HOLY ****TTT! What the hell did you order anyways? Looks like you bought out RoversNorth!

 

Bought in 07, second owner 42k on it. Paid 17500 (dealer had same one at 37k for 27000) have replaced or rebuilt almost everything. I still have parts that I need to replace that I have been avoiding. I do all my own labor and in 6 years minus all the off road extras I have added an easy 7 or 8000. My signature will not let me put down all I have done. This is minus the BBS rims and tires for the past 6 years. They are not included in the total because they are mods...

 

Bought our current disco in June 2011 with 57,200 mi
I have spent $600 to have the radiator replaced and a brake job from my indy guy
replaced one blowout at $200 bucks
and resealed the inspection plate on the tcase for $10
I have ordered the flange/output seal kit for $80
I am undecided if I am rebuilding or buying a new front prop shaft so that price is undetermined.

I am in $900 in repairs, plus oil changes. 4 at $50/each for oil and filters

 

I haven't "invested" anything. My interpretation of an investment is one where you could expect an increase in value. That doesn't happen with a vehicle (except on rare occasions). I've spent money on repairs and then drive it, spend more money on repairs when it needs it and drive it some more. It depreciates every day so no investment going on here.

 

For what it's worth, I just looked and I have spent more on my 2007 vw passat in the last 18 months in upkeep than I have on my rover. Food for thought.

 

Heres how I see it: I love my rover, its my dream vehicle. Love pretty much everything about it. Part of me hates spending $$$$ on repairs but another part of me loves replacing old parts with brand new parts. Something about adding new parts to a old Rover just brings life back into the vehicle and it adds to the overall value of the rover in my heart! Also makes me feel more confident about taking my Rover on long trips and such.

So the more $$$$ I put into my rover the more I love it and the more I value it and the harder it would be for me to get rid of it. So in my eyes its an investment. Call it what you like, I could care less about "politically correct" terminology. Then again im the guy you see driving down the road with large British flags flying from the roof of his vehicle!

 

I keep a big ole file full of all the receipts that I accumulate for as long as I own the vehicle. It also has general info written down, such as when I do oil/fluid changes, spark plug replacement, that sort of thing. I also typed out a sheet when I bought it that has the exact mileage, known faults, damage, etc. I've done this for all my cars. Not sure why I'm doing it with the Disco as I plan on keeping it, but I like knowing that I have it all written down somewhere.

So, here goes.

I bought the car in almost perfect shape a few years ago for $6000.

Maintenance

Took it to a shop to have various little odds and ends, including an oil leak, front prop, and various other things fixed. I will never make that mistake again. $2500
Changed over a power steering pump trying to fix a problem. Had a mechanic buddy help me. $600
Slight fender bender involving an icy trail after a body recovery from a frozen lake. $570
Wiper arm conversion kit - $60
Indicator light - $30
Rear bulb holder (new) - $50
Window switch panel - $30
BFG Rugged Terrains 265/60R18 - $770
Brake bits - $70
Bushings - $20
Union jack stickers to cover nonexistant SE7 badging - $25
Oil changes - $150
Front prop shaft - $300
Bumper finisher for a slight disagreement with another tree (they hate me) - $55
Air spring clips - $12
Air springs - $283
Light bulbs - $25
Fuses - $20
Center caps - $20

Modifications/Off Road Kit

BajaRack w/axe,shovel, Hi-Lift mounts - $1289
Hi-Lift - $70
Axe - $20
Shovel - $15
Locks - $35
Switches and carrier - $50
Connector kit - $12
Lev-O-Gauge - $12
Pro Comp off road lights - $168
Wiring kit - $35
Jerry can holders - $150
Jerry cans - $80
Extended brake lines - $120
Old Man Emu HD front springs - $166
RTE SLS spacers - $245
OME shocks - $380
Nuts and bolts - $65
Lumber (for drawer system) - $75
Screws (") - $20
Carpet (") - $25
Glue (") - $15
Spray adhesive (") - $15
Paint (") - $70
Misc hardware (") - $60

I think that's about it. So for repairs and whatnot, that's... $5590. Yikes. And I still probably have to do the head gaskets at some point soon.

Now, the off road mods... $3192. Not as bad as I thought. So, for all I've spent on it, I'm in... $8782. Add that to the purchase price and you get $14782. A little over what I thought I was, but that's not all bad. I've got a pretty damn reliable and capable truck for that much. I don't regret it in the least, and I'd do it over again in a heartbeat.

I love my DII and she certainly feels it!

 

I intentionally don't do the math when it comes to my D2. It's so far from stock at this point that conventional logic around car values cannot be applied because the truck provides more than just transportation for my family.

If forced to put a number on it though, I'd say that including the purchase of the truck in 2010, a HG, and numerous mods, I'm looking at $10k+, but less than $13k...

 

I have put in enough to come to realize that I will continue to put in more for I shall never regain from sale what I have in. So spend what i will to make the smile stay. I mean c'mon we all know that smile when we get when you climb over that hill, push thru that snow and ford that water with ease... and the view once we get there.. ohhh the view.

 

^^ Well said. This is why I don't the math...I can't quantify the level of enjoyment I and my family get from our D2.