Hi liddell,
The guys have a lot of expertise here. This forum helped me when I purchased my vehicle.
In regards to that GU, if you don't have the expertise, get a trusted mechanic to look at it and do a compression/leakage test on the engine. 12 grand is cheap, but with no accessories the cost will quickly double.
From your initial post i think your looking for personal experiences. Here are my 2 cents:
I own a 2002 3L auto and I love it.
I use the vehicle for 4wding, as my daily drive and I have set the vehicle up for touring. Like any engine, if its well maintained then it will be fine. Like all newer diesels, the 3.0 is a highly strung and complex engine, but with a few mods and a general understanding of how it operates you will get reliable service.
Remember to keep it in perspective, when you hear bad stories about the 3.0 its best to take them with a grain of salt. I am very new to this forum and I don't really know how other people feel, but if we did a poll on how many forum members ZD30's have died compared to how many are operating reliably, i think the vast majority of ZD30 owners would report positive experiences.
If your keen on a GU, you'll have to weigh up the additional costs of the well renowned 4.2 compared to a cheaper 3.0 or 2.8. Personally, I believe that the 4.2's are overpriced and I decided to go for a 3.0. Price was my main consideration. The price difference between the 3.0 and 4.2 is significant in my opinion, given that, I couldn't go past a 3.0 with accessories and a service history. So I took the "risk".
4wd Action number 162 has a write up on the ZD30. The issue of this engine dieing has been literally done to death. I think that everything that can go wrong with this motor has been reported and discussed over many forums - this alone should give you piece of mind. This issue covers all the major points.
Also, no matter what happens, don't buy a Toyota.
Cheers,
GUZD
big_fletch (20th April 2011), Rusty86 (16th April 2012), snicko (19th April 2011), YNOT (19th April 2011)
have a look on http://www.carsales.com.au/ i found mine on there
2007 GU 6 /ST-L / MYO8 / DIESEL/AUTO /MOONSTONE /pro vent 200
OH LEATHER IS NICE