land rover

[porsche4786]

Anybody know much about these? I'm looking at like a 97-00 land rover discovery. Not sure if it's better to get the later year series 2 or just stick with series 1.  Any thoughts?

[yamahonkawazuki]

$$$$ i not really a fan of them, if you must get an suv of some kind a rover is nice, BUT id ratehr have an fj or a rav 4 or something

[porsche4786]

I'm not sure what else to really look for. I tried toyota tacoma's but they don't really have enough inside storage (canopy to me isn't secure enough) and you can only hold a couple people, I wouldn't want a crew cab they are too spendy. All the tacoma's around here have like 200k miles or more and they still want $5000 for them and that's for like a standard cab. I was also thinking about a jeep cherokee classic, not a fan of the grand cherokee's. But they aren't all that reliable either, and not soo good on the gas. I want something that can hold a few people and some skiis or snowboards that is capable of going to the mountain and not get stuck. As well as be my regular vehicle, trying to keep miles off my other car. Any other thoughts?

[cosmiccharlie]

I've been looking in to Disco I's as well.  Here is some advice I got on a land rover board. 

What are you looking to do with it?? Daily Driver or for off-roading?

Either, biggest thing is if it was ever overheated... These trucks are pretty bulletproof unless they are run too long while hot. The block and the cylinder sleeves don't always agree when overheated

PSteering leaks are expected, other leaks are not really... decide what you want to tackle. Leaks from the hubs are easy fixes if you are so inclined while oil leaks from the engine are not. Transfer cases also leak and it is a real Buddha Loves You to fix those. ... on a high mileage D1 that means someone is topping it off but you may wonder if it was ever driven when was dry... tho a completely dry TC will throw bits and pieces on the highway.

Expect non functioning power seat buttons and sunroofs with rail problems.

Plan for normal high mileage problems.. all the pumps... fuel, water, PS.. but they are available after-market.

NOT trying to scare you off... We all laugh that when a Land Rover doesn't leak it means its empty.... They are really bullet proof trucks when they are taken care of.

YMMV, but, you can find decent mall crawler D1s with worn seats, funky sunroofs and mild PS leaks for less than $3000. These trucks with a little bit of care will go for many many many more miles.

[porsche4786]

I've been looking in to Disco I's as well.  Here is some advice I got on a land rover board. 

What are you looking to do with it?? Daily Driver or for off-roading?

Either, biggest thing is if it was ever overheated... These trucks are pretty bulletproof unless they are run too long while hot. The block and the cylinder sleeves don't always agree when overheated

PSteering leaks are expected, other leaks are not really... decide what you want to tackle. Leaks from the hubs are easy fixes if you are so inclined while oil leaks from the engine are not. Transfer cases also leak and it is a real Buddha Loves You to fix those. ... on a high mileage D1 that means someone is topping it off but you may wonder if it was ever driven when was dry... tho a completely dry TC will throw bits and pieces on the highway.

Expect non functioning power seat buttons and sunroofs with rail problems.

Plan for normal high mileage problems.. all the pumps... fuel, water, PS.. but they are available after-market.

NOT trying to scare you off... We all laugh that when a Land Rover doesn't leak it means its empty.... They are really bullet proof trucks when they are taken care of.

YMMV, but, you can find decent mall crawler D1s with worn seats, funky sunroofs and mild PS leaks for less than $3000. These trucks with a little bit of care will go for many many many more miles.

cool, thanks for that. I'm looking at a few right now....

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/502417575.html -  I haven't talked to these people yet, plan to today, I admit the color makes me puke, but what the hay, if it's all good, i'll deal with it.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/504160730.html- emailed this guy..."No serious problems.  regular maintainence and repairs of things as needed.  At this moment the cruise control doesn't stay engaged but every thing else works.  No wrecks/repairs.  I use synthetic oil so it oozes out of gaskets a bit.  it didn't leak oil using regular motor oil." "I usually took this car into Pro Auto Tech for service.  I never asked them to repair the cruise control.  It just wasn't important to us."  I looked on the disco forums and it seems there could be many problems for the cruise control...seems like it could be fixed.

then i'm not sure if disco II is a good idea or not...
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/503443530.html i asked him if price is negotiable or not, he said he can talk about the price but if I see the car I will agree with the price.

[cosmiccharlie]

The cruise control not working seems to be a common problem with D1's.  D2's are not a bad idea, just usually more expensive.  The reason I am looking at D1's is because they are built on the range rover chassis which is better for off-roading. 

The two you listed look nice like they are in good shape!  Did the owner of the second one say where the oil was leaking from?     

[porsche4786]

The cruise control not working seems to be a common problem with D1's.  D2's are not a bad idea, just usually more expensive.  The reason I am looking at D1's is because they are built on the range rover chassis which is better for off-roading. 

The two you listed look nice like they are in good shape!  Did the owner of the second one say where the oil was leaking from?     

He did not. I might try to take a look at one of them tonight, I've never actually been inside one before. I heard the same thing about D1's better for off road. I was just thinking maybe they changed something on the D2's that might have been a problem. Since every first year of a vehicle change seems to have a problem. I wonder if I switched it back to mineral oil on the D1? Or would that leak more?

[cosmiccharlie]

That would be the first thing I tried.  I know my Subaru didn't like synthetic oil either.  As soon as I switched back to dino oil the leak stopped. 

[cosmiccharlie]

I am pretty sure the electrics in D2's are better.  Expect a few electrical gremlins in D1's. 

[The Buddha]

Discovery - the most important discovery you'd make with it is "how crappy it is" ... 
AKA, ford explorer ...
Cool.
Srinath.

[bettingpython]

It's british of course it leaks, and being british the headlights and electrics are probably made by Lucas so expect poor performance there as well.

[sledge]

A lot of false assumptions being made in here, I have owned 3 discos, my present being one of the last series 2 and quite honestly most of what has been stated in here is utter b*8Lsh*t.......but in saying that I have many assumptions about American cars which in all fairness are probably not true.

[spc]

The only thing I can say is:  I've viewed a few Disco I's and every single one of them had oil burbling out of the valve cover.  In test-driving them I was thoroughly impressed, they are very comfortable and very stable.

[cosmiccharlie]

A lot of false assumptions being made in here, I have owned 3 discos, my present being one of the last series 2 and quite honestly most of what has been stated in here is utter b*8Lsh*t.......but in saying that I have many assumptions about American cars which in all fairness are probably not true.

I am just going on what Disco owners are telling me on a Disco board.

[sledge]

Charlie,
You are doing the right thing and I agree with what you and the boards say, owners forums are often the best place to get info although you will find most contributors are very biased towards the vehicle. What makes me fall down laughing are coments such as.....They are cr** because.....er?.....I say so! and the lighting is going to be sub-standard  because its made by a certain company.......ridiculous statements to make.

[cosmiccharlie]

Charlie,
You are doing the right thing and I agree with what you and the boards say, owners forums are often the best place to get info although you will find most contributors are very biased towards the vehicle. What makes me fall down laughing are coments such as.....They are cr** because.....er?.....I say so! and the lighting is going to be sub-standard  because its made by a certain company.......ridiculous statements to make.

I agree.  The tnrovers board has only strengthened my faith in the Disco.  Also discoweb is a good board.  Once my impreza is sold I'll be seriously looking for a D1 for my daily driver.   

[bettingpython]

Jesus H Christ! Does no one have a sense of humor or are you not old enough to remember substandard lighting on brit bikes with lucas electrical systems.

It was a f%$king joke I know nothing about rovers but I do know every damned jag, triumph or MG I have come across has been a leaky bastard that never could be solved.

Fuckin grow up and develop some humor. You could be like some of us and have had to freeze your ass off with no lights for 4 or more days.

[cosmiccharlie]

Even the Disco owners joke that if it doesn't leak it is empty!     Just trying to give the OP accurate info.

[sledge]

From where I am sat it looks like its you who is the touchy one, unless it gets darker at night in the US than it does in the UK 

[bombadillo]

rovers are notorious for electrical problems, expensive issues, and high maintenance costs.  Go find out how much it costs if an airbag goes out in an autoride suspension setup.  Seriously buy yourself an loaded jeep wrangler or a wrangler unlimited if you're needing space.  If you need 4 seats, get the new jk 4 door jeep.  I wouldn't touch any rover of any but the oldest of the generations.  Steer clear of them unless you have a lot of money to wrap up in it.  If you do get one though, get old man emu suspension because they rock on the rovers.