Looking for Buying Help

[quik]

Hello there-

Sorry for the bother, but I just wanted to get some professional points of view of the Discovery. I noticed you all have owned one in the past and have some great insights. Which I very well need.

Im going on 24 years old, and have always wanted a Land Rover Discovery. However now Im being quite scared away of the vehicle due to all the negative reviews. I guess I was just hoping to hear and maybe get some questions answered from you guys as owners.

I just graduated college a little while ago, so now having some income I wanted to buy one. However I dont have enough money to constantly be putting back into it. I need something dependable, but able to have the durability to take on snowboarding & fishing trips. Is this vehicle right for me? Any "forsure problems" I should know about of the LR Discovery II. If not, what else should I be looking at?

Thanks again for your time.

Sincerely,

Mike

 

[Moose]

[snip]

I just graduated college a little while ago, so now having some income I wanted to buy one. However I dont have enough money to constantly be putting back into it. I need something dependable, but able to have the durability to take on snowboarding & fishing trips. Is this vehicle right for me? Any "forsure problems" I should know about of the LR Discovery II. If not, what else should I be looking at?

[snip]

Well, I have two (conflicting) thoughts on this:

1. If you want a Disco, then get a Disco, and roll with the punches. You'll have a vehicle that will require some work and maintenance, but you can learn a lot from sites like this one and do much of the work yourself (i.e., pretty much anything non-computer-related)
2. If you want something with dead-solid reliability, get a Honda Accord and put a roof rack on it for snowboarding, or get an early 90's Landcruiser.

Many people have had horrendous and expensive problems on Rovers of all types, and other have had no problems whatsoever. It's a roll of the dice, really...read a lot and go into it forewarned, so you can anticipate how to deal with problems.

Rovers have a historical tendency toward electrical problems. Funny little ground faults, shorts, and unexplainable gremlins that cause something to not work for days, and then work again without a change.

Discos have a tendency toward the CDL lever freezing up. When test driving make sure the lever engages the CDL and low-range.

Rovers leak. All of them. Anyone who tells you different has a truck without any fluid in it. Most of the time it's slow leaks of crankcase oil or power steering fluid, and it's not a problem so long as you observe it and correct occasionally.

 

[quik]

Well Moose thanks for the insight.

I was told (due to upkeep problems) only to look at the 99' and newer Discos II. From what Ive heard they have been remodeled and the cost of maintaining it has gone down. Is this correct?

So as a guy looking for a reliable SUV, the Disco is out of the question? You mentioned Land Cruisers and 4 Runners I think, are they more dependable?

Mainly my focus is going to be everyday driving, interstate traveling, and dirt road travel to rivers and lakes. No real off roading.

Any insight is great!

Thanks again.

 

[discomike]

I have a 99 D2, I do most of the maintance and because I bought an extended warranty I let the dealer do the heavy stuff. If you are at all mechanical, D2's are easy to work on.
You can buy many different SUV's out there, but there is no experience like owning and driving a Rover.
Mike J.

 

[quik]

DiscoMike
There in lies my problem. I dont do any of my own maintance. Im sure if I sat down I could figure out simple problems with the proper manual, but its not something Im looking to do. So for the most part, a 1999, 2000, 2001, Discovery II isnt the way I should go if I dont want to do a lot of maintance on it? I guess I just need to be pointed in a direction. Ive done all the research I can do book wise on the Disco. Now hearing from owners themselves is all I got to go on...

 

[discomike]

Maybe you misunderstood what I was trying to say. 99's and newer are less likely to cause you problems, I just like to do some of the maintance on mine so I can keep an eye on what is going on,
There is not a 4wheeler out there that will require a little more maintance the a car, it is just the nature of the beast.
Look at a 99 or 00 and you should be able to find one with low mileage in good shape.
Mike J.

 

[quik]

Thanks Mike. I just had a friend email me about a Toyota 4Runner.
Any thoughts on comparing the two? More reliable, etc?...

 

[discomike]

You have to answer that question for yourself. Toyota makes a good vehicle, it's not for me and i have a number of friends who have them and like them. They are 2 completely different vehicles though so go drive them both and see what works for you.
For me I like to play hard and ride in comfort.
Mike J.

 

[Monty]

If you're looking for something that you can drive and forget about, get the toy. But, there's no way that I would trade my rover for a 4 runner.

 

[quik]

I definately understand about not trading your Rover. But Im not as financially situated as you guys. I cant afford to be putting a lot more money back into the vehicle after I purchase it.

Thanks again for all of your insight.