If I were in the market for a P38, I'd be looking at a Jap re-import with low miles - something like this :-

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173450151823

( the same dealer has plenty to choose from )

This would be less than your £10K max, including new diagnostics, and there will be no rust at all, AND a full service history given the nature of the Japs ......

OMO. :)
 
My budget is not £10k now though as I have decided that I will keep my car at least for a few months after getting the P38 just in case it needs any work/faults ironed out & so that I know it is reliable before parting with my car.
My budget is therefore up to about £4k max.
I am not sure whether to go & see the vehicle I have mentioned or wait for something with less miles & better history, requiring no work & maybe already on LPG.
 
headlight said:
My budget is not £10k now though as I have decided that I will keep my car at least for a few months after getting the P38 just in case it needs any work/faults ironed out & so that I know it is reliable before parting with my car.
My budget is therefore up to about £4k max.
I am not sure whether to go & see the vehicle I have mentioned or wait for something with less miles & better history, requiring no work & maybe already on LPG.
Click to expand...

I have my eye open for a low mileage 4.6 on LPG circa 1750 - 2000 so give me fair warning or I will be bidding against you!
 
Disco1BFG said:
If I were in the market for a P38, I'd be looking at a Jap re-import with low miles - something like this :-

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/173450151823

( the same dealer has plenty to choose from )

This would be less than your £10K max, including new diagnostics, and there will be no rust at all, AND a full service history given the nature of the Japs ......

OMO. :)
Click to expand...
Looks to be low on coolant to me
 
So I am still looking :)
I don"t know if I am being to picky or expecting to much from a vehicle that is going on for 20 years old but the ones I have been to see have either been overpriced in my opinion or had to much wrong with them.
Maybe I am expecting to much for my budget, about £4,000 max but ideally less ?
I was hoping to be able to purchase something that maybe just needed general servicing but it seems that at the age of the vehicle & my budget some faults are inevitable.
What is considered acceptable ?
 
My mechanical abilities are reasonably good, my pockets less so.
What I was trying to get at was what are considered minor problems & what are considered problems that should make you walk away unless the vehicle is going for a song or you want a project.
I am after something that is going to be as reliable as it can be, considering it is a P38 that is, to do maybe 5,000 miles a year of which some of it is going to be occasional towing.
I am not in a particular rush as I will not need to tow until probably May.
All the vehicles I have seen so far have had problems that either weren"t advertised or were not reflected in the price in my opinion.
However not having owned a P38 before I do not know how difficult or expensive common problems on these vehicles are to fix ?
 
Last edited:
Not uncommon get a decent project one for <1000.
Mine was up for£1000 - I payed £500 as needed work on engine, EAS was goosed, lot of TLC needed but had good gearbox, clutch, brakes, chassis is good and I knew I could fix what was wrong with it with help off here.

£4000 you are talking superb quality. All the bells and whistles more or less all working.

Petrols hold their price better, but much of the value seems to be aesthetic what you need is one with a decent engine and drivetrain. No Gearbox issues or overheating. Does engine start/run smooth or is it noisy, does it pull through gears without clunks and goes from F - R easily if auto.
If you account for likely repairs into your budget you will know where you stand. Don’t be frightened to fix EAS problems or little common issues - LZ is the best place anywhere for P38 stuff as finding someone that knows how to work on them is rare. You either have to fix them yourself or pay stupid money, so it’s suitable for you.

For £2000 I would expect a mint one but I’m pretty tight.
 
That was my initial thoughts, that £2,000 would get a nice one but I have seen a £4k one that had several warnings come up on the dash whilst test driving it, a £1,750 one that the temp gauge went up & down on whilst driving & the top rad hose was rock hard & bulging, plus sagging headlining,clunky box & corrosion on the rear of the chassis, & a £2,500 one that wouldn"t pull off in D only in 1 that the owner said just needed a gearbox oil change but having to pull off in 1 had never bothered him so he hadn"t bothered doing anything about it.
It was actually the nicest one I have driven & I did tell the seller that if he changed the gearbox oil & that cured the problem that I would be interested in buying it but he was unwilling to.
 
4K - several warnings on dash - not worth anywhere near that.

1750 - cooling issues - if petrol could be HGs big problem, if diesel cooling system is cheap enough easy to do not a huge issue, but over priced considering

Clunky box Only pull off in “1” - is likely sprag clutch failure it needs new gearbox so take £1500 off asking price - walk away always.

Saggy headlining - normal - costs £180 to fix by professional company (£100 yourself)

Chassis on these are generally very good condition despite their age they over engineered them.

They all have their little niggles, even £8000 ones will throw codes out, most people selling them wouldn’t even know and say they are immaculate. Some here take diagnostics with them when purchasing with many dealers surprised when they read the codes when they aren’t looking.
 
headlight said:
That was my initial thoughts, that £2,000 would get a nice one but I have seen a £4k one that had several warnings come up on the dash whilst test driving it, a £1,750 one that the temp gauge went up & down on whilst driving & the top rad hose was rock hard & bulging, plus sagging headlining,clunky box & corrosion on the rear of the chassis, & a £2,500 one that wouldn"t pull off in D only in 1 that the owner said just needed a gearbox oil change but having to pull off in 1 had never bothered him so he hadn"t bothered doing anything about it.
It was actually the nicest one I have driven & I did tell the seller that if he changed the gearbox oil & that cured the problem that I would be interested in buying it but he was unwilling to.
Click to expand...
Needing to select 1st to pull away is a sprag clutch failure, needs a gearbox rebuild so the car is worth the best part of bugger all.
 
Keep searching they are out there. Plenty to pick from - they come up all the time so if somethings not right walk away and be patient. Trust your gut :)

There’s a ‘P38 marketplace’ thread, mainly way too expensive ott ones or something to laugh at. Sure the guys/gals in there would keep eye out for good one for you, they look for fun anyway
TakDriver literally just give his P38 away to someone wants parts/project.
 
There are 2002 P38,s out there. These were somewhat cobbled together with what was left so have Disco alloys and little effects like that.

V8s you need good HeadGaskets - no coolant bubbling or overheating, they are all auto so no whining or unable to select gears easily (no gearbox warning on dash), later type LPG system already fitted even if it’s a little faulty and need repair/service will be worth your while.
 
Yes I was hoping to be able to get a pretty good Thor engined one still on petrol for around £2k & one already converted to LPG for around £2.5k ?
The ones I have seen so far needed pretty costly repairs & 2 of them were probably being sold because of that.
 
You are doing the right thing by questioning and walking, Lots available.

For me a 4K P38 should be absolutely immaculate with no faults and low mileage.

Chassis and bodies are usually pretty sound on a P38. The biggest weakness is the engine(petrol) & gearbox which sellers often try to cover up. Not that they can’t be fixed but can be an expensive surprise.

When you take for a test drive when you bring it back leave it running, see how quick the owner runs to turn it off:D
If they are happy to chat it’s probably not going to overheat and good, you will also hear the fan roar:)

But if you find “a good one “ ask here, you will be very happy when you become an owner:)

Good luck don’t rush.

J
 
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