Questions on a 99 Disco I

[penguinpowered]

Hey all. This is my first post as a soon to be Disco I owner.

I am looking to purchase within the next month. I'm dying for a Disco for several reasons, not the least of which is, it's just damn cool.

At any rate, I wanted to ask the experts a couple questions regarding a vehicle that I have my eye on. Here are the specifics:

1999 Disco I SD
>102,000 Miles
Black/Tan Int.
$10,500

Now, I'm trying to get him to come down on the price, and I'm curious as to what you may recommend looking at to see what can be done here. I have looked at the vehicle extensively, and checked several key points that I found on the internet (rear window seal, lower rear door hinge, panel window seals, all jambs, diff seals, crankcase seals, tranny seals, etc.) All look great. There are, however, a few things I find wrong with it. For instance:

The power steering may be screwed. There was zero power the first time I drove it, and they dumped some fluid in there, but not much improvement. I figure the pump needs replacing.

Power seats don't work, and the switches are falling out of the console on both sides.

Door handles don't always open the door. (I understand that this can be fixed by removing the card, and tightening the latch, but he doesn't know that)

The first time I tried to drive it, it would not start. The ABS light, Service engine soon, and Check Engine lights were all lit. After cranking for about 5 minutes, it did turn over, and sat happily at the 7-800 RPM range. I did not hear anything out of the ordinary, and it was quite powerful.

Based on what you know, the mileage, and the age, what would you say is fair as a counter offer? What would you accept?

Thanks in advance!

 

[joey]

RUN.... As fast as you can....., then find something better or at least maintained.....



I repeat.... RUN

 

[discomike]

Sounds like you are looking at a can of worms. Sounds like it has been neglected and will need a major service plus thee other things you mentioned.
Go in at least $2000 lower and that is only if you realize she will probably have more problems up coming.
I would rather see you pay a little more and find a truck that has been taken care of.
Either way, good luck,
Mike J.

 

[paulbrapp]

There are better trucks out there for less money!

 

[DiscoFever]

yeah i agree with all of the above...have patience(not that i did) and find a better maintaned truck, and that price is atleast 2 grand too high...I just ran it through NADA and it shows average retail at 9750, but that is average, this vehicle is below average to say the least...please do yourself a favor and keep looking unless you want to get an "ok" deal on a truck that will need worked on for 2 weeks and lotsa $$$

nada link: http://www.nadaguides.com/uv/viewresults.aspx?LI=1-11-1-2031-0-0-0&Lnk=1&wSec=11&wPr=1&wPg=2032

good luck

edit: ok the link doesnt work but its there trust me

 

[ColeCam]

I have a late 98 Disco I SE and it had/has no problems other than a split in one of the rear windows, which I fixed for $1.50 in black sylicone. It had 83K miles, no electrical problems, or any others, I picked it up from a used car dealer that has several rovers, and I bought it from him for around $9k. The price is too high, plus don't start out with problems already, they come up unexpectedly enough as it is.

 

[DiscoFever]

and just incase you were still considering buying it, Kelly Blue Book lists the truck at $7525, print it out and take it with you to barter with...

or find a better truck

 

[ColeCam]

Man, I hate when everyone sends mixed messages... ;-)

 

[parthog]

It sounds like you've looked it over well, so I'm not afraid of telling you to buy it if you want it.

The '98/'99 is IMO the least trouble in a D1, I think they're pretty nice (have a '99). It will be an SD, which doesn't have some of the bling that you can get in a '98 SE so you won't have sunroofs but that's not all bad.

If the truck needs repairs, I'd look at it from the dealer's perspective: Tell him that the truck is worth wholesale minus repairs, which are probably at least $2000 at dealer prices, he'll be lucky to get that much at auction which is where this truck either came from or is heading, it is not a retail truck. Think about this, why would a dealer pay wholesale minus repairs if he has to tie the truck up in the repair shop before he can even sell it for what he has in it? He stole that truck and you should too, otherwise there are other D1s out there for you (checked Ebay lately?). Like discofever said, print the KBB or other page for bargaining power, print a couple of '99 D1s on ebay also but know the details (like finding ones with lower miles for less etc.).

If he tells you he has more than that into it, tell him that he paid too much and if you're able to then write a check for the offered amount, money talks. If you don't have the money, write a check for a substantial deposit with your low-ball offer. "ready willing and able" talks. He knows that he stands a good chance of taking it to auction and getting less than your offer, he might find out that more is wrong, he might end up driving it to and from the auction for no sale, money in his hand is what he wants.

Ask him where he got the truck, if it is from an auction he probably bought it for $6k or less. If he took it on trade he has some room, and will surely wholesale it. If he doesn't deal in Rovers he might not have a wholesale buyer so it's certainly headed for auction. He has a truck in trouble and you're a buyer, use it to your advantage. ALWAYS be ready and willing to buy, and ready and willing to walk away from a bad deal. Dealers won't talk seriously with you until you're ready to sign.

Good luck, and don't get a bad deal on a distressed truck. It can be fixed, but it's going to take time and money.

 

[capthook]

It sounds like you've looked it over well, so I'm not afraid of telling you to buy it if you want it.

The '98/'99 is IMO the least trouble in a D1, I think they're pretty nice (have a '99). It will be an SD, which doesn't have some of the bling that you can get in a '98 SE so you won't have sunroofs but that's not all bad.

If the truck needs repairs, I'd look at it from the dealer's perspective: Tell him that the truck is worth wholesale minus repairs, which are probably at least $2000 at dealer prices, he'll be lucky to get that much at auction which is where this truck either came from or is heading, it is not a retail truck. Think about this, why would a dealer pay wholesale minus repairs if he has to tie the truck up in the repair shop before he can even sell it for what he has in it? He stole that truck and you should too, otherwise there are other D1s out there for you (checked Ebay lately?). Like discofever said, print the KBB or other page for bargaining power, print a couple of '99 D1s on ebay also but know the details (like finding ones with lower miles for less etc.).

If he tells you he has more than that into it, tell him that he paid too much and if you're able to then write a check for the offered amount, money talks. If you don't have the money, write a check for a substantial deposit with your low-ball offer. "ready willing and able" talks. He knows that he stands a good chance of taking it to auction and getting less than your offer, he might find out that more is wrong, he might end up driving it to and from the auction for no sale, money in his hand is what he wants.

Ask him where he got the truck, if it is from an auction he probably bought it for $6k or less. If he took it on trade he has some room, and will surely wholesale it. If he doesn't deal in Rovers he might not have a wholesale buyer so it's certainly headed for auction. He has a truck in trouble and you're a buyer, use it to your advantage. ALWAYS be ready and willing to buy, and ready and willing to walk away from a bad deal. Dealers won't talk seriously with you until you're ready to sign.

Good luck, and don't get a bad deal on a distressed truck. It can be fixed, but it's going to take time and money.

Sorry but, I goto car auctions all the time. No way you can get a disco (even w/ problems) for 6k or less. You have to remember, other bidders go nutty on Land Rover's and the bids seem to all be above 8k (here in california anyway). However remember- They are all 99 + up DII's, which IMO is a better vehicle. Get one with out the ABS problems and the lights flashing on your dash, that was the 1st thing I looked 4 on mine, and to see if the dealer just pulled the friggin lights out to fool us Also when checking out your next Landie - turn the wheels (when on solid flat ground) and listen for clunks. Drive with the windows down, radio off and listen to the motor / wheels / etc... There are quite a few good Landies out there that were sold to **** compolsive people who don't 4x4. Look for those.