good, bad and ugly- P38a or 03 disco?

[Dan00h]

well, I am looking at buying a P38a or 03 disco. currently upgrading as our faithful 96 mazda v6 is too small with the family.

looking for opinions on both (autos) as a family car - driven 4 days a week. Considerations are cost (purchase and running), maintenance, comfort, RELIABILITY and usability (some light and occasional heavy towing).

I am also thinking about the following - XC70, grand cherokee or pajero. Cruiser and patrol are too big.

budget is 25k tops.

Thanks

Daniel

[V8Landy]

Depends on if you will take it offroad. I have seen a standard p38a in the bush and it was awesome until the electrics played up then overheated. The Disco would also be a good choice I think less likely to break down. Make sure the Disco has the centre difflock as some(certain yr models someone will know which)did not have them and some had them but not hooked up. If you go a diesal disco fuel economy will be good but a V8 (my favourite) will be expensive to run so get one already on gas. You will get either in the price range. I voted the Disco

[JamesH]

There are too many XC90s on the road and they are so popular with people who like them for the "wrong" reasons that i suspect they are over priced. I love a P38a and it seems though just from reading here they cause too much grief for a family workhorse.

D3, it's a Landy, it's modern, it's an easy choice.

[Jock The Rock]

I'd say the Disco as well, maybe a TD5 auto. Theres heaps around in that price range

I don't think I'd ever touch a P38 (personal preference) after hearing other peoples problems and the cost of parts I would much rather a nice DII

[Grumbles]

Grand Cherokeee - has the same problems as a P38. Blend motors, V8 - head problems. Electronics. And extrordinarily expensive parts pricing. Diesel GCs can be a time bomb - I wouldn't touch one.

Pajero - probably reliable but perhaps prone to oil leaks. A bit boring though.

P38 - a well maintained one with the heater 'O' rings, blend doors and top hat liners done would be the go for me. For sheer driving pleasure and pride of ownership [with all its foibles] it can't be beaten.

[stevo68]

A picture tells a thousand words....my choice.....



Regards

Stevo

[willem]

P38 - a well maintained one with the heater 'O' rings, blend doors and top hat liners done would be the go for me. For sheer driving pleasure and pride of ownership [with all its foibles] it can't be beaten.

Agreed 100%! A good P38a is a magnificent car, and very competent and capable. Get to know it, sort the issues out, and you will have a magnificent chariot that will take you anywhere in comfort. 25K should get you a very late model one with low kms.

Not all P38s have reliability problems. I was talking to one P38 owner whose 99 4.0 had travelled over 280 000kms, including trips to the Gulf of Carpentaria with no significant problems.

Willem

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

g'day,

i can most certainly tell you that the p38a is a great fourby to owne.
i myself have had one and taken it off road with not a problem. pretty much had all the goodies that come with a rangie, leather, climate, electrics EVERYTHING. the only down fall is the lack of accsessories available for it, ie: Snorkels
Bullbars ( i think you can get one now but for a high price).

when off road she handled pretty well and the fact that they have air suspention if you do decide in getting one is that invest in spare air bags. (you dont want one of them going on you in the bush. You have to look out for river crossings as well, rangie electrics and water dont mix very well and some of the boys on here could tell ya about it.

At the moment i own a 95 D1 300tdi which is a bit earlier than what you are after but all i can say is i thank my luck stars i got it. Fuel milage is great, i get about 650L to 700L per tank depending what i do with her, accsessories are endless and over all just a great fourby in and out of the bush.

So in conclusion i would go for a Disco with diesel.

happy decisions!!!!!

[**Discovery300Tdi**]

Depends on if you will take it offroad. I have seen a standard p38a in the bush and it was awesome until the electrics played up then overheated. The Disco would also be a good choice I think less likely to break down. Make sure the Disco has the centre difflock as some(certain yr models someone will know which)did not have them and some had them but not hooked up. If you go a diesal disco fuel economy will be good but a V8 (my favourite) will be expensive to run so get one already on gas. You will get either in the price range. I voted the Disco

lol that wouldnt be a certain p38 that challenged the otways now would it brett?????

Hell of a lot of fun though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ace]

In the end it doesnt so much matter what you buy brand wise, you just need to do your homework and buy something that has been looked after and serviced.

An 03 TD5 Auto discovery would make an ideal family vehicle, economical, handles well on road and very competent off road.

The P38A is a great car, and they do have a bad reputation, they arent all bad, but if you are unlucky enough to get a lemon then they cost big dollars, or can do.

Im told the P38A models post 2000 have bosch electrics so are less problematic than the mid 90's models.

Dare i say it, but the Diesel Pajero is also a good vehicle, and again you will hear horror stories about them like any other brand, but essentially a well serviced diesel Paj is a good choice aswell. Not as capable as the Disco though, and probably not as nice to drive either.

I wouldnt even bother with the Jeep, but thats a personal thing, they have their problems like anything else, but there are many people who are as passionate about Jeeps as we are about land rovers, and post this thread on a Jeep forum and they will have you convinved a Jeep is the way to go.

Volvo isnt my thing, but i might suit your needs.

In the end test drive them all and buy the one you like and that you feel will best suit your needs, however i still stand with the TD5 Disco choice, nice vehicle and good value for money on the second hand market.