I have owned a 2004 D2 (build date 12/03) and currently a 1999 D1 (build date 7/98). It terms of reliability, I would take the D1 every day of the week. Rust is not a concern for me as the truck was under coated and I live in California. So it's pretty much unstoppable.

With the D2, I was always concerned about slipped liners and HG failure because they are so common. I just feel that the D1 feels more solid and better built. I don't know why, it just is. I've never owned an RRC so I can't comment on it.

While the D1 probably won't reach the untouchable prices of NAS D90s, I think that they will get up there, maybe high teens once all of them are at least 25 years old. But I've noticed, at least here in CA, that their market value is greatly dependent on gas prices. Right now their values aren't doing so well because gas is $3.50 a gallon.

 

In the financial pecking order I see the Disco range as the lowest, Series, Defenders, early RR's command good values but far too many Discos were produced to make them investable, well at least not in the next 50 years. However, the current tranche of LR's seems unlikely to be worth much for 50-100 years, most are so twinky and boring. Given the choice, I would invest in a Defender, RRC or Series LR for the future proofing of my cash but better still an old Frazer Nash, Bugatti or Corvette from yesteryear.

 

I had a 2000 DII nice truck, I was always paranoid on long road trips. Never failed me but I always had that nagging feeling lol

 

There is an irony to this, I have a 2003 D2 TD5 which has only failed once, the reverse switch went bust whilst facing a 6' diameter oak tree and facing downhill. I had to be recovered under LR warranty. Now having done 140K miles and owned the truck for 14 years I still feel slight trepidation on long trips, why, I haven't a clue, but it's just a stupid gut feeling waiting for something to go wrong. The irony deepens that I live in the land of crap, unreliable cars.