I have a itch that I want to scratch so please bear with me.
I want to get a 4x4, and I think I'm now in the right position to get one. Currently out of work but hopefully working within next 4 months or so, so I need a car (just sold my last one). When I get a job, 99% certain I'l get a company car so this is a short term thing.
Budget is an issue, circa £1500, maybe a tad more. Want diesel, can't afford the low teens MPG that a big petrol will give, even though I know a diesel won't really be that economical. Looking maybe for a 1995/96 Disco Tdi? Any thoughts/comments/ recommendations. Loads of early 90's Pajeros around but I'm not sure that an import is a good idea.
What would you get with that limited budget knowing it is only a 3 month fling? Disco, import Pajero, A.N.Other? What do I need to look out for, I guess rust is the biggest thing on cars of this age. Ability to re-sell is quite important though. Happy to lose a few quid for the experience but not all of my money.
Thanks.
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A £1500 Disco is likely to be an unutterable pile of carp.
Not to mention they are rubbish on the road.
If you are owning for 3 months how many miles do you expect to cover - fuel costs won't be that huge so maybe you can get a bargain V8 petrol for buttons and shift it on.
Or maybe you've gone mad.. see your GP ;-)
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Yes, mad as a fruit cake, but why not?
Think japanese or korean. Old Discos are usually rusty, malfunctioning, money pits. The bits are relatively cheap if you don't mind wielding your toolkit but the build quality is poor. No doubt someone will come along now and tell you they have done a million miles in one with only a blown bulb.
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If you are owning for 3 months how many miles do you expect to cover - fuel costs won't be that huge so maybe you can get a bargain V8 petrol for buttons and shift it on.
I've worked out that fuel for a V8 will be about £130/month more than a diesel on my mileage, not a real breaker BUT who would be mad enough to buy a V8 from me afterwards...
PS - I don't mind 'rubbish on the road', that's part of the experinece. My last company cars have been Mercs, Audis and BM's. I think this will be the complete antithesis of those cars and quite cathartic.
Yes, I'm mad!!!! as a box of frogs...
Edited by a900ss on 03/09/2009 at 21:43
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Hilux surf or similar, you might just find that you'll like it more than you think...next you'll be thinking that this would be a nice motor with the 3 litre engine and auto box, when that happens all is lost..;)
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Toyota Landcruiser, Isuzu Trooper and Nissan Patrol. Proper motors!
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Subaru Forester S-Turbo.
Once you realise it's actually a damn fine car you'll be heading for 230+bhp ones!
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Subaru Forester S-Turbo. Once you realise it's actually a damn fine car you'll be heading for 230+bhp ones!
For £1500? Surely not.
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£1500-£2000 will bag a decent 98-00 with 100k miles, very wolf in sheep's clothing.
If you want decent off road potential, you're better off looking at the non-turbo ones as they have low ratio gears - there will start around £1000.
Fine cars.
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I agree.
Mk 1 Forester Turbo-S is a great car and very comfortable to boot.
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I run a Forester XT, 53 plate. A very quick and competent car. When I was looking on ebay there were several older ones around the £1500 to £2000 mark. Choose carefully though.
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I had always hankered after a Defender. In late 2007 I bought an N reg 300 series SWB. One careful owner...I knew the history of the vehicle. Within 6 months it was sold. It was great fun for the first week, and I got the LR thing out of my system. Made a nice profit on it as well.
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I had an old Series Landy for a short while. I had fond memories of bowling around airfields in one and thought I'd relive them. Unfortunately my memory didn't recall that the MOD were putting the petrol in, not me, and they maintained it as well.
My renewed love affair was short-lived.
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I'll be getting my 58-plate Forester PPP'd with it's first service.
Boost is addictive - shockingly rapid for a jacked-up breadvan!
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Now you're making me jealous. I'm thinking of getting a 2.5 PPP in a year or so. Are you fitting 17'' wheels as recommended?
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The 2.5XT has 17" wheels as standard. The weak spot is the Yokohama Geolander (Geosquealer) tyres - once they're down to 3mm they'll be replaced with Michelins or Vredestein Sportracs.
tinyurl.com/for25xt
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My choice would be a Land Rover Defender. OK, they are very basic for on-road use but they are fun. £1500 should probably buy you an early 200TDI engined one - possibly a bit rough round the edges - but working on Land Rovers is part of the fun for lots of people! You need to check the chassis for rust - particularly the rear crossmember, and the main steel bulkhead panel between the dash and engine compartment rusts too. All the other panels are aluminium alloy.
You might just about get 30 mpg from a Defender 90 TDI. I had an older 90 with a 4-cylinder petrol engine that did about 20 mpg.
Land Rovers have a great following with 3 or 4 monthly magazines devoted to them. Parts are quite cheap and most things are easy to work on (except the gearbox and transfer box).
Edited by Sofa Spud on 04/09/2009 at 20:00
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Well, I've chosen my car and should pick it up this afternoon. It's a .......1.8 Renault Laguna!!!!
I looked at a few 4x4's and most of the Discos were rotton (rust) or the Pajero's were vere old (very early 90's). Anyway, saw a GREAT deal, I think, in the local rag for a 2001 Laguna, low miles, full ticket, good spec.
Perhaps I'm not so mad after all and that itch will bhave to wait a while.
Thanks anyway guys.
Edited by a900ss on 05/09/2009 at 09:36
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ah, the laguna won paris-dakar a couple of time didn't it? or am i thinking of something else.
you are as bad as a mate of mine who went out for a couple of lightbulbs and came back with a whole car!
hope you enjoy your car and good luck finding employment soon.
alf
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