Hi Land Rover enthusiasts,

I am completely new to this forum and Land Rover in general but am contemplating making the jump to the brand.
Growing up watching the Camel Trophy, I fell in love with the look and the adventurous spirit of the brand but have never actually owned/driven a Land Rover before.

So here is the deal; I stumbled across this low mile (53,000) 2003 discovery:

2003 Land Rover Discovery 52,000 miles

I would be selling my 09 Mercedes c class so I am coming from a place of relative reliability and comfort (although the car itself doesn't match my lifestyle: surfing, cycling, camping, roadtrips, dirt roads).

I would like to know if I should expect to repair things on a monthly basis? Yearly basis? How much would this car realistically cost me over 2-5 years?

Is the car linked sold at a fair price?
I commute once/twice a month between San Luis Obispo and San Francisco (500 miles round trip). Should I be scared of a land rover dying on me during the trip? Or is the car even comfortable for such commute?

I would love to hear all you guys' opinions. I'm sorry if I come off as a newbie (I am) but I have to start somewhere!

Thanks in advance,
Alex

 

I would like to know if I should expect to repair things on a monthly basis? Yearly basis? How much would this car realistically cost me over 2-5 years?

That's a hard question but I would say monthly. But not all repairs are expensive if you do them yourself

Is the car linked sold at a fair price?

God No. You could buy a nice LR3 for that price

I commute once/twice a month between San Luis Obispo and San Francisco (500 miles round trip). Should I be scared of a land rover dying on me during the trip? Or is the car even comfortable for such commute?

Doing that trip 1 or 2 times a month isn't all that much in my opinion. The gas bill may shock you though.

 

It's a fine looking truck with what appears all the right credentials BUT $12.5K is a very high price for it. I note the going rates in the US are far less that the UK or europe but for a 2003 in the UK you'd expect to pay £6-7K tops for a truck with that mileage and similar condition and it would be diesel as V8's go for a song this side of the pond. For that price you could pick up a late LR3 with low mileage.

 

12,500 for this no way. maybe if it was down around 7-8 with that mileage.
keep looking

 

It seems that west coast prices are a little higher than east coast. With that said I would think it's a 8-9k truck.

But, it's an S model so it doesn't have sunroofs, rear sub-woofer, fog lights, painted front bumper trim, and limited adjustment on passenger seat. This could be good if you want no frills.( I never use my sunroofs).

Bonus is the 16" wheels, more tire than rim and more off road tire options.

Even if you did buy that one, you should definitely look at, at least 3 or 4 other discos before buying. The blue book for S models is low so you can use that as a negotiating tool.

 

if you have the coin, buy a newer one. you dont have any idea what you are getting into with this generation of land rover. My f150 is tens times the vehicle my 2000 disco is. that being said now that i have done all the work to it i have, i now like the vehicle. but don't buy it if you don't wrench.

 

Thanks so much for your response. What kind of repairs are we usually talking about? Is it something that a quick youtube video and a 150 piece craftsman tool set can do?

I also own a 1969 BMW 1602 so I've done some light work on it, changing fluids, etc. But I wouldn't say I feel comfortable touching the engine for example.

Usually if it's mostly ordering a part online, unscrewing panels and replacing simple electronics, I think I'd be fine with that.

In terms of highway MPGs, are we talking 14mpg or 16-18?

Thanks, all your answers are helpful!
Alex

 

So I should really prioritize the SE model if I want sunroof?

What about the SE7? is the only difference the additional seats in the trunk?

 

head gaskets always. no exeptions. maybe they have already been done? if your lucky. heater core? haha!! took me three days. and i am a mechanic. i did the heater core on a ford escort in 2 hours. my water pump on my f150? took me 20 minutes. both minus fill and bleed air times. dont buy unless you have skills. if you have the money buy something newer. oh and a**munch is probably going to say how easy the heater core is but that's what you get online. my point is not to insult anyone, but just to let to know.

 

I believe the S was the only model without sunroofs.

A 7 at the end means it has the 2 extra seats and normally rear AC.