Thread: Would you buy another L322?

Another "Yes" here. Ours is a 2003 HSE TD6.

The only thing I am out-of-pocket for is two new front air struts and they weren't even that expensive to replace (less than $1K).

Diff got done under warranty and it had a new air compressor under warranty. Still drives like a dream and scrubs up really well. For $30-$40K it is luxury motoring at a relatively modest price.

Do you need a 4WD? I just picked up an older S-Class merc for about 10% of its original price which is a cracking luxury vehicle. Same sort of feel as the L322 but fleeter and more chuckable. Insane legroom in the back if you have larger teens to carry around (it's a LWB ). Cheap to insure too.

Cheers
David

I guess I don't really count as I have only had mine 3 months now.

I bought the first TD6 in the country, its black with jet interior and is a base HSE.

I have to admit its certainly built much better than the P38 and classic, and seems far less "creaky" in terms of interior for a 9 year old car, lots of P38's I have driven have creaky squeaky door cards etc.

So far mine's only cost me the few niggles I knew it had when I bought it, and its not a show pony like most others, but the price was right and the service history was what I wanted.

I guess the thing I learned from looking at them for a while was have your cash ready and be prepared to offer on the spot, when a nice one comes up they don't hang around long, as opposed to some being advertised for months.

I guess the only input I can give is if mine was written off and I got my full insurance payout, I would be putting my classic back into daily driver service and starting the long hunt for a black td6 with jet interior, yes I would buy another one.

I'm in pretty much the same situation as Grover, will be seriously looking at getting an L322 in the next couple of months, it's great to hear that current owners would be happy to have another, it gets rather tiring having people tell you to stick to Japanese...

pretty sure i'll be one of the few P platers driving around in one of these trucks... can't wait!

Originally Posted by 33chinacars

I have a HSE that missed out on SATNAV. Had a Quote of about $4000 to intergrate factory unit. Major problem first is that car has to be rewired. No wiring from rear of car to head unit. BIG BIG job. Unless SAT NAV is already there not worth the money. A cheap NAVMAN/GARMIN etc will have better maps anyway.

Make sure front has had recall done. Look after the auto but then Gavin could tell you of his tale of woo.

Start driving a few and enjoy . You wont go back to anything else.

Gary

There are other options for the satnav in these. Powerful UK sells a unit that bolts straight in, and gives you satnav, Iphone & bluetooth functionality, for about $1K. It fits into the dash nicely and looks almost genuine.

I will be getting one for mine when I have saved up a few more pennies. I'll post the results when done.

Cheers - Gav

HI James,

I'd just like to add my "HELL YEAH!" to the general consensus here. Would have another, no question.

I've had mine for a couple of years now and it's had it's fair share of issues but then just about any car of it's age is going to have some. Pixel problems (any L322 that's had more than a little sunlight on the instruments will suffer from this malady and there are a number of options to fix it). Front airbags replaced at 160K due to a slow leak. Everything else has been usual wear and tear.

As a good friend of mine frequently states, they are a mechanical contrivance and things wear out. My L322 is no different than a myriad of vehicles out there and for it's age has far less issues than it's japanese brethren seem to. (No correspondence will be entered into as this is from my own observation and research. Your mileage may vary). If bits are maintained and/or replaced before the problems start then they will go for a very long time.

As Gav states there are other options if your HSE didn't get fitted for SatNav. Mine has a VMS unit fitted to cover ICE/SatNav/Handsfree Phone duties.

The quality of the SatNav on earlier (pre 2006 facelift) vehicles wasn't that flash anyway. If you want a V8 you may find a Vogue with SatNav fitted. If you prefer the diesel the usual trim is HSE and optioned however the original owner desired. I've seen a few better appointed than the original Vogue in my travels.

Hunt around and be prepared to pounce when you find the right one because someone else will usually be waiting in the wings to buy if you don't.

So that's my 2c worth. Good Luck and Happy Hunting.

Cheers,
Iain

Thank you all very much for the feedback! it is certainly a very encouraging response as i have been hesitant mostly due to the fact it is a large amount of coin to let go of for a second hand vehicle...

I am certainly starting to understand that black may be a very difficult colour to keep clean especially when i have a 3km long DIRT drive way... I am fan of the Grey not so much the silver however...

As for interior after seeing a couple Grey interiors i feel they are a bit bland however the up keep would be far less. I feel the best interior would be black/Grey with a tan piping and door/dash trim.

I have arranged all my finances set myself a budget... and am willing to wait the year out if it takes that long to find the right one as i am in no rush to make a poor decision based to strongly on emotion.

Kind Regards, James.

Oh, and i am also having a skim over the D3s... they seem to be a nice vehicle also!

Originally Posted by Grover-98

I am certainly starting to understand that black may be a very difficult colour to keep clean especially when i have a 3km long DIRT drive way... I am fan of the Grey not so much the silver however...

Your mad getting a dark colour

I would have loved the dark red, especially if they ever did one dark enough to match my montpellier P38 and classic, but I only ever found two lighter red petrol ones.

I was quite taken back by the champagne colour, and to be honest I never liked it and then I came across one in person and it took my fancy.

Originally Posted by Grover-98

As for interior after seeing a couple Grey interiors i feel they are a bit bland however the up keep would be far less. I feel the best interior would be black/Grey with a tan piping and door/dash trim.

I looked at a few which had the white/camel/nude or what ever its called interior, and there were scuffs and marks all over the place, and I thought there is no way on earth I will keep this thing presentable with me filling it with junk and living in it for a few weeks at a time in the flinders ranges etc so I went for the "bland" but easy to keep jet dark grey interior.

I personally find the D3 is a completely different animal to sit in and drive, it personally wasn't my cup of tea.