Hi all, glad to be joining the community here. I'm Andrew, a 35 year old from the Dallas area.

I'm not yet a proud owner of a Land Rover, however my purchase is near on the horizon. A few questions if you don't mind - even if the answers simply point me to existing threads - after which I'll commit myself to digging into the seemingly valuable archive of topics.

Am I right to base my understanding of the various Land Rover models on this chart: LAND ROVER Discovery models - autoevolution I ask as my search has been limited to 1998 - 2004 models, not because these years hold any significance for me, but because it's coincidentally been the model years which have fallen into my price search (<= $7000). I ask partially because many of the cars.com listings I see list engines alongside the vehicle that don't match the above chart based on their reported years, so I am assuming that the listings are probably not accurate, requiring me to take extra vigilance during my vehicle search.

Second, and somewhat based on the above, my plan is to purchase a Land Rover in cash, and then pay off my current primary family car (a 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4, which admittedly I LOVE, but we're a bit over the $700/mo payment). To be clear, the Land Rover will not be our only vehicle - I have a Dodge RAM 1500 that is used mainly for work, but works well as a backup vehicle. This point is important, as I enter into my adventure as a Land Rover owner with some concerns - arrived at both through research and first-person stories of ownership - that these earlier Land Rovers are prone to mechanical issues. With all of that said, could you offer any guidance as to the specific years (and therefore models) I might want to focus on that could work in my best interests, considering I am NOT a DIY mechanic with extensive knowledge?

Finally, I notice the For Sale boards here. While my initial intention was to stick to dealerships for the purchase of my LR if for no other reason than the thought that this might provide me a level of assurance in what I was actually getting, I also acknowledge that, assuming the integrity of the members of this community, purchasing private party here from someone who is likely to be a long-time Land Rover lover and therefore inclined to take care of their vehicle, might be a viable option. Would any long-standing members here vouch for the overall integrity of the For Sale boards here based on the success of past transactions?

Thanks all - I look forward to learning more from the forum and, who knows, perhaps some day becoming a helpful contributor as well.

 

Andrew, welcome! I just recently acquired my second LR, a 2004 Disco SE. I previously owned a 2008 LR3. I actually prefer the look of the Series 2's which is why I went backwards. BTW, I am in McKinney, just north of you. I also bought the Disco as a third (non-primary) vehicle with the intent of modifying it for off-road adventure stuff. The market here in DFW is pretty good, I find. After frequenting a few dealerships, I landed on a private-owned model (with a well-recorded service history). I think you'll find better deals with privately-owned, especially as a cash buyer. You may have to drive to the outskirts of DFW to get it, but there are plenty of deals to be had here.

I cannot speak for the accuracy/integrity of buys here vs. elsewhere except to say I haven't met a person here or on similar boards who hasn't extended their support and weighed in where I've needed. The members seem very genuine but, hey, we are corresponding sight-unseen so you never really know who is on the other end of the conversation. ;-) That said, in all cases where you are buying something, and given your self-proclaimed limited DIY experience, it's good to be cautious and do your homework. Don't be afraid to spend on a pre-purchase inspection for that peace of mind you're looking for. There are never any guarantees, but a PPI will rule out obvious risks with a car new to you.

As far as expected reliability...you will find stories here ranging from thousands of miles of care-free ownership to ones resulting in regularly occurring maintenance issues. I've been told that having a LR as a back-up is good. To me that implied I should not rely on it as a daily driver, per se.

They're neat cars with an almost cult-like following. That is where I sit. I cannot describe my appeal for the Disco. I only know it gives me this level of content I find in few other obsessions I have.

BTW, the article you reference above has flaws in the info. Specifically, the 2003-2004 Discos have 4.6L V8s (and a diesel option), with prior Series 2s with a 4.0L V8. They do not list the 4.6L as an option in the article.

Welcome again. You'll find a ton of support here. Feel free to look me up. I am about to start a number of projects on my Disco ahead of some 2017 off-roading fun.

 

Thanks for the reply! The info you provided is super-helpful, and it's great to hear that there's a local LR community of enthusiasts.

The early body styles are also a draw for me; I'd love to get my hands on a model with the older door handles. We'll see what is available around first quarter when we are ready to pull the trigger.

Do you ever tow with your LR? I ask as towing a cargo trailer may fall to the Disco in cases when we need a 2nd tow vehicle (for business).

Thanks again!

 

I do not tow with the Disco. I have a Lincoln Navigator for that and a 23ft Wake Surf boat that requires every bit of that towing capacity ;-) I believe the Disco is rated for 7,700 lbs. Not too shabby for that size SUV.

 

thanks guys... I’ll post pics when I can. The disco was a steal but needs tlc.brakes were done at a local shop. Yep the whole 9 yds. Full work up. So I paid dearly.. brakes were all worn down and trashed. I ordered a eBay fuel pump and should have tomorrow. I am looking for a used bull bar and roof rack. I’m in north Mississippi.. a lowly fed park ranger ... cheers!

 

Hi Andrew, welcome to the D2 asylum. You can't be locked up here for being mad as it often it helps a bit and it's generally non dangerous. If you don't turn wrenches yet ya soon will be learning