Interesting quandry

[Nonimouse]

The time has come to replace Mrs Mouse's daily driver/general hack/holiday barge

With bad winters being forecast for the next few years; road repair budgets getting worse, child number three on the way and a need to give the dog somewhere comfortable after she loses the middle seat; I'm thinking of two possible options

Option 1: 1998 Discovery 300Tdi auto. Japanese spec, re-imported back form Japan in '05 (so no rust!) loads of service history, great spec 90K miles

Option 2: 1990 110 CSW fitted with an Isuzu 4JB1-T on an LT85. Low miles, some service history, never been off highway and rarely towed. Full Exmoor seat package

Both are a similar price

Now I already have a 110 CSW.

What would you do?

Just interested and also enjoying that feeling of smug satisfation at what I can have because I live over here. You get the huge variation in geography, the miles of tracks and trails, the easy access to remote places, the cheap fuel and the decent government. I get decent TV, decent cider and choices like the above. Oh and they are both less than $4k

Now got a third option - another 110CSW but with a Nissan 2.8TD (6cylinder)

 

[Rovertrader]

Stateside I would say 110/Isuzu having had one it is a great combo. The Tdi/auto is no biggie anywhere but here, but still a bit of a dog performance wise...

 

[overlander]

If your wife will drive a manual 110 diesel with 3 kids as her daily, then cheers to you!:coffeedrink:

 

[Dendy Jarrett]

If your wife will drive a manual 110 diesel with 3 kids as her daily, then cheers to you!:coffeedrink:

I'm sayin!!

D

 

[Nonimouse]

I'm sayin!!

D

She's a special lady. To be honest she would prefer another 300Tdi RRC....

 

[Wander]

The one factor that occures to me (other than these are two great choices) is how many kids in child safety seats? As I recall, those things take up a lot of room and while (or whilst to you) the DII does offer additional space over the DI it is not as much as a 110 so it might still be a bit tight with two kids and one in a car seat. If it is possible take the car seat intended for use with the new baby and test fit it and then have the other two pile it and see how they fit. The DII will certainly be a better ride for a DD but the 110 will offer added space.
Congratulations on the new baby!

 

[Nonimouse]

Good point.

Eldest is 12, next one is 4; so I only need a booster one side and a baby seat the other - 12 year old can sit in the middle...

 

[windsock]

Option 1: 1998 Discovery 300Tdi auto. Japanese spec, re-imported back form Japan in '05 (so no rust!) loads of service history, great spec 90K miles

My experience of these while limited to being an observer, it was an observer doing the towing. Japanese discos here in NZ are full of additional electronics and this one didn't do particularly well in wet environments. I would avoid if faced with the three options you have.

Option 2: 1990 110 CSW fitted with an Isuzu 4JB1-T on an LT85. Low miles, some service history, never been off highway and rarely towed. Full Exmoor seat package

This I think would get high priority on the list of things to consider. You say you already have one so you are familiar with parts and fixing etc. Isuzu power . Not familiar with the 4JB1-T but am with the 4BD1-T. Sounds like a nice vehicle given the conditions you foresee. Ample power to weight.

Now got a third option - another 110CSW but with a Nissan 2.8TD (6cylinder)

I run a N/A Nissan LD28 in a '84 110 cab/chassis with a steel/wood flatdeck. It is short on neck twisting torque but very high on the solid and time proven reliability stakes (I do my own spannering). A good solid donk. Is your one the RD28T or a turboed LD28? If RD28T watch for temperature issues and head-cracking from the ali head. If the turboed LD watch for parts availability in your part of the world. Ample parts here in NZ as we were recipients of 000's of these engines in imported second hand crappers. I may be wrong of course and it may be an entirely differnt Nissan 2.8TD.

Pictures would help us critique...

 

[bobtail4x4]

Dave, stop teasing this lot

I would go for the Disco, make sure its rustproofed (not with salmon oil) its a nicer drive, and more importantly safer for the family,

you say the 12 yr old will sit in the middle? from when I met her she will sit where she likes.

yes the 110 will hold its money better, but as to parking in Tesco? they are a bit numb.

 

[Harald Hansen]

We're finding the DII back seat to be a tight squeeze with three kiddie seats. The rear wheel wells intrude slightly into the seat back, and this forces the kiddie seats closer together, making access to the belts difficult. Try to get a test ride in a Disco with your kids to see if this is an issue with bigger kids as well.

 

[Gren_T]

I'd go with the disco.

better ride.. .. etc.. you know the rest. & if the auto option proves to be unpopular with wifey an R380 is a cheap option and done and dusted in a morning.

I'd jump at a clean disco at the moment, I've a 300tdi auto in my 90 and love it..

Regards

Gren

 

[Nonimouse]

I'm leaning towards the Disco. She likes auto and as I get older so do I.

As for the 110's, I'm unsure which Nissan 2.8 it is. I thought it was an RD28T but the rocker cover looks wrong...
The Isuzu engined motor is looking less likely as there are issues with it's legality

 

[Snagger]

You already know the deal with the 110 - while the Exmoor seats will give the kids more leg room if it has the extenders, the lateral space is pretty cramped on the second row. That means that one will generally end up in the back with the dog, and sideways facing seats are much less safe, especially with a loose object like a dog in the same compartment. The 110 is also longer and has poorer driver visibility and turning circle.

The Discovery, on the other hand, has plenty of seating, better visibility and turning circle (much easier in town), an easily separated compartment for the dog (safer for the kids in a crash) and has a full width door, so you can use it with the seats folded down for loads the 110 can't take through its small back door. It's also much more refined for long journeys.

I'm definitely a 110 fan and have never been smitten with the Discovery, but since you already have a 110, you've scratched that itch already. I have a 109 and a RRC, which is similar to the arrangement you're considering, and it gives us a lot more flexibility for school runs, long drives, shopping, dog walks, DIY/tip runs or holiday trips...

 

[Nonimouse]

Wise words that ring very true

 

[Sirocco]

Disco DL.

the kids will thank you.

G