I have a '99 Cherokee (XJ) now but am considering replacing it with a 2004 Discovery. I have read and understand all the issues, including comments from Jeep owners on "another" forum so I know what I am giving/getting if I make the jump.

I have found a 2004 with 139k miles for $7k, with no service records (a friend in the car business picked it up at auction) but CarFax has routine service history shown done up until 2009 (at 90k).

Basic visual inspection looks like no leaks, no coolant smell, no Amigos, new spark plug wires, has a rear coil conversion, and front shaft was either converted or replaced with a serviceable one. Also it drives smooth and quiet in all gears with no vibes, rattles etc. I am partly assuming that with 2 big issues addressed (coils/shaft) the former owner knew how to properly care it, but of course understand the danger of assuming anything...

I am looking for comments on what everyone thinks of getting this one with no service records? I can handle all the basic maintenance and am not afraid of doing all the service stuff ASAP that the sticky and Disco Mike suggest...

Thanks in advance for any input!

 

Welcome. I would read this:
https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...scovery-21328/

Also, have the head gaskets been replaced yet? And I say yet, because if they have not been not done, they will need to be done. The price doesn't seem all that shabby. Sounds like you have a good handle on what has been done and what condition the vehicle is in. Consider having an indie Rover shop check it out before purchase. A couple hundred inspection could save thousands down the road.

If I was to go back and look at Discoveries, I think I would shoot for an 04 for that price. I like the updated headlights and standard locking CDL with linkage.

Good luck!

 

sounds good to me. question is are u a good mechanic ?if no do you have the desire to be? if the answer is no to either question i suggest u either rob a bank to fund the eventual repairs or pass. don't let this scare u too bad its just like owning a car from the 1970S just as needy but a sweet ride. i say buy it

 

I'd offer lower or keep looking. I don't know if I got a great deal or what, but I picked up my 04 for 5k. It had 130k miles, and receipts totaling over 6k from the previous year for a rebuilt engine. With 139k, it either needs, will need very soon, or already has replaced head gaskets. Not knowing would bother me.

 

IF "a friend in the car business picked it up at auction" and is trying to sell it to you He is not a friend. If he were he wont be getting you a auction piece, he would be trying to track down a nice low milage trade.

 

Agreed. At auction there's no way that truck would sell for more than $4k, too.

Just be forewarned, I too have Cherokee/Wranglers in my history and they are nowhere even slightly near to the neediness of a rover. I'll give you an example that I experienced in my first week. I was taking a left hand turn onto a 2 lane road on the inside of the turn, behind the snowbank I hit a pothole that was huge, but it was too late for me to do anything about it other than to hit it. Lights came on, dinging all in the instant I hit that bump. Scared the bajesus out of me. Turns out, it triggered a 'rough road' code... Something you'll never see in a Jeep.

All that said, I love mine and when it's running I wouldn't dream of going back to a Jeep.

Dave

 

Auction vehicles are not normally cream puffs, or they would have been sold by the dealer who took them in trade. They can be repos, and that usually brings the lack of maintenance to a different level. They can be sold by a private owner who wants quick cash and to get out of the vehicle for problem reasons and have put in two jugs of stop leakz. You don't get as much at an auction as you can selling it yourself. The public auction price near me seems to be about what Kelly Blue Book says is trade in value.

 

Thanks for all the input everyone. I am a decent mechanic and have owned Chevys to Bemmers always doing my own work on them so I am not afraid to tackle most things. But I am concerned about the intangibles that can't be known short of pulling everything apart.

Having a LR mechanic look at it is something I am considering, but is there any way for even a great mechanic to tell if the head gaskets have been replaced?

Thanks again for all the comments/suggestions.

 

This is just speculation because I don't know for sure, but if they did it well using ARP bolt and studs it may be possible to pull the valve cover and see. Someone help me out. Do the ARP studs and bolts have any distinctive markings?

 

Owned a few XJs, a YJ and currently own a KK. The D2 is just as easy to maintenance/work on. It's a simple push rod V8, 2 lifters per cyl (1 in, 1 out). Little more $ for parts (depending on what it is), but not that much. Just like the old jeeps you can order pretty much everything online and assemble with hand tools in the garage .

The cooling system on these trucks is the achilles heel. LR made it way too complex...lol

I can fit a LOT more in the D2 than I ever dreamed about fitting in the XJ or KK, the interior space is insane.