Which year to buy?

[oliviern]

I am buying a used luxury SUV soon, and I think that I made my mind up. I am probably going to buy a Discovery II. My friend has an LR3, loves it, but I don't want to spend the big bucks he did. I should have about 13-15K to spend, which seems like I can get a good one with low miles. I just want something very capable off road, and nice inside. Here is the question(s)?

1. Are there years to stay away from?
2. What is the best year to buy, and why?
3. Are there things to look for, maybe common problems?

Thanks for all your help.

[rmuller]

1. Stay away from 2003
2. Best year to buy is 2004
3. Lots of problems, just look at D2 section of this forum!

Spend $10k or less on a 2004.. Put the extra money in savings to maintain/fix the truck.

[spiderfreak80]

Originally Posted by oliviern

I am buying a used luxury SUV soon, and I think that I made my mind up. I am probably going to buy a Discovery II. My friend has an LR3, loves it, but I don't want to spend the big bucks he did. I should have about 13-15K to spend, which seems like I can get a good one with low miles. I just want something very capable off road, and nice inside. Here is the question(s)?

1. Are there years to stay away from?
2. What is the best year to buy, and why?
3. Are there things to look for, maybe common problems?

Thanks for all your help.

2004 is the way to go with that budget. As Ryan posted, you should be able to pick one up priced right to be able to set some money aside for two things. Little things to fix, and preventative things to take care to enjoy your Disco for years to come. Oh, and you will end up wanting to "put" things on it....$1000 in tires...roof rack...lights...brush guard...spinner wheels...hold that...nix the spinner wheels !

[QuickSilver2]

..that I did prior to purchasing mine 2 weeks ago.

Though someone did counseled me that a good car from any year beats a bad car from a specific year

I live in Dallas but purchased Gertrude (04SE) from California, specifically away from the coast in the interior dryer areas.

An astute observer will notice the price of premium in Southern California ($3.4x) - ouch. We pay around $2.69 here in Dallas.



Good luck on the search.

[oliviern]

Thanks for all your help and advice. I like hearing from guys who actually drive these things the way I will, and I know I'll want to modify it.

I have reservations about buying one because I live in an area that has no dealership or specialized Rover repair. Having said that, I can do almost anything mechanical myself. I don't mind repairing things myself, it's just when I hear things like they are totally unreliable it makes me pause. My wife has an Acura MDX, its supposed to be the most reliable SUV on the market and I've replaced an injector, transmission, and I have the engine light on again to replace a emissions canister. It only has 78k on it!

Having said that, I wanted something that will really go off road, I mean REALLY go off road, and for the money I want to spend, the DII looks like it. Thanks again!

[nasa25]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver2

An astute observer will notice the price of premium in Southern California - ouch. We pay around $2.69 here in Dallas.

Good luck on the search.

damn thats 0.71 per litre usd (around 0.76 cents cdn)....in Toronto we pay around $1.13 cdn per litre.

So I guess equivalent would be roughly $4 per gallon for premium up here.

[rmuller]

Originally Posted by oliviern

Thanks for all your help and advice. I like hearing from guys who actually drive these things the way I will, and I know I'll want to modify it.

I have reservations about buying one because I live in an area that has no dealership or specialized Rover repair. Having said that, I can do almost anything mechanical myself. I don't mind repairing things myself, it's just when I hear things like they are totally unreliable it makes me pause. My wife has an Acura MDX, its supposed to be the most reliable SUV on the market and I've replaced an injector, transmission, and I have the engine light on again to replace a emissions canister. It only has 78k on it!

Having said that, I wanted something that will really go off road, I mean REALLY go off road, and for the money I want to spend, the DII looks like it. Thanks again!

If you're mechanically inclined, then a disco is a perfect vehicle for you... they are easy to work on and lots of vast knowledge is available for it. You can do *everything* without the need of the dealer.... the last thing that was dealer-only was working with the ABS, but a device was recently released which allows the reading of ABS codes.

[QuickSilver2]

Originally Posted by oliviern

Thanks for all your help and advice. I like hearing from guys who actually drive these things the way I will, and I know I'll want to modify it.

I have reservations about buying one because I live in an area that has no dealership or specialized Rover repair. Having said that, I can do almost anything mechanical myself. I don't mind repairing things myself, it's just when I hear things like they are totally unreliable it makes me pause. My wife has an Acura MDX, its supposed to be the most reliable SUV on the market and I've replaced an injector, transmission, and I have the engine light on again to replace a emissions canister. It only has 78k on it!

Having said that, I wanted something that will really go off road, I mean REALLY go off road, and for the money I want to spend, the DII looks like it. Thanks again!

Here's my take on this.

I would never buy a Landrover product that is out of warranty if I wasn't prepared to do the work on it myself.

Life is short, live life, enjoy and drive what brings a smile to your face and makes you feel good.

[oliviern]

Originally Posted by rmuller

If you're mechanically inclined, then a disco is a perfect vehicle for you... they are easy to work on and lots of vast knowledge is available for it. You can do *everything* without the need of the dealer.... the last thing that was dealer-only was working with the ABS, but a device was recently released which allows the reading of ABS codes.

Yeah, I used to be a submarine mechanic, and really like working on cars. What I don't like is being stranded, as this would be the daily driver. I really like the vehicle, never seen an SUV that is more solid. I think I'm sold.

[oliviern]

Originally Posted by QuickSilver2

Here's my take on this.

I would never buy a Landrover product that is out of warranty if I wasn't prepared to do the work on it myself.

Life is short, live life, enjoy and drive what brings a smile to your face and makes you feel good.

QuickSilver... love the vehicle. It's identical to the one that I looked at the other day in a parking lot... it got me started on this obsession.

[QuickSilver2]

Originally Posted by oliviern

QuickSilver... love the vehicle. It's identical to the one that I looked at the other day in a parking lot... it got me started on this obsession.

Thanks Man.

I've wanted a Discovery for a while, not into the other Landrover vehicles except for the early series.

It took me shortening my commute from 100 miles to 10 miles (thanks to my soon to be ex Wife, her friends and her Attorney) for me to now seriously consider and go for it. It took a while to find this one as it has to be black with black interior and at least an SE (really wanted HSE7) but hey.

This is a one owner 80kmi car and is extra super clean on the interior.

I think you should go for it but keep your purse strings tight and close to your chest until you really really check it out.

But make no mistake though, 12mpg in town if you're lucky and premium is a reality

But she's a hottie

[WLADiscoII99]

I thought the 1999 was the best one? That's what I heard. Also the 2003 AND 2004 were the ones with problems?

The 1999 is the same as the 2004 except for the headlights right?

[spiderfreak80]

Originally Posted by WLADiscoII99

I thought the 1999 was the best one? That's what I heard. Also the 2003 AND 2004 were the ones with problems?

The 1999 is the same as the 2004 except for the headlights right?

Nope. 04s didn't have any of the oil pump issues and tend to have fewer problem areas. The 03-04s both have the 4.6 liter V8 that was in the Range Rover while the 99 has the 4.0 liter (I understand the head gasket woes are greater on the 4.0 than the 4.6 ??)
The 04 alone has the CDL....and of course the HUGE mostly for looks roof rails !! Oh, also, the 04 was available in the 7 seater without the air suspension. That is how I bought mine...4 coils..

[yubert]

Originally Posted by WLADiscoII99

I thought the 1999 was the best one? That's what I heard. Also the 2003 AND 2004 were the ones with problems?

The 1999 is the same as the 2004 except for the headlights right?

No, no, the 2000 are the best ones! They're so good I bought two of them....

[Burncycle]

I would say 99-early 01 with cdl (like mine) or 04 would all be a good choice.