I am looking at a 2004 hse disco. It has 61000 miles, in very good shape, and they are asking 16900. My only concern is that when it first started it ticked for about 30 seconds. Sales person stated it had not been started for a while. The truck ran great and hadplenty of power. When I returned the motor sounded great. I shut it off turned it back on and it still sounded fine. This is the first one I have ever driven or been around, is this normal or should I stay away.

 

The wrong oil filter can let the oil run back down and if it has been setting for a while this can happen.

The best thing is go back and start it you konw the last time it was started now.

I take it you know about the gas and 60k service and having afew K's set back.

 

no I do not, what all is entailed and what is the cost. I am very nervous as I will perchase it today if Idont get any negative feed back. Please dont hold back.

 

Because of the cost of a 60K service, $600 to $100 from a dealer, most people tading in a vehicle won't pay to have it done.
If you are pretty mechanical I can walk you thru how to do this list on 1 Saturday, on your driveway for around $350.
By the way, don't worry about the start up noise, its an easy fix.

This is the parts list for a 60,000 mile service or a high mileage used truck, the way I do it.
1 Oil filter, K&N 3001 or Mobil 1
1 Air filter
6 Qts of engine oil
12 Qts of ATF
7 Qts of 80/90W synthetic gear oil
1 Qt of synthetic Brake fluid
2 Qts of synthetic Power steering fluid
2 Gallons of OAT, orange coolant
1 Bottle of Lucas Power Steering additive
1 Bottle of Lucas Transmission additive
1 Can of Spray Carb. Spray
1 Can Of Brake cleaner
8 Spark Plugs, I use Bosch Platium Plus 4's
1 Set of Magnacor 8mm plug wires
1 Serpentine belt
2 Bottles of SeaFoam gas additive
1 T/Stat


60,000 Mile Service or Major Service for High Mileage Used Vehicle just purchased

Bleed the brakes
Flush and change the power steering fluid adding one bottle of additive
Service the tranny adding one bottle of additive
Change the coolant and t/stat
Do an engine flush before changing the oil
Do an induction cleaning
Clean the throttle body
Add fuel additive to full gas tank
Change both of the diffs fluid
Change the t/case oil
Replace the plugs and wires
Replace the air filter
Lube all the drive shaft grease fitting including the 2 slip shafts
Do full inspection of brakes, hoses, bushings etc.

Hopefully I didn't leave anything out.
Mike

 

It's just that it is smart to have planneda few thousand dollars set aside for the first maintenance like in your case the 60K miles and the little things that will need to be addressed. What little things??? well, it could be the infamous 3 amigos (dash lights)that are related to the abs system and therefore brake related, or leaks that you might want to fix. Could be a leaking radiator or other very common little things like that. Your front driveshaft has to have greasable u-joints. If it doesn't have them, there's another $300 you have to spend. As said, just make sure that you have a few grands set aside and you will be ready to face anything without panicking because you now have a new loan and have to pay for gas and....... Speaking of gas....You HAVE to use premium at least 91 octane and your mileage will be around 11-12 city traffic and 14-15 strickly highway.

 

I think your questions have been answered. The 04 has all of the best points from all of the years. Best one in my opinion. Have a couple thousand to get it up to date, and fix something that might pop up. (something will....) Be ready for a few repairs, and you will love it. This isn't a Tahoe.

I got my 97 a few years ago, and I really should get something else, but I can't bring myself to get rid of it. I love it...

 

Its the the best one. no doubt. But be prepared to open the hood every weekend and give a once over. she'll love that. if you don't, you might make her mad. like okdiscoguy said. This ain't no Tahoe. Ilove my baby girl. 2000 disco 104.000miles and still goin strong. I belly ache everytime I crawl under her. But I love every minute of it. she gets a bath every Saturday morning with warm sudzy water. and a wipe down every Wednesday night.
gTAGG

 

You dont have to do everything all at once, do the driveshaft first, then the other things later. Yes it is best to do it all at once, but who can afford that?
And no the dealer wont care about this stuff, if you dont buy it somebody else will.