Ok, here's the deal. I am a Toyota 4x4 man. I currently still drive my '91 4x4 ext cab v6, and have over 250,000 miles on her. I just spent $1800 on a head gasket job, timing belt, idlers, and some valve something-or-other that I can't even remember. I have always loved the looks, luxury, and tank-like abilities of the Discoveries.

Everyone I have ever talked to about the Discos say they are awful...just nightmares of unreliability. Even the LR fans I've talked to around town said that they're "typical British vehicles that drool". Still yet, I really think it may be for me. I am looking at 2000 to 2002 dico 2's, and want to stay under $13,000 or so. My mechanic laughed and said that I'd be WAY better off buying a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser with 180,000+ miles than a 2002 Disco 2 with 50,000 miles.

How maintainence prone are they? Any major no-no indicators I should be aware of or look for on one that I may be buying? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Well... first off...welcome to the Rover Family!

Unfortunatly, your mechanic is pretty much telling you the truth.. I mean, these trucks are really reliable, but when it comes to expenses, they are extrememly expensive to maintain... I mean, my parents bought me an 03' with 33,000 miles on it and already there had been over $3000 of warranty work done and over $1000 work done... and this vehicle was really taken care of... it was a lease for goodness sake... soo.. yeah... If you have the time and money, then go for it... oh and hey!! I am a member of another forum and someone is selling a beautiful '99... and it's really pretty!... this is the link to the forum page... http://www.landroversonly.com/forums...ad.php?t=16280 .... take a look at it!

Hope this helps!! and Happy Rovering!

John-Robert

 

I think that usually when somebody's selling a Disco (or anything else, for that matter) there's something looming that they know it's going to need but don't want to fix. In other words you should count on having to sink a couple of grand in repairs in it the first year and negotiate your price with that in mind. I bought mine a year ago and the first couple of months I replaced the brake pads and rotors, replaced an 02 sensor (thanks to Disco Mike and others here for helping me figure that one out), and had to clean some corrosion off of connections to make the "three amigo" lights go away.Since then it has been a great and reliable vehicle.

If you aren't great with mechanic work (this describes me) you should find an independent Rover specialist who can help you. I found one locally who can actually readmy codes and I don't have to go have them read at the dealer. The dealership is usually way more expensive and takes longer to work you in for an appointment. Yes, stuff is more expensive to fix, but from what I've seen so farmy 03 hasn't been any less reliable than the Jeeps, Chevys, and Fords I've owned.

 

I agree completely with Different Drummer... Just make sure you know the history of the vehicle and you buy it from someone you trust!!

John-Robert

 

The partabout these vehicles usually sold to prevent having to replace parts is, I think absolutely right. Once you've spent money to fix whatever was the reason for the ex-owner to get rid of the Disco ( in my case,intake and valve cover gaskets,exhaust gaskets and now front main gasket)I'm prettyconfident that it could be just as reliable as anyother vehicles. I've only owned mine for 2 1/2 months, and I've spent 4 thousands so far. But that's counting an Old Man Emu suspension and tires.( that were installed to replace the SLS system).

But some of the stuff that you described having to do on your 1991 Toyota, will have to be done much, much sooner on a Discovery.

 

I have a 2000 with about 90,000 and I got it for $8,800. Now before you buy do some major research, find exactly what you want, test drive a few and CLOSELY check the Carfax. I did this and I have have NO problems! When and if you buy one bring it to a Land Rover place (or a British shop) get a full check on it, its a little expensive but well worth it! I found that there was only a few things that needed to be fixed and since then I have been extremely happy. But like I said be sure to look really deep into it. And if you do regular maintenance and treat it well you wont have to many problems at all. Good luck!

Best Places to look:
www.autotrader.com
www.kbb.com

 

I appreciate the honest advice. I really think it's going to be between a 2000 to 2002 Disco and a 1997 Toyota Land Cruiser. Both great vehicles! My wife (along with 2 of my buddies who own them) keep pushing for me to get a 4Runner. You know, they used to be bad enough looking like an overpriced truck with a back seat......and now Toyota claims that post 2000 models are totally different than just a back seated Tacoma.......YEAH, now they look like a freaking 4x4 station wagon!

 

Have you driven the Land Cruiser? It's like driving a school bus.

 

I also agree that your mechanic may be right.

Although it sounds odd, if you're lookingat 2000-2003's, you MIGHT have better luck finding one with higher mileage and a service history. Reason being, as you get up around the 100k mark, many of the major issuse may have been addressed by the previous owner(s). If you buy one with 50k'ish on the clock, you may want to open a new savings account at the same time. You could have a lot to do in the next 50k.

You should be able to pick up a 2000,with 100k'ish,between 4,500-7,000k. Because of their reputations, the resale values are junk. Dealers (LR or others)are paying next-to-nothing on trade-in's. So, there are some big mark-upshappening from the time a wholesaler picks one up to the time it hits a used dealers lot. If looking for a private party sale, you're likely to find a lot of owners who're delusional about the value of their trucks (i.e., people who put all of their stock in the kbb values).

On a positive note......because these rigs are so primitive in technology and design, mechanically speaking, they're pretty easy to work on for a DIY owner.

There's no doubt that they're fun trucks to own. That said, mine is an extra/winter driver. If it were my only vehicle,I'd replace it with something more reliable/refined.

 

Yeah, I see your point. The problem is that I need a reliable everyday vehicle. My Toyota should be practically overhauled so it'll get another 100k out of it, and I plan on making it my BEAST of an offroad vehicle. (regearing to 4:88 gears, welding the front end and detroit locking the rear, rhino lining the whole inside floorboard, etc.)

I just don't like any other SUV's out there! The only two I like are the Disco 2's and the late 90's Land Cruisers. I can't afford a Sequoia....nor would I really want that kind of a sell-out grocery-getter even if I could afford it.

geeze this sux!