Quick question for the experts. I am deciding between a 02 Disco SE with 77k miles and a 04 Disco SE with 97k miles. They are both in very good condition. ...one owner mainly California highway miles.

I can get the 04 about $1000 cheaper but the miles scare me a bit. Both kbb & nada list the 04 with as having a higher value. On paper the 04 looks like a better deal (selling well under private party value while 02 is a little over).

Both great, but which Disco would you go with? I have been looking for a while...

 

The 2004 has CDL and the 2002 is neutered.
Check service history and any repair work that was done, head gaskets replaced, coolant leaks, over heating, service lights on, etc.

 

04 is what I would pick, bigger engine and CDL. Disco with 4.0 is too slow in my opinion.

 

how much are they asking? i would opt for the 04 given the choice. If they haven't had them done, both will need head gaskets in the future, might be next week might be two years. 2004 had many nice options, are they both SE models? The model package can make a big difference on how fancy the vehicle is. Leather, sunroofs, stereo, tow package, heated seats, etc. Good Luck. Phil

2001 DII
2000 DII
1999 DI

 

The benefit to the 02 besides the the lack of miles is that it likely doesn't have secondary air injection, which is worthless and a big cause for check engine lights. The lack of cdl sucks though, so if off road is a primary use for you, an 04 would be better. That being said, I drive mine off road as much as on and it goes well as long as the TC is working. The difference in power between my old 4.0 and new 4.6 is definitely nice, so I would find an 04.

 

I really appreciate all the responses...lots of good info. The guy is asking $8,200 for the 04 with 97k miles...down from 9k listed. There is a consignment dealer on the 02 (77k miles) and he is down to $9,100 from 10k listed. Both are SE so the interiors are similar... leather/sunroofs etc.

 

04 forsure, it has cdl, and a bigger engine, better traction control. I would have bought an 04 if i knew all that when i bought.

 

You need to do some reasearch...lots of it before you buy one of these possesed machines... If it was a choice between 02 vs. a 04...the 02 will have better tolerances engine wise vs the 04..They got worse with age in that department. Trust me i have a 04 and the engine is in pieces in my garage. The 04 will have better soccer mom resale as they are mainly buying 06 on up now so thats slim.

If you want real reliability...and thats not a given... buy a 94 or 95 DI with a 3.9 and throw a 4.6 block under it.... it;s drop in....and you will have a real expedition truck or better yet... put a TDI 300 and never look back. Add all the stuff you want to do lift, suspension, tires, racks, and rebuild all necessary items and you will be in around the same price as a 04DII. Remember , after you buy the 04 DII, you will end up sinking another 6k in the same upgrades plus fixing everything and anything that was not maintained....and then wish you just would have bought a defender....

 

Here is a list of the part that had been replaced.
Horn switch, air filter, gear oil, spark plugs, brake fluid, multi rib belt, valve cover gaskets, air mass meter, ignition wire set- hls 103-721, intake gasket, Brakes- front & rear rotors and pads.

Any big costs I am about to run into in the short term?

 

'04, it has more miles which means more stuff has already been fixed which means less you have to pay for and do.