You are looking at 28-30MPG with the TDI in the Disco.
People would kill for a Diesel Disco, so beware.
Even if you sell it as is once you get it here you will break even.
If you fix it and drive it you will love it and make everyone else jealous.
If you fix it up to sell you wont get $10,000 but you could get $8,000.

 

thanks gents,
alas - due to the seeming inadvisability of it all, but mostly due to related human factors with the good woman keeping the car for me in Germany,
I have given up the car for her to sell over there, and at a loss.
Tweakrover and Tornado - your comments jive with what importer said in the first place...but I just don't have the time, energy and patience to go through all that.

It was a gesture of help and friendship anyway in the first place, to the previous owner.
I hope any good karma falls my way, now that I'm seriously looking for a good roadtrip-worthy LR, Stateside this time.
thanks all - its been real 8-)

 

hiya all,
After my mishap with bringing the Euro Disco over, I thought I'd get sensible and look at Jeeps (easier access to parts/service for this mechanically-challenged noob etc...) - but the only comparable one seems to be the Jeep Commander. However, too flashy, too Hummer-like and ugly to me.

I do care about how my vehicle looks - but I tend to go in the opposite direction. I want a utilitarian vs. bling look, something I wouldn't get **** from my artist friends.

So I'm back to Discovery, under 10grand. Am willing to learn basic maintenance, and as with my camera gear, rather enjoy that aspect.
There seem to be however too many minor differences between years and versions so:

If you were me, looking over the next two months, sweet $ spot being 6 or 7 grand, and wanting confidence for a coast to coast road trip - which one would you look out for? Disco 1 or 2? year? sweet spot for mileage?
A 7-passenger would be ideal, as I do have extended family - but if it has a bad rep, I can let go of that factor.

finally, anyone can recommend a LR mechanic in NYC?NJ area that I could "commission" to check out vehicles while I'm overseas?

many thanks good peeps.

 

If you look in the discovery 1 section of the forum, in the technical section, there is an article on what to look for when buying a Disco, also comparison of D1 and D2.

If you use www.statewidelist.com, you can search all of craigslist for a state, specify vehicle and price range, and the output is sorted by city in that state.

If you are planning on long trip allow enough time and cash between purchase and trip for a variety of repairs.

 

Personally, I'd get a DI, '97 or '98 and fix it up.
Less electronics to go wrong.
Forget 7 passenger in either model, only midgets and children under the age of 5 can ride back there.
Sweet spot for MPG in either is 65mph, windows up and cruise on.
You MUST use premium gas in both models.