Well, you guys have given me lots to think about today/tonight. Thanks to all the posters! I'm still not sure what I will do with it, right now I'm leaning towards throwing in the towel on the mountain of problems, getting rid of it and just taking the bus and riding my bike a lot more. I dreamed about owning an SUV like this for two years and loved cars more then life itself for my whole life, but after this experience, I dunno, maybe all the money isn't worth it after all. Better start building up the cardio, the 12,000km trip in september this truck was bought for has the kibosh now from the $$$ it will take to fix it, so I may as well just ride my bike for that too.

I know lots of people have posted saying oh, it needs at most 1k in parts, but having done all the math even with super discounts on parts its still 2k at least, and with not being able to do the work on the hard stuff i still run up a 3-4k bill, so at the end of the day its a moot point. At least for now all it costs me is 150$ a month in insurance just to sit there. Still sucks to have to leave at 7:45 past the truck to bus it when i used to leave at 8:15 and get to class in time. The guy at the Rover shop said to give him the first shot at it if I was selling it, so as much as i want to keep it and everyone (you guys, gf, friends, my parents) are telling me to fix it, I just can't handle the stress of making it happen. Call me weak, but this is only second car, so I haven't ever had to do this stuff before, I just feel outmatched.

 

Divide and conquer.

You know how to fix bikes? Like the derailleur and cables and brakes and bolts and wrenches? It is not much of a jump.

Radiator comes out with two bolts, and release some hoses and fittings. Don't let anyone tell you it is trashed if you can't see it leaking - and even then let the indy radiator guy look at it. If truck will crank and not leak water and overheat, the cooling system can wait until other things are out of the way.

You could try one little part of the project to get your feet wet. Say a $10 thermostat. Or 8 of the cheapest Champion copper plugs you can buy.

If you decide it is just not for you, then you haven't plunked out a lot.

Brakes are easy on a Rover. You follow the book, and do one side at a time, so you can see the other side for reference.

Point is that if you can work on another car or truck or bike, then you can work on a Rover. The Rover does not know who is holding the wrench, how tall you are, your GPA, your gender, how much money is in the bank, your major in school, etc. It just wants someone to take care of it and in return it will take care of you.

If you have two hands, and can read at the 8th grade level, then you have what it takes. These trucks are maintained in the field by people all over the world with a whole lot less education than you.

But don't let anyone kid you, it will be dirty, you'll find lots of thing the previous owner skipped, and you can't do it all in one weekend.

 

It will definitely challenge you. But you can consider each purchase like a tuition payment. Or you can turn tail and run.

We have a saying down home that goes like this: "If you can't hang with the big dogs, then hide under the porch with the pups."

I really did not mean to scare you off, just did not want to say, "Everything will be OK".

In reality, A discovery I is one of the simplest vehicles you can purchase and maintain yourself except for an even earlier simpler version of a Rover like a Series.

These are more like a basic farm machine than any car made today. Unless you find and early Ford or Chevy or something like that.

I would take PT Schram up on some of his items and plow thru it myself. But if you are not determined then get out before you do spend a fortune. Ask the guy how much would he give you just for an idea, but I bet it will be low!

Before you buy any other vehicle, look closer before you put your money down.

If yours is not already badly damgaed you may have something worth dealing with, however if it is a totally beat mechanical mess, you have a niughtmare ahead. Cannot really judge it from a computer keyboard and screen though.

 

Is that why you were under my back porch...?

 

As a friends once said to me,"Do it if you're bad!" It's going to aggravate you at times but once you drive your Rover around you grow to appreciate. She gives just as much as you do, and in some cases surprises you! So if you really don't want it, then I feel sorry for you because it's a great experience owning a Rover!

 

Well, the Disco has been a very expensive driveway ornament for the past week or so. The Rover mechanic I had gone to see called me yesterday to see what I was thinking of doing with it. I think he was pretty surprised I hadn't called him to bring it back in after the long conversation, and seemingly small set of choices regarding what to do with it. I guess my hesitation is that I have read with where gas prices are going these days, the value of trucks like these is going to nose dive. If that were the case, putting even half of what I think it needs into it would be like pissing into the wind so to speak. Especially if it really needed what I'm thinking it does. What say you guys? Are you worried that your truck's value is going to fall off the table in the near future, if it hasn't already? I guess I just don't want to be stuck with a vehicle that has 10 grand into it all told but isn't worth 3 if I tried to sell it. Thoughts?

 

I dont worry about the resale value of my truck, I didn't buy it as a inverstment, I bought it to drive, I bought it because I have been a Land Rover enthusiast since I was in grade school.
I bought it because it suits my needs, it goes anywhere I point it.
I didnt buy it because of the MPG, I bought it because I wanted it, I drive her because I love her.
Parts are cheap, labor is cheaper.

Bottom line kiddo, if you bought your truck as a investment, sell it.
If you cant or are not willing to learn to work on it yourself, sell it.
If you are not willing to buy used parts or shop around for less expensive parts, sell it.
If you are worried about gas prices, sell it.
If you are not in love with it, sell it.

A well maintained DI can get 18+mpg.

 

No matter what you drive it will eventually need repair. Everything breaks. You speak like having to put money into a vehicle is an issue. It's the cost of ownership, and that comes with ANY vehicle.

Worried about losing money on your INVESTMENT? You already stated you would lose money if you dumped the truck before even getting to drive it. You have a golden opportunity in front of you here. You have a clean truck to start with and all the help you could need between this forum and the mechanic who offered to take you under his wing. But you would rather dump the truck and buy some other vehicle that will need who knows what to get it on the road.

We can't help you if you won't help yourself.

 

Well said. I am a rover newb, but I'd say this advice applies to any type of 'enthusiast' automobile. And to the OP, you've stated that this has been a dream vehicle of yours. Judging by your posts, you're a pretty intelligent guy. I say there is no time like the present to get your hands dirty and learn how to work on your truck. Like someone else said, there is a huge amount of satisfaction to be found in driving a vehicle after you have fixed it yourself!!

 

As far as the price of gas, forget 89 octane, look at 93 octane or whatever premium is where you you live.

If you want a true expedition vehicle and any sort of lengthy trip, you will need tons of money. Ten grand will barely scratch the surface.

If it has overheated much or has any engine issues, you are in for a considerable amount of money whether you DIY or three times as much if you have to have a pro do it for you.

And yes you could easily spend thousands and only recoup a minor percentage if/when you sale it.

Did the mech make you an offer on it?

And you may get 18mpg, but usually only on long downhill runs where you can let it coast. Or if you draft really well on a big rig or something like that.

(And as far as being under your porch last night, that was where she said to meet her!)