Hello Everyone. I currently have a 2006 LR3 and with a current job loss am needing to lower my payments anywhere I can. I havea friend who ows a local new car dealer and has a 2002 Discovery II with 75k miles on it. He had it sent to the LR dealer and had all the maint done and it checked out. The bill for that was $2500 and was just done in June. I can purchase it for 10k. It looks great and runs strong. If I purchase it I would be accomplishing the payment cut that I am looking for while still being able to drive a vehicle with the ever so important 'green badge.' Any thoughts from your knowledge or experience on this vehicle?

Thanks for all your input!

 

Actually, you'd be swapping up...

These vehicles will last FOREVER if you take care of them. If you get the records book with the vehicle, you can figure out if it was serviced regularly. If no records exists, you may be looking at a few grand to remedy any problems that exist. I've never really had any problems with my rover, but I've always taken very good care of it. I change the oil every 3k and all other fluids at least once a year (diffs twice because I take it of-road quite a bit in the sumer.)

Take it to a Land Rover dealership and have them once over the vehicle. They're good at finding all the problems associated with it. Do not go to any mechanic-of-all-makes or ever take it to Meineke or Midas as these vehicles are very specialized and most mechanics are not familiar with them.

For more info on the life of my '97 Disco, go to epinions.com and search for 1997 Discovery with 240k miles (I think I'm the top post.)

Best of luck to you.

 

The Disco II that you are looking at is much different than the LR3.

If you have the V8 in the LR3 you will loose about 110hp with the Disco II and the mileage is not as good as the LR3.

You need to drive the 02 just to make sure that you like it,,
they are two very different Land Rovers.

 

If it has air ride suspension stay away from it, it will fail anywhere from 80-100k. This just doesnt hold true to Rovers, all cars with air ride have this problem.
Make sure that the double cardon u-joint on the front driveshaft has been replaced with a greasable one.
And make sure that you have the coolant replaced after you buy it (if the dealer didnt already) and then change it every two years.
If you do a search on this forum you will find lots of helpful info.
Things to search for, u joints, driveshaft, three amigos, and other things that I cant think of right now.
Sorry to hear about your job, I know what you are going though, I've been there, done that and bought the t-shirt.

 

Thanks for the information. I looked under the truck and it doesn't look like the u-joint has been changed. What kind of expense is this to have done and why is it important?

 

If you pull the shaft and take it in, should be under $100. The double cardan joint by the cat (rear of the shaft) does not have a place to shoot new grease in. It heats up and bakes the grease, eventually it will break and take out the transmission...

I have driven an LR3 and own a Disco. I agree with Landzu. Different trucks. See if you can drive it for a day to see if you like it.

 

https://landroverforums.com/m_69758/tm.htm
Read this post.
When the double-cardon joint breaks it "slaps" the side of the transmission putting a hole in the side, $7000 fix.
If you take the trk to a shop and have them replace the joint it will be about $300.
The join could go at anytime to, no warning, just a loud noise and you are done.

 

I am taking all of your advice and am picking it up tomorrow and he is going to let me take it for a few days. I will let you all know what comes up from it.
I am torn as I absolutely love my LR3 and hate to part with her. Unfortunate where the economy is right now!

I thank you all again.

 

Try to keep an open mind. It is different, but still fun....