Disappointment

My D1 cost $41000 new 1999 ( base diesel ), D2 cost $56000 in 2002 (TD5 Manual with ACE ) D3 cost $82000 in 2008 ( SE TDV6 with Locking Diff and Uprated Stereo )
I can see how you might feel on first drive that a D3 is less nimble than a d1 or d2 , they are a bigger vehicle, however they have changed market positions as well as a D1 was a competitor with a Pajero / Prado and a D3 will compete with a 200 Series.
On my first drive I thought that it felt like a P38 to drive compared to a Disco 1 as I had a loaner p38 when I had my D1.
As for off road it is by far the most capable and comfortable vehicle I have had. I reckon you need to drive one for a couple of days and see what you think then. I'll leave the flaming to others :twisted:

Regards,
Tote

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Originally Posted by AnD3rew

I guess everybody will have their own opinions.

I have had a D1 and a D2 and my D3 is in every aspect the better vehicle.

On road it is very carlike (which is in my opinion what you would be aiming for) My immediately preveious car was a BMW which in my view was the best car in terms of feel and handling I have ever owned, and the D3 is surprisingly not too far off that mark on the road.

I have driven many Toyota's, owned a Mitsubishi Pajero and on road the D3 pi**es all over them (IMHO).

Off road which I did for the first time properly last weekend after 4 months of ownership it is truly awesome I can safely say it will go places a stock standard D1 will never go without a winch.

I truly don't believe there is another vehicle you can buy stock which can do both things so well.

Yes it is expensive, and yes it is highly reliant on a lot of electronics and although many have taken their D3's to very remote places, this is the one thing that might convince me to get a Tojo if I was planing a lot of very remote travel that there might be less electronic trickery to leave you stranded. Although having said that every generation of Tojo is now getting more and more of this stuff too.

Sorry you didn't like it, I guess you won't be buying one but I think we can live with that.

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In a recent post on this forum on latest Tojo's in Europe the reviewer said that realistically Tojo is only playing " catch up" and has a long way to go.

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Originally Posted by Disco44

In a recent post on this forum on latest Tojo's in Europe the reviewer said that realistically Tojo is only playing " catch up" and has a long way to go.

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And Land Rover just moved the goal posts with the D4....... :burnrubber:

I was told by a Nissan mechanic that although Toyota have a far more extensive rural dealer network, they can't fix any of the new models anyway, as they don't have parts or the diagnostic system updates to do it. Your nice new Toyo will just sit there for 6 weeks whilst they try and get the bits shipped (usually from Japan).

And why would a Nissan guy lie about a Toymota? :angel:

Cheers,

Gordon

El Duderino,

Interesting post. Having owned my TDV6 SE Disco for the best part of 10 months and done about 25,000 km in a combination of daily shuttle, family touring and some off roading I think your assessment based on a 5.30 am post after one midnight city run is just slightly premature, happy to be corrected once you wake up.

I think the car like nature of a fully fledged 4wd is actually a major achievement. The off road ability, greatly assisted by electronic gadgets notwithstanding is nothing short of incredible and the comfort and ease with which the D3 spans these two polar opposites is why it has won just about every major motoring award in existence.

No one car can do everything but the D3 based on my experience seems to cover more ground than most.

Having never owned an LR prior to this I had no particular brand alliance and did plenty research before buying. compared to other European SUV's you get a similar build quality and on road performance yet it is more than just a station wagon on steroids. compared to a LC 200 which is around the same price the D3 is more refined and a better drive in every way (imho).

You can get cheaper but again imho value for money is high in the D3.

As for a being a poor man's Rangie. I looked at the RRS but as I wanted 7 seats and enough luggage space to easily cart a young family this did not suit. A full blown Range Rover is nearly double what I paid, so not really a proxy for a D3.

So there is the rationale for my purchase of the D3 and whilst I accept you may be able to make a fully informed decision from one quick drive I fear your judgement maybe lacking in substance and cognitive thought.

George

Thanks for you honest opinions n no flamage guys, much appreciated. Having such an opportunity to drive one for a few hours, I just wanted to share my thoughts n see how they stacked up against other peoples. :)

They're certainly luxurious! I can see what target demographic they've aimed it at n think they've done an amazing job. It felt very much like an X5 but you knew it could do a lot more. What surprised me however was the Disco has evolved as from it's initial design brief, and this was a major let-down to me. The Disco was supposed to bridge the gap between the 'hard as nails' Defender n the cushy Rangie, but has now become more like a baby Rangie. Like was mentioned, it's now competing against the 200 series n the like, so this is understandable, but this leaves a big void in their range which they used to dominate.

I'm driving it out on their farm next weekend when we're going shooting, so will have some broad space with some rough stuff to try it out on. I'm eager to see how it goes. :)

I have only owned my D3 a couple of months but I bought it because:
It is big enough to carry wife, 4 kids & self in comfort.
You can still fit some kit in.
Compared to the 200 GLX L/C it was miles ahead in standard equipment & design.
The wife liked it.
When your driving for a long stretch (13 hours) you can walk & stand up straight afterwards.
It IS car like, even on rough dirt.
I like the "Block of Flats on wheels" look
From over 12 months research there are very few problems with the electronics or the rest of the car.
It goes well & tows well.
And it ain't Japanese.
All cars are a compromise but the D3 compromise's least.
I have owned 7 4WD's, this is by far the best.
Jonesfam
TDV6 SE

Would I have a D3 or D4? Bloody oath I would - if I could afford one.

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Originally Posted by gghaggis

I was told by a Nissan mechanic that although Toyota have a far more extensive rural dealer network, they can't fix any of the new models anyway, as they don't have parts or the diagnostic system updates to do it. Your nice new Toyo will just sit there for 6 weeks whilst they try and get the bits shipped (usually from Japan).

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Glad to see someone else making this point.

Re the D3 and Range Rover -- the Rangie is a long way upmarket of where the D3 and D4 presently is. You only need to sit inside one to understand that let alone drive it. Modern Rangies exude upper-class luxury.

I repair and service all models of Discos, 1, 2's and 3's and I'd prefer long distance touring in a TDV6 SE D3 above all of them. Off road a well kitted D1 Tdi auto would be my pick, and If I wanted a great tourer AND off road vehicle, a 2003 onward Td5 chipped auto D2a would be the best allrounder. (Yes D3's are pretty awesome offroad, but I feel a little too big and 'scratchable' than a D2)
Love driving the D3 though, haven't tried a petrol one yet, but very impressed with the TdV6.

My 30c,

JC