I need a weekend 4x4 for utility.
Its life will consist of:
hauling my Labs to the river
hauling my boat to the same river
going to Home Depot
pulling a small trailer with dirt bikes/4 wheelers

I have found a 1997 with 121k on the clock. Looks like a good one, I haven't driven it yet.

The guy is asking $5000.

Questions:
What should I look for in a test drive?
Are 1997's known for any defect I should be aware of?
Is that a decent price?
My boat is a 18.5 foot fiberglass fish/ski, would there be any issues pulling it?

Thanks for help for a newbie.

 

from what i understand the older discoveries had some electrical problems.

as far as hauling a boat . . . how big is the boat? i would NOT tow with my Discovery. It just doesn't have the umph. that's my .02

as for 4wd and heading to the lake, should be great for that! i have the "duraleather" or whatever in mine, my dog doesn't evenscratch it!

 

I've got a '97. No electrical problems. I would beware of the high mileage, especially as a tower. The transmission may need to be replaced soon. I'd go for one with less miles...

 

$5000 is a good price in my opinion for a 97 with that many miles. Check for rust under the door sill. Drive it a little while and listen to the engine. After you turn it off look for leaks on the ground. If your really worried take it to a mechanic and have him do a compression test and a general inspection.

No oomph? It isn't fast by any means but there is more than enough torque to tow most boats.

 

electrical problems would be the rear windows probably...mine has that problem.

you won't tow??? its a 4wd v8, towing is no problem, it has a 7500.lb tow rating...ive towed an 800.lb trailer with a 3000.lb car with no problems...saying you won't tow with a disco is like saying you won't go off road...come on, it's a land rover...use it, or go buy a range rover instead and drive around town and look cool

 

i dunno . . . . i have an 1800 lb 18' steel deck trailer that i haul my 3500lb ****** on. . . . i haven't tried to tow with my disco yet, but i'm pretty hesitant to. I use an 88 suburban with a 7.4L 454 in it... maybe i'll try it with the disco, but it just doesn't feel like it has the bottom end to haul something that heavy. Guess i'll just have to try it.

 

Find out if the head gaskets have been replaced.
Ask for service records, find out how long he has had it.
Two years or less look hard.
5000 seams about right you may get 500 off of it for miles.
As far as a week end truck it will work well as that is what
I use mine for and camping ect outdoors.
The LR's of 95-98 have oil leaks most are small, with parts
much cheaper than DII's you can save alot if you can do
a little work yourself.
Towing will work it harder than most other trucks it is 4500 lbs
with 182 hp and 233 ft lbs tq.
I think 3000 lbs would be no problem and up to 5500 lbs in
high range.
As you drive a LR you will find that you are more relaxed and
will not feel the need to go fast.
I can go from my LR to my car and I start feeling rushed.
The DI's for the most part are still trucks and have not gone up scale
to much to worry about a scratch or two.
Just look it over if you like it get it if not another one will come a long.
With gas going up LR's are getting cheaper.

 

I AGREE WITH LANDZU AND GAS RISE ROVERS RESIDE.