So guys, I'm looking around for a first vehicle for my son. I was pretty set on a Japanese mid-sized SUV (Nissan Xterra, Honda Pilot, etc.) until my son got a look at a local 2004 Discovery II. He loves it! I have to grudgingly admit I thought it was pretty cool in a different way, and really like the drive and view out of it.

Myself however, am very, very apprehensive due to reliability concerns and parts availability. Especially since we're in Montana, where LR's are few and far between and the only place that supposedly worked on them here in Billings, went scammer supposedly.
I've wrenched on cars for years, American, German and Japanese, so not afraid of parts swapping, suspension work and routine maintenance.

Here are the particulars on the vehicle he's interested in:

2004 Discovery II 4.6L (no idea if it's S, SE, etc.)
155,000 miles (a big concern)
Runs smooth, no ticking. However the "heater thing" around the throttle body is leaking a fair amount. Valve cover gaskets are leaking pretty good, maybe oil pan as well.
Radiator does not show any leaks. Looked to have Dex-Cool in it (not a fan) but no bubbling in the overflow or tight hoses that may allude to a head gasket.
Transmission has supposedly been "replaced or rebuilt" per the owner. Shifts very smoothly.
Cold A/C, headliner falling down, seats cracking in places, dash surround over gauges totally broken and kind of just resting there.
One headlight is barely hanging in place since the mounts are broken. Both headlights look like they have cataracts! Probably can wet-sand them or restore them.
Body and paint in very good shape for it's age.
***The big one*** "Check Engine Soon" light is on in the upper right gauge cluster. It does NOT blink, just stays lit. The guy says it comes and goes. Again, engine runs very smooth, no smoking, etc. The oxygen sensor wiring was soaked with oil, maybe a correlation?
Vehicle drives like it's new. Front end and steering are rock solid. I couldn't get under it to check u-joints or shafts.
He's asking $5500 and said he may negotiate. These things are pretty hard to sell here, so he may come off a fair amount.
My biggest fear is head gasket, block liner issues leaving me with an expensive paperweight or vehicle that might quit when it's -30* outside here!

Thanks a lot for any advice, encouragement, input or experience you guys can offer.

 

IMO it's too expensive for what he is showing, and he knows it. $3k is what I would consider, IF you were happy that the problems you saw you could handle.

If you think he will consider such a low ball, take a scanner back and see what that engine code is. Type the number in here and see what pops up. Negotiate from there.

All those leaks are well documented, and not a total pain to fix.

But it sounds like it's generally a not cared for vehicle, which would be the bigger concern for me. I bought one for more than that, but had been cared for by someone almost OCD. Two owners.

If they are that rare where you are consider looking further afield. Or offer a low price and walk away, the phone may ring in a week.

But I would go back with a scanner. Show your interest, but explain why you are knocking 2.5k off his asking price. He will feel insulted but that's no crime.

Oh, solid light just means it's a stuck code. Flashing means it's pending.

Heater thing, is throttle body heater plate. Easy gasket swap. Some people bypass it to avoid the hassle. People in cold climates say it's essential, so you'd look to fix that.

Will the truck pass an inspection with hanging headlights in your state? If it's not a simple bracket to renew or a clip missing, beware a bit. Cleaning the fronts isn't a big thing, just a pain. They are plastic and need buffing.

The more I'm writing the more I'm thinking it would be a great project for your son. Unless he is the type of son to let dad do it. All the things listed are simple 'search the forum, order some stuff online, fix within an hour or so'. But you can't pay that much for it.

Edit, it has a known coolant leak. And it's not cared for. Means the guy might have run it til it over heated. Means the head gasket may already be duff. These things burst head gaskets fairly easily when over heated. If you do go back, watch the coolant level like a hawk. Run it for at least 30-40 mins, and watch the owner, see if he gets nervous. If the level is dropping etc.

 

Thanks for the reply. The economy is pretty strong here (due to the proximity of the Bakken oil fields) so everything commands a premium, and so far no one will negotiate much on prices. Population centers are VERY far apart here, i.e. 2-8 hours so not real easy to find comps. The guy's owned it for only a year, bought a new truck, and says "he's asking what he paid for it considering the transmission work".
The owner is a very nice guy IMO, but knows NOTHING about cars. Doesn't even change his own oil.
MT has no motor vehicle inspection. They allow smashed windshields, major parts missing, you name it. No emissions testing either.
Guys says it's never overheated---which of course there's no way to prove. However, if it has head gasket issues, it sure doesn't show any of the typical signs: runs smooth, no bubbling or pressure in coolant system, no obvious rough idle or miss.
Unfortunately, like most young people, my son has no idea how to turn a wrench. He is however an absolute master hunter, fisherman and outdoorsman, so I cut him some slack.
Thanks again.

 

A Land rover d2 hands down is much more capable than any Japanese SUV , at same time it will ride much smoother than all of them too, but it will not go 350k miles on it's original engine like Japanese would,
Some have gone 250k or more , but with lots of love & attention,
Average life expectency before a head gasket job is between 120-150k miles, & most might get a knock at similar mileage, some already have rebuild engines by that time,
So if none of these things have been done to this truck, you should be a little caution, because it might need it pretty soon, (it's considered regular maintenance for 4.6 V8)
Not to discourage you , just a heads up,
If radiator & water pump are original, also consider they need replacement , also all coolant hoses & thermostat, just to make it reliable for son driving,
Dexcool in system might or might have not build up crystals in block, you won't know till later, Cosmatic's & interior are easier fixes but they also cost money,
As mentioned above , a well take care of vehicle is usually worth paying more,
You definitely don't want to take land rovers to a mechanic if you can do the work, because if it goes to mechanic it will start costing you more than truck is ever going to be worth,
$5500 for what you describe it definitely too much, 3k or less should be ok if engine doesn't give up on you,
Remember a set of tires if it needs tires with mounting will be aproximately a grand,
You can pay as much as you are willing for it, but you can buy these in other parts of country in perfect condition with new rebuild engine from $6500-$7500
(Rebuild engine about $5k), and they will still lots of love & attention,

 

I agree with everything stated above, except for the flashing check engine light. Pending codes do not turn on the check engine light. They are "pending"... something has happened that the ECU has noticed. If that "something" happens again within a set number of drive cycles, the SES light will turn on solid.

A flashing check engine light means the ECU has detected a catalytic converter damaging engine misfire.

 

If I was not a wrench head I wouldn't own one.

If you would have to pay to have the valve cover and oil pan gaskets changed you shouldn't buy it.
By that I mean, if you can't do it yourself.

 

@lordmorpheus: small world, I was born in MO and lived in Columbia for 12 years. MU grad 1998.
@BackInA88: like I mentioned in the initial post, I can do anything with the exception of rebuilding the engine. Head gaskets might take a long time, given my work schedule.

I appreciate the honesty here regarding the Rover's reliability. I called on one yesterday (in Jackson, WY) and the dealer flat told me "there's no way I'd put my kid in one of those [Land Rovers] unless you want to work on it constantly". He went on for 5 min. on how bad these LR's are. I was pretty shocked. Most car salesmen will sell you their grandmother for the right price.

 

NOT a good vehicle for your son UNLESS you and your son LOOOOVVVE working on and are very good at working on vehicles AND you have alternative transportation.

Too many people are suckered into the "Land Rover mystique". This will end very quickly the first time you have a drive shaft failure....

Also $5500 for a truck with 155k you must be joking, try $2000. At 155k this truck is riddled with issues, you have no idea.