Hello everyone,

I have looking at Discovery’s for about two years. Found this forum in that effort and really appreciate all the advice and information provided. You guys are one of the reasons I am seriously considering buying one.

There is a 2001 Discovery SE with 103K at a local dealer. Asking $5,995. It’s black with black interior. I took it for quick test drive. Transmission seemed loud to me. I am use to a Toyota and a BMW. I told the dealer the transmission concerned me. He offered up a 90 warranty on the transmission.


Brakes seemed to require more effort then I am use to (maybe just not use to a 6000+ lb vehicle). When I jammed on the brakes it stop quick enough but I did not hear or feel the ABS activate. The Toyota you can really feel the dithering.

With the window down I could smell antifreeze, not strong, just present. No puddles when I got back. Temperature was right in the middle of the normal range. Air conditioning seems to work fine. No lights.

Rear door won't open. Headliner drooping in places. Gloove box door was a little loose. Generic low key interior rattling noises. Not as bad as the Toyota, not as good as the BMW.

Something appears to have gotten on the inside of the glass for the climate control module. Can this be taken apart and cleaned? Dual sunroofs. All the power window worked.

Some rust on the frame.

Engine compartment was relatively clean. Belts and hoses looked good. Some black grime on the AC compressor housing. Oil present on the axle, steering bar and oil pan.

I could not get underneath far enough to look at the U-joints.

The car fax stated it has had six owners, 4 sales at auction. What does that mean!? This part concerns me more then anything! Am I out of touch? Is this how things go for Disco’s? Is this a problem child?

One accident, front left, airbags did not deploy. It must have been plastic pieces of the bumper. There is no obvious body work.

I could swing a 2004 but would prefer the lower payment of the 2001. The mileage for this 2001 seems reasonable at 103K. It’s a good looking vehicle. Interior is reasonable shape. It would be a third. I have a family member coming from overseas to stay with us and help out with our daughter over the summer. A third vehicle will be helpful.

I would do most of the maintenance myself. I also have a local mechanic that I have gone to when I don’t have the time. I can bring it to him for an independent assessment also.

Please weigh in and let me know your thoughts. Thank you for taking the time to read this and thank you in advance for the advice. RS

 

In the immortal words of Monty Python, "run away! run away!"

Seriously, read the stickies at the top and be prepared to spend some time/money up front. There are some common things that seem to go wrong on many Discos and there are also some Series-specific issues. Either way, you need to be good with tools, have some extra cash, and if you have your own OBDII scanner, you're crappin' in high cotton!

Knowing what little I know (I'm new to the Disco world), the price seems too high. My gut says $3K, but some of these long-time owners might think differently. Good luck and hopefully it will work out for you.

 

No, NO, NOO. Wait to get a better one. Someone else who is mechanically inclined can answer about some of your concerns, but right off the bat this doesn't seem good. 6 owners is really high, odds are no one owner took the time to care for the car. 4 auctions is even more alarming. When I worked at an LR dealer, when a car came off lease if it was not retailable at the dealership, it would go to auction. Thus all the BAD cars we sent through (also, they could have tried to retail it but it sat too long and they wanted to move out of their position on the car). To me it looks like the rear tire is not sitting properly, is there damage back there? Also, it has been in an accident. Why open that can of worms. Just wait for another one. NO amount of money would have me in that truck.

 

Read the stickies, planning on putting in the time and money. Have the tools, use to be aircraft mechanic in a former life. That being said, I am not in an immediate hurry. Your comments and Javas though have me leaning away from this one or REALLY low balling it. Thanks for the input.

 

I pm'd you. Please read. I concur - run away. Its tough making payments on a car in the shop...

 

Thanks Java. Good info.

 

The price is not too horrible, depending on where it is you live. I would say offer 3 grand cus it sounds like you will be doing head gaskets and probably more. 4 sales at auction is also a red flag. If you cannot get it for MUCH cheaper i say keep looking.

 

There is a 2004 here in San Diego for $6800, not perfect but an everyday truck with So Cal roots, ie no rust or wear. You can pick up rather clean 2000 and 2001 all day long for $5000 or less. Buy a ticket to LA or San Diego and drive one home. Phil