Hi All.
I sold my old Disco II like 5 years ago and haven't been on this forum since. And now unexpectedly I find myself looking at old 2.5 diesel units, particularly the 3-door version. Should I even consider this vehicle? 5-speed LT77, 2.5 diesel (200 TDI), give or take 200,000 miles on the clock. There is a couple of them available. How sane would it be to consider this a daily driver, albeit as a second car? Looking for ease of maintenance, frugal on fuel, and something roomy and that is capable of hauling stuff.
Really looking forward to hearing some opinions on this matter.
Thanks.

 

We are seldom allowed to have anything that practical here in the States. A lot fewer frills and fancies, so less items to act up. Radiator will likely need to be rodded out.

 

OK, thanks for y'all replies. But seriously, the '92 is a no-go, the complete drivetrain and all that is good, but there is too much cosmetic issues and the car really stinks of that old car smell, and I just can't bring myself to paying over $5K for this rustbucket.
Another question:
LT77 gearbox in a '93 will not engage in 2-nd and 4-rth gears. Doesn't seem like a syncro issue, there is no crunch or any violent noise, just a mild mechanical noise if you apply pressure as you jam selector into where 2-nd or 4-th gears are supposed to be. But it's like they're not there anymore, nothing happens. What would be involved in repairing this issue, as I am thinking about buying this truck. It's all nice other than a bad window regulator and some minor rust above wind shield and ina couple of other places.

 

Where are you located? That affects your parts availability and prices for repairs quite a bit.

The 200tdi is supposed to be one of the more economical engines in a land rover.

 

I am in Russia right now, hence the insane expensive price tag for an old rustbucket. But that's kinda besides the point, my question now is specifically about the LT77 problem that I have described above. As far as parts, if need be, I could always get stuff on eBay, particularly from the US. This only concerns small parts though, not complete transmissions or engines. Parts are also available here, as well. Although I've been told LT77 parts are scarce or unavailable. Complete R380 costs between $1,000 and 1,000 Euros. And I don't know what a retrofit would require.