New to Land Rover...Looking at '04 Disco

[tnardozzi]

Hi all,

Brand new to Rover's. Wife has wanted one forever so we are looking, much to her pleasure, at an '04 Disco SE.

I have driven SAAB's for 12 years and still do so I am no stranger to quirky, sometimes difficult and expensive but always enjoyable to drive cars.

Particular Disco in question has 33K miles, certified pre-owned for $19K.

First, is this a reasonable price?

Second and this is the big question....What do I need to know about Disco's, '04's in particular? Is there problem areas with this year? What should I look for when checking these trucks out? Any years better than others? Etc., etc.

Any input is appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Todd

 

[richpike]

Just my $0.02, but spend the extra $5K and get an LR3. You can get a 2005 late model (most problems were figured out in the first half year of the model build) for $25K pretty easy. In fact, if you search, you can probably get a CPO for that now, or a non CPO for low $20Ks. You can also get 2006 V6 CPO for $28Kish. I realize that is a big jump from $19K, and I have never driven a Disco2, but we love our LR3 - wouldn't trade it for anything.

-Rich

 

[d.a.r.y.l]

Hi Todd,

If you have deep pockets for repairs later on down the road go ahead and buy it.They can be a mechanical nightmare.The LR3 was to be a redesign of the Disco,it turned out to be a face lift and name change with a different set of problems.Mechanically there are several SUVs on the market that are better and for less money.Sometimes status rides are not worth the headaches.Spend some time monitoring this site,read and you will be aware of what I am saying in no time.ONE MANS OPINION.

d.a.r.y.l

 

[jmrivera]

Hi Todd,

If you have deep pockets for repairs later on down the road go ahead and buy it.They can be a mechanical nightmare.The LR3 was to be a redesign of the Disco,it turned out to be a face lift and name change with a different set of problems.Mechanically there are several SUVs on the market that are better and for less money.Sometimes status rides are not worth the headaches.Spend some time monitoring this site,read and you will be aware of what I am saying in no time.ONE MANS OPINION.

d.a.r.y.l

Todd,

Buy what you want and like, not what others like... I have an '03 and my family and I love it. It is everything that we wanted in an SUV and more... Yes, it has a "status" as mentioned above, but I yet to see any mid-SUV be able to compete with it regarding capabilities, ammenities, and overall feeling...

My advice to you is to drive the '04 you are looking at several times in situations that you will use it most (stop-and-go driving, highway, etc.,) and then decide... Yeah, the Disco's have issuses, but so does every other car... Don't let that be the only deciding factor... Just have it checked out before you hand over the money...

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Jonathan

 

[richpike]

Hi Todd,

If you have deep pockets for repairs later on down the road go ahead and buy it.They can be a mechanical nightmare.The LR3 was to be a redesign of the Disco,it turned out to be a face lift and name change with a different set of problems.Mechanically there are several SUVs on the market that are better and for less money.Sometimes status rides are not worth the headaches.Spend some time monitoring this site,read and you will be aware of what I am saying in no time.ONE MANS OPINION.

d.a.r.y.l

With all due respect to ONE MANS (sic) OPINION, you clearly must be misinformed. The LR3 was as much of a total redesign as you get - completely new frame, new engines (Jaguar/Ford sourced)/transmissions, interiors, air suspensions, terrain response system, etc. I agree that there are some excellent sport utilities on the market that are better (especially if you don't care about off road ability - the X5 comes to mind), but for the complete package it is pretty tough to beat. And I'm sure the Disco2 was similar (I've never driven one).

One last note - you have to take the posts in a forum with a grain of salt. Very rarely does someone post up that they have had zero issues. You typically hear about problems - that is what forums are for (IMHO).

Todd - sorry for the rant. I'd highly encourage you to buy whatever you and your wife like. I was just trying to help by posting about our excellent experience with the LR3. We've owned German SUVs, American SUVs, etc and the LR3 is our favorite by far.

-Rich

 

[LR1TIM]

Love Mine

I have a 1997 Discovery SE7 and it is a fight between my wife and I on who gets to drive it. This is supposed to be my TRUCK and until I got it my bottom had not been in the drivers seat of her MB SL500 more than a few times, now I pull up to a Construction site a couple of times a week in the roadster, don't get much respect. Buy what you like from now on I will always own a Land Rover
Tim

 

[scout__sniper]

I have an '04 Discovery S that I bought new and now have close to 80,000 miles. With the exception of replacing the oxygen sensor awhile back it has never been in the shop except for scheduled maintenance and new brakes (just replaced for the second time). I take her off-roading maybe once a month but nothing too *********.

I absolutely love my Discovery and wholeheartedly recommend as long as the one you are looking at has had all of the required maintenance.

Hope this helps.

 

[Bullsnake]

I had an '04 Disco, and just recently traded it on an '05 LR3, and both vehicles are FANTASTIC! Sure, they have had their little quirks along the way, but nothing over the top or outrageous.

I once heard someone say "Land Rovers are durable enough to be unreliable for several decades". The LR3 is my 13th Rover over the last decade-and one of three Rovers that I currently own. I have to say that this saying is true-more for some vehicles that I have owned than others. That aside, Land Rovers have always been great trucks to own, and the satisfaction of ownership has been fantastic!