To Buy or not to Buy

[Valski]

Hi All,

I recently bought a 2000 NM Pajero. nice car, but it's the family tourer. I'm looking for a Land Rover Disco, 2.5L Tdi - 94 or older.

I've heard horror stories about Discos and the poor build issues, other known problems, and things just breaking or falling off.

I LOVE the discos, always have and now I want to buy one. I have about $7k to spend and I've looked at plenty of them so far.

Saw a 1996 Tdi, which is clean. Needs a drive belt replaced (starting to look tattered), new battery, some hoses need replacing, and the tyres are shite. The guy wants $7k for it, but I'm considering making an offer of $6k with the issues it has.

My mates are telling me to go for a 90 series land cruiser, saying they have few issues and are as though as nails. But I love the Discos.

Any thoughts, suggestions?

[chimpboy]

I know it pushes the budget up another 4-5k, but a td5 is a much better buy than a tdi.

[Valski]

Yep, understood, but I'm limited to a max of $7k.

The Disco will be my "toy", so that I don't put anymore dents in the wife's Pajero!

[Utemad]

Saw a 1996 Tdi, which is clean. Needs a drive belt replaced (starting to look tattered), new battery, some hoses need replacing, and the tyres are shite. The guy wants $7k for it, but I'm considering making an offer of $6k with the issues it has.

My mates are telling me to go for a 90 series land cruiser, saying they have few issues and are as though as nails. But I love the Discos.

Any thoughts, suggestions?

If they are the only 'issues' then it would be great. However since they are all service items and visible then it would make me wonder what other service things you can't see that haven't been done.

The 90 Series Cruiser is the original Australian Prado isn't it?
Not in the same class as a Disco when it comes to a real 4wd it is more like the Pajero you already have.

If it is just a toy or rarely used 2nd car then why not get a V8. $7k will get you a good nick late model Disco1. Even one with plenty of off road modifications if that is what you want.

[Valski]

Has full service history, all regular servicings done. In fact, there are repair receipts that show the previous owner took it to the dealer everytime he noticed something not not.

Example "Noise form engine" which was inspected, diagnosed and fixed by a LR dealer.

"Blowing more smoke than normal" - again, taken and fixed straight away.

Although it will be my toy, I still plan on doing long road trips in it, with gear up top etc, so diesel is the more economical option. Probably will be driving it to work as well most of the time.