Which 4WD to buy?

Submitted: Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:19
ThreadID: 97967 Views:2632 Replies:3 FollowUps:11
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Hi all,

I'm sure you people get sick of these types of questions so I'll try a keep this one simple.

We have approx. $30K to spend on a 4WD and am throwing up whether we are better off getting a newer model paj (2007/60-80,000 kms) or a slightly older disco 3 (2005/130-140,000kms)

Without getting too in depth just curious what peoples thoughts are about the extra 3/4 years driving with the disco compared to the newer paj for the same money.

Looking at doing the tanami/Kimberley's mid next year and then plenty of weekends away so apart from the big trip next year I would imagine relatively mild 4WDing beyond that.

Thanks for your thoughts.

Cheers, Lloyd
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Reply By: madfisher - Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:23

Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:23
If it was the other way round I would still take the Paj on its reliabity record alone.
have you asked any mechanics their opinion of either?
Cheers Pete
AnswerID: 494726

Follow Up By: Weavey72 - Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:44

Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:44
Hi madfisher,

I did speak to the RAA re paj v prado and they said they didn't think the prado was worth the extra $$$ but have only just considered the disco, do understand that the electrics are not the best

Lloyd
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Follow Up By: madfisher - Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 21:45

Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 21:45
The Paj is much better vehicle to drive then the walllowing Prado, and I dont own either but get to drive most.
Cheers pete
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Reply By: AlbyNSW - Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:59

Tuesday, Sep 11, 2012 at 20:59
I have owned 3 Landrovers from new and have found them reliable and parts cost were comparable to the Japaneses options.
The Disco would be a much nicer vehicle to drive and probably more room as well however Landrover like Jeep can be a bit quirky to repair and it is usually best to have them serviced by someone specializing in them whereas the Japanese counterparts are more mainstream for he standard mechanics

If it was me I would still go the Disco but only if I new I had someone near me that was confident to carry out the routine maintenance. As I recall the 05 models would probably have had BMW electronics and componentry as they owned them at the time ( much to he disgust of the British)
AnswerID: 494731

Follow Up By: desray (WA - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 07:01

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 07:01
Of the two 4wd you are looking at go the Pajero .
AlbyNSW ( I have owned 3 Landrovers from new and have found them reliable ) you must be the only one on the planet or have been very very very lucky.
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 07:47

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 07:47
No he isn't. I haven't had an issue with my Land Rover either and it's been 4 years and 140,000 kms now. Land Rover reliability went through the roof around 2006 when Ford took them over. They are owned by Tata in India now with no ill effects. Out of the box Land Rovers are one of the most capable and comfortable off road cars you can buy.
Having said all that, there is nothing wrong with a Pajero except that you have to go to ARB and spend $10-$15k to get them to where a Disco 3/4 starts at in terms of off road capability. At least the Pajero diesel has some grunt and there are plenty of them around.
On the issue of modern cars and how they break down, I was told of the new Toyota Land Cruiser coming off the barge at Fraser Island and dipping it's butt in the water, it immediately went into limp mode. They couldn't find the reason until they realized that salt water had gone into the trailer connector electrics and was shorting it out. As soon as they blew the water out of the connector all was well again. All the new Jap cars are coming out with more electrics and they are squeezing more grunt out of the motors. As a result the reliability is dropping.
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Follow Up By: mikehzz - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 07:53

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 07:53
By the way Loyd, I would get the newer car with less kms for that reason only. Cheers
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Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 09:35

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 09:35
Desray I currently drive a Toyota and that has given me the most grief with regards to reliability, not complaining though it is all horses for courses and I am not that brand loyal anyway.
Mikehzz has a good point with going with the one with less kms if you are not fussed on which vehicle.
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Reply By: Danna - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 11:49

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 11:49
Hi Lloyd
If you live in Sydney, you shouldn't think twice to buy Landy. We use to have 1998 Disco. It was best model for real off-road ever made by Rover all manual - no electronic. We sold it 2009 for very good money.
We use to go for everything (all service, all repairs and advice) to Coopers in
St. Peters. I was sure that our vehicle always going to make it....and always did. It was very well looked after by Graham Cooper personally and his team. As they do nothing else but Land Rovers they are the best in Land Rovers business.
Good luck Dana
AnswerID: 494759

Follow Up By: Danna - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 11:53

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 11:53
One more thing, do not forget to buy diesel. Definitely do not even look at petrol 4WD.
Dana
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Follow Up By: Crammo - Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 22:39

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2012 at 22:39
Why all this obsession with diesels?

There are those that seem to have the opinion that diesels are the be-all and end-all, but after all these are merely personal opinions, no more.

Best to keep an open mind and not be unduly influenced by others personal and possibly biased opinions.

Do your research and take into account ALL variables and costs of vehicle ownership. More especially make it your business to look at independent, documented reliability ratings for the vehicles you are considering.

After all its your $$.

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Follow Up By: Danna - Thursday, Sep 13, 2012 at 13:22

Thursday, Sep 13, 2012 at 13:22
I wouldn’t call right choice an obsession. It’s just simple. It is about your safety, availability regular petrol and price. It is good to look what type of vehicles are generally used in bush and mining companies these days…...mostly diesels. But for argument sake, there are two major reasons why diesel will always win.
Safety: if it comes to bushfire, you are much more capable to safely drive a way than in petrol vehicle.
Availability and price: Petrol is mostly available everywhere where is diesel. Only difference is, that in some parts of Australia you can’t drive on regular petrol. You must have Opal petrol, and that is more expensive than regular petrol.
Cheers Dana
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Follow Up By: Crammo - Thursday, Sep 13, 2012 at 22:46

Thursday, Sep 13, 2012 at 22:46
This is just one persons opinion.

Based on this argument all vehicles would be diesels, but the fact is that the vast majority are not.

Funny all new Nissan Patrols will soon be petrol only, no diesel option.
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Follow Up By: Danna - Friday, Sep 14, 2012 at 10:46

Friday, Sep 14, 2012 at 10:46
This is just one person’s opinion.

Drive to real Outback and ask people there...

Based on this argument all vehicles would be diesels, but the fact is that the vast majority are not.

You quite right. Diesel vehicles should be definitely more promoted for driving in Outback and fire prone areas. Most of people drive petrol 4WD in cities, and they even do not know this basic fact. People buy petrol and not diesel because petrol vehicles are bit cheep to buy.

Funny all new Nissan Patrols will soon be petrol only, no diesel option.

When it comes to Patrols, Nissan targeting Arabic countries, as they have plenty of petrol and it is dirt cheap there, cheaper than any drink....
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