I am in the market for a 2004 Disco and I have been looking at a lot of trucks. Right now it seems like I am typically finding the hse models to be better cared for, with less miles and more often having the dealer records.

Should I spend the extra money to buy the hse with 30-40xxx miles and extended warranty or should I buy an se with 50-60xxx miles and just start with my maintenance and upgrades from there?

I am going to lift the truck, put the rovertym bumpers, and some 16 inch wheels with BG Goodrich AT's on it and use it for camping trips and some moderate off roading plus some around the town cruising. I really don't care too much about the features of the hse one way or another but it does seem that so far they tend to be in better condition.

Any guidance would be appreciated concerning the merits of the hse over the se in general; or the relationship between mileage, service records and depreciation.

thanks,

stonnie

 

I would stick with trucks that have service records since it sounds like you have a few to choose from that do have them. Most people need to put a few grand to get the truck in tip top shape so the service records will help a lot in that arena. Whatever you do, use premium gas and get the front drive shaft rebuilt asap. BTW, I do have a set of 5 16" alloys sitting in my garage. I'm sure my landlord would love it if you were to buy them.

 

Buy the trk with less miles if you can afford it, but do not buy the extended warrenty.

 

I say less miles, YES, but you'll be buying a vehicle you absolutely don't know and therefore knowing that most times people get rid of their Discoswhen they have a mile long list of things to do on them, get the warranty if its price is reasonable, or better yet, get the dealer to throw it in the deal.

 

Seems like I am finding lots of Discos coming up off the end of their leases. My friend is a car dealer so we are able to browse a national wholesale auction company and I can definitely pick up an average condition Disco with 50,000 miles for a good price; for a substantial amount more money I can buy an exceptional condition truck with dealer records from an individual. I can expect to pay about 35% more for a Disco with 25-40,00 miles and service records.

I am not squeamish about working on my new project and I see that most of the more obscene expenses have to do with dealer labor but at the same time I believe early preventative maintenance is the key to longevity.

Basically I am trying to figure out whether low miles ( 30,000) and better care is worth between three and four thousand dollars over a vehicle with average care and average miles ( 50-60,000).

 

Nope. Go with the higher mile one. Save the money for bringing it up to par and then pocket the other $3500.