Hello, I am new here and thinking of buying a Disco. I have been reading here a lot and looking at the "what to look for when buying" etc. threads. Also some general lurking and browsing.
So, a little quick background, I am 45 and have spent my entire life as a mechanic of some sort. Assoc. Degree from UTI (AZ) in Auto/Diesel Tech, 14 years US Air Force C141B, C17A mechanic, AUto mech, Heavy Equipment Mechanic, now Abrasive Water Jet field service tech. I have owned and worked on hundreds of cars, including some British (MGBs).
I spend 5 days a week out of state, fly out and back for work, so I only drive my truck to the airport and then home, maybe a little around on the weekends, but mostly use one of 2 motorcycles if I am in town or out for pleasure.
So, with all that said, I am looking into a Discovery. I would like one to use to drive some, but mostly use to explore Washington/Oregon, hit dirt roads, forest service roads, ghost towns and maybe hit the WBCDR or OBCDR. I want to keep it mostly stock, as in no lift, just aggressive tires, brush guard, lights, roof rack and maybe even a roof top tent.
So, I know I want one with a CDL (DI) or early D2 and add the cable, or a 2004. I don't want or need the rear air ride, and don't really care about much of the other gizmos and electronic stuff. But it needs to be nice so my wife will feel comfortable in it.
I am thinking a Disco I may be my best bet. Better rear departure angle, CDL, and a bit simpler.
Should I avoid ones with high miles, 150K+? Or would all the gremlins have been taken care of by then and it be a good truck? Would you avoid one that had "Issues" like needing head gaskets or something and get one that has no issues, or buy a cheaper one and fix it? Good ones don't seem to be that hard to find near me.
Considering what I want one for, is there any other advice or reading you would suggest to help me get the best truck for my needs.
As for price, under $6K seems to get all but the newest from high end dealers, but for a DI, would under $3k be fair for a good solid truck.
I am in the Seattle Wa. area where these are very common and easy to find(Lots of Microsoft/Boeing/Amazon money)
Thanks for any advice you can give.

 

Old:
We are not ignoring you, just ruminating on your questions.
Disco 1 units are generally a bit simpler than D2s. Both are capable off road. I cannot comment on gasoline engines, I have a D2 diesel and love it. (Td5) However, I think that 3 grand for a reasonably good D1 sounds more or less fair, and with your CV you should be able to repair whatever needs doing. The nice thing is that you can get most parts you need for Land Rovers, there is a strong LR community that loves to keep these cars on the road so this and other forums will give you good advice.
Just search this forum for typical D1 0r D2 problems, they are pretty well documented. You can even go on YouTube and see videos of many of the repair procedures and upgrades for LRs. Watch for rust, which like cancer does not care how well the rest of the car has been maintained. Let us know what you get!

 

I prefer broken ones. That way I'm not taking someone's word on the repairs done. Otherwise make sure you get receipts. Plus doing a headgasket type job with get you very familiar with how they are put together. You can usually find a clean body/interior and blown HG for around 1000. Watch out for rust in floors.

I'd consider upgrading at least the rear diff. Even if you aren't lifting it. The locker on my RRC was probably the single best upgrade on the whole truck. I drove the truck with and without it. Night and day difference.

 

Thanks for the replies. I went to look at 2 last night just to get a feel for them, but both were gone. On was a 2001 and the dealer wholesaled it before I got there, and the other was sent to Portland for a deal earlier in the day. Oh, well, there is always next week.
I want to find some at dealers I can go look at and test drive to get a feel for them and learn as much about them as possible. I tend to research for several months before I go buy something. I have a BMW motorcycle and a KLR650 and I spent about 6 months each looking for them. So no real hurry.
I guess I need to decide if saving money up front and fixing is worth it, or should I save up a little more and buy a runner with records.
My current daily driver is a 99 Dodge truck I got with a blown trans and I fixed it, turned out great.
I wish a Diesel was an option here, but sadly we don't get those here in the USA.
I will keep looking and lurking and if you have any more advice, please share it with me.
Thank you

 

Got mine with a supposedly bad fuel pump, and it ended up being wiring. (DI) my experience has taught me that most of the problems are electrical, but can be fixed. I did have to go through the front axle (swivel ***** were corroded) but that wasn't too bad. I found a scrap yard with a good D1 and grabbed the whole front axle for $200 and used the parts. Once you get over the idea that it is a difficult vehicle to fix, and get to it, it is not that bad. Done some off roading and these things are amazing when things get tough! they just keep going!!

I guess I would get one that needs the work and then you know it is done right. I spent a lot of time fixing what someone else cobbled together to make it work and their repair did not last too long.