Hello--

New member here as I wanted to offer this Disco to a group that might appreciate and need it, after hearing from a number of CL folks who were upset that the sunroofs didn't work.

Here's the story: one-owner 1996 Discovery with 5-speed manual, 176k miles, runs and drives well. It belongs to my mother-in-law who has finally decided to part with it. She has a 2003 Disco as well and can only afford to keep one on the road.

Depending on what you would want it for, this truck either needs nothing or needs everything. It runs and drives surprisingly well. Our mechanic, who owns a British car restoration shop, had it for about a week to evaluate it and said it was very solid mechanically. The engine, despite the miles, runs well and is strong. The clutch and gearbox are also in good shape, and the interior is strong with the exception of the missing headliner and sunroofs.

The Disco has lived at my house for the better part of the past two years just to keep it on pavement (my mother-in-law lives on a farm with no paved parking, you can imagine what that does over time) and I've driven it anywhere from once a week to once a month over that time. Oil has been changed regularly and it's only ever seen premium gas. It has been babied by my MIL over the years, and saw 99% of the mileage between 1996 and 2004-ish. I used it a bunch this weekend and it is a reasonably pleasant drive.

So what does it need? It needs a really good cleaning and maintenance overhaul. Belts, hoses, brake hoses, etc, are mostly original. The paint is awful, and there is rust. Most of it has been welded up by the aforementioned British car shop, and done well for a 'utility' repair. Everything rearward from the firewall was done about four years ago but the front needs to be dealt with, as there is some rust-through in the lower firewall. Frame itself seems OK but the body has been through the wringer. CEL is on, driver's window needs a motor and regulator, AC was charged three years ago but is warm again (I don't think the compressor is coming on). I'm sure shocks, tie rods and bushings should be done. Tires have OK tread but are cracked. Window seals in back are cracked, though we have new gaskets for the lower side windows, still in bags. Headliner was trashed due to leaking dealer-installed sunroofs front and rear, so was removed when I removed frozen motors/gears and siliconed up the glass. Exhaust has a couple leaks at the resonator and then in the back by the muffler.

As I said, it either needs nothing or needs everything. If you want the basis for a trail rig or something to run around your 100 acre farm, this is pretty good. If you want a daily driver, then you're in for some character building. Lights all work, radio works, heater and vent fans work, wipers work, windows other than driver's all work. Alarm and door locks work.

I'd like to see this go to somebody who appreciates what it is and knows that a stick-shift Disco is a rare thing. If it doesn't sell I have a feeling it'll just sink into the mud at my MIL's place after the next minor failure. I have enough projects of my own and not enough time or money so I can't take it on, and I'd hate to see it rot away further or go to the salvage yard.

Located in Monkton, Md., about 20 minutes due north of the 695 exit for Towson.

My MIL would like to see $1700 for it but we will entertain offers.

Email me at whisperbomb at gmail dot com with questions or to view it.







Thanks for the space and time. Tim

 

Drooling

 

Bump. Disco still available.

Feedback on the listing/price?

 

No longer for sale