definitely recommend the rear camera, though the GPS is just OK (PITA that you can't enter destinations when moving). I've added the cubby box fridge (awesome for days out - we enjoyed cold cheese and crackers whilst 'rock hopping' this weekend!). Headlights are apparently easy to change to HID/Adaptive, though pricey. Have a look at this thread for more details on adding extras later: Retrofitting missing factory options to new-ish LR's; FL2, Evoque, D3/D4, RRS, etc...


Ultimately, in it's most basic and stock configuration, the D4 is super comfy and incredibly capable. I don't think you can really go wrong, as long as you make sure the basics are in order (service history, no evidence of damaging off road use, etc)

Good points. I would definitely want the rear e-diff for towing and extra traction, plus the traction control also works with it for an awesome combination.
In my case it's all theoretical as the Defender is just fine for now.

We went through the same process - what to buy, and whats needed vs neccesary and at what $. We ended up with a 2011 SE SDV6 2011 3.0L.

Accessories included

• Bull bar (no winch)
• Decent spots
• Roof rack
• UHF radio

Big Regret

• Not getting one with the upgraded touch screen sterio (has reversing camera). This is not upgradable aftermarket and bugs me to heck

Nice to have - but I haven't had the requirement for either

• 8 speed box
• E-diff

We tow an off road van (2.5T), the 3.0L and D4 engineering make this an absolute breeze on and off road. Haven't encountered any situations where I didn't think I would make it or have loss of confidence in the vehicle (though wifey has become concerned a few times). Its a turn key operation (turn the key and it starts every time) combines brilliant onroad manners with offroad capacity - just like the ads say. Just maintain it (transmission service is a must), monitor this forum for 'quirks' (the best resource and support going on the Internet) and you will have a permagrin.