Hi all! Having had a bit of a browse on here, you all seem a nice bunch! Thinking of chopping in my long suffering D2 for an 08 GS........I've no doubt that a few of you may have done the same!

Apologies for asking a question as a first post, but does anyone have any experience regarding buying from a 'trade centre' style seller? Vehicle in question is a stornoway 2008 GS, 30K miles, seems tidy to me asking price of £12,991....HPI clear.

I'm no stranger to LR's oily bits having had loads and loads of Land Rovers, I'm also a diesel engineer by trade so not scared to get my pinkies dirty

Anyway, all replies greatly appreciated! Please be gentle with me

Stu

I've not long bought one so viewed quite a few before taking my personal leap of faith! By trade center do you mean a car supermarket or sales to the trade only? I have no experience of the latter but I viewed several cars at a local car supermarket. In truth I wouldn't personally of bought any of them. Your car does seem unusual though due to the low mileage for it's age. Most cars at supermarket type outlets are ex fleet or hire cars. I would imagine the FL2 was a trade in as the age and mileage are not typical of this market.

In the end I bought through the land rover used approved network. The car was further than I wanted to travel but the price was good so I bought it unseen and had it delivered. This approach is clearly risky and not for everyone but the car was immaculate when it arrived and 2k cheaper than my local land rover dealer. I was paying cash though so I guess if you are trading in the D2 you may have to travel. In my experience buying privately did not appear to be that much cheaper. I viewed three cars privately and all of them were due a service and at least a couple of tyres. Stack up the cost of that with no warranty or comeback if you have problems and I decided used approved was the best option.

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Those places have had so much bad press I wouldn't entertain one. I'd rather buy one from a franchised dealer, that way you have a proper warranty. Those car supermarkets are just Del Boy dealers on a larger scale. I'd rather buy private than from one of those places.

I just picked up a 59 plate GS with 55k from a franchised dealer for £12500 last month, the bargains are out there you just have to be patient and a little cheeky. Remember that we are coming to a very quiet period for car dealers, use this to your advantage and pick up a bargain. I'd go towards the end of the month when they are chasing targets and bonuses, don't be afraid to put in a low bid, they can only say no! Play the game and in the end youll win, I always have done.

Also worth remembering prices for FL2 always rise when we get snow...get in before that

Thanks for your replies all, I know what you mean by price rises-the only good news is that disco 2 prices go up as well then .........I hate franchised dealers with a passion (EX £100k+ a year stratstone customer ) and the last vehicle I had off them with the 'stratstone used' warranty wasn't worth the paper it was printed on....

Love the Fl2 but really struggling with the idea of getting shot of my beloved D2 at the mo

Find a better dealer..I have one within 2 miles of my house..and never use it...I drive 60 miles to a different one everytime..I'm choosy where I spend me money.

Well sorry everyone but I'm back again

Hopefully done a deal on a 2008 XS

Fingers crossed

Good luck Stu.

Done it

Good man you know it makes sense,I came over from a D2 in December and I'm very happy with mine not missed the D2 at all.im a D2 boys club member as well.

Will miss D2BC, hope they'll allow me to pop in from time to time Will miss my D2 though, she's been a good old beast to me, best vehicle I have ever owned

Hope the hippo can carry on from that!

Yeah by far my D2 is the best car I've ever had, I had it for 5 years and it never let me down once.the only issue I had with it was towing my caravan the steering was all over the place and I changed everything on it to try and cure it but to no avail so it had to go.i looked at loads of d3s before buying the freelander but they were too expensive for the age of the cars.

I went back to a D2 from a D3, that thing was the biggest heap I've ever had the misfortune of owning.....was glad to see the backside of it in honesty. Says something when my 23 year old defender was far more reliable

Well the deal is done on the XS, will have delivery as soon as the rear diff has been replaced

Well 24 hrs into ownership and she's on her way back to have a new clutch fitted FOC as it's slipping like a good'un

Under warranty so saves me getting the spanners out so I'll have a new diff and a new clutch, chuffed to beans