Soon to be former LR Disco owner about to pull trigger on '97 LX450

[David D]

Hello all. I've owned a '97 LR Disco for the past 5 years and have finally decided to cry uncle . I can't take it anymore! The bloody thing is rusting out from underneath me, things are breaking right and left, and it's only got 84K on the odo. Now I'm no stranger to working on vehicles, I've been pulling my own wrenches for most of my 44 years, but the Disco leaves alot to be desired in the quality department.

Cut to the chase...

I've always heard good things about Land Cruisers and did own a Toyota P/U years ago. I've found a '97 LX450 (pink panty mobile?) with 107K on the clock that looks really good. It's located in another state at a dealership, but the pics and stats look good.

Before I commit myself and get this thing shipped out to me, is there anything I should be wary of? It has no rust, paint looks great, no leaks, interior appears to have very little wear, etc. I have read about the head gasket thing, so I'll do a bubble test when she arrives. Anything else y'all can think of? Thanks!

David

 

[landtank]

Have a local check it out for you. What state is it in.

 

[David D]

It's in California. It's at a Carmax dealership, so I'm pretty comfy that it's decent. If I don't like it, they'll refund my money. I pulled a full Carfax on it and it's clean. After having dealt with Land Rover, I'm kinda gun shy about rust. This vehicle has none, so that's good. Mechanical stuff doesn't scare me, I'd just like to know of any "issues" to look out for.

David

 

[Buckru]

does it have front and rear lockers?

 

[Romer]

Go through the "thinking of Buying" section of the FAQ
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=84888

 

[David D]

Nope, no lockers . I did have a look at the "thinking of buying" FAQS section though. No real surprises there. Like I said before, I'm kinda gun shy after my "Rover Experience". I'm just trying to avoid any more "surprises" .

When I bought the Disco, it had only 29K miles on it and I wasn't looking for any "issues". I later discovered it had a very common rust problem and even though it was under the mileage limit, Land Rover would not honor the rust warranty. Pissed me off! Add to that all the electrical gremlins, windows that intermittently won't roll down or worse, just fall down into the door, leaks everywhere, ABS sensors that won't stay seated, cracked exhaust manifold, door locks that won't open, cruise control that won't work, paint that is failing, seat switches that are intermittent, w/s wipers that have a mind of their own, and oh yeah, did I mention rust??? (I know, I did) I could go on and on! Never want to deal with this again! :shotts:

David

 

[MTNRAT]

Welcome and good luck.
Sean

 

[mnwolftrack]

I FEEL YOUR PAIN!!!

I've owned a '95 LR Disco I and a '99 Disco II and I regret it! I've been a devoted Toyota owner for 16 years and owned numerous pickups and 4Runners. I still own my first pickup from 16 years ago, and a 4Runner for 8 years. The others have been my "3rd" vehicle. I was getting bored with pickups/4Runners but couldn't find a Cruiser, so I thought I'd try a Rover. Hey, they're $45,000 new and I can get a 6 year old Rover for only $6000. What a deal! NOPE! I called it quits with '99 Disco after doing the dreaded sticky valves valve job.

I've been slowly searching for a Cruiser for several months, though there just aren't very many locally. The good ones (when not way overly priced) sell before I call. There are never any for sale in my town, and I usually end up having to drive 200 miles to a larger city where a few are usually located.

I attempted to buy a '91 Cruiser last summer, but I drove 200 miles to find out their idea of "mint condition" is loose enough to included warped rotors, pulsating brake pedal, pulls hard to one side, engine knock, serious rear main seal leak, worn out tires, and a hard-shifting tranny. Oh, but it had a brush guard!

So, I am still looking....

 

[landtank]

The absolute hardest thing is to know when to buy. You need to be able to recognise a deal that you can live with and then jump on it immediately! There are no sure things with buying any used vehicle and you need to be prepared to accept the outcome however it turns out.

 

[John E Davies]

There are lots of good ones out there with lockers. Esp LXs, which tended to come fully loaded. Personally I would pass on any rig without. Keep looking.

The truck has no traction control. Without lockers you may be unhappy, depending on where and how you drive, and how much off road you do.

I am not esp agressive in terms of exploring the limits of my vehicle, but the locking diffs have saved my bacon more times than I can remember.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[NorCalDoug]

It's in California. It's at a Carmax dealership, so I'm pretty comfy that it's decent. If I don't like it, they'll refund my money. I pulled a full Carfax on it and it's clean. After having dealt with Land Rover, I'm kinda gun shy about rust. This vehicle has none, so that's good. Mechanical stuff doesn't scare me, I'd just like to know of any "issues" to look out for.

David

If it's the black LX 450 in Sacrament/Roseville, I'd be more than willing to take a look for you and report back.

I work about a mile from that dealership...it wouldn't take very long for me to swing by and check it out.





BTW...Welcome aboard

 

[Brentbba]

Where in California - we're a very small state you know? Lots of us out here willing to take a look for you.

 

[clarkrw3]

I would keep looking for a locked rig...but that's just me

good luck and welcome to the enlighted side of life!!!

 

[joker]

Do It...

 

[cary]

Concerning the Lockers. Nobody has asked the question, are you going to be doing any moderate to heavy off roading? If he isn't, there is no point in finding one with lockers and his searchh will be made much easier.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Where in California - we're a very small state you know? Lots of us out here willing to take a look for you.

I checked carmax...they have only 1 LX 450...and it's a mile from my office.

 

[Rookie2]

The truck has no traction control. Without lockers you may be unhappy, depending on where and how you drive, and how much off road you do.

I doubt that... you saying an unlocked LC is not as capable as the LR he's been driving? Point taken though, get it locked if you can, but I just wouldn't take a pourly maintained and abused locked LC over an clean unlocked.

As far as major mechanical things that you "could" face being an 80's owner... as you said, you're already aware of the HG failure tendencies. A lot of them have seepage at the rear main/pan arch seal, many times not bad enough to worry about. We've had a little flurry of oil pump cover plate gasket leaks here of late. And you might run into a leak at the front crankshaft seal. Most of these are somewhat rare, but have happen enough to make mention of. All in all..., engine, tranny and general build is very solid.


Rookie2

 

[David D]

Well, I've done it! I just called my Carmax sales dude and he's gettin' the paperwork started. I did ask him to verify that it doesn't have lockers, but as Cary mentioned, I don't anticipate any hard-core off roading so it's not a must-have for me.

Doug, if you have a moment and wouldn't mind, I'd like to have an un-biased set of eyes look her over. It's a little late since I've given them the go ahead, but it'd be nice to verify what I believe to be a decent truck. Carfax says it's been in the Sacremento area it's whole life with no incidents. I'm kinda nervous still!

David

 

[NorCalDoug]

Well, I've done it! I just called my Carmax sales dude and he's gettin' the paperwork started. I did ask him to verify that it doesn't have lockers, but as Cary mentioned, I don't anticipate any hard-core off roading so it's not a must-have for me.

Doug, if you have a moment and wouldn't mind, I'd like to have an un-biased set of eyes look her over. It's a little late since I've given them the go ahead, but it'd be nice to verify what I believe to be a decent truck. Carfax says it's been in the Sacremento area it's whole life with no incidents. I'm kinda nervous still!

David

Congrats...well...worst case scenario is that you might be out the vehicle transfer cost...IIRC, Carmax lets you have a look at what you're buying before jumping in with both feet.

That said, Carmax is pretty good about selling decent vehicles.


I'll take a look during lunch.

 

[Proven]

Posts like this one seal the deal for me. I am a former TTORA (Toyota Tacoma Owners *somthing* *something*) member and loved wheeling my Taco.

I wanted something a little more substantial with a solid front axel that didn't require a engineering degree and 10,000 dollars. I looked at Discovery's then read posts like yours. Friends of mine have owned Land Cruisers and loved them. Just have to marry a gas pump to own it though =)