Territory VS Discovery 3

[akiklovich]

Im just trying to compare these 2 models together. As the Land Rover Discovery is only priced from $53,650.00, the pricing is simular to the Territory Ghia AWD. But offcourse Discovery has alot more options including a turbo diesel.

Without being one sided, as this is a Territory forum, does the Discovery seem like a better buy? Give reasons as to why you would prefer a Territory over Discovery or vise versa.

[gz1]

Im just trying to compare these 2 models together. As the Land Rover Discovery is only priced from $53,650.00, the pricing is simular to the Territory Ghia AWD. But offcourse Discovery has alot more options including a turbo diesel.

Without being one sided, as this is a Territory forum, does the Discovery seem like a better buy? Give reasons as to why you would prefer a Territory over Discovery or vise versa.

That's an easy one. Terri is more like a car, Disco is more like an off-road truck. A Nice truck mind you but still closer to a truck than a car. If most of my time was spend off road, and I wanted the extra clearance I would get the disco. If on the other hand I spend most of the time on sealed roads, want handling and safety as close to a car as possible I would get the terri. Other things get very subjective, like the terri is easier to get in and out of, much easier to park and manouver in traffic and can fit in most garages.
Terri also has cheap and known service (running) costs. I have no idea what that is on the disco, but have heard that some diesels require an oil change every 5000 k's. If that is the case I would not touch it.

[Paxton]

Quality. One word. I looked at the Discovery, I attended the launch at the Sydney Motor Show, and even test drove one in the UK, but my Territory is still a better buy. It has not had anything break, fall off it, and the engine is strong. A Mate of mine has a series 2 TD5, and after spending $40,000 to buy it, he has spent another $10,000 keeping it on the road. He likes my Territory, and says he will buy one when the Diesel model comes out. The Discovery has a 6 Speed Gear Box, but the main question is how well the car is built. Will the Discovery have bits fall off it? Will it let you down? Will the electronics die and cause the car to to fail on you? The Territory is a reliable, well built, well put together package without the history of unreliability that Land Rover carries. I can't impress upon you enough that the Territory is a more reliable car than the Discovery ever will be. I will wait for the series 2 of the Mark 3 before buying it.


-Andrew

[new2ford]

Not really comparable. The Land Rover's a hard core off-roader (but I believe the new one has exceptional on-road characteristics for an off-roader), Territory is a soft-roader (really an on-roader, i.e car). You need to decide what you want the vehicle most for. I'm a bit skeptical of your quality remarks Andrew. There is often a bit of a beat up about this but I'm sure Ford has got hold of any problems in this area. Land Rovers have a habit of lasting for decades and are remarkably accessible for servicing and maintaining. I've been involved with Land Rovers in the past and had a Rangie for years - no problems whatsoever, absolutely the best vehicle I've ever owned (but my 1985 model obviously couldn't compare with the on-road qualities of the 2004 Territory). I'd be very surprised to see a Territory last as long as a Landie and have the same long-term reliablity - fairly lightly built by comparison and it doesn't have that solid quality about it. The Landie's a very tough truck. Last point: Servicing and some other costs will be higher for the imported 4WD. I own a Territory now because I'm back on the road and I still want the 4WD body architecture but I want to chuck it around like a Mini. Territory is the only vehicle in the world that combines these qualities!

[davester]

Yeah, what the others have said regarding soft-roader vs capable off-roader. Disco may also have a much better 3rd row option than the Terri, with good footroom.
I've also heard from many L/Rover owners about high running costs of previous model.

[akiklovich]

Thanks for the replies...

I've always been a Ford fan and loved their cars, the Territory seems to be a really good car. But unfortuneatly until an upgrade with a six speed auto thats been speculated or a better motor comes out, I won't buy it. Hopefully a turbo diesel will come out.

[BuuBox]

If you've got a narrow power band and peaky torque delivery, you need all the gears you can get. If you've got a wide spread of torque and a flexible powerband, you don't need quite so many gears, they're merely a nice addition.

Turbo diesel? I keep getting flashbacks to the diesel Gemini. I've got a problem with oil burners; gotta love particle emissions. On that note, I'd be waiting for a 6 speed auto turbo petrol Territory myself!

[Raptor]

While the early Discos were not for me I'm quite impressed by what I have seen and read on the new Disco3. It seems to be a very modern interpretation of what a Land Rover is supposed to be that is also incorporating what modern SUV buyers have come to expect. Remember too that it'll be for the global market.

Whereas the Terri is a local SUV (or cross-over or soft-roader if you prefer) that evolved from a Falcon base - the 2 aren't really comparable but will compete for some of the same buyer demographic.

[krisko]

Disco 3 is new from the ground up. I had a look at one today as I am also looking to buy either (2nd kid on its way so it's time to go bigger than my XR6T)

Disco has airbag suspension which lowers itself, so access to garages etc isnt a problem.

Disco build quality looks and feels impressive. (I had a play with everything in the Disco)

Rear doors open extra wide which is good for larger adults or putting the kids into the back.

Disco looks very lush, especially with the 19" wheels.

The territory will have to release the 6 speed box before August for me to buy.
I would also change the polarity of the manual shift in the territory so that when shifting up a gear, your pushing the gear lever forward.

The Territory is impressive in other ways ie: on bitumen dynamics and is a vcery good all round package.

my 2 cents

[johnydep]

I would also change the polarity of the manual shift in the territory so that when shifting up a gear, your pushing the gear lever forward.


Yeah, that gets me every time.

[krisko]

Disco 3 is also very expensive on fuel petrol V6 returns 21L/100km's (As per manufactures figures, yep the V8 is cheaper on fuel!)

Turbo diesel Disco is equivalent to a RWD Territory averaging 13.1L/100kms...

Price difference between a Territory and Disco 3 is substantial.

[new2ford]

Disco has airbag suspension which lowers itself, so access to garages etc isnt a problem.
If it's the same system as has been on the Range Rover its primary purpose is to hunker the vehicle down for better on-road driving and to raise it over obstacles off-road (the Territory could do with something like the latter). Only thing is, if you had a low garage you wouldn't want to forget to lower the suspension before you backed out again! Some guy in the next suburb can only get the front half of his (mark 1) Disco in the garage and has built a cute little awning outside to cover the raised bit of the car's roof! Reminds me of the story about the bloke who built a special low garage for his Gogomobile (which had no reverse gear and was accessed by opening the roof of the car), drove into the garage forwards and then .... (work it out!).

[krisko]

Standard garage and residential walls are 2100mm high, as per Australian standards Disco is 1887 at full height...

[akiklovich]

After reading quite a bit on the Discovery 3, I realise it is a much better vehicle than the Territory in terms of luxury and offroad capability. Haven't seen a bull bar option though? Nice to get one, someone on these forums i've seen loves them :P

If Ford do go ahead and try take some of these capabilites to the Territory ie 6 speed auto, better offroad package, luxury model (Ghia is just a TS with a few extra's, nothing special), new engine, whether a turbo gas or diesel or V8 it will be a very harsh compeditor to all 4WD's.

Until something is upgraded the Discovery 3 is my kinda vehicle. It will only be used for sunday driving or going on holidays, so if it is classified as a "truck", it doesn't matter if its comfortable.

So Ford if you read these forums, bring out a more capable luxurious territory. You have till the end of the year :)

[johnydep]

After reading quite a bit on the Discovery 3, I realise it is a much better vehicle than the Territory in terms of luxury and offroad capability. Haven't seen a bull bar option though? Nice to get one, someone on these forums i've seen loves them :P

If Ford do go ahead and try take some of these capabilites to the Territory ie 6 speed auto, better offroad package, luxury model (Ghia is just a TS with a few extra's, nothing special), new engine, whether a turbo gas or diesel or V8 it will be a very harsh compeditor to all 4WD's.

Until something is upgraded the Discovery 3 is my kinda vehicle. It will only be used for sunday driving or going on holidays, so if it is classified as a "truck", it doesn't matter if its comfortable.

So Ford if you read these forums, bring out a more capable luxurious territory. You have till the end of the year :)

What is the price of a Discovery 3 with leather interior?

Don't forget, Ford own LandRover.

[johnydep]

What is the price of a Discovery 3 with leather interior?

Don't forget, Ford own LandRover.

Just checked http://www.landrover.com.au/au/en/Vehicles/Discovery/Discovery_price_list.htm

It's not even in the same league, the base model starts at $56,000 + on roads.
To get leather seat facings you'd have to spend $85,000.

You really can't compare the Discovery with a Territory, if you want to compare the Discovery with a similar vehicle have a look at the new BMW X5.

[new2ford]

You really can't compare the Discovery with a Territory, if you want to compare the Discovery with a similar vehicle have a look at the new BMW X5.

Come on JD, the X5 can't compare with the Disco as an offroader! You mean a similar-priced vehicle. A more meaningful comparison with the X5 is the Territory - the X5 is a lot more money for something not that much better, indeed poorer in some areas like seating options.

So Ford if you read these forums, bring out a more capable luxurious territory. You have till the end of the year

Gosh - what will happen to Ford if it doesn't make the deadline! We'll all be sitting on the edge of our chairs on 31 December akiklovich! :voldar02:

[johnydep]

Come on JD, the X5 can't compare with the Disco as an offroader! You mean a similar-priced vehicle. A more meaningful comparison with the X5 is the Territory - the X5 is a lot more money for something not that much better, indeed poorer in some areas like seating options.


akiklovich never mentioned off road capabilities.
Im just trying to compare these 2 models together. As the Land Rover Discovery is only priced from $53,650.00, the pricing is simular to the Territory Ghia AWD. But offcourse Discovery has alot more options including a turbo diesel.
Only pricing was mentioned, and after checking the Land Rover site, the pricing does not compare.
A Territory & BMW X5 comparison also would be useless, the X5 offers alot more than the Territory and pricing starts at $80,000, but at that price, luxuries are equivelant to the higher end Discovery.

The Territory is a great vehicle, I know because I have one, but it can not be compared against a Discovery 3 or a BMW X5.

I still stand by my previous post, akiklovich if you want to compare the Discovery with another vehicle, have a look at the BMW X5.
That is, unless you only want to spend $60,000, because then you can only compare off road capabilities, as the base model Disco does not have very many luxury items at all but is fantastic off road;
no air suspension
no climate control
no leather interior

[new2ford]

I was being tongue-in-cheek, though Wheels doesn't seem to have a problem comparing the Territory to the X5. Point is there is no direct comparison with the Territory because it has created a market category of its own. Only the Kluger comes near and it doesn't match the Territory. The Adventra looks, sounds, smells, feels like a Commodore - is a Commodore. Beyond this, the comparison is with overlapping vehicle types.

[johnydep]

I think Wheels Mag comment was also tongue-in-cheek, have they done a direct comparison between the Territory & X5 yet.

[johnydep]

A review on the Discovery 3 with air suspension, base model gets coil springs.

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__carpointau/tabID__6485/ArticleID__6611/DesktopDefault.aspx

[new2ford]

A review on the Discovery 3 with air suspension, base model gets coil springs.

http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/portal/alias__carpointau/tabID__6485/ArticleID__6611/DesktopDefault.aspx
Stop it johnydep. You're making me want to sell the Territory and buy a Discovery!

[akiklovich]

Stop it johnydep. You're making me want to sell the Territory and buy a Discovery!

Haha go and buy one because it is a much better vehicle! I for one can't wait to get one, and seeing how its only a 3rd generation model, it will last like this for quite some time. Territory will be upgraded very soon without doubt...

[johnydep]

Haha go and buy one because it is a much better vehicle! I for one can't wait to get one, and seeing how its only a 3rd generation model, it will last like this for quite some time. Territory will be upgraded very soon without doubt...

Not really a third generation model.
http://www.overlander.com.au/pg/vehicle_search.php?id=232
Called Discovery 3, but actually the first all-new Discovery since the original, some 14 years ago.

Stop it johnydep. You're making me want to sell the Territory and buy a Discovery!
I have to admit, it does sound like a very good 4WD drive and looks good also. But the Terri does a better job of what it was designed for, 95% urban driving. If I went off road every second weekend I would have a look at the Disco & a Landcruiser, Landrover still have quality control & reliabilty issues.

new2ford, you made the right decision :1syellow1

[johnydep]

Has anyone considered the service cost between the Territory & Discovery, or the service cost between a Petrol & Diesel engine?

A mate works at a service department & gave me some figures, he says the Discovery figures are adjusted because he used the Disco 2 specs.

Service Cost

FORD - Petrol
15,000 km - $110.00
30,000 km - $110.00
45,000 km - $170.00
60,000 km - $110.00
75,000 km - $110.00
90,000 km - $200.00
105,000 km - $110.00
120,000 km - $110.00
TOTAL___$1030.00

DISCOVERY - Petrol
20,000 km - $175.00
40,000 km - $290.00
60,000 km - $305.00
80,000 km - $375.00
100,000 km - $205.00
120,000 km - $550.00
TOTAL____$1900.00

DISCOVERY - Diesel
20,000 km - $255.00
40,000 km - $500.00
60,000 km - $375.00
80,000 km - $515.00
100,000 km - $255.00
120,000 km - $620.00
TOTAL____$2520.00

EDIT: Those prices are not Dealer prices, and are not 100% accurate, but close enough for comparison.

EDIT 2: GST was not mentioned, so I'm not sure if those prices include GST or are plus GST.

[new2ford]

Running a big 4WD is always going to be more expensive, no question.

The Mk1 and 2 Discoverys are derivations of the original 1970 Range Rover. The Discovery 3 is totally new.

I never had any quality or reliabilty problems with my LR but whatever there might be (as with the Territory) pale into insignificance beside the underlying brilliance of these vehicles. They last forever, perform beautifully and were so easy to work on. Every last detail was thought out, the bolt heads all pointing in the right direction, body panels you can take off with a couple of spanners (even the Range Rover) etc. etc., you could take them apart and reassemble them in a paddock. That's one reason the Army likes them. These are the things you don't read about in magazine reviews. You can tell they are designed by a specialist 4WD manufacturer rather than a car manufacturer that turns out 4WDs on the side. These are the real differences, not the superficial gloss on the top. I hope LR is still hanging on to those philosophies or have they had to give in to modern complexities? I'm not up to date on the recent models in this regard.

But back to the point - we're not comparing like with like. The Territory still suits me more for what we do nowadays. Not really relevant to compare it face to face with a Disco.

[Fast forward]

Im just trying to compare these 2 models together. As the Land Rover Discovery is only priced from $53,650.00, the pricing is simular to the Territory Ghia AWD. But offcourse Discovery has alot more options including a turbo diesel.

Without being one sided, as this is a Territory forum, does the Discovery seem like a better buy? Give reasons as to why you would prefer a Territory over Discovery or vise versa.


For resale reasons alone leave the Land Rover alone.

[new2ford]

The Territory gets a mention in a review of the Discovery 3 in Club Marine Magazine (I think the latest issue - it doesn't have a date). The article notes that the Discovery's ground clearance at rest (for passenger entry and egress) is lower than the Territory's!

Re depreciation, the market is certainly diabolical with some vehicles. But Land Rovers are in a price area where lot of people who buy them would have some business/taxation advantage. For myself I always bought them when they were a few years old and had levelled out. After this they last forever with few problems and the value doesn’t drop so much.

[zetec]

I would also change the polarity of the manual shift in the territory so that when shifting up a gear, your pushing the gear lever forward.


What the? It is currently in the best, most natural position that is used by BMW and makes perfect sense the way it is... why do you want it changed? When accelerating you pull it back, in line with the momentum of the vehicle and when slowing you push it forward to drop a gear, each time you're pushing or pulling with the interior forces and not pushsing against them.

[Fast forward]

The Territory gets a mention in a review of the Discovery 3 in Club Marine Magazine (I think the latest issue - it doesn't have a date). The article notes that the Discovery's ground clearance at rest (for passenger entry and egress) is lower than the Territory's!

Re depreciation, the market is certainly diabolical with some vehicles. But Land Rovers are in a price area where lot of people who buy them would have some business/taxation advantage. For myself I always bought them when they were a few years old and had levelled out. After this they last forever with few problems and the value doesn’t drop so much.


Yes but we were talking about buying new .

[Fast forward]

What the? It is currently in the best, most natural position that is used by BMW and makes perfect sense the way it is... why do you want it changed? When accelerating you pull it back, in line with the momentum of the vehicle and when slowing you push it forward to drop a gear, each time you're pushing or pulling with the interior forces and not pushsing against them.

yes that is corretc.

[johnydep]

What the? It is currently in the best, most natural position that is used by BMW and makes perfect sense the way it is... why do you want it changed? When accelerating you pull it back, in line with the momentum of the vehicle and when slowing you push it forward to drop a gear, each time you're pushing or pulling with the interior forces and not pushsing against them.

Sounds great, but it goes against years of conventional auto set ups; pull stick down to down shift, push stick up to up shift.

So for me, after driving & drag racing autos for years, it takes a while to get used to.

[krisko]

What the? It is currently in the best, most natural position that is used by BMW and makes perfect sense the way it is... why do you want it changed? When accelerating you pull it back, in line with the momentum of the vehicle and when slowing you push it forward to drop a gear, each time you're pushing or pulling with the interior forces and not pushsing against them.

Each to their own...I seems inconsistant with other controls such as stereo volume and with other car manufactures' having it the other way around. I doubt a standard Territory gives that much momentum but I do understand what you are saying.

Im goung to try the standard setout for a few weeks and if it doesn't gel I will swap the wiring around, after all it's only a 10 min job to change.

[johnydep]

http://autoweb.drive.com.au/cms/A_103824/newsarticle.html
“When we sat down to build Territory, one thought uppermost in the minds of everybody was to ensure the vehicle was true to the Ford philosophy of providing outstanding value for money,” Ford Australia President Tom Gorman said. “People buying a Territory are getting the vehicle dynamics of a sedan, the versatility of a traditional SUV and the interior flexibility of a people mover. "They are also purchasing the vehicle that won the 2004 Australian Design Award of the Year and was named best recreational vehicle in the prestigious Australia's Best Car awards," Gorman said. Territory TS comes complete with the Ford Acutrac handling system, incorporating the advanced Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension and the award-winning Control Blade IRS for unrivalled ride quality and driving dynamics.