I definitely paid too much for mine. My 2003 Disco 2 in Monte Carlo Blue was $7800 with 98,000 miles on it when I purchased it. That was almost 4 years ago.

But then again, I didn't know that much about Disco's when I made a "snap judgement" to just buy her.

Moral of the story: don't make snap judgements.

Anyhow, she's been pretty good to me, all things considered. Have 125k on her now and no major issues. But lots of smaller things. Those small things start to add up - they really do.

 

My son found a 2004(lifted, front and back aftermarket bumpers, blacked out rims, nice big tires) and the 03 came with it. Price was 6000 for both, so who knows what price I should put on the 03. I knew nothing about Rovers, but when I started reading reviews, I thought I had made a mistake. This forum helped my confidence and working on it had been a breeze. I did have a few odds and ends pieces(like headlight finishing piece, horn buttons, lock pin on drivers door), but everything works and looks good. I am not an off-roader, but knowing it is capable is great. I agree about snap judgments, and I would not recommend Disco 2 ownership unless you have the ability to repair yourself and listen to the experienced Rover owners or have a deep pocket.

 

Brad and Joemamma, thanks for the background on your purchases. I am a member of several forums but seldom post as most of what I read on them is bickering and guys trying to sum up your experiece by your post count. So far I have to be impressed with this group. 100% helpful across the board.

 

Thank you all for the insight and information regarding my idea. I have decided not to proceed in this direction. I will contuinue my search..stay tuned, I am sure I will be back!

 

Decider, Yes, LRNA paid for my complete engine replacement done by the dealer. I saw the invoice, in 2007 it was $9800. I paid none of that and got a new engine as it was still in the original factory warantee. I did buy the extended warantee at the time which took full coverage out to 90k and that paid for itself three times over!!!

 

For a quality used rover look at UK sites. Or, even better, get yourself over there for a vacation and pick one up and bring it home. Yes, customs might make you wait a while. Shipping might be $1800 across the pond. But in the UK, rovers are much, much more afordable because that's where they are built.

You can get a quality 2004 Disco in excellent condition with less than 100k on the clock for about $2000 if you know where to look (Auto Trader UK website & others). Contrast that to the U.S., you pay about 3 times as much.

Just a thought.

 

But won't it be RHD instead of LHD?

 

and 80% are diesel so you can cross them off your list unless they are 20 years old

 

I have an 02 D2 Kalahari with 225K, it runs 173F-193F Max (in Texas extreme summers), and it honestly runs better than most D2's I've driven with less than 100K on them. I'm technically the 3rd owner while the first owner had it to 160K, and the second owner had it to 220K. It was always taken to a LR Dealer for it's scheduled maintenance and it shows. I've inspected it very closely and from what I can tell the engine is still the original unit. I think the transmission may have been replaced due to the front drive shaft blowing a hole in it as I see the metal heat shield above the front drive shaft is dented and the drive shaft has been replaced as well. Or maybe they were lucky and the shaft did no damage minus the dent in the heat shield.

I wouldn't base my D2 purchase on mileage alone. I'd base it on interior/exterior/frame condition, and most importantly how it was maintained and by who.

 

Best4x4 - did you do anything to get those cooling numbers where they are? Whatever I end up with would be used in a climate like yours.