hello everyone -

I'm in the market for a series II - we've been looking at 99/00 model years for affordability reasons.

so here's what consumer reports says we should expect to pay at a dealer:
1999 $4.0 - 7.7
2000 $4.7 - 9.4
2002 $7.6 - 13

edmunds TMV
1999 $6,981 - $8,166

so of course we're perusing the usual places: ebay, autotrader, watching the local paper. (nearest LR dealer is 1.5 hrs away). the problem here is the great disparity in the typical asking prices we're seeing versus what the "pros" seem to be saying we should be paying.

for example right now on ebay there are lots of 1999's with 100K starting at $8,000!

so question one: what do you guys think is the best place to look for a worthy vehicle?

and question two: where can I find a VIN decoder for the Discovery? I can't quite make out the meaning of the differing SALTY, SALJY, SALTW, etc.

thanks for any help you can provide. we've been agonizing over the "right" choice of vehicle for awhile and the Disco always comes up high on the "gotta have one" list!

 

Those Consumer Reports numbers are a lot more realistic than Edmunds, KBB or the reserve that some people are setting on ebay. When it comes to ebay, the best "market analysis" is to go back through the completed auctions and see what vehicles are really selling for (or not selling for in the case of high reserves).

In terms of best places to find a good Disco for a good price, I'd start by calling your kind-of-local LR dealership and asking if they'd be willing to give you the numbers of some of their wholesalers (peoplewho buy the trade-in's that dealers won't sellto the publicbecause of mileage, age, condition, etc.). Although most wholesalers are used dealers, they often also work as middle men.....selling their cars at auctions to other used dealers. So, if you can save one of these guys the legwork of bringing a car to auction, putting it on their lot, listing it online, showing it to people, etc., etc. they'll often give you a pretty good deal. So, if you're willing to take one "as is" (i.e., just as the wholesaler takes it from the dealer), you're really just paying a finder's fee to the wholesaler........so it's an easy deal for him.

It's worth a shot. Although some may fudge the numbers to appease the customers, most dealers (including LR themselves) will pay dirt for Land Rover trade in's because of their mechanical reputations. This is one of the reasons why a lot of Rover owners end up trying to unload their rigs via private sale. So, wholesalers are picking these things up for peanuts from dealers. The big mark-up's are happening once they get into the hand's of a used dealer.

 

Doesn't matter what you use, it is the number of trucks you can look at with the options and mileages you are looking for.
If it is a low mileage unit with all its maintance pepers, it is worth more then one with no history.
What are you wanting to buy and what are you going to use it for? Have you ever owned a 4wheeler before?
Mike

 

Mike is right on the money, I paid $6200 for the 1996 D1 that I have, top doller according to the normal pricing guides. It was an ebay auction but close enough that we went and looked at it in person prior to bidding. I was comfortable paying top doller as its not a"rust belt" truck and has the paperwork to prove that fact. It is also totaly rust free, even the frame is super clean. Finding anything up here in Erie, PA that doesnt have rust is almost impossible in that price range. If I get a couple of good years from the V8, then I am happy and we will short block it when the time comes. Keep looking, heck even email offers on ones that dont sell on ebay, but are what you want. And be willing to drive a couple of states over if need be. We were and if this one had not worked out, next stop was either NJ or MA. There seems to be a glut of Discoverys on east coast. More hit and miss here where we live. You might list where you live and let the others here give you heads up when one comes up that looks good. Good luck finding your new Discovery. Mikeand Michele T

 

I hunted for almost 6 months before finding mine ... Autotrader,cars.com,ebay,and local papers are your friend...
I finally scored an 03 DiscoveryII with 28K miles , 2 years 22K in warranty and tree "free" services for $16,900 it was going to be wholesaled if not bought that night ... that was down from the $19,500 they were asking .This was at a Mercedes dealer that had no idea what they had ...
All service records were with it AND the local LR dealer did all the service, The service manager was crushed she was hoping to get it for herself because the owner was so careful and took great care of it

 

Cars.com is a useful website for shopping. I agree with everyone, it's all about the documentation. It's worth $1-2k more for a car with a pile of receipts all day long.

 

Thanks for the advice! I've stumbled on the wiki land rover page with related links - that's a gold mine of info!! :-)

Bogden - that's a good idea about finding the wholesaler - we'll call the dealer and pursue that - I noticed that dealers never seemed to have any less-than-two-years-old cars. You've explained it!

Disco Mike - first 4WD. We've been fighting a slippery winter driveway for years but never took the 4WD plunge. Realistically this will be a short commuter car with occasional long trips - perhaps more adventurous now that we have off-road ability! But mostly a pack of dogs and two adults. Our research seems to point us to the series II for various reasons - I've got some wrenching ability for most any repair that does not require special tools.

Rovermike - we live in Charlottesville, VA the dealer is in Richmond. A short hop down the interstate, really.

Fire and Tap - haven't really been perusing cars.com - thanks for that.

Question: rumor has it that after '01 electrical issues get better - do you agree?

Jeff in VA