I just picked myself up a clean 99 D2 SE7 with 105K, ACE, SLS, and every single bell & whistle available for $1500.00. Sat for 4 months due to a bad alternator, and dead battery. I changed out the alternator/battery and it cranked right up without a knock or a single tick! Previous owner had it three years and recently put OME shocks on it new ABS Modulator, new tires, STI spark plug wires, head gaskets, waterpump, fan clutch, and new coolant hoses. Then when the alternator went out they parked it.

Had I not known it's mechanical background/upkeep I wouldn't have traveled 9hr round trip to get it and drive it back.

For me personally yeah the 03/04 D2's (especially the 04 with the CDL lever) are nice, but I can't stand the SAI, and I think the 4.6L is more prone to overheating as it DOES NOT come stock with an oil cooler. So with that in mind I prefer 99-02 (early 02's made from 10/01 will have the CDL TC), you get the CDL TC, non SAI, and a standard engine oil cooler.

Maintenance records are awesome, but I prefer getting the truth straight from the owners mouth. If you ask em questions like oil weight, head gaskets, and they seem clueless I walk away. I also do not buy used LR's from small car lots... That's just asking for trouble IMHO.

 

This. Definitely this. Small car lots only attract vehicles that went to an auction for a reason. The small car lot buys them back up because they look interesting and puts a big sticker price on them.

 

Update

#2 is gone

Test drove #1 again got more info.

This time it tossed a code at start, P0304 I just laughed cause I have read enough to know what that was (had them hook it up to my ODB2 when we got back)

It only ran rough at cold start, once it warmed up misfire went away.

No coolant had leaked (although they could have refilled it) I had taken a picture last time and it was in the same place.

So I guess that leaves the following possibilities:

Plugs/Wires
Coil
Fuel Injector
Beginning of Head Gasket
Cracked Block

Argh thinking about negotiating price as if Head is bad because it is an SE7 that is literally perfect no rust, perfect rims, perfect pain, perfect interior. Obviously stored inside and cared for pretty well.

 

Rough idle at startup is indicative of coolant in cylinder. As it it burns off, the misfire also clears up...until you start it up again the next morning. Cracked block, porous block in the cylinder wall, or slipped cylinder sleeve. Just assume the block is trash and move on from it.

 

So on to the next one!

Now it is time to wait, no other 2004's within 300 miles of where I live currently.

 

You should look for one that comes up for sale from a member here. even if you have to make a 2,000 mile trip to get the right one. If you start reading through here at all the problems and issues you could be faced with, you begin to understand the time and money involved with maintaining a somewhat "reliable" Discovery. I hope you give yourself a fighting chance at the best possible start. Good luck on your search and be wary. Be very wary.

 

But what's a 45 foot third garage stall good for if not tearing apart a new Disco?

My wife just got over me spending the last 18 months rebuilding a boat, she should be pleased that most of the major repairs seem like a weekend or less on the Discovery's.

 

paid $3900 for mine, 99 D2 with 138k miles on it. it was the 4th or 5th D2 i looked at and also left Dallas to OK 5hours away to get it, they had receipts for head gasket, and brake MC replaced. did carfax as well and it seemed good, the history is ok on the D2 i got, but only time will tell how well of a buy it was? All the ones in Dallas were close or over 200k miles and one had most of the lights disabled in the gauge cluster. I suppose I did pretty well, the under side looked the most dry of all the others and I even test drove one from a small used lot in north Dallas and it was an oily mess from the fire wall back and leaking coolant everywhere too. they wanted $4500 for it and it was under 100k miles. Also bought the D2 knowing it will probably always be a project.

 

Good call on #1. Probably a head gasket but could be much worse. I'd get one with a bad head gasket because they are so cheap to fix but the problem is that you can't tell whether that's the problem without tests you don't take with you for a test drive.

I bought one with an exhaust head gasket leak for a SONG but it was a real risk even at a super cheap price.

 

Hey dude, I'm with you, and the D2 is fun/great vehicle to work on. But I'm more about replacing brakes, tie rods, maybe a transfer case or diff rebuild if I want a more serious project. But sourcing a block and rebuilding an engine on a new-to-me truck is probably the last thing on my agenda! LOL