I have had a 99 Range Rover. Loved it but I bought it when I was too young and could not afford it. Yeah I know... A 19 year old who realized he could get approved for an auto loan... I had a 97 Discovery. I should have never bought it. It was a total pos. I know you hate the word on here but I had an 02 Wrangler that I had built for the trails. I loved it. Had a lot of fun with it but ended up trading it in. I now have two small kids and really want something I can take them around in, camping and back to the trails. Silver Lake sand dunes, Cliff Insane Terrain and the Bad Lands. I was looking at land cruisers but I just cannot do it. I keep coming back to land rovers. It is really hard when you are always reading something about a reliability issue. I understand these vehicles need to not only be maintained but maintained properly. I do not want to be stranded with a 4 and 1 year old. I really want to go with a D2 if possible. I have been looking at 03 and 04s but have heard the 03s have more problems then they're worth. I would really like to stay around $4-$5k if possible. I have a decent amount of mechanic skills but still. Thoughts? Suggestions? I would really like it to have the cdl.

 

The more I read through the forum the more I come across people saying to go with a 99-01?

 

You can get an 04 in your price range. Hope for good maintaince records and stay on top of it

 

Yep, I'm with dusty. In my experience, even when something on one of these trucks breaks it won't really leave you stranded. Even head gaskets are designed so that when they go, they leak outward so that you can atleast keep topping it off until you get to where you can park. The one exception that I know of is the front driveshaft, and the only thing there is that you just have to make sure it's a serviceable one and grease it every time you change the oil. Stay on top of maintenance to a tee and you're no more likely to get legitimately stranded than you would have been in your wrangler. Less so on some of the more aggressive trails

 

I would go with a nice 99-01, because all the money has already been put into it.


yes; you will pay a premium for a good one, but the head gaskets, suspension and brakes will have already be done, and you will only be paying about 50% of the cost of the upgrades.


if you buy an 04 you will probably be the one paying 100% of the cost to replace gasket. suspension and brakes. jmho

 

I don't know. I hit some pretty hard trails and never had any issues. I think in the three years or so all I had to replace was a ujoint. But still it's a two door, horrible ride on the road and has no room. I always had to fold or remove my rear sheet for trips. That would no longer work with two kids.

 

You really do not know what has been done with a 99-01. Not saying I wouldn't consider it but you never know. At least if you are paying 100% cost for maintenance at least you know it is done

 

How much is everyone putting to the side for maintenance and any repairs? I was thinking since I would not have a car payment I could use some of that money and put it to the the side.

 

You really do not know what has been done with a 99-01. Not saying I wouldn't consider it but you never know. At least if you are paying 100% cost for maintenance at least you know it is done

There are these little pieces of paper they are call receipts people keep them to you for doc u ment ation.
these tell you what was done and what was not done and more importantly when. most places give them to you with your change or with your credit card when they give it back.


to answer your other question it will cost you over $1000 in materials only just to do the 60k mile major check up

 

I know that. Not everyone keeps their receipts...

Is the 60K mile check up something that could be done at home or is it more of a mechanic type thing? I can do my fair share of work on my cars but I do live in a townhouse so I am limited.