7 seat diesel options

[Marco Polo]

Towing stability is often down to the trailer and how it's loaded. I tow trailer fulls of sand and gravel, plus I have towed a 1.5t digger on a big braked trandem all with my poxy old L200. Never felt twitchy up or downhill, she even maintains 75 up the climb to my place with 2 ton on the towbar. If it were me I'd go landy, for size, style and remarkable fuel economy . Second would be bighorn, I have had a very good run from one of these too.

[muddymatt1973]

Thinking a bit outside the box.....

Ssangyong Rexton. Later ones have a 2.7 diesel motor with 160+ bhp and lots of torque. Towing capacity is good. 7 seats too although rear ones are a bit small.
Has anyone driven one? Any issues?
Google seems to bring mixed reviews. Some really rate them while some bag them so I'm not too sure

[nstacey]

Put LPG in your v8 discovery?

[muddymatt1973]

Put LPG in your v8 discovery?

Thought about it but a)needed to free up some money b)needed all 7 seats and most kits put tank inside c)couldn't afford the outlay to LPG.

[muddymatt1973]

Ok so I need to start narrowing down a bit.

niblic from heres 1999 Disco2 Td5 with 317000k's in Christchurch.
Pros - he's from here and therefore a good bugga.
It's a make a know well.
He has done the head and airbags recently.
Cons - It's gonna cost best part of a grand to get there and get it home.

A dealer with a 2006 Rexton done same k's in Hamilton.
Pros - It's got the later 2.7 motor with 165bhp and 5 speed auto.
It's the newest and therefore probably safest and most economical.
Has an AA report with compressions and all looks good on paper.
Cons - It's a budget make.
Not sure on service history.
It's from a dealer and I distrust all car dealers.
Not too sure how they last.

A 1996 Prado with again sameish K's in Rotovegas.
Pros - It's a Toyota
It's been owned by same guy for 13 years.
The head has been done.
Cons - it's the oldest.
It's green.
I have seen high K's Prados that are just worn out, interior and seats just falling apart.

So..... what do I go for?? Any opinions from the floor??

[zed]

The prado in vegas (if its in ngongataha owned hy the doctor). I also looked at this one. Its had NO COOLANT run in it for years

Consequently the radiator was full of scungey crap. I tried to explain to him how absolutely critical a corrosion inhibitor is in the cooling system of a 1kz but he just didnt get it and refused to acknowledge. And apparently he knows best...

He may have had it flushed and filled with coolant now but the damage has already been done. Seen a few heads that have had odd pinholing around the valves because of running straight water.

Just my 2c

[lax2wlg]

Pros - It's a Toyota

BFD
They have plenty of issues just like any other manufacturer.

[muddymatt1973]

Pros - It's a Toyota

BFD
They have plenty of issues just like any other manufacturer.

Yeah I know - nothing is perfect. What I was sort of meaning is bits are common and wreckers are plentyful. Also accessories and improvements are readily available too.
Problems are commonly discussed and solutions available.
I agree that the badge does add to the asking price but not necessarily the value. Hence why I also considering a Ssangyong

Thanks for your input

[lax2wlg]

Matt the reality is the TD5 Disco II is the vehicle that would give you, the owner, the most enjoyment. BY FAR!

It would be a lovely tow vehicle, classy as hell, outstanding allrounder for this purpose.

The LWB Patrol would be the most logical, pragmatic option. Extremely reliable, low running costs, but very utilitarian, comparatively uncomfortable and underpowered for 7 people and long distances towing.

The Discovery will be more maintenance intensive. But its a Land Rover, and you're a Land Rover guy.

Get the Discovery.

[derk]

those prado cruisers are well known for spitting out transfercases as well as popping front suspension ball joints and something tells me they probably have the famous toyo 1kz engines as well

[lax2wlg]

Hopefully rokhound will chime in. Thats his vehicle pictured.

I think his words were something along the lines of 'the only Toyota product I've owned that hasn't lived up to my expectations of the Toyota brand'

[muddymatt1973]

It's looking more and more likely that a trip to Christchurch is called for.

Just ruled the Rexton out. I was driving thru town and spotted an 06 with 130K on at a dealer so I stopped for a nosy.

Seats and centre console looked worn to hell so god knows what a 300+K will be like. Plus the rear seats are really only suitable for double amputees Honestly my youngest two are 8 and they would struggle to fit!

Might have to put out a call for the ORE courier service - can you get me to Christchurch HAHAHHHAHHAHA

[zed]

chuck it on straight freight...I think they still run a chch--->welly service. I have sent a few cars the other way (not for a few years now tho).

[muddymatt1973]

I think his words were something along the lines of 'the only Toyota product I've owned that hasn't lived up to my expectations of the Toyota brand'

Love that quote! I worked for Toyota (sort of) a few years back doing mods to brand new 100's 105's 70's and 106 hilux for use by UN etc... The life expectancy for these was 18 months max

[muddymatt1973]

bump...

Still looking.

Everything I see I like is either just over budget or the other end of the country!

[zukmeista]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/nissan/auction-746636390.htm

[muddymatt1973]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/nissan/auction-746636390.htm

Prefer this one but I'm a bit short on funds....
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =743294649

[muddymatt1973]

Ok seen a couple of later Bighorn or Montereys with the later 4jx1 engine.
Google search has this engine as a total grenade! Are they really THAT bad?
Any members had experience of them? Good or bad?

Also might be able to get a later Pajero with 3.2 DiD motor. Any good?

[NJV6]

Yes, the 3.2 is a very sound engine, as are that model paj.

[zukmeista]

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/toyota/auction-747899580.htm

[BlakeNZ]

I'd be surprised if you can find a 3.2 DiD Pajero within your price range.

[muddymatt1973]

I'd be surprised if you can find a 3.2 DiD Pajero within your price range.

One closed last night but it was a dodgy $1 reserve car sales place and unsurprisingly I got out bid by a zero rated member. Never bought or sold a single thing on TM before and just happens to push the price right up.........
Hmmm bit suspicious I think. I could have kept on bidding and maybe got it for under 9K but I wanted to keep a bit back for any issues it might have come with.

Matt

[BlakeNZ]

yeah definitely the dealer or his mate bidding against you. Make sure you report it to tradeME. If they don't like the price, they shouldn't list it as a $1 reserve auction.
What year was the Pajero?

[muddymatt1973]

Yr 2000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =745452666

I have reported it to Trade-Me, waiting to hear back.

[muddymatt1973]

Yr 2000
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =745452666

I have reported it to Trade-Me, waiting to hear back.

Surprise surprise.... The winning bidder didn't complete so it's been re-listed.
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =749149127

Lying, thieving, rotten, cheating bastards.....
$1 reserve my ass

[lax2wlg]

What about that blue 2001 TD5 Discovery with 182k on autotrader.co.nz?

[muddymatt1973]

What about that blue 2001 TD5 Discovery with 182k on autotrader.co.nz?

Perfect - except is only a 5 seat.......... Grrrrrr

Thanks heaps for looking out for me tho'

[muddymatt1973]

So after a frustrating few weeks with nothing on the horizon I started thinking laterally.......

Essentials were the tow ability and the 7 seats. Working out how much we actually use it (we both have work vehicles) and the costs of RUC's and higher rego etc.... It started to make the petrol ones alot more attractive

So with that in mind, I expanded the search and bought a 2004 NZ new Pajero 3.8V6. 1 owner, done 239,000K and has WOF till 2015 and the seller even added 3 months rego. All for $5000

GLS spec so it has airbags, 5 speed auto, traction control, stability control, cruise control, aircon, etc..

Drove it back today and the missus is happy with it so job done!
I took it round the block and tested the centre diff and low range - all working sweet too.

Thanks to everyone for the help and input. Matt

[BlakeNZ]

wow that was a great price!!! are you sure it's not stolen?

[Marco Polo]

So after a frustrating few weeks with nothing on the horizon I started thinking laterally.......

Essentials were the tow ability and the 7 seats. Working out how much we actually use it (we both have work vehicles) and the costs of RUC's and higher rego etc.... It started to make the petrol ones alot more attractive

So with that in mind, I expanded the search and bought a 2004 NZ new Pajero 3.8V6. 1 owner, done 239,000K and has WOF till 2015 and the seller even added 3 months rego. All for $5000

GLS spec so it has airbags, 5 speed auto, traction control, stability control, cruise control, aircon, etc..

Drove it back today and the missus is happy with it so job done!
I took it round the block and tested the centre diff and low range - all working sweet too.

Thanks to everyone for the help and input. Matt

Hey muddymatt, so after a period of ownership, how is the wagon going. I am now thinking along the same lines, a petrol Pajero 7 seater. Have you measured the fuel consumption? Happy with how everything works, how she drives? Any tips when looking for one of these? I think you did well, the cheapest I can find at the moment is the 3.5 at $7-8k