Greetings all. I am a newbie. I have long wanted a Landrover. I was not looking but a local listing showed up for a 2002 Discovery II SE7 showing 101766 miles. The asking price is $5500. It seems to have had three owners, was a Florida car initially and has been on Long Island, NY for three years. Was informed that it has not been used off road much at all, if ever. The only oddity from the initial VIN check is the first title showing, in Florida, shows 28653 miles and the second in NY (2017) had odometer exempt. I will ask current owner about that (possibly because of vehicle age). I have not yet used/paid CarFax for a detailed report.

I will get maintenance records for the past three years and have contact with at least one of the mechanics. It will need a new headline in the near future and its most recent service included coolant tank and O2 sensor (I thought there were two). Mechanic recommended new rear brakes and struts and a new head gasket in near future.

I have read through the Forum and watched an excellent video regarding issues to consider.

My question to you devotees of this marque and model:

Is this worth considering?

Thanks much.

 

Why did the mechanic recommend HG in the future? If it needs HG now then the asking price is far to high imo, I would not pay over 2500 for a vehicle that has blown HGs unless it was already set up exactly as I'd want. I think the asking price is fair if it is in good running shape with no rust and good body/interior. Some minor work is always to be expected (factor cost new front driveshaft, coolant hoses, rad, water pump, inline tstat, maybe coils/plugs/wires into purchase price) these vehicles are very easy to work on and parts are relatively inexpensive. All the work I mentioned can be done in a weekend with minimal experience and provides a huge piece of mind for reliability and solid baseline.

 

Thanks for your quick response.

According to current owner: "I think when they did the oil change on Monday, they said there was a tiny bit of antifreeze on the engine. They said it could be just a small hose leak, or potentially the head gasket. They didn't investigate further."

I have yet to see the vehicle. I now have seen recent records which show window motor replacement, oil changes and see attachment from 2017. Also, I now have the CarFax. I am awaiting more records.

 

If they noticed coolant when doing an oil change I'd assume that they found the oil to be contaminated which would point to the head gasket already being toast...a hose leak won't end up with contaminated oil.

 

Do you think that is a deal breaker for me? The fact is I don't need the Disco, just want one.

 

Have you considered getting a pre purchase inspection by a qualified Rover mechanic? That would give you the information you need to make a fair offer and not end up paying five grand for a truck needing a HG job.

 

a blown HG for that price is a deal breaker for me. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for a grand with a clean body and a blown HG. I can swap out HG in a weekend so the price is the deal breaker for me in instances like this for me.

 

Oh yes. I am in touch with a specialist shop: North Fork Imports in Cutchogue, NY. BTW, what is one looking at $$ for an HG job?

 

Thanks. I am arranging an inspection at North Fork Imports nearby which came up on a search for local specialists on the LRshops.com site. BTW, how much am I looking at for an HG replacement?

 

Anti freeze in the oil can also be a timing cover gasket leak