£10k xc90 or discovery?

[p1tse]

£10k can buy a 2005 model or there about
Wouldn't want to go post 06 plate due to high tax ban

Wants
Leather, auto, 7 seat

Both offer these but would you on either of these considering they will be 10 years old and not German quality finish kit, and probably more expensive to maintain if things go wrong?

[Fleckers]

my money would be on the XC90

[FFRR7]

Agree with the above. Swallow the extra tax payment and avoid the pitfalls of the earlier cars

[BFG TERRANO]

Avoid that era disco. Leaks galore, electrical nightmare and if it really wants to grind you the air lift suspension will fk up. My bro had all this on a low mile one owner ES with all the toys. He was glad to get shot.

[Red Hot Rupert]

FFS, get over the high tax bracket thing, it will cost you an extra £200 over the course of 12 months which is peanuts in the overall scheme of Discovery ownership.

[Snowboy]

I put £10k into a Disco.

So long as you find one with a decent history that's been well maintained they are just fine.
There's a big list of things to so at 100k miles, and at that age and price you probably looking at a high mile one.

[FFRR7]

BFG TERRANO said:

Avoid that era disco. Leaks galore, electrical nightmare and if it really wants to grind you the air lift suspension will fk up. My bro had all this on a low mile one owner ES with all the toys. He was glad to get shot.

Think he is on about a D3 rather than a D2. D3 is 2004 54 onwards I think.

ES is a D2 spec... Correct me if I'm wrong

[AudiWurst]

Thought you were looking for an Audi S4?

[p1tse]

I am in the looking out for a cab s4
But toying of the idea of replacement family motor

[sam303]

Look for a 3.2L petrol XC90 Sport. Far, far nicer than the diesel which is just so incredibly slow.

For your budget you'll get a 2006 onwards i.e. post facelift and therefore post most of the issues with the earlier ones - at fewer miles than the diesel of the same age.

[Bill]

kapiteinlangzaam said:

If buying an XC90 you should only really consider post facelift (2006 onwards) cars.

Post 06 cars are much more reliable, better looking and come with various mechanical and electrical upgrades.

The increase in tax will be peanuts compared to some of the bills the early XC90s can kick up.

AIUI the D3 build quality vastly improved in 06 too.

[BFG TERRANO]

FFRR7 said:

Think he is on about a D3 rather than a D2. D3 is 2004 54 onwards I think.

ES is a D2 spec... Correct me if I'm wrong

His was an 03 reg.

[BE57 TOY]

My money would be on the XC90.

I wouldn't want a cheap LR - recipe for disaster!

[FFRR7]

BFG TERRANO said:

FFRR7 said:

Think he is on about a D3 rather than a D2. D3 is 2004 54 onwards I think.

ES is a D2 spec... Correct me if I'm wrong

His was an 03 reg.

Yep a disco 2 then, yes they leak, but they are still awesome cars in their own right. Just need to know what to look for before buying like any car I guess

[V8RX7]

Both can be unreliable and give big bills.

At least the Disco looks good.

Personally I'd look elsewhere.

[Ten Four]

Would probably go Landcruiser then Patrol.

[AudiWurst]

Ten Four said:

Would probably go Landcruiser then Patrol.

Agree with this. Got to go Jap or Korean. 10 year old Disco or XC90 sounds like a world of pain.

Landcruiser or Patrol if you want a heavy duty 4x4, but you'll be looking at older high mileage cars.

Or a Hyundai Santa Fe (seriously) if you're not doing any serious off-roading. Not bad looking in my opinion, well-liked by the critics, and can get an '09 fully loaded 7 seater for ten grand.

[Madrabbit]

A work colleague has an XC90 petrol, auto. I don't know the vehicle age (private plate) but he's had to have a new gearbox recently. Apparently, it's a known problem on petrol models. Might a consideration.

[Snowboy]

Both the landcruiser and the Nissan have terrible 6&7 seats.
In fact, the Nissan has terrible rear seats in general.

A 10 year old D3 that's been looked after is within your budget and should be just fine.

I'd suggest you take a few test drives and look in person at the cars.

[Bill]

And the Japanese offerings are a lot more agricultural.

IMHO (and I say this as an owner of a Disco 2...) you have to want a Land Rover, but if you do they're worth a bit of grief. The XC90 of that era is a dark part of Volvo history and best avoided.

If you want a big car, and want rather than need 4x4, then you really should look at the quick SMaxes because they're surprisingly good.