When I was buying an SUV I researched and looked at Jeep and other brands. I just liked the feel of the Disco better than the others. It is an exceptional road trip car, and comfortable for driving long distances. I drive through the Midwest in winter and like the peace of mind my Disco gives me. It is a proper 4wd car, not AWD. I fear no ditch or storm, aside from the other knuckleheads on the road. It has been more high maintenance than I would like, but I am starting to actually enjoy having the truck to work on.

My Father and I built a Jeep when I was in High School, so it brings back some good and some not so good memories! It is a really fun truck to tinker with and customize. If you do not want to work on it then do not buy it, however if you will invest some time to learn the right fluids and parts to use it is a really great truck.

 

+1 - I would have bought a defender, had they not been $30k

I use mine for 80% offroad. I like different than Jeeps on the trails. Once the 2004ish Mercedes G500's come down to $20k-ish I'll pick one of those up. They're down to 25kish now....

Dave

 

Thanks for your replies guys. There are some very interesting points of view which I certainly cannot disagree with - but I'm biased . It seems that the old D2's live on in popularity everywhere in the world and still serve a purpose as offroaders, tow trucks, everyday transport etc, etc. I too find them versatile, fairly luxurious inside, good distance cruisers, excellent tow trucks, good off road even as a stock vehicle and at 121K miles very little serious problems although admittedly I run a TD5 motor. They have more character than many later LR's and I've never been attracted to the Mercs, Audi's, Volvo or BMW 4x4's as they also failed miserably where the LR's blitzed the course off road on the MIRA and Top Gear tests - I had to smile watching it happen.

 

I would buy a Mercedes 500 series G-wagon if the right one came along for the right price. Tom Sheppard seemed to have liked his a lot.

 

For me it's Price, Ability, & Heritage.
I've had a Jeep Wrangler and have loved Jeeps since high school. However, they are ridiculously overpriced on the used market, and they are harder to live with every day (punishing ride, noisy leaky tops, tiny cargo area, twitchy handling). Still a cool vehicle, and the most off-road-capable on the planet, but...
I sold my old stripped down Wrangler and bought a DII for less than half the price and have climate control, leather seats, power everything, smooth quiet ride, decent cargo space, tons of towing capacity, and almost as much off-road ability as the Wrangler.
The fact that Land Rovers lose their value like crazy is great for those of us that like to buy used and get the most vehicle for the money.