I've wanted a LR for years. I've finally gotten to a place in my life where I might be able to buy a cheap(ish) D2. So the closer I've been getting to buying one, the more I've been reading discussion boards. And the more I've been reading the discussion boards, the more I realize that I should never buy a D2. They sound as if they are a money pit that will spend more time in the garage than on the road. I need it to be a car I can drive to work when I need it.
So here's my question - are there any reliable Land Rovers? Are the LR3 or LR4 reliable at all? Or are Land Rovers best as 2nd cars - a hobby - that people with disposable income can afford to sink money into?
I hope I'm not offending anyone on here with this question - these are all sentiments that have been expressed numerous times on this (and other) boards. Give me a reason to not run away from Land Rovers... please!

Long time lurker, first time poster.
Andre

 

The problem is you literally are saying you want to buy a beater. D2s are fairly cheap and that is what you are looking at. So ultimately "you get what you pay for" comes into play. This applies to ANY vehicle and I certainly would not expect reliability of something that is 30 years old with, more than likely, near over over 200,000 miles.

As for hobby cars, some are most are not. The majority are daily drivers because we know such old vehicles have needs, such as suspension rebuilds or even rust repair. Maybe some head gaskets to get ahead of what could be an eventual failure. My LR3 has needed very little but I am a huge fan of preventative maintenance. So I have done more than it needed to prevent those unexpected needs.

So no, dont get a Rover I would say. If you want something cheap and reliable find a beat up Toyota Corolla. Sure, its just a toaster on wheels but it fits what you want more than an old Rover would. Cheap/Old//Reliable are just not three words that can easily be applied to every vehicle out there.

 

If mechanically inclined and have a place out of the elements to work on it then the cheaper the better imo. But I agree with Dakota, might not be a good fit. My wife and I daily d2s and to be as reliable as possible takes a good chunk of time and some money to overhaul/rebuild before I'd trust one. I'd never buy one if I couldn't do the work myself as a good rover shop is not cheap. Also, don't go to a non rover shop...

 

Of course you should. They are the most unique and capable SUV ever made. I would not recommend daily driving one, but some here do. These are now secondary vehicles, collectors, weekenders, hobby trucks for those that bleed green. You have to have the spirit to own them. You have to appreciate them for what they are otherwise you will sell it in no time. They are hard to find in good shape and extremely hard to find in very good shape.

If you are wanting a primary weekly commuter, No. If you want a cool, fun and unique secondary SUV, Yes.

 

As a primary vehicle...no. l daily my 04, but l have a 21 Colorado and 08 Silverado to fall back on at any moment. My wife's 03 was her daily, she drives minimal miles, up until recently (deer collision). Face it, the newest Dll is 19 years old...and the majority have been neglected in the price range you mention.

So, as much as l'd like to say...yeah, join the gang...l can't. Knowing what you want to use it for.

 

Once they are sorted out they are as reliable anything else, but the sorting out can take a lot of time and effort. And next up they are not anywhere close to fuel efficient, that V8 drinks gas.

Mine was a DD for 6 months without issue, but my spring time work is :

New hood release cable
Transfer case rear seal
O2 Sensors
1 inch spring spacer's for the rear (usage generated)
Brake inspection
Oil change and misc Lubricating

That is a sunny day in the driveway.

Like many I am a bite OCD in maintenance, but my Disco runs and runs well.

As a single vehicle that needs to run every day at 19 plus years you likely want to look elsewhere.