Thread: Buying a P38

Originally Posted by Hoges

3t is a hefty anchor to pull along...besides which a large van has a significant aerodynamic drag factor to consider... there's close to three times the drag at 100kmh than there is at 60kmh... and 1.5 times the drag at 100 compared to 80kmh... doesn't surprise me that 19L/100km is achieved when you have close to 6t all up travelling at 100 kmh...

methinks Hoges has more than a passing interest in, and knowledge of, fluid dynamics

Originally Posted by PaulP38a

methinks Hoges has more than a passing interest in, and knowledge of, fluid dynamics

Yep, drink beer slowly!

We went and met Paul. Thanks for the hospitality and patience!! Filled up my brain somewhat more. The next step will be the 4wd show where we'll pester some of you to show us your RRs and Discos before heading up to Sydney to look. Trying to find a P38 without buggered paint is proving hard.

I heard that he's an alright bloke too ;-) If you look hard enough you'll find one with good paint! Any P38's that have lived north of Rockhampton will be showing signs of paint fatigue, I bought my first P38 from Sydney with mint condition paintwork, my second and current one has perfect paint still and was a Melbourne car all it's life. The green one took less than a year in Townsville and the paint started to go bad, current blue one has not started to flake yet but I have polished it a few times in the year and a bit I've owned it!

A full respray in the same colour shouldn't cost you more than 5k provided the panels are pretty straight! Also forms an excellent negotiating point!

Hope you find one that suits your tastes! They are a fantastic 4wd, and much more reliable than people would have you believe! Look for one that's been well looked after and you'll be right!

Cheers
Keithy

My old P38 (now traded) had perfect White paint. Apart from a few small issues with air suspension was in fantastic condition with 200,000 kms. So keep looking good ones are out there, just a matter of finding the right one. Even ones with a few problems at the right price are worth looking at. When I bought mine it was basically on the bump stops but after advice from members on here I took the risk. Knocked $1500 off price. Last owner had been quoted $2500-3000 to fix. Cost me under $600 to fix & included an EAS Kicker. Fantastic car to drive. Didn't like getting rid of it but SWMBO said could keep it & the newer L322. But hell it was a nice car. Another P38 I looked at faded & drove like a bucket of bolts. So drive a couple even if there not for sale so you know whats good & bad. Sure members on here wont mind

Gary

Gary, how does the l322 compare to the p38? I've never driven an l322

Originally Posted by rovercare

Gary, how does the l322 compare to the p38? I've never driven an l322

Thats a big can of worms and a personal taste thing. The 322 is easily the step up from the P38 that the P38 is from the hard dash classic.

Even given, I miss driving my P38 daily, and also my worn tattered old P38 seat which fit my backside perfectly is just as comfy as the non lux seats in my 322. my wife likes the 322 and says I should be selling my P38

The only other thing I can throw in is try and find a P38 which has been undercover most of its life. Mine spent most of its life parked during most days in the sun in the work car park, not only is paintwork an issue, but all plastics exposed to sunlight are also now proving very troublesome. Including a very warped dash. Things snap and crack so easily, but then most plastics which were out of the direct sun still seem to be fairly solid, I guess its UV breakdown.

I feel I have looked after mine well, but its a mess compared to lots of them I see in the 200-250 k's range and mines done just over 260.

personally, put in the audi heater matrix with clamp on fittings, somehow jerry rig and fit in the eas valve block from the L322 (simple plastic long life low leak masterpiece compared to the aluminum brick on the p38), and some how take away the becm's ability to go into lockdown mode and I think you would have a very reliable car - and I dont think those things are impossible at all.

PS - I put my hand up to say Hard Range Paul's a top bloke as well helped me out a few times now!

Originally Posted by rovercare

Gary, how does the l322 compare to the p38? I've never driven an l322

Chalk and cheese, totally different car.. I doubt there would be one part on the L322 which was used from the P38 (thank god!)

Airbag suspension on the L322 is way nicer and handles better..steering and brakes are like a normal car.

My dad has had his 1997 HSE P38 since 2000. He wrote down all the problems he had with it in the last 100,000ks (he bought it with 60k on it).. added up to 27k

new engine
transfer
airbags (wear item)
valve block
brake booster
brake controller upgrade (no idea but was an aftermarket part..didn't work)
Wheel bearings... wtf?
crank angle sensor
x2 fuel pumps.. must be crap pumps!

Thats all I could remember sorry.. list is double that.

He still has the car.. pretty much a farm car now used for towing the trailer.

You can buy them so cheap these days but be prepared to have a few k up your sleeve for the expected problems. Personally I would never touch one no matter how good the deal is

Camo