2004 Disco SE vs. Chevy Tahoe Z71

I know I know, I'm talking crazy but I wanted to get some opinions. I'm thinking seriously of trading my Freelander in on either a 2004 (new/slightly used) Disco or a Chevy Tahoe. Here are my thoughts:

I love my Rover and I love the Discos. They seem to be great vehicles which treat you well if you treat them well. I love the styling (a little different than everything else on the road) and I love the way I'm treated at my dealership (like I've actually spent money there). So I'm leaning HEAVILY this way for all of these reasons.

However, with the GM Employee discount for everyone I can't NOT think about the Tahoe. I'm looking at a fully loaded 2005 Tahoe which lists for $50k and I'm getting it for $41k plus a $3k rebate (total of $38k). The purchase price isn't as big a deal as the monthly payment (I'll lease) and they're giving me a good deal there, too. I'm going to be around $500 a month on a lease on the Tahoe (after trading in an older Honda Civic EX--not getting much of anything on that). Not a horrible deal.

On the Disco I'm around $585 a month right now on a lease. So it's more expensive but, IMHO, it's a better truck so the price is (effectively) even on that front since I feel I'm paying for a better truck and I have no problem paying slightly more for something I perceive as better.

Here are the pros of the Tahoe:

-Uses regular gas vs. premium for the Disco
-Monthly cost (see above)
-Not a bad-looking truck
-Bigger inside
-3rd row seats standard
-Maintenance is a LOT less expensive (in the long run)
-Free oil changes for life (minor pro here)
-Roadside assistance for warranty period.

Here are the cons of the Tahoe;
-It's a Chevy (i.e. it's not a Land Rover)
-The dealership is a typical Chevy dealership. Get you in and out.
-They don't even introduce you to the service reps so I don't know what they're like. I'd have to ask for that.
-I'm not 100% clear on what they're warranty covers. There's some confusion there.
-I prefer the ride/suspension of the Disco (although the Tahoe isn't horrible)
-No loaner vehicles with standard warranty.
-Warranty only 2/36k
-XM Radio (I prefer Sirius--I'd switch it out)

Here are the pros on the Disco:
-It's a Rover
-Styling is MUCH cooler (IMHO)
-I like the dual moon roofs
-I like the side windows on the roof in the back. Makes it brighter in the back.
-Much better off road (not that I do much but I do need to get through some heavy snow on bad roads in the winter).
-Dealer treats me like a king.
-All maintenance included (at least while it's under lease depending on how many miles I put on it)
-Free Rover loaner vehicles when vehicle serviced at dealer.
-Never had a problem with warranty work at my dealer.
-I can easily swap out the stereo for a better one (guess I can with the Tahoe, too).
-Rover offroad events
-I'm sure I'm missing something else here.

Here are the cons to the Disco:
-More expensive truck.
-More expensive service (should I have to ever pay for any that is--slight con).
-Requires premium gas
-Smaller inside
-3rd row seating not standard

As you can see I'd prefer the Rover. I'm basically looking for reasons NOT to buy the Tahoe. All things being equal it's not even a question. Honestly, I don't feel I'd go wrong with either vehicle but, if I bought the Tahoe, I might find myself wishing I'd bought the Disco for the next few years. Not that I'll hate the Tahoe but I do like the Disco.

Sorry for the long post but your opinions are appreciated.

Go to the Chevy Tahoe Forums and ask them what they think as well. Come on man, your on a Rover forum.

Being the of the utilitarian mindset, I would buy the Discovery for the only reason that I would be using it off-road. If your not going to use it for that, might as well save yourself some money. Of course, just my opinion...

Yeah, you don't see many pictures of late-model Yuks or Tahoes on long expeditions culminated by remote driving over horrendous terrain....

Do you HAVE a Freelander and are getting rid of it for a Disco II? If so, let me know and i'll give you my low down. I have an '04 Disco II, loaded all the way (HSE7) so I can give you my two cents if you'd like.

Cheers,

Reagan

Thanks...

:::climbing slowing down from the edge of the building:::

I know I'm in a Rover forum, that's why I posted here. Honestly, I was looking for someone to talk me down. I think I've done that myself through researching the hell out of the Tahoe/Disco and writing that long-winded post you all were kind enough to read.

Anyway, I had a Disco over the Memorial Day Weekend as a loaner when my Freelander was in for regular service so I'm familiar with the truck and how it handles. I put about 400 miles on it over the weekend. Overall, I love the way it handles. I'm not looking for a speed demon, just something which can get out of its own way. The Freelander is VERY sluggish.

I stopped by my dealer at lunch today to speak with a sales rep and to see what they've got left in stock. They've got a gorgeous 04 gold Disco SE with tan interior and black accents on the leather. I'm ruling out the Tahoe I believe for the following reasons:

-I love the Rover. Looks better and feels like it's made better (which, I feel it is).
-I like the interior much better than the Tahoe even though it's a little smaller.
-Maintenance included in the Rover. I'm very worried about the warranty situation with the Tahoe. Seems like there's gray area there. The dealer has always been good to me on my Freelander (not that it's needed a lot).
-Montly price, at the end of the day, is going to be very similar. Slightly more for the Disco but it's a better truck.

So now I'm just deciding on whether I'll go ahead and pull the trigger or wait for the lease to be done and try and step up to the LR3. They're just a little out of my price range right now but might not be later. Although I prefer the look of the Disco myself.

Thanks for letting me talk myself down. I'll keep you posted on what I do.

GadgetRick said:

:::climbing slowing down from the edge of the building:::

-I love the Rover. Looks better and feels like it's made better (which, I feel it is).

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Probably true

gadgetrick said:

-I like the interior much better than the Tahoe even though it's a little smaller.

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Not as much smaller as you think. Rover's interior is taller than a Tahoe, so I'd bet the cubic inches are close, but you'll miss the length the first time you drive with an 8' 4x6 board over your shoulder.

gadgetrick said:

So now I'm just deciding on whether I'll go ahead and pull the trigger or wait for the lease to be done and try and step up to the LR3. They're just a little out of my price range right now but might not be later. Although I prefer the look of the Disco myself. Thanks for letting me talk myself down. I'll keep you posted on what I do

Click to expand...

Lots of people prefer the Disco to the Element, I mean the LR3 Enjoy whichever you get and welcome to continued insanity!

Size

I know the Disco has more head room (in the backseat--pretty close up front) but I'm good with either. Still more than the Freelander, which I bump my head on the side quite often.

The Tahoe is certainly much larger as far as cargo capacity but the Disco should be fine for the things I need to do. I have access to (at least) 2 full size pickups (my father-in-law and my brother-in-law) if I ever need to haul anything large. The one thing--as far as size inside--I like on the Tahoe better is the width. On the Disco I'm sort of up against the door (although not uncomfortably so) but I have plenty of room in the Tahoe. In fact, I have more room (in this area) in my Freelander than in a Disco! I'm a wide body from lifting weights most of my adult life. I've got large shoulders. However, as I mentioned, I did drive the heck out of a Disco loaner I had a few weeks ago and I was totally comfortable.

One question I had which I thought I knew the answer to but now I'm not sure is, on the 2004 SE, does it come with heated seats? I thought I'd seen it did but on Car Point it lists it as unavailable (or N/A). Maybe I just sort of expected it to be there. This is not a deal breaker but it's important as I live in the Northeast and do Ski Patrol in upstate NY where it gets COLD in the winter. So heated seats are something I do prefer.

If it doesn't have them I saw some advertisements about aftermarket seat heaters. Anyone ever get these? If so, are the worth it? If so, are they difficult to install?

Thanks again for everyone's help. If I pull the trigger on the Disco I'm hoping to do some offroading I never had the chance to do with the Freelander so I'll be asking questions about all of that as well.

Another question...

I also am confused on the air suspension. I thought it was standard with the SE but I'm not sure.

Thanks.

The Rickster

I believe that the air suspension is an option on the SE.