Hi all,

As you can see, I'm new to posting, but have been lurking for about a month, reading the posts and soaking up the information.

Let me give you some quick background info...

I ended up with an insurance check for @ $7500 for a vehicle that was totaled.

My wife and I have decided to turn the check, plus some savings and maybe a small amount of financing into two, hopefully three vehicles.

The first vehicle purchase was done yesterday- a daily driver car in excellent condition with great gas mileage and about 30k miles less than usual for $3k.

Now comes the tough/fun part...

I've been doing alot of homework and reading and am thinking that I'd like to find two SUVs- one to begin offroading with my brother's sweet 1995 RR County Classic SWB, and one for the wife to drive as our family vehicle.

So, the question is, which two vehicles should I focus in on?

This is what I've been thinking...look for a 97/98 Disco for offroading and an 04 7-seater for the family vehicle. The one requirement is that the family vehicle have 7 seats.

What I'd like to get from you good people is:

1. Guidance on vehicles/specs I post here
2. Suggestions as to whether I should consider other vehicle combos, instead of the 2 Disco option I'm considering now.

Looking forward to learning more from you all. Thanks!

 

FYI: I live on west coast and am also considering traveling if need be, within reason. One question about this type of purchase- could I hire a mechanic from the area to go check the vehicle out for me before I even thought about making the trip?

Here's the first vehicle for feedback. I have also pasted its auto check report...asking price is $12,900.
http://dannymotors.com/inventory/CarsDetail.php?more=67
12/31/2004 CENTERVILLE, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 01/13/2005 CENTERVILLE, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:UT3161352) 06/24/2005 WEST JORDAN, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:UT3663562) 06/30/2005 WEST JORDAN, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 07/19/2005 WEST JORDAN, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:UT3663562) 08/03/2006 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:UT6571674) (Lien Reported) 08/31/2006 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 08/31/2007 SALT LAKE CITY, UT Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 07/02/2008 DESERT SOUTHWEST REGION Auto Auction AUCTION ANNOUNCED AS FLEET/LEASE 07/18/2008 FL Motor Vehicle Dept. ODOMETER READING FROM DMV 10/10/2008 KISSIMMEE, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE (Title #:0101515017) (Lien Reported) 10/10/2008 KISSIMMEE, FL Motor Vehicle Dept. REGISTRATION EVENT/RENEWAL 12/24/2009 VA Motor Vehicle Dept. TITLE
REPOSSESSED 12/31/2009 PACIFIC SW REGION Auto Auction REPORTED AT AUTO AUCTION

 

that 04 Disco is in nice condition but i think its way overpriced. I wouldnt pay more than $9k... plus its going to need some work, @ 75k you are around head gasket range, the front drive shaft will most likely need to be rebuilt.. if i were you i would get a 98 or 99 Disco 1 with the lowest miles you can find for your offroading truck and either a cheaper 04 for your wife... both will need work and a good tune-up before being road worthy.. if you are hand with a wrench i say you can get two discos if not, it will end up costing you a fortune in mechanic fees

 

Are you mechanical? Can you pull the heads off an engine in your garage?

 

Thanks for the input...

hilltoppersx: I'm in California and rarely see an '04 going for $9k...would you advise that I really push for that price range if I see something that looks like a good vehicle?

okdiscoguy: I am definitely not the Macgyver type by nature, but I think I could learn to be more mechanically-inclined if I had a vehicle that was 'work-on-able' and had a manual and other forms of guidance (like this forum).

Another question for you all- how necessary is it to have one vehicle for offroad and the other as a nice DD? I've been thinking that there should be two separate vehicles, since I've generallly thought the DD should be more comfortable/luxurious, etc.

 

well truth be told its easier to work on a D1. it has many less electronics than the D2. As for seperate vehicles some people their DD is their off road truck... you need to decide how much off roading, what type of off roading you are going to be doing. if you plan on going every weekend i would suggest you get a second vehicle because you will be doing repairs on your off roader and have no way to get to work....as for luxury there is no real difference between a 95 D1 and a 04 D2... there is a fine line between luxury and off road capability and that is where I think the Discovery shines... its just enough luxury... thats just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks for the update.

Some quick questions/comments:
1. I am having trouble finding a 2004 7 seater in So. Cal, especially under 10k, a price someone suggested should be about the maximum I would be willing to pay.

2. My wife wants the 7 dearer, even if it's tight for adults, so we can take our niece/nephew around, etc.

3. Is there a '99 D1? Or am I looking at '97 or '98 as someone suggested to get a less 'electronic' Disco?

4. What type scanner do I buy if I want to take one as I look for vehicles to buy?

 

7 *seater*, not dearer...sorry

 

the 2004 SE7 will run you more around $12k. if you get a 98 or 99 disco 1 you can install jump seats yourself. in fact i might have some to sell.you need an OBD2 scanner, you can get a cheap one for around $60 that will tell you and clear the error codes or you can get a nice live reading one for about $220 and get all the good temps and what not.

 

"@ 75000 you are at head gasket range" Never heard that before......Glad it did not happen to me.