Looking to buy a 2004 Discovery - Land Rovers Only

want2buyDiscovery · 04-03-2005, 01:34 AM

Hi, I am brand new to this forum. I am considering the possibility of buying a 2004 LR discovery and would like to get some truthful opinions regarding the 2004 specifically. Please post all Positive and negative experiences. I am a little apprehensive as I have come across a lot of negative reviews, but have noticed most are from 2000 and earlier models. And then there is the maintenence aspect.

My past vehicles have been:
1985 Jeep cherokee - First Truck/SUV (used and abused definitely)
1989 Ford F250 - Too much truck at the time (very reliable)
1990 Jeep cherokee - Sold Wanted another truck instead
1993 Ford Ranger - best truck I have ever owned, it was a manual 5 speed which didn't even need a new clutch until 100k, other than the driver's side bearings going out every 10k miles or so (which I learned how to replace and repack myself) This truck ran to 200k before selling it for-
2002 Ford F150 SuperCrew - Currently own - Has been reliable for 33k

Needing to down size in the car territory and my wife doesn't like driving my "big truck" I've always respected LR's and she likes "the way they look" And it will tow and go for summer fun, so here we are.

Please tell me that these are good and reliable

Ok give me the truth, I hope it doesn't hurt though. And please only owners of 2004's or similar years to this model revision.

Thank you

Adam in NYC USA · 04-03-2005, 08:08 AM

Hello from Adam in NYC

If you are looking for the last of the Discoverys, then you might want to go over now to the dealer at the new and used stock. The LR3 is the new model and the Discos are now history. You can eyeball plenty of stock, get plenty of discounts and deep warranties, and find something you are looking for.

If you are looking for an LR3, I see plenty on top of the transporters going to the dealerships. They seem to be popular.

Now, I answer your question because this is always on the back of my mind.

Should a fire truck crash into my parked Disco, don't laugh I live in front of a firehouse, or a gas truck lose its airbrakes awhile parked, that has happened also. I gotta have my options open.

My relations with vehicles personal and professional are realtively short term (about 10 years) so I have a good idea what I want should my LandRover retires or is retired.

A Defender or a Discovery or a LR3.

Adam 1996 D1 (see my photos in the those photos section)

02disco2 · 04-03-2005, 10:12 AM

The 04's are about as good as the Disco gets. You'll want the SE vs the S and you could skip the HSE since they are a tad overpriced for what you get (IMO). The 03 and 04's came equipped with 4.6 and it has plenty of grunt compaired to the previous 4.0. plus you get the center diff lock! Oh, here's the best part, all maintanence is covered free on that model year so ownership costs are relatively low (besides the fuel bill) You will also have the full manufacturer warranty and if you buy it from a dealer, I am sure they will sweeted the deal with an extended warranty just to get the old stock out of there.

If you like the vehicle and can't justify the premium for the LR3, then I wouldn't hesitate to jump in with both feet. I assume you have a dealership close by? If you don't, then I retract most of what I had written above.

Good luck and welcome to the LR family.

LRWheelman · 04-03-2005, 10:13 AM

If you are thinking about purchasing an 04' D2, now is the time. The prices are great, and the dealers should be ready to deal. With warranty you should have no worries about "problems" arising, and the 04 D2 should be "about as good as it gets" for the D2 series. That said, I prefer the "simplicity" of my 96', and the "old fashioned" ability it has traveling off-road without the aid of electronic gadgetry. No traction contol, no hill descent, no auto leveling or "active corning enhancement". It is a drivers car, requiring more finesse and driver input than some of the "more modern" versions. If I don't make it across that "soft section", or can't get over that "rise" in the trail, I have nothing to blame but myself. Go for it! LRW

want2buyDiscovery · 04-07-2005, 10:30 AM

Thanks Guys, Drove home yesterday in my brand new (used) 2004 Discovery S. So fare love everything about it. Glad this site is on the web for great resources. Looking forward to being apart of the LR community.

LRR219 · 04-07-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by want2buyDiscovery

Thanks Guys, Drove home yesterday in my brand new (used) 2004 Discovery S. So fare love everything about it. Glad this site is on the web for great resources. Looking forward to being apart of the LR community.

CONGRATS, WELCOME TO THE FAM!

Carlos · 04-08-2005, 08:12 AM

Welcome to the family!!!
You bought the "S" model.One good thing about LR is that you can actually fit more accesories on the lung run and make it as equipped as an "HSE". You just have to have a Rave CD, if you do the work yourself and save a lot of bucks, and a used parts supplier, which are readily available.
Carlos

04-03-2005, 01:34 AM	#1 (permalink)
want2buyDiscovery Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 Gallery: 0	Looking to buy a 2004 Discovery Hi, I am brand new to this forum. I am considering the possibility of buying a 2004 LR discovery and would like to get some truthful opinions regarding the 2004 specifically. Please post all Positive and negative experiences. I am a little apprehensive as I have come across a lot of negative reviews, but have noticed most are from 2000 and earlier models. And then there is the maintenence aspect. My past vehicles have been: 1985 Jeep cherokee - First Truck/SUV (used and abused definitely) 1989 Ford F250 - Too much truck at the time (very reliable) 1990 Jeep cherokee - Sold Wanted another truck instead 1993 Ford Ranger - best truck I have ever owned, it was a manual 5 speed which didn't even need a new clutch until 100k, other than the driver's side bearings going out every 10k miles or so (which I learned how to replace and repack myself) This truck ran to 200k before selling it for- 2002 Ford F150 SuperCrew - Currently own - Has been reliable for 33k Needing to down size in the car territory and my wife doesn't like driving my "big truck" I've always respected LR's and she likes "the way they look" And it will tow and go for summer fun, so here we are. Please tell me that these are good and reliable Ok give me the truth, I hope it doesn't hurt though. And please only owners of 2004's or similar years to this model revision. Thank you

04-03-2005, 08:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Adam in NYC USA The Urban Motorist Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: New York City Posts: 985 Gallery: 0	Reply from an owner of a 1996 D1 Hello from Adam in NYC If you are looking for the last of the Discoverys, then you might want to go over now to the dealer at the new and used stock. The LR3 is the new model and the Discos are now history. You can eyeball plenty of stock, get plenty of discounts and deep warranties, and find something you are looking for. If you are looking for an LR3, I see plenty on top of the transporters going to the dealerships. They seem to be popular. Now, I answer your question because this is always on the back of my mind. Should a fire truck crash into my parked Disco, don't laugh I live in front of a firehouse, or a gas truck lose its airbrakes awhile parked, that has happened also. I gotta have my options open. My relations with vehicles personal and professional are realtively short term (about 10 years) so I have a good idea what I want should my LandRover retires or is retired. A Defender or a Discovery or a LR3. Adam 1996 D1 (see my photos in the those photos section)

04-03-2005, 10:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
02disco2 Super Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 827 Gallery: 0	The 04's are about as good as the Disco gets. You'll want the SE vs the S and you could skip the HSE since they are a tad overpriced for what you get (IMO). The 03 and 04's came equipped with 4.6 and it has plenty of grunt compaired to the previous 4.0. plus you get the center diff lock! Oh, here's the best part, all maintanence is covered free on that model year so ownership costs are relatively low (besides the fuel bill) You will also have the full manufacturer warranty and if you buy it from a dealer, I am sure they will sweeted the deal with an extended warranty just to get the old stock out of there. If you like the vehicle and can't justify the premium for the LR3, then I wouldn't hesitate to jump in with both feet. I assume you have a dealership close by? If you don't, then I retract most of what I had written above. Good luck and welcome to the LR family. __________________ Land Rover-less. -------------------------------- 2006 Infiniti QX56 - Loaded 2002 Discovery II SE - SOLD! 1999 Audi A6 Avant Quattro Tiptronic - Slammed on RS4 18's 1996 Mariah Talari w/350 Mercruiser and Ron Hill Marine Go-fast parts.(Presently in Dry Storage)

04-03-2005, 10:13 AM	#4 (permalink)
LRWheelman Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Stoutland, Missouri Posts: 138 Gallery: 0	I also have a 96' Discovery If you are thinking about purchasing an 04' D2, now is the time. The prices are great, and the dealers should be ready to deal. With warranty you should have no worries about "problems" arising, and the 04 D2 should be "about as good as it gets" for the D2 series. That said, I prefer the "simplicity" of my 96', and the "old fashioned" ability it has traveling off-road without the aid of electronic gadgetry. No traction contol, no hill descent, no auto leveling or "active corning enhancement". It is a drivers car, requiring more finesse and driver input than some of the "more modern" versions. If I don't make it across that "soft section", or can't get over that "rise" in the trail, I have nothing to blame but myself. Go for it! LRW

04-07-2005, 10:30 AM	#5 (permalink)
want2buyDiscovery Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2 Gallery: 0	Bought my discovery Thanks Guys, Drove home yesterday in my brand new (used) 2004 Discovery S. So fare love everything about it. Glad this site is on the web for great resources. Looking forward to being apart of the LR community.

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04-08-2005, 08:12 AM	#7 (permalink)
Carlos Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Durham, NC U.S.A. Posts: 523 Gallery: 0	Welcome to the family!!! You bought the "S" model.One good thing about LR is that you can actually fit more accesories on the lung run and make it as equipped as an "HSE". You just have to have a Rave CD, if you do the work yourself and save a lot of bucks, and a used parts supplier, which are readily available. Carlos

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