Why didn't you...

we came out of an old Toyota 3L surf so wanted refinement. Wife had a 3 series BMW so choice was getting a new beemer or getting a nicer 4wd, I won out. :D

Looked at the Pajero but the build quality looked dubious, the warranty from what I have read on attempted claims looked dubious and the vehicle just did not feel nice. We tried to get dealers to get back to us for test drives and just got the run around. That was when we went to LR - QED

The air suspension won me! Very cool!

Basically though it drives like a Euro luxury car but with superb off road capability, you get the best of both worlds. Luxury and refinement for onroad and serious offroad cred.

As for the Prado, expensive for what you get and it was too small for our needs.

Don't like the Toyota Landcrusier and as for the Patrol you may as well drive a truck. Reminds me of the old army accos! What a beast! :eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stevo68

When I bought my D3 in 05, a big part was that it was an LR as had always wanted one....plus I think the look of the D3 leaves the others behind. Another part was have never been a fan of japanese cars....never owned one...never will. Though to be objective I did go and test drive some of the other makes. With 4 children at the time, the 7 seat set up left the others for dead. It had what I called practical luxury and I knew it would take me where I wanted to go. It was functional and practical.

On road handling was fantastic and as I later found...off road...brilliant. And if Im going to be really honest.....prestige as well......I just dont see Prado's/Patrols etc in the same light. I still miss the D3 and as they drop in price.....like mine did...will have another one in a year or 2.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/09/726.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...011/05/972.jpg

Regards

Stevo

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Hey Stevo,

The others were right !!
You took to D3 anywhere and everywhere !! (Well Done):D
Great pics.
I put the new Cooper ATRs on today.
Now ready to get a little more serious !!:eek:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Busman

Hey Stevo,

The others were right !!
You took to D3 anywhere and everywhere !! (Well Done):D
Great pics.
I put the new Cooper ATRs on today.
Now ready to get a little more serious !!:eek:

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Sure did....now it is delegated to being a soccer mums car and shopping trolley :o. Cool look forward to seeing you out and about with the ATR's be interested to see how they perform on the D3......in the interim....get some pics up :),

Regards

Stevo

Always had sedans (mostly Fords), this was to be our first 4WD. Had my heart set on a Prado - I was looking for a 7-seater. Test drove and found it OK; however both the wife and I were not impressed with the very poor leg room in the third row of the Prado.

Thought we should go down the road to the LR dealer just to check out the new D3. Plenty of leg room in third row (wife was happy since she figured the kids would be happy!); then I test drove it. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!

Loved the fact that it had curtain bags all the way to the third row as well. As a sanity check I had a look at the Landcruiser. Front airbags only!!! Could not believe that this "super 4WD" only had front airbags!!!

Was an easy choice from there. Three years on and everyone in the family still loves our Disco3. Best car I ever owned...

I was looking at smaller and cheaper vehicles to replace a Subaru Forester. I wanted diesel and automatic, which reduced the list initially but then looking at the cars there were always compromises, ie.
- Hyundai Santa Fe - reasonable car, still 50K for the one SWMBO wanted. But didn't handle all that well and required a suspension kit for towing or more serious off roading
- Nissan XTrail - Diesel - The Auto Transmission is not rated to tow anything decent, hence it was out, as we may be towing stuff in the future (this car has to last 10 yrs)
- Captiva - Simply didn't like it.
- VW Tiguan - Too small - smaller than the Forester in luggage space, probably wouldn't get the fridge in with 4 adults.

Then we went up in size:
- Pajero - NP - The Diesel was unrefined and SWMBO didn't like the interior
- Prado - I wasn't going to pay that much for leather etc.

The parents had a 2007 Prado for a while, and it drove well, but they also had the Discovery 3... The Discovery is just another level up in refinement and ride quality.

Then I started looking around and realised that Ex Lease Discovery 3's were coming up, so for similar money to a new Santa Fe I could get the Disco, so it was off to the dealer with SWMBO in tow(kicking and screaming by this stage, not another 4wd test drive...).

We test drove a 2008 SE, and immediately SWMBO fell for it, the ride, the leather, the dual zone climate... I simply loved the on-road handling in comparison to the Prado and Pajero. It definetly isn't a sports car, but you can't defy the laws of physics with 2.7 tonnes instead of 1.4.

So after a little bit of hunting, I now own the 07 TDV6 HSE (yes it was more than the Santa Fe).

AP

Hi all,

whilst i am approaching the end of my current vehicle lease (06 Pathfinder TD), i have been doing a lot of research on replacement vehicles and the D3 keeps ticking all the boxes. The Pathy has been a good day to day vehicle, for what it cost me. Ive added a few things to enhance performance and functionality (Steinbauer P Box, Sat nav/dvd, TJM bullbar, etc) and has never let me down. However, after reading umpteen reviews and test driving several, my mind is made up to replace it with a D3.

Fantastic performance, ride, handling, safety and ability, topped of with a sumptious interior with heaps of room. Some of the things i have seen D3's do off road have been amazing (compared to highly modified alternates).

All i can say is that i cant wait to park my bum on that soothing leather seat that will be my D3 https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...013/09/470.jpg.

cheers
Geoff

Start exercising the face muscles in anticipation of actually owning one. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 300+

I went to buy a used D2 and was offered 25% off on the spot on a D3. The RRP really is only there to scare off customers who just read the brochure.

Cheers, Steve

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sorry off topic. May I know which D3 you get 25% off? S, SE or HSE? Diesel of petrol? TIA

I have a fix all kit for a Pajero......














......its called a hand granade:wasntme:

I haven't driven a D3. :(

I'm not game to. :D