Hi folks-

I need some assistance, and this is my first post to this forum, but I know I will get the input I need from all of you knowledgeble LR owners.

I am looking to purchase my first LR, and I have narrowed it down to a couple of choices. Please keep in mind I am on a terribly small budget (Under $2000).

I found a 1996 LR Discovery with the following items recently done:

fuel filter 29.70, fuel pump 453.09, fuel pump seal 21.60, wire harness 75.00, fuel line fitting 6.90, fuel line nut 11.72
fuel pump remove and replace 115.05, fuel filter remove and replace 70.80, motor vac efi fuel system service 139.95, labor was 414.30, parts 656.96 for a total of 1,071.26 front brakes were done, installed front caliper and pads, hardware and frozen pins that was 159.30, machined front brake rotor 68.00, front wiper assembly 301.08, electrical harness 55.54, front caliper with hardware both wipers at 136.16 each, front brake pads 108.24, rear brake rotors 106.80,
rear caliper with hardware both for 103.84 each, rear brake pads 96.80, brake fluid 10.00,
exhaust gaskets 16.12, vehicle speed sensor 141.82, multifunction unit 183.29, front wipers 32.08 rear wipers 15.34, rear brakes 159.30, replaced rear brake rottors 106.20, replace both front exhaust gaskets 88.50, diagnose why coolant comes out after driving 44.25, replace multifunction electrical unit 53.10, replace shorted wiper motor assembly 203.55, replace erratic vehicle speed sensor 70.80. that ended up being labor 617.55, parts 1547.11 supplies 49.87, for a total of 2541.98, and for the inspection of the wipers front and rear cost 190.00, that bill ended up being 380.00

All of the above work has been done within the last year, and the owner has all receipts. The owner is telling me that the engine is in great shape with just over 110,000 miles. The owner is asking $1,500 USD- BUT she also said that the transfer case needs replaced; the vehicle starts and drives for short distances, but eventually will not move.

I really like this vehicle- the pictures that were provided to me show everything in great shape, but the T-case scares me. I am afraid that it might be the transmission, but I do not know. Is there a way for me to tell when I go for the test run this weekend? I found used T-cases for as little as $150, and I can install it myself. Should I keep this one at the top of my list or write it off now???


I also found a 1995 LR Discovery with 98,000 miles, interior is 3 of 5 stars, minor accident has little damage to the passenger front bumper and the driver's rear bumper. It runs and drives, but the owner indicates that the brakes are a little soft and may need attention in the near future. No rust, great tires, and other than the bumper damage front and rear (which I can live with) it seems like a nice ride.

They are asking $1,900 OBO with emphasis on "no offer refused". I think that it's priced a little high, and I like this one also, but don't want to pay that much more than the '96 listed above. I was thinking of offering $1,200 USD!? Yeah? Nay? (Any input is appreciated)


And finally, here is another one: 1999 LR Discovery, needs a new front bumper and a few other small cosmetic fixes- was a daily driver until last week when "they think they lost the transmission." Must tow or trailer away- $1,000 USD OR BEST OFFER-no reasonable offer refused- need gone ASAP! I have the means to trailer it away, but a used transmission is like over $700 (in my neck of the woods), and I have to be honest- something does not sit right about it. Now if it were the transfer case instead of the transmission, we would probably not be having this conversation and I would be driving it now.


So the bottom line is- I am hoping for input from current LR owners. Try and be nice to me- I don't have to buy this- it would be my "commuting" vehicle- (I already have a vehicle- I just want something like this!)

Feel free to PM me or reply to my email or this post- I will be monitoring it throughout the evening.

Best Regards-

Plowman (I drive a snowplow)

 

Well on the 1999 "lost the transmission" tells me that it is a DII and that the double cardon joint on the front driveshaft let loose and grenaded the tranny...$7,000 not $700.

The 1995 sounds like it has been sitting around for a long time and they just want it gone. That was has me worried.

The 1996 sounds the best so far, just ned to figure out why it stops moving after driving. If it were the t-case it just would not move if it were low on gear lube and ran dry it would sieze and all four wheels would be locked up. (full time four wheel drive)
Before you drive that one check the transmission fluid level.
Get more info on why it stops, does the engine quit? What? Just stops is not decriptive enough.
We really need more info.
These trucks are built like tanks, it takes alot to keep them from moving on their own.
All of these trucks require premium gas, 12-14mpg in town, 18+ expressway.

 

I would go with the 1995 LR Discovery with 98,000 miles, a small dent here and there and a bent bumper give it character and fixing these is much less of a hassle than replacing a transmission and / or transfer case. 1200 sounds fair.

 

the seller of the 96 is selling because she got a newer Discovery.

the '95 has been sitting for about 3-4 months, it was "her" vehicle, until she got into a minor fender bender. She now drives a different vehicle.

I have officially crossed off the '99 D2

I'll add to the equation:

The '95 is only 30 minutes from me, and the '96 is 2 and a half hours from me. In either case, I plan to trailer the vehicle back to my shop, wherest it shall receive a complete "going thru".

Thanks for the input so far!

 

Can you post pics or include a link?

 

here is pics of the '96:




[IMG]local://upfiles/13031/3DB90A15B8B0465F8BF9177D80CD4421.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/13031/BCD034A4666E4549ACDC90F24D39AC28.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/13031/B992DFE668DF4A6880E401719B7CA7EA.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/13031/B5F31DD5F9774EBCA56C477241A5DC4B.jpg[/IMG]

 

I don't have any pics of the '95, although I went and looked at it this morning, and it looks as nice as the '96 pictures do.. both vehicle are green... both vehicles have "wear" on the driver's seats...

 

They dont have any interior pics...go check it out since it is close.

 

The leather really needs to be conditioned every 6 months, wear on the drivers seat for a 20 year old car is normal.

 

I'm not as concerned about the interior- nothing some seat covers can't take care of...

Here's a quote from the owner of the '96 in reference to the transfer case:

"Well it was towed to my mechanics on a flat bed and brought back that way too. It drove up onto it and off but it will need to have a transfer case put in before it can really be driven....it starts up but doesn't move to good you can move it somewhat but not to really drive it."

What do ya think? Is it worth a 2 1/2 hour drive to check out?