Thinking about a Land Rover Discovery as a first car
Rock Crawling
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 363
Likes: 26
From: Northeastern, CT
I would not recommend a discovery for your first vehicle. They're not for the feint of heart. if you want a solid 4x4 platform, buy a Cherokee to start. Not great on fuel, but better than the rover. Same basic power output as the rover with the inline 6cyl... but parts will be half the price. Not even half the amount of electronics as the rover.
I would also second the Miata. If you don't mind being razzed a bit by your buddies it's awesome fun on short money.
I would also second the Miata. If you don't mind being razzed a bit by your buddies it's awesome fun on short money.
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I would not recommend a discovery for your first vehicle. They're not for the feint of heart. if you want a solid 4x4 platform, buy a Cherokee to start. Not great on fuel, but better than the rover. Same basic power output as the rover with the inline 6cyl... but parts will be half the price. Not even half the amount of electronics as the rover.
I would also second the Miata. If you don't mind being razzed a bit by your buddies it's awesome fun on short money.
I would also second the Miata. If you don't mind being razzed a bit by your buddies it's awesome fun on short money.
Last edited by Lamcops; Apr 22, 2013 at 07:12 AM. Reason: Mistake
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I was looking at those, but they hold their value extremely well...
The only ones in my price range were either in really bad shape or had 180k+ miles on them...
The only ones in my price range were either in really bad shape or had 180k+ miles on them...
Three Wheeling
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
I have a 1999 Disco 2 with top hat liners and a complete rebuild on the engine in your price range. It includes a custom roller rocker arm system as well. Mileage is 88k and going up. I drive it every day. New tires with about 5k on them. You can look up the listing here on the site. It is in very good shape and will be a 100K reliable driver for you.
MAK
MAK
Rock Crawling
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 305
Likes: 137
From: Austin, TX
I agree with most of the folks here - don't get a Discovery right now.
My recommendation: Subaru impreza/wagon - perfect for high school and college (you can store a whole dorm room's worth of stuff in it). Decent gas mileage, super reliable. If you can swing it, go for a WRX (the turbo model).
As the others said, save your time/money for getting a good education, then you'll be able to buy and enjoy the toys later in life (a little delayed gratification never hurt anyone).
RedAustinIX (Ed)
My recommendation: Subaru impreza/wagon - perfect for high school and college (you can store a whole dorm room's worth of stuff in it). Decent gas mileage, super reliable. If you can swing it, go for a WRX (the turbo model).
As the others said, save your time/money for getting a good education, then you'll be able to buy and enjoy the toys later in life (a little delayed gratification never hurt anyone).
RedAustinIX (Ed)
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: East Tennessee
Based on your list for other 4x4's and you being a student on a budget, I'd shoot for a '90s Tahoe/Full-size Blazer. The 350's are solid motors, parts are dirt cheap, and they're easy to work on. I had a 1994 full-size blazer and it never failed me even with 230k on it.
Recovery Vehicle
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 28
From: Charlotte, NC
Thanks for all of the advice guys!
It sounds like everything I was worried about seems to be true, which is unfortunate.
I'm not sure if it would be correct to ask here, but I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on my alternatives... I live in Minnesota, and out of town at that, so a car with 4 wheel drive is pretty much a must. I might be a bit ambitious, but I have found the following cars in my price range that I am interested in. Keep in mind that gas mileage isn't much of a factor as long as it is above 14.
2002 Mercury Mountaineer
2002 Mitsubishi Montero
2001 Mitsubishi Montero XLS
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
2000 Isuzu Trooper/Acura SLX
1999 Infiniti QX4
Doing research on these things, I wonder if it might just be better to get an old Tahoe or something of the sort...
Again, thanks for the help.
It sounds like everything I was worried about seems to be true, which is unfortunate.
I'm not sure if it would be correct to ask here, but I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on my alternatives... I live in Minnesota, and out of town at that, so a car with 4 wheel drive is pretty much a must. I might be a bit ambitious, but I have found the following cars in my price range that I am interested in. Keep in mind that gas mileage isn't much of a factor as long as it is above 14.
2002 Mercury Mountaineer
2002 Mitsubishi Montero
2001 Mitsubishi Montero XLS
2001 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
2000 Isuzu Trooper/Acura SLX
1999 Infiniti QX4
Doing research on these things, I wonder if it might just be better to get an old Tahoe or something of the sort...
Again, thanks for the help.
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5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I would love to take you up on your offer, but the other fellas have scared me away! 
At that price, though, I'm sure it won't last long...
At this point I'm seriously considering either the Mitsubishi Montero (I like the LXS, however they are harder to find at my price point...) or a Jeep Cherokee.
I'm probably starting to drag this topic on, but thanks for all of the help!
At that price, though, I'm sure it won't last long...At this point I'm seriously considering either the Mitsubishi Montero (I like the LXS, however they are harder to find at my price point...) or a Jeep Cherokee.
I'm probably starting to drag this topic on, but thanks for all of the help!
Last edited by Lamcops; Apr 22, 2013 at 07:14 AM.
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
My offspring is finishing the first year of college, driving "her" D1. I can't imagine the extra drain on time available for college persuits (class, projects, friends, etc.) that wrenching on an expensive vehicle of any type would be. Get a beater and save at least half of your money for repairs. As soon as it becomes known that you have a vehicle on campus you'll have lots of new friends. If you select a vehicle that has many of the same type in the local junk yards you'll have a cheap souce of parts.
BTW I had a Montero Sport and put 295K miles on it. Never even changed the plugs.
BTW I had a Montero Sport and put 295K miles on it. Never even changed the plugs.