I've owned and driven a disco 1 for years and love it. Now i'm making the jump (today) and buying an 04. It's going to be my wifes grocery getter, i've got a kid on the way (that'll make three) and need and se7 for the extra seats.

so here's my questions. there are two i'm looking at. both have between 50 and 60k miles. both are northern trucks, both are in very good shape. but, their carfax reports are different. one was bought and serviced at the same lr dealership all it's life and traded back in to that dealership. it's had all 4 brakes and rotors replaced, surp belt replaced twice, headgasket job done and all of the scheduled maintenance done.

the other has very few indications of any work done and not too many of the scheduled maintenance done.

poll...

should i feel better about the one that's had all the maintenance done but also seems to tend to need the bigger jobs done and cost a little more

or

grab the one that hasn't been as well taken care of but seems to be less apt to need work and costs less.

thanks for the input

 

what prices are they seeking for the two trucks. Having the head gaskets and brakes done is a $2500 bonus. any warranty on either truck? Unless the prices are vastly different, I would opt for the well maintained, head gasket and brakes done vehicle. You will spend enough fixing all of the other things that will go wrong with in in the next 6 months.......Phil

 

See if you can talk to the service manager or the mechanics who did the work... They do a lot of trucks but will remember ones that had serious problems. if they dont remember , could be a good sign that it wasnt catostrophic...

50 k fo a head gasket would be a not so good sign with so little milage..i would ask what caused it..It could be making more serious problems ahead..ie bad block...

as for the extra seats..i have 04 se7 also and you will need to do a suspension upgrade if you plan on putting anyone in the back. i drove with the stock system 1 time picking up a bunch of my kids and there friends. It felt like the death ride from hell and i never got over 50 mph...especially with your wife driving...get a suspension upgrade.

Good luck, Chris

 

Remember no Rover is less apt to have maintenance. It probably means it just hasn't been done yet and is a ticking time bomb. I would lean towards the one that has been in regularly and is probably on 6 months away from needing its next major overhaul (aren't we all driving like that).
How far apart are they on price?
Drive them both overnight and get personal with them.

 

today i've talked the sales guy down a little more. the one with less maintenance records is $1600 less. but with only 5k more miles. both are equally as nice. both are actually impeccable.

 

"both are actually impeccable"

....impeccable....that word does not suit well with LR.....even out the factory door they are far from impeccable...nice trucks yea...thats about it....impeccable until your temp gauge sours in about 30 secounds to red and your oil light comes on..then they are land rovers....

 

I would go with the maintained vehicle and try to talk them down a bit on the price saying that if there is only a 5K mile difference the price should be comparable especially if it is at a LR dealership. Question if they do not trust their inspection and if they think something is going to go wrong or if they know something is going to be wrong with the cheaper one that is the reason for the price difference.

 

they are at different dealerships. the more expensive one is at a LR dealership. bought there brand new, maintenenced there it's entire life and traded in there. the less expensive one is at another dealership.

impeccable is in regards to aesthetically. they both look nearly new. i have to take this into consideration since it will be driven mostly by my wife.

trust me i understand the bitter sweet relationship between Land Rover and owner.

 

I have had these truck for 10 years and my wife is not at all fond of them. The LR dealership may be your best bet as if anything does go wrong...which it will..you can say," hey i got it from the dealer".....they tend to believe cars from a dealer are better than private owners or shops....why...i dont know.. I got a impecable 04 DII SE7 in april of this year and it's july and i have the entire upper engine on my workbench and am pulling the block today. It was from a private dealer....

 

My truck was always maintained by the dealer from new, oil changes and all.
I am the second owner and I have spent a sum total of less than $1500 in repairs.
Preventative maintenance I have spent millions, but repairs almost non.