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[pfkb72]

Thanks mates, you guys are reassuring.

RoverChic, you may just be able to "remotely" do it all over again through me, so jump onto the driver's seat and tell me what you would do right from the start with what I'm about to look at next (see bottom of this post).

FrankS, you seem like having a great time improvising your toy, something which is stirring me up to want to get myself into. With the insurance thing, looks like the if I do get the 1994 Disco I which I'm going to check out this coming Sunday, it is not going to qualify for mechanical cover anyway, given its years and mileage. Check out the condition, read on.

Vray, thanks for pointing me to those two websites. The idea of such a vast support and resources available for LR enthusiasts is proving almost irresistible for me to turn the other way. And thanks also for suggesting the easy-fix on the cruise ctrl issue.

The big thing for me is that I must be able to park this LR Disco up for months or even years on end (garaged and covered, of course) and come back to play with it without any setbacks. I am a traveller at heart. Guys, this should not be a problem, I hope.

OK, the 1994 Disco I 3.9-litre V8i which I'm going to see this coming Sunday goes like this:

1. Asking price NZ$5,000 (approx. US$1,300)
2. 154,000km (> 96,000 miles)
3. Dark green, 5-door, 7-seat
4. Imported (probably from Japan in June 2003), 1 owner in New Zealand driven from 88,000km till present 154,000km.
5. ABS brakes, Aircon, alloy wheels, central locking, driver & passenger airbags, power steering & towbar.
6. Said to have regularly serviced every 10,000km (6,250 miles)
7. All receipts available for work done:
* Power steering
* brakes
* new battery
* cam belt (?) or as suggested by Vray, possibly "serpantine belt" (what's that?)
8. Said to have NO RUST problems.
9. Said to do mostlly motorway and open-road kms/miles, averaging 14mpg
10. No problem or work expected done.
11. Said to be in GOOD CONDITION
12. 4-speed AUTO transmission

How does this look guys, do I have a chance at going for this 11-yr old? According to RPi Engineering, V8 engines with this sort of mileage are requiring work on cams, tappets, etc.

Well, the UNLEADED PETROL price here is now going for NZ$1.59 per LITRE i.e. NZ$6.05 per gallon...almost 27 cents for every km driven or about 43 cents per mile!!

Shall I take the plunge into this peculiar HOT Stuff in the world of LRs?
Forget about the safety net of warranty insurance (36 months for $1,650)?

It is, afterall a $5,000 toy-utility that would tow my 5,000-lb caravan and burn lots of gas in the process as compared to my humble Isuzu 4WD Turbo Diesel. It will also keep me busy fiddling around it if problems arise but then, I have the chance to INTERACT with the rest of the world with guys like you who are ever ready to lend a helping tip if not a hand.

Hit me, guys.