May be joining the D3 gang again. (Advice on buying used)
After selling my D3 HSE in June 2007, I've slowly been working my way through various cars and now again might be in the market for a D3 again
In mid-December we moved to the top of the Berkshire downs and now have been snowed in for three weeks! Luckily I have my 40 year old Series IIa, so am using this to get up and down the hill, and leaving our car parked at the edge of the village. After getting the car stuck a few times too, it's all getting a bit tedious, so we've decided to get a 4x4 again.
We have a new Kia Soul as our main car (for 5 year unlimited mileage warranty, style & economy) and the 4x4 will replace our Saab 9-5 estate.
Was considering a Kia Sorento for about £8-9K as these seem the best value for a decent offroader and are also considerably cheaper than a Land Cruiser or Shogun. Didn't really want to spend any more than about £6K, but you get only end-of-life cars for that. Ideally wanted something with no more than about 60k miles, so it wasn't suffering from too much wear. But you keep looking at what another grand buys and before you know it you're considering a D3 or even a Range Rover L332, but then you're up to around £13K and much more miles.
Obviously I know all about D3 ownership (having done 30k miles in mine), but I don't know about how they age.
I've read a few similar posts here. I have some questions regarding buying a used D3:
What is the cost of a warranty?
When (typical mileage) does suspension bushes wear and what is the approx cost of replacement?
When does the turbo wear out & what's the cost?
I've seen some mention to electrical problems? Is owning an old D3 like a owning a RR P38?Matt
12th Jan 2010 1:59 pm
DiscoDunc
Member Since: 08 May 2006
Location: Bristol
Posts: 16390
Welcome back Matt
I still tell the story of the D3Matt family in shock after the tow down the Lane From Hell !!!!Duncan
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I seem to recall towing D2Matt on a Wilts trip too.... something to do with the Dixon Bate plough you had fitted. Nice to see you on here again I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
12th Jan 2010 4:40 pm
DiscoStu
Member Since: 09 Apr 2006
Location: London
Posts: 11412
No, forgive me, it was a cross-axled 90 on THE HILL that resulted in happy memories I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
12th Jan 2010 8:35 pm
Dave
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 2462
NoDo$h wrote:
I seem to recall towing D2Matt on a Wilts trip too.... something to do with the Dixon Bate plough you had fitted. Nice to see you on here again
Matt was in his 90, that ploughing D2 was me Many thanks again!
Welcome back Matt!
12th Jan 2010 8:39 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72915
Hi Matt, good to hear from you after Peterborough. Good if you can rejoin the madness, remember Yarwell 06???
Thanks for all the 'welcome backs'.
Yes, had some fantastic times in the D3 on the events. Playing at Yarwell, driving through the swollen fords near Salisbury Plain (& driving sideways for the weekend!), in the snow & up the slate mine in Lake District to name a few. I recently got some photos blown up and framed of the D3 on these events. It was madness what I put a new £42K vehicle through. Testament to how good the D3 is.
Would love to get another one, but nervous about buying at the bottom end - 2004/2005 with nearly 100,000 miles on the clock.
In comparison, £10,995 buys you a 2005 top spec (XT) diesel auto Sorento with only 32k miles or a £5,995 buys you a 2006 3.5 V6 petrol Sorento with only 23,000 miles. The V6 petrol is very thirsty, but the ~£4K saving buys a lot of fuel! I'm wondering if this is a more sensible buy for now and put off the D3 ownership for another year or two when I then may be able to afford a newer D3 or even a D4 by then.
I'll have to get my Series II up to scratch and join you on a local event. It's just a bit frustrating being limited to about 45 mph on the road.Matt
I found the ride in the Sorento to be woeful when I took a couple of extended test drives - pitches and crashes all over the place. There's a reason they're cheaper, and it's not just spec and finish. Would give you more of the "proper" big 4x4 feel than a lot of other cars out there though. D2 no good for you?
Also worth looking at the XC90 and the Touareg. Neither are a D3, but you'll be closer to the quality and feel and might keep it a bit longer, giving you more chance to save for the car you know you really want. Chopping cars every 5 minutes is a great way to burn cash.I know it's not considered "kind" to say no these days, but no. Just no, ok? And if it's not ok, still no.
XC90 & Touaregs are both in D3 prices. i.e. starting at around £13K and then high mileages. I do like Touaregs and did test drive these before getting the RRS originally.
Yes, did consider a D2, but put off these by the old design, rust (they all seem to have rusty window trims!) and reliability.
I did test drive new Sorento's twice years ago. I know what you mean by the ride quality.
We're having a look at this one tomorrow. A bit 'bling', but it has all the kit - leather, electric & heated seats, sat nav, cruise etc. And less than 33k miles.
Do wonder if a D3 is worth £5K more and for 3 times the mileage.
I know the answer - Yes it is. But when this is going to be our second car and used less, I'm finding it hard to justify the spending the extra £5K.Matt
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Many thanks again!
