Going British?

[jvazquez53]

I'm looking for a "new" vehicle for the wife to replace her Grand Caravan. So far the choice is a 2002 Land Rover Discovery with 49000 miles and is going for $6,700.00 (sorry, Land Cruisers in good shape are hard to find here). Anyone out there have one of these that can give any advise on what to look for?

 

[Cruisified]

Stay away from the 97-98's they have engine/tranny problems. Jump on a Disco forum and you'll get the real scoop. But I would tend to think 10 yr Cruiser with a little more miles would still be a better rig than a 6 yr old Rover and about the same amount of cash. Or at least a 4Runner.

 

[CID 96]

I agree w/ Cruisified. STAY AWAY!!!! There is a reason they cost less. They are P.O.S. unless you like to wrench on your truck every weekend and like electrical nightmares.

Just my $.02.

Sid

 

[DirtyLittleSecret]

Used to have a Disco (darn it, you made me remember it)

Was IMPOSSIBLE to work on since there were so many SST's, and odd sized bolts. Freakin' headache for any repair, and there were many. Finally caved in, and gave it to a "buddy" who did me wrong one too many times. Payback is a biotch, but I do know that he's spent thousands trying to keep it alive because his wife loves it.

Now, if we were talking about the old Defenders...that's something very different. I keep asking Santa for a 110, but I'm not usually that good.

 

[landcruiserjunky]

D110 or D90 in diesel or GTFO.

 

[Grolar]

iIs it me or did you ask the same Q in the 80 series forum? Looks like you're not going to get a different answer here.

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

97 80 would do the trick... give it some bling and there you go...

 

[Martin White]

Here's what to look for if you buy a Disco: a really good local towing company with 24 hour service. Make sure they answer the phone at any time you anticipate driving. You will get to know your local tow company drivers very well, so you might as well scope out the options, pick one you like and then make sure your wife has a cell with her and the towing yard number programmed into the phone.

 

[EOE_overland]

Just sold my 03' LR about a year ago with 60K miles with a mildly leaking head gasket. Had the heater core, power window cables, thermostat, ........ too much to remember replaced before the warranty dropped. Took it to a great LR mechanic who told me it sounded like it was the engine was on its way out. At 60K miles! Got 4K on a VW trade for my wife. Just bought my 89 FJ62 ( for $2K) with 210K a few months ago. This thing runs better at more that 200K miles than my Rover did at 50K. I really liked my Rover, but my experience (and every other LR owner I knew personally) was constant, never-ending break-downs. And no matter what you add to it, it's value drops like a rock. I didn't listen to the people who told me not to buy it. If you don't want a Toyota, get a Jeep or Bronco or something. At least you'll get a few years of enjoyment before it tanks. The only worthwhile British products are Beer and Guns. Or as my new favorite saying goes... "British cars exported to the US are revenge for the revolution."

 

[jvazquez53]

I'm looking for a "new" vehicle for the wife to replace her Grand Caravan. So far the choice is a 2002 Land Rover Discovery with 49000 miles and is going for $6,700.00 (sorry, Land Cruisers in good shape are hard to find here). Anyone out there have one of these that can give any advise on what to look for?

Already solved the dilemma: I bought a 09 Honda Fit Sport. If she wants a 4x4, there's two in the driveway (the 60 and the 80)

 

[GAS-A-LOT!]

"British cars exported to the US are revenge for the revolution."

good one!

 

[Tinker]

How about the classic: "Lucas - prince of darkness".

 

[EOE_overland]

Already solved the dilemma: I bought a 09 Honda Fit Sport. If she wants a 4x4, there's two in the driveway (the 60 and the 80)

Good move with the Honda.
I've been considering starting a website called "Land Rover Overcomers Anonymous." I always liked the "Prince of Darkness" quote too. But I'm a boat electrician, so I overcame that by replacing all failed electrical components with something non-English. Works every time! But didn't have the money/time to replace the English drivetrain .
For those who feel themselves getting pulled over to the dark side while watching movies or advertisements with LRs crossing the Sahara...look closer and you'll notice they're usually rich. Not a coincidence.

 

[mp_cude]

The drivetrains are gerbage, I liked those as well as the LandCruiser, there are many reasons I went with toyota. The electrical is also classic British, it sucks. One he77 of a good looking truck though, try to find one with a toyota drivtrain haha

 

[NocalFJ60]

My brother had a 97 discovery and I had to work on to take care of some problems before I could help him sell it. It had 120K and was starting to burn oil. It was a pain to work on compared to the cruiser.

Good to hear you found something. A Honda Fit will be reliable.

 

[sdtash]

Wise move.