possibly buying 1 2000 at auction tomorrow...Need Advice

[jasonk]

Hi all, hopefully this is my first of many posts. I have a lead on a local repo auction (tomorrow) for a 2000 Disco II. It has 90000 on the OD and seems to be in pretty good shape. It got to see it in person yesterday and it ceratinly looks nice but I'm more worried about the guts.

First, I'm new to these machines which means that all those freaking buttons on the dash mean nothing to me...i used the search but never came across a thread devoted to explaining them.

The hood release (I assume it is the hood release) is broken on the interior of the car. All that remains is the intact cable, no lever. So I couldn't get under the hood. Now I have channel locks with me and will give it a go tonight after work.

Anything specific to look for under the hood?

I was able to start it up and let it run yesterday. No idling issue and it started right up. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON (could be anything I suppose).

I was able to back it up and pull it forward, no driving allowed. everything seemed to be in order. I was able to get it into 4wd. A question, will the Diso drive if the 4wd selector is in N? Is that just the normal AWD? If I'm right there are three modes, AWD (nuetral) and 4wdHIGH and 4wd LOW. Can someone confirm this?

Any info would be greatly appreciated and of course time is of the essence since the auction is tomorrow.

Any idea on what I should pay? I half expect this thing to go for less than $4k but if I'm wrong it won;t be the first time! I'm thinking $3500 is max I'll go.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice!

jasonK

 

[joey]

Under the hood, just look to see if oil is clean or at least doesn't have water in it.

Check the Antifreeze level via the expansion tank. Check air cleaner to see if it has ever been changed.

I would borrow an OBDII scanner or buy one (you will need it later) so you can check the codes and see if they will cost you big bucks to fix things.

A Disco is always AWD, so you have High range (normal) Neutral (not in gear - will not move) and Low range (Off road use).

For a 2000 model at an auction with out a drive and unknown condition... I would pay more than $2500, but it is your call.

 

[jasonk]

thanks for the reply, is the amber service engine light scheduled to come on at any certain time for a reminder of routine maintenance or is it indicative that there's some kind of problem (sensor, or god forbid something more serious).

Is there a way to pull the codes via key and ignition?

 

[joey]

The SEL will need to have the codes pulled on a D2... on the D1 the SEL is the indicator that emissions testing needs done.

You have to have an OBDII scanner to read the codes.

 

[jasonk]

The SEL will need to have the codes pulled on a D2... on the D1 the SEL is the indicator that emissions testing needs done.

You have to have an OBDII scanner to read the codes.

the more i research the more i think this one is not for me right now. Some day but not now. I may still go to the auction but we'll see.

Since you are in Ohio I' guess I'll point it out to you. Skipco.com is the auction house. Located in Canal Fulton Ohio, just east of Canton.

Here is the link direct to the vehicle...they also have an LR3 which is out of my price range.

http://www.skipco.com/saa/updates/salelist/CarUpload_th_3215.htm