Hello everyone,

A relateively new member here looking to purchase a D1 or D2. I have done a lot of reading regarding pre purchae inspections, common faults, and the importance of finding one with maintenance records. I am also aware of the ongoing need for maintance and time I will have to spend in my driveway with the car. Since majority of cars I found locally are from shady dealers who buy them at auctions I had to expand my search WAAAY outside of NY. Since all of them are 400-500 miles away, its hard to just go check them out. I am hoping that your expertise will help me avoid some of the major warning signs I may be missing here. I am leaning towards the 1st one as it has less miles. No matter which car I will make the road trip for, I will not commit until I get an ok form a local dealreship or indy shop. Thank you all for all your help and support in advance

The first one: 04 126K miles:
Description: Bought in 2008 with 44k miles. 2nd baby on the way so we got a van and this has gotta go. Meticulously maintained. New oil and filter. No leaks! Lots of new parts at 120k miles:
New head gaskets and valve job, new thermostat, hoses, vacuum hoses, power steering pump, timing chain and oil pump, front main seal, alternator.
Extra parts:
Front and rear wiper blades, front head lamp assembly, factory service manual, Land Rover diagnostic tool.

Apparently the front prop shaft was not done. When I asked about the head gasket, the owner said "Complete valve job with machining of heads, drive shaft is original, new windshield couple of years ago due to rock , new o2 sensors less than 5000 mi ago,new alternator, new power steering pump, new belts , hoses, brakes less than 15,000 mi" I still asked for receipts from machine shop or at least purchase of the head gasket kit. Im assuming replacement alternators dont come with the pulley? This one looks old

















The Second one 04 witn 140K miles on it: ($5750)
Description: Needs nothing. New catalytic converters, new all terrain tires (x5), new 180 degree low temp thermostat, new brakes, new plugs/ wires. Fresh oil change (643 miles ago), fresh coolant flush (1254 miles ago), regularly cleaned and detailed including under the hood. Strong engine pulls 7,700 lbs. All wheel drive with on demand low range and locking differential (great for the sand!) Added a bright rear spot light, added a trailer wiring harness, added full sized spare tire with matching BF GOODRICH AT tire. Cats exhaust work = $1,000 New BF GOODRICH AT = 1,089 Firm on price. NO ACCIDENTS NO LEAKS NO DAMAGES NO ISSUES
Obviously this seller takes better pictures It also seems like he took a lot of time to clean and detail the car. This could imply same level of care with maintenance. The head gasket was not done on this one, but he claims there is no leaks or signs of head gasket failing:
The shaft is new. The water pump, thermostat and radiator were replaced. The head gaskets show no signs of being bad or going bad and it pulls my jet boat with ease.







The Third one is a 2000 D1: ($4000)
2000 D2 with Center Differential Lock 105k miles New rotor and pads New upper and lower ball joints New rear coil springs New BFG KO2 tires New head gaskets, belt and all upper gaskets including throttle plate at 103k 2 keys with chips New power steering pump and all lines New O2 sensors LED headlights and interior bulbs
When I asked for more details about the head gasket job, he supposedly did it himself and checked it with straight edge. (Assuming he is not a machinist, can he make an accurate determination on his own?)
All gaskets from head gaskets up were replaced. Checked heads with strait edge, no slippers cylinders..... I did work on my garage. And i have put about 2500 miles on it since

Once again thank you all for sharing your experience and expertise with a LR noob

 

 

How much is the first one ??
At least head gaskets were done
drive shaft don’t worry just buy a new one with fittings

 

For what it's worth, coolant level is awfully low on the first one

 

The third one is a D2. D1's ended in '99

 

I like the second 04, seems the owner cares for it. Hoses look swollen on D2 #1 & the coolant is low.

 

#2 looks the best to me also. #1 has sweet double clamps on the swollen hoses. #3 only has 2500 miles since the guy did all that work to the engine, why would he want to sell it now????? Hmmm.

 

Pass on the 1st one, it looks like there is a coolant leak somewhere and those rad hoses do not look right. K&N filters are hard on the MAF too.

The second looks decent, just remember you are buying a 15 year old vehicle there will be issues somewhere.

 

The first seller is asking $5500 for the car.
I am seeing some great comments. I would not have picked up on those hose clamps....and to think the 1st one seemed to be the cleaner more taken care of car.

 

this^^.