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Thread: No P38A for me it seems

  1. #1
    4X4V8 Guest

    No P38A for me it seems

    So I finally got to go and look at a 2000 P38A 4.6 for sale, cosmetics pretty good and a pile of LR service receipts right up to abt 2yrs / 15,000km ago. I was looking at it because I want a late P38, and not one that the owner is asking $30k for.

    So anyway, I go to look at this car and I found a clatter on start-up (low oil) leaking coolant in the driver's footwell (o-rings but poss heater core), coolant reservoir empty, aircon not cold, blend motors don't seem to work and when I tried squeezing the top and bottom radiator hoses after a run, they felt much harder than my D2 V8's (which I presume are okay).

    So it could have a slipped liner or three ( or just a blocked radiator, I suppose) and I get the feeling the owner bought himself a new car a while ago and gave it to his sons to drive. Maybe they haven't been so particular with maintenance.

    And then there are the little things, like CD stacker not working, low front pads.

    I've already spoke to Ron and hoped that he would talk me into it, but he's a sensible man and saw right through my tactics.

    I really can't afford the time for two hobby cars, and it's a cruel truth.

    This is meant to be my wife's car I'm buying here. She said 'Thank God' when I told her I would not be pursuing the RR. That sealed it, really.

    Such a shame, cos even though I have been quoted between $6k and $12k for a new top-hatted engine and anything up to 4 weeks to do the re-build (that whole process was putting me off in itself - it started to remind me of talking to builders abt renovations, price and time are too damn fluid) and the air con needs around $2k-$3k thrown at it, it has new suspension and it drove beautifully. The P38A really has a magic carpet ride compared to my D2.

    The owner doesn't recognise yet that his car has major problems (okay I do not know 100 per cent it has a slipped liner, but if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, etc) so the price has not dropped yet. But I am guessing it will....

    Oh well, I tried to make it happen. I'll own a P38A, one day...

    Okay, I'm off to buy a clapped out Forester or a Ford Escape...

  2. #2
    p38arover's Avatar
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    A wise move, Phillip.

    Get the 2005-2008 Forester with the 2.5 litre engine. Don't get the 2 litre (besides, its rear looks like the back of a bus). The 2.5 is a bit of a slug in overtaking until it gets wound up. I think the 2 would be woeful.

    A 2.5 Turbo would be good!

    My wife really loved her 2005 Forester (she now has a 2009 Forester). I prefer the 2005.

    Oh, she didn't like the Escape nor the Tribute.

    It was for her so I let her decide. I wanted something safe and with constant AWD. That ruled out the CR-V, etc.
    Ron B.
    VK2OTC

    2003 L322 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Auto
    2007 Yamaha XJR1300
    Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA



    RIP Bucko - Riding on Forever

  3. #3
    4X4V8 Guest
    Get the 2005-2008 Forester with the 2.5 litre engine
    I'm working on it, but a bit out of the budget - I have max $15k to spend. I saw one this morning at a used car dealer though (03 XS auto, 114,000km) and it looked like they'd do it for $15k, so maybe it is in contention.

    BTW, they had a D2 1999 V8 auto 96k km for less than $10k, gawd haven't they dropped in value!

    There was a Freelander 2004 update that I'd love to buy but $24k, way out of my league.

    BTW, if you hear of anyone buying a blue 2000-model P38A HSE in Sydney for $20k asking price though, make sure thay have had it checked out. Clearly, it is a 'work in progress' kind of car, and would need a little bit of negotiation on price... I'd feel sick if someone here bought it at full whack and didn't realise a fair bit needs to be done to it.

  4. #4
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    If it went to auction he would be very, very lucky to see 10 big ones for it. My estimate at auction 5 to 7. Dealers do not like them because dealers have to provide warranty and the dealers premium for warranty insurance is very expensive on known big expensive troubles cars.
    Last edited by Bigbjorn; 15th September 2008 at 10:05 AM. Reason: typo
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    You can actually purchase a warranty for a vehicle purchased privately through groups like AVWG - Australian Warranty Insurance I have used these guys personally and found them to be fantastic!

    Also selling my second rangie: Used LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER Private Seller Cars For Sale - carsales.com.au
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  6. #6
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    The 2.5 foresters have a known head gasket problem. Goggle it. Whilst the engine has to come out to fix them, mate of mine (with 2005 model) had his done at a dealer and cost less than 2k which I thought was pretty good. However his economy dropped by almost a 1lt/100km after the rebiuld, so I suspect they use composite gaskets with a subsequent reduction in CR.

  7. #7
    p38arover's Avatar
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    Crikey! Don't tell me that. We have two 2.5 Foresters, one is a 2005 model. It better happen soon. It has a 5 year warranty and has only about 40,000km on it. The other only has 3000km on the clock..
    Ron B.
    VK2OTC

    2003 L322 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Auto
    2007 Yamaha XJR1300
    Previous: 1983, 1986 RRC; 1995, 1996 P38A; 1995 Disco1; 1984 V8 County 110; Series IIA



    RIP Bucko - Riding on Forever

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by p38arover View Post
    Crikey! Don't tell me that. We have two 2.5 Foresters, one is a 2005 model. It better happen soon. It has a 5 year warranty and has only about 40,000km on it. The other only has 3000km on the clock..
    so the 2005 is for spares?
    "How long since you've visited The Good Oil?"

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  9. #9
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    I had a 2 litre auto. It wasn't as nice as the 2.5 but it was fine and offered good economy. I would of loved a turbo model.

    I have been looking recently at subies again as I'm considering a job with a lot of travel and the disco wouldn't be suitable but all the 2.0 litre foresters I have looked at are getting way to old to consider. I think 2.5 is the only realistic option now.

    Xav

  10. #10
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    It does show that all manufacturers have their issues. Just some more than others
     2005 Defender 110 

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