Hi guys,

I was about to use my "upgrade" budget for a few items on my car when I came across a couple of local Discovery 2's. These are cars with 200K miles on them. Now I've read the stickies and forums to get some ideas of what to look for. I haven't actually went out and looked at either of these cars yet. All I got for info is that they supposedly don't have any over-heating issues and there are no warning lights. I don't know if there's service history yet.

Because of all the horror stories I've read, I've been avoiding these trucks for a long time. But every few years or so, I start to get the itch. The trucks I'm looking at are less than $2K. This would be a third vehicle, I'd use for some off-roading/overlanding, not a daily driver.

So, considering the cost and the mileage, what should I be looking at and how much life do you think would be left in the life of these ? Are they worth pursuing or should I just walk away?

Thanks
Oz

 

Dunno where you are, but in the salt belt rust and corrosion would be a main concern

 

10-12K miles per year is average for most vehicles in, say europe, but is still highish for a 4x4 non commercial truck. Depends entirely on the service history and work done on these trucks to date otherwise you could be buying a rotting heap with an 'aerated' chassis or overall worn out truck which will cost a fortune to bring upto working spec.

 

I'm in New England so some rust is certainly likely. I'll have to see how much. I'll find out about history too. I'm not worried about things like a/c (though I do want heat!) or power windows or dents etc on a cheap car. Mostly concerned about engine and drivetrain.

Thanks
Oz

 

Yes rust would be a main concern. Remember, frame can rust from inside out.

 

Rust in New England will be your biggest enemy. When I lived up there 5 year old cars were rotting out. Just because the outside looks good doesn't mean the under carriage isn't swiss cheese.

 

As they say ozmanyyy, "you'll never make a silk purse from a sow's ear" but bearing that in mind and you want to create a cheapish offroader and you are comfortable doing some wrenching - why not, provided the chassis (frame) is OK and not as has already been said, a "Swiss cheese". Check out very carefully and if possible use a boroscope. Used D2 parts are plentiful and reasonably priced and worth reconditioning but I can't comment on engines as I'm not that au fait with the V8's.

You can pick up a good boroscope very cheap these days https://www.google.fr/webhp?sourceid...0a%20boroscope

They are a 'must' for every toolbox for DIY vehicle work.

 

Hi guys,

So I've been checking out a couple Discoveries, per my original post. The last one looked good in the pics, but when I got there, it was much more beat up than it looked. The rear compartment was really rusty to the point that there was a hole you can actually see through to the ground. The interior was really worn and dirty too. I came close but gut feeling said keep looking.

I have another one I'm going to look at this week, over 200K, but the owner says its in really great shape, pretty rust free but with a few dings here and there.

He did say that there's a CEL and that it's just an oxygen sensor and that they're pretty cheap to fix on these. Do both of those sound likely ? O2 sensor and relatively easy/inexpensive fix ?

I am a little worried about pursuing a car with 200K+ miles on it too, should I be ? I've asked a couple of owners if I could take them for an inspection but they mostly seem reluctant to bother for such cheaper cars.

Thanks for the help guys.

Thanks

 

I would and I do take my own obdII reader when used car shopping. good idea to make sure that it is an o2.
miles don't scare me as much as neglect.

 

8 feet of snow and salt and growing, what makes you think rust would be a problem.