Hey everyone, I've got a 2003 Disco with about 114k miles on it. It was in an accident and needs a new radiator support, bumper, grill, and headlight. It runs and drives alright, the paint is in good shape (minus the bumper), the interior is beautiful and looks new. Judging from the condition of the engine, and other components, it seems like it had very good owners.

I presently have a 96 RR that I've had for a few years now and it has never let me down, but it is aging and I am thinking about getting into something newer. I also have a 98 Jaguar XJ8 that is pretty solid, and my trustee DD 2004 Hyundai Santa Fe that I've had for 6 years and is a great rig, but I'm getting tired of it (kinda boring).

If I were to keep the Disco and fix it, the Santa Fe and RR would both have to go. The catch is, the Disco has a salvage title. Which is odd, cause it is drive able and there is no frame damage. I'm tempted to just sell it and save for an LR3, but it is a nice Disco and it wouldn't be a bad rig. The vin does fall within the oil pump tsb range, but from what I've read it can be remedied by replacing the timing cover with a modified one that re-aligns the oil pump.

So what do you think? Should it stay or go? I've got about $3200 into it now, and estimate I'll have about a little under 5k or so after the repairs. I realize this is an odd post, but any advice is appreciated. I'm on the fence and just need some advice to push me onto one side or the other . Thanks all in advanced!

 

Opps, I meant to put this is in the Disco II section, but your advice is appreciated too!

 

too bad its not an 04 with the center diff lock,
if you fix it your not gonna get much more if any more than what you have into it.
If you like then keep it,
OTOH a LR3 isnt a bad truck and will run close to 10K and it will have a better engine than the old Bosch engined trucks

 

Check into the difficulties you'll have converting the salvage title into a clean title. I understand in some states it is not possible.

 

You cant ever change a salvage title to a clean one. Once a vehicle is listed as a salvage and purchased, it must undergo inspection to be considered road worthy. It will have no problem getting through the inspection, however it will still have a salvage title. The more I think about it, the more I want to keep it. 5k total for an 03 Disco in great shape is a very good deal. If I can only get 3k for it in a few years because of the salvage title, so be it.

It still hasn't passed my tests though. Mainly the "coolant temp test". It runs at 204F at idle, thats too hot for my tastes. It runs fine and that is considered a normal temp. However, it screams future problems. My RR runs at 195 at idle... I'll burp it again, and see if I can get the temp to go down. If that is the Disco II's normal operating temp (204F), no wonder they had head gasket and block problems...

 

Honestly I don't think I'd spend 3000 to purchase a wrecked /salvaged disco. but then
I haven't seen the one you speak of. That being said I've resurrected a totalled (deployed airbags) disco 1 for very little money 4yrs ago. It's been bought and sold had a tree fall on the roof and bumped up a few more times.. I believe it's still on the road. I should try to find it and post some photos. I think it's still local.
If you haven't purchased it yet consider spending less for it. If you already own it and it's reeaallly nice, then fixing it shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure you can street it on a salvage title.
Good luck with your decision, either way it will be a good one.

Cheers

 

It is actually in great shape and I'm surprised it was totaled. The only reason I can think of is because it was a "Land Rover", so the insurance company just paid the previous owner off. The frame is untouched, and all it needs is the radiator support pulled out or replaced, the bumper, grill, and LH head light replaced as well. It is kinda funny, you can't even tell when you are sitting in it that something is wrong with the front. I'll bet the owner thought, OH it probably wasn't that bad, then got out and yelled some profanities lol.

I would normally never buy a salvaged car, but during the auction it said "Bill of sale" or w/e and it tricked me into thinking it had a clear title. Long story short, its a salvage.