Hi: I'm new to Rovers and I'm interested in buying a discovery. I have a 10K budget. I love the look of them, I've heard of the legendary performance off road but the reliability issues, pricey and hard-to-find parts, and other problems intimidate me. I would like to think of myself as handy but in reality I am a learning do-it-yourselfer who is picking up on everything as I go. I am 20, need to drive a distance to university and this would be my full time vehicle to replace my current jeep.

Can some of you guys point me in the right direction, suggestions, opinions, etc? Thank you

 

If you buy a D1 you will have money left over for repairs (simpler to work on) and mods and gas. If you buy a D2 you will have less money left, and about same mpg, and a few more features that cost more to fix (bells and whistles). At 12-15 mpg, you'll be wanting to consider the distance to the university. Parts are not hard to find, but may not be locally stocked. Sources include on-line (like Atlantic British) and dismantlers (on this site).

 

Thank you. Do all models require premium gasoline?

 

yes, premium required.

 

However there is a way with the 94-95 distributor 3.9 Discos/Rang Rovers you can do something to the distributor so it runs okay on regular gas? Not sure what though.

 

I have seen a Disco I (95) for $3900 that has an off road set up, a 2000 DII for $4300 that has already had many parts replaced, and a 2001 DII that is posted as "a project" and hasn't moved for 4 years for $1900. What do you guys think of these? Which sounds the best at first glance?

 

like yourself, i am new to rovers. some thoughts I have after recently buying one that may assist you; but please do listen to the experts here who know a lot more than me.

you mention you are driving a long way to university so i am assuming this will be your every day driving vehicle and that you are handy but not a seasoned/expert mechanic. 2 of the biggest issues (aside from frame rust) i looked for after reading these forums were the head gaskets and front prop shaft. my personal preference was to buy a disco that HAD these issues but was otherwise in top shape. i got a fair price - for my budget - and with the money i saved by pointing out these defects i was able to get the work done by an independent shop with a solid reputation. i am also handy but inexperienced with cars/trucks and after reading over the HG replacement thread a bunch of times decided it was not a good idea for my first project. anyway, i got the HG's done for a good price and while they were there they threw on some magnacore's and plugs for me since it was already apart. now i'm tackling the other 60K checklist items myself and having a blast.

definitely NOT the cheapest way, but with a 10k budget and some patience you could have a really nice, running truck to take to university. of course i'd recommend shooting for 8K tops, save the other 2K for repairs/upgrades or paying off college loans

 

Thank you for the advice @Weepit

 

I have been running my Disco to and fro University the past 4 years. It served me well for 2 years until a hg blew. In the process of getting it running again now but at least its summer time. My best piece of advice to you, is that if you own a Disco, and as a college student you will need to learn how to fix and repair things yourself.(Unless you are rich).

I think a competent do it yourself owner should be able to eventually do his own head gaskets for this truck. (unless PO just replaced them) Eventually you should be able to understand the truck well enough to know whats going on, what the common flaws and mishaps are, and to be able to do most fixes(including HG). That said all of us here love our Disco's and you will love yours too. So you will love to work on them(they arent too hard to work on).

I think part of Disco ownership coincides with membership to a forum such as this one. I pop online everyday just to see if i can help someone out or if i can learn something new or perhaps prepare myself from someone elses problem/solutions. Discoveries make you learn about cars, that is for sure.

10K can get you a great Discovery. If you want a badass trail rig that you can seriously mod out for 10k, go with an old D1 or Discovery 2. 03-04 Disco's are also awesome, but understand that parts cost more, upgrades usually cost more, and since most of the 03-04's are hitting past 100k miles(warranty) they are probably in need of some type of repair. But at 10k you should be able to find a nice 03-04 probably under a 100k.

 

Great info! I'm in the market for a Disco II and as an avid do it yourselfer, thought I would join a forum to see what I may be in for. I wasn't prepared to see the premium only fuel, but I really want back in an SUV and the Disco II is all I have eyes for at the moment.