Is the Land Rover Discovery a reliable vehicle? I'm looking into trading my 2000 Mercury Cougar in for one because the car has broken down on me 3 times in 3 months... I have probably spent more time working on it than I have driving it.

I can fix the small things but big problems I'd rather not have. I'd like to have something I can drive to work everyday (10miles) and occasionaly take off road for some fun.

I was looking at this Disco I found from Autotrader.com
1997 Land Rover Discovery

I could probably go higher in price, but if this will be a good reliable vehicle, I'd like it to be around $4000. There was a 2002 I was looking at that was $8500 I think also.

Thanks in advance.

 

If you keep up with maintnance the trucks will last forever.

 

Yes they are reliable, I have put 20k on my '97 since I bought it in April '07 and have spent $400 in unexpected repairs. It now has 171,000 on the OD.
I spent $500 in getting the maintenance up to date and have alittle more to go. I do it as money permits.
Just so you know, you MUST use 91 or higher octane gas. Once the trk is properly tuned and if you use full synthetic oils you can expect to get 16-17 mpg on the highway. We average 20 but I only drive 65 mph. It only cost a few dollars more to fill up from empty with premium. If you use regular you will be looking at 12-13 mpg on the highway.
Ask yourself this...how many times have you seen a Land Rover broken down on the side of the road?
Spend less money, get the '97 and spend alittle money getting it up to par. After the first owner these trks tend to get negleted.

 

If you read through these forums you'll find pretty quickly the common problems such as the head gaskets, wheel sensors and drive shaft issues. However, as others have stated, if you take care of it there's no better vehicle. I've said this before - it's never let me sit, but there have been times when it makes me sit and think.

 

^+1

Much like the poster above, I've always said they have more than their fair share of gremlins but I've never been afraid she wasn't going to get me home. Just to be warned you are most likely going to experience many little eccentric issues. I put over 100K on my '96 (or maybe '97 I can't remember) anyway, it had the 4.0 and it never "broke down" once. That was in the days I was anything but kind to my vehicles. Foot to the floor every start and exploring every trail I could find..... but it was regularly serviced. It's all the little eccentricities what give the car the personality we love so much, although sometimes we're not so sure .

 

Well I'm gonna go look at it maybe Monday, so I'll keep you guys updated on what I do. Thanks for the help.

 

What would you be using the Disco for?

 

I would probably make a fair trade with no money exchanged, because my car is worth more than the 97 Disco, so I would be taking a chance here, hoping it will be more reliable... and if not I'd be screwed. I'm still thinking about it right now..