Guys, I just thought I would relate a recent experience ...create some conversation. This is not a bashing thread either. First of all, definitely not looking to replace the 98 Disco 1. I've fixed/replaced most of the problems on it and it's been extremely reliable for me and a lot of fun for the family -- it's a keeper. But have been looking at Gen 2 Monteros for some time cause I think they have some great features and like the look and package. There is the one feature where all the seats fold down into a long flat 'bed' that I thought would be great for mountain camping. Also, I would like to learn more about the Mitsubishi DOHC motors. Neither of these are DD vehicles. Anyway, I found one of the nicest 96 SR's I've come across (I was targeting a the 96-97 years), drove a few hours to basically buy it but was surprisingly underwhelmed by its ergonomics and overall driving experience during the test drive. I had the same feeling with another Montero I had test driven, so it wasn't a fluke. My wife was underwhelmed by the 96 too. She said she basically wasn't 'feeling it' for that vehicle. I was on the edge and she basically tipped me towards not buying it. I was so looking forward to it and was disappointed because I thought it would be more. I have in the past, and currently own other trucks/SUVs so I have a pretty good experience of what different vehicles are like.

What this experience did was highlight the things I like about my land rover, things like:
-Doors that feel and close SOLID like bank vault doors -- The montero doors were a lot lighter and more tinny, more along the lines of other Japanese vehicles I've owned.
-Solid interior components - I like the solid feel of the Disco interior ...even the cheap and brittle Land Rover plastics overall make the interior seem solid (to me anyway), as long as you don't nick anything with yer boot and crack it...
-Comfy seats - Again, it highlighted the comfy seats of the Disco. I've driven 8 hours and not been hardly fatigued in the Disco seats ...other than they could have a little longer seat bottoms and a touch more legroom. And surprisingly, the Montero legroom wasn't all that great either. But the Disco seats themselves are pretty solid, more so than the Monteros.
-Quieter ride - I was really stunned that the ride in the Montero was as noisy as it was. I wondered how it would be after an 8-10 hours on the road in a family vacation, and it didn't seem like it would be a good prospect. The disco is pretty quiet inside.
-Dual sunroofs - Now here's a little touch that I never thought would be an issue. I use the dual sunroofs ALL the time. Opening the rear sunroof is a great way to evacuate heat from the interior in the summer when AC isn't needed which is most of the time for me. The Montero has a single large sunroof, but it's right in the middle of the vehicle and of virtually NO USE for the front occupants. That is a downer for me because I vowed a long time ago I'd never willingly buy another vehicle w/o a sunroof. It lightens up the interior and lets some of the 'outside' into the drivers cabin.
-Love the Land Rover overhead map pockets and center console. Just really convenient
-Seating position - Well, the seating position in the Discovery's is just great. Any areas I would like to improve it (armrests, etc) weren't any better on the Montero. Not that the Montero was bad, just not enough better to surprise me.
-Ground clearance and live axle - Not a dealbreaker but ya gotta love the ground clearance of the Disco's and I'm partial to solid axles. We've put the Disco to the test in a number of robust off-road experiences and it's always held up. The Montero undercarriage seemed very stout too, with heavy and long rear swing arms ...and they have a great off-road reputation and owners feel they are reliable, but not a whole lot of clearance in the front axle department. I've been in heavily rutted situations where that would have been an issue for sure. Land Rover undercarriage and drive components are almost military-grade stout (Ok, I know there are some weaknesses, but overall..).

So I guess that's it. I definitely am not bashing Monteros, they have a great reputation and a lot of people like them. I may get one at some point down the road, but for now I might look into a decent 04 DII to have some fun with. But the experience highlighted some of the really great points I love about our Discovery.

Cheers

 

Once you take the Land Rover plunge, it's hard to find anything else that measures up. Despite the constant repair list I love my 98 d1.

 

I've never driven, but I love the looks of the 2nd and 2.5 gen Monteros. I'd like to say to when the D1 dies, I'd pick one up but they will be way too old at that point. My dad had a 98 Montero Sport with the off-road pack (rear locker, swing out tire carrier, 5 spd manual, 32" tires and huge flares) and it was AWESOME. I was 13 when he got rid of it for a new one. He put 90k miles on it in three years, zero problems. The new one was a lot nicer inside and out, and faster with the bigger 3.5 V6 and coil sprung rear, but definitely wasn't as cool.

 

Probably best to test drive a couple, see what you think. I thought I would be more impressed by they driving the experience. With continued maintenance, your Disco probably won't ever die. I swear that theoretically a Disco could run forever if well maintained..