Land Rover Discovery 3 vs Toyota Landcruiser 120 (Prado)

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Okay, looking for advice on replacing my Wrangler TJ with a more family-friendly rig. I've narrowed down to a Discovery 3 or Toyota LC120. Budget up to £7k. so probably 90-120k miles. I have basic mechanical skills, but can't afford a total money pit, as I want to spend my money on kitting it out for overlanding & greenlaning.

Heart says D3, head says Landcruiser.

Problem with LC120 is that there are so few on sale, and they all seem to be in south England (I'm in Scotland).

Also, there is a Land Rover only club in Scotland that gets access to private estate dirt roads, which would be great to drive. Wouldn't be able to join in a Toyota.
 

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That sucks about the local club only letting land rovers in.

So I can only talk from experience, so I was in the same situation and went with heart!!! I had my D3 for about a year and in that time replaced the turbo, 2 egr valves, turbo hose, and then finally the cam belt pretension snapped trashing cams chains cam caps bolts etc. So I am ok at working on most cars but the D3 I had couldn’t do lots of jobs as you have to split the body from the frame. This costing a lot every time just in time, ac gas’s fluids etc.

So sorry to rant on but I regret getting the D3 because I loved it so so much but it hated me and I simply did not trust it to take me anywhere the AA could not get!

So I’m now looking to pick up a 120 lc3 as basic as I can get and hope I will have some fun!

Hope you can find a good one!!!
Matt
 

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Thanks guys, that's really useful. Matt - you've basically described my worst fears if buying the D3!!

So, I've decided to go with the Landcruiser 120 - looking for LC3 or LC4. Will update when I find one that suits!!
 

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I was going to say Land crusier too. Even the 4 runner. Other family freindly rigs are mitsubishi pajero if you can get one of those in the area, and I am not sure if you guys over there have chevrolet products or not. The good ole suburban is ideal for family overlanding.
Thanks! We don't get the 4runner here, but do have the Mitsubishi pajero (called Shogun over here). I actually test drove one a while back, but they're the same price as the 120 and are thirstier.

I'll be doing some off-roading with the rig too....I definitely wouldn't trust a Suburban for that!!! Have you ever ever off-roaded a Suburban....that would take some guts!!!
 

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I owned a 2005 z71 for years. It was capable and reliable. is the suburban different over there?
We don't get them at all over here actually....just too big for our roads and parking spots. Plus, keeping it fuelled would bankrupt you I think! Saw tons of them in California when I lived there though....I thought they were all 2-wheel drive
 

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Thanks guys, that's really useful. Matt - you've basically described my worst fears if buying the D3!!

So, I've decided to go with the Landcruiser 120 - looking for LC3 or LC4. Will update when I find one that suits!!
Yeah would love an update and I’m sure not all of them are like that as I see some beautiful D3 rigs around I just couldn’t trust mine anymore so stoped going anywhere in it!!! I’m in the west Midlands so we have some to chose from, hardest part is getting one with less than 170k miles on it!!
 
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Yeah would love an update and I’m sure not all of them are like that as I see some beautiful D3 rigs around I just couldn’t trust mine anymore so stoped going anywhere in it!!! I’m in the west Midlands so we have some to chose from, hardest part is getting one with less than 170k miles on it!!
Yes, Midlands and south east seem to be the best place to get them. Looks like I will have to travel a fair bit to find a good one....hardy any in Scotland and north England
 
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We don't get them at all over here actually....just too big for our roads and parking spots. Plus, keeping it fuelled would bankrupt you I think! Saw tons of them in California when I lived there though....I thought they were all 2-wheel drive
I totally get the size thing. nah, they are actually mostly 4wd. well, in my area anyways. They are better on gas than the LC or LR using gas engines. Even better than my jeep wrangler. You would be suprised. Taking a highway drive I was averaging 10-12l per 100 kms at 110kph. Not bad considering the amount of room and comfort of the rig. Do you have nissan patrol over there? they are awesome too!
 
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Just to add, There are many rigs in your price range to fit your desired usage. Most of them more capable than you think as well. How "off roady" are you going? what's your trails like there?
Yes, we did have the Nissan Patrols...amazing cars. But they're rare and priced accordingly. Also, they tend to have been bought up by off-roaders, and have the scars to prove it! Anything that I get will be diesel, as with petrol (gas) costs here, it becomes pretty crippling only getting 15mpg or less. I think the LC120 D-4D can average around 30mpg, possibly more on a run. It won't be getting used around town at all, so that will help.

The greenlanes in the UK are not extreme - certainly nothing like the rock-crawling trails in US and Canada. Main things are mud, loose and wet rocks, deep ruts from tractors, and the occasional river fording. There are a few rock ledges, etc., but again, nothing major. A decent ground clearance and some underbody protection are sufficient. It might get a 2.5" lift, but I have a 3 hour drive before I can reach greenlanes (I live in Scotland where there is no public access to dirt roads), so I don't want to sacrifice tarmac ride and fuel efficiency too much. If I do a lift, it won't be for a while, and is pretty far down the priority list.

I've seriously considered a Toyota Hilux (bit like a diesel version of a Tacoma), but I think a truck is better for the family than a pickup, and also better off-road. Nissan Pathfinders get slated (although I've never driven one), and I've decided against Land Rover. Mitsubishi is still possible, but the Toyota is a better truck I think. G Wagons and 4 door Wranglers are way too expensive. Don't think there's much else available over here?
 

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I have owned a D3 and D4(current car) and my parents have owned many offroad vehicles, currently they are in a Prado 150. I have driven their 150 quite a bit on trails, they have driven it around Australia several times.

The biggest thing that keeps breaking on the 150 is the front wheel bearings. The aussie dirt/dust/salt doesn't do them any good other wise they have had almost zero problems with it in the 200,000+km they have driven it. It is extremely tough, the diesel will last forever if serviced correctly and there is 100000000000 aftermarket options for everything. If some thing does break other companies make just as good or better than oem parts cheaper(terrain tamer ect).

My D3 was a 2005 from Chicago, IL(I'm an aussie living in the US) so it had rust and corrosion issues from the winter salted roads but it had the rear locking diff options and was stupid cheap. It had 90,000 miles on it when I bought it and almost 140 when it was rear ended and written off. LOTS of stuff broke, never leaving me stranded, but just lots of little random annoying little stuff. I absolutely hate the V8 that's in it, I wish the US wasn't so anti diesel, which you wont have that problem being in Scotland. Even in base spec the D3 smashes the 130/150 top spec out of the water in luxury items, its bigger and more comfortable, quieter, better handling on road. For the D3 if you offroad it expect to change the lower control arm bushes every 30-50k miles. Between 90-130k miles expect to replace most of the air suspension system, another bonus for you living in Soctland you can get the D3 with coils, which is the absolute base spec but still a great vehicle. The base model SE diesel with coil suspension I would say is slightly better than the Prado, as most of the electroic things to break have been removed.

My new D4 is 2012 and just about to hit 100,000miles. In the 10,000 miles I have had it, it hasn't had a single problem. It's quite a bit more lux than the D3 but just as good or even better on/offroad. The Land Rover traction control is just incredible.

Comparing the Discovery and the Prado offroad. Straight out the factory I would say they are very similar in capabilities. The disco is more comfortable. The Prado will take more of a beating and keep going. I love my Land Rover but understand it's problems, I love working on cars so much so that I own 2 types of well made British engineering a Land Rover and a Lotus haha.

The Prado will be way cheaper in every aspect, just as capable and will have a much better resale if looked after. I would have bought one here, in the US, if they didn't come as the overpriced Lexus here.
 
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HistoryOffroad

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I have owned a D3 and D4(current car) and my parents have owned many offroad vehicles, currently they are in a Prado 150. I have driven their 150 quite a bit on trails, they have driven it around Australia several times.

The biggest thing that keeps breaking on the 150 is the front wheel bearings. The aussie dirt/dust/salt doesn't do them any good other wise they have had almost zero problems with it in the 200,000+km they have driven it. It is extremely tough, the diesel will last forever if serviced correctly and there is 100000000000 aftermarket options for everything. If some thing does break other companies make just as good or better than oem parts cheaper(terrain tamer ect).

My D3 was a 2005 from Chicago, IL(I'm an aussie living in the US) so it had rust and corrosion issues from the winter salted roads but it had the rear locking diff options and was stupid cheap. It had 90,000 miles on it when I bought it and almost 140 when it was rear ended and written off. LOTS of stuff broke, never leaving me stranded, but just lots of little random annoying little stuff. I absolutely hate the V8 that's in it, I wish the US wasn't so anti diesel, which you wont have that problem being in Scotland. Even in base spec the D3 smashes the 130/150 top spec out of the water in luxury items, its bigger and more comfortable, quieter, better handling on road. For the D3 if you offroad it expect to change the lower control arm bushes every 30-50k miles. Between 90-130k miles expect to replace most of the air suspension system, another bonus for you living in Soctland you can get the D3 with coils, which is the absolute base spec but still a great vehicle. The base model SE diesel with coil suspension I would say is slightly better than the Prado, as most of the electroic things to break have been removed.

My new D4 is 2012 and just about to hit 100,000miles. In the 10,000 miles I have had it, it hasn't had a single problem. It's quite a bit more lux than the D3 but just as good or even better on/offroad. The Land Rover traction control is just incredible.

Comparing the Discovery and the Prado offroad. Straight out the factory I would say they are very similar in capabilities. The disco is more comfortable. The Prado will take more of a beating and keep going. I love my Land Rover but understand it's problems, I love working on cars so much so that I own 2 types of well made British engineering a Land Rover and a Lotus haha.

The Prado will be way cheaper in every aspect, just as capable and will have a much better resale if looked after. I would have bought one here, in the US, if they didn't come as the overpriced Lexus here.
Thanks Touge, that's really interesting!

I've found that it's pretty difficult to get the coil base models here - not many of them around, and most seem to be panel vans, which is no good for me.

I think you're absolutely right - the LC120 will be easier and cheaper in the long run. This is important for me. Also, while I quite like working on cars, I only have limited time and would always prefer to be IN the car than UNDER it!! :-)

I test drove a slightly knackered LC120 and actually really liked it. Preferred it to driving the 100 series, which seems very big on our roads.
 

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Thanks Touge, that's really interesting!

I've found that it's pretty difficult to get the coil base models here - not many of them around, and most seem to be panel vans, which is no good for me.

I think you're absolutely right - the LC120 will be easier and cheaper in the long run. This is important for me. Also, while I quite like working on cars, I only have limited time and would always prefer to be IN the car than UNDER it!! :-)

I test drove a slightly knackered LC120 and actually really liked it. Preferred it to driving the 100 series, which seems very big on our roads.

I think the 120 is the right mid-sized for the UK, as amazing as the 100 is it would be a pain to get around in. the problem I'm having is finding with the 120 is finding one without any rot to the chassis. going to looks a LC3 on Wednesday so fingers crossed someone has looked after it.
 
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I think the 120 is the right mid-sized for the UK, as amazing as the 100 is it would be a pain to get around in. the problem I'm having is finding with the 120 is finding one without any rot to the chassis. going to looks a LC3 on Wednesday so fingers crossed someone has looked after it.
Yes, the 120 i looked at wasn't in a great state. Rusted rear end, passenger door panels, sills, etc. Diff lock actuator broken.