Hi, I am new to the forum. I just turned 18 and am moving to L.A. in 6 months. I have a '98 jeep wrangler and am selling it to get a car for L.A. My question is, which land rover is the best, in terms of reliability functionality, gas mileage? I have had my heart set on a '96 or a '97 Range forever. I got to drive one on a road trip this summer. The reason i'm thinking about the discovery is because they don't have that horrible suspension with the adjustable airbags. I like the '97-'98 discos.
Range Rover or Discovery for new car?
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In My Experience...
All mid to late 90s Land Rover products (discos and Range Rovers)can be black holes. 95-97 Discos suffered from poor build quality issues, though they are usually a 'fix once and be done with it' type of fix. Pre 99 1/2 Rangies of the P38 variety are problematic with recurring electrical and ecu related issues. The last of the D1s are least (a relative thing with Land Rovers) problematic. All of this vintage get equally poor milage (12-16mpg) If you can afford the higher up-front cost of a later vehicle, you will eventually save yourself the differential in repairs and downtime. Access to the service history is important.
All mid to late 90s Land Rover products (discos and Range Rovers)can be black holes. 95-97 Discos suffered from poor build quality issues, though they are usually a 'fix once and be done with it' type of fix. Pre 99 1/2 Rangies of the P38 variety are problematic with recurring electrical and ecu related issues. The last of the D1s are least (a relative thing with Land Rovers) problematic. All of this vintage get equally poor milage (12-16mpg) If you can afford the higher up-front cost of a later vehicle, you will eventually save yourself the differential in repairs and downtime. Access to the service history is important.
My mother drives a 1994 jaguar xj6 that she's had for years "fav. body style". It is the most reliable car we've ever owned. it's got over 113,000 miles on it. Nothing has gone wrong except the door handles. But why wouldn't rovers be any different? Jaguar was bought by ford in the early nineties, when was rover?
Early 90's Range Rovers
My choice would be the early 90s even an 89 Range Rover. These cars have been around since the 70's. There has been alot of changes, upgrades and refinements. The key is to find one that has been taken care of, otherwise you will be spending alot of money taking care of it yourself. I think the less electrical stuff the better. The engines in either RR or Disco are a stout long lasting enginge, that with proper oil changes can go easily 300k. The transmissions are ZF, again bulletproof. My buddy has a 97 Disco that he really likes. 150K on it and runs great. Avoid cars with air bag suspension, although they can be converted easily, its best to let the PO ( previous owner) take that hit. So look for ones that have already had the springs converted. The LWB has lots of leg room in the back (93-95), and a 4.2L engine. Check ebay and craigslist.org (LA of SF)for deals. Ifyou can save 3 grand on a car, paying 1K to ship it makes it worth it. I have seen nice Disco II's on ebay for 17 grand with 60k miles.. None of these cars get good gas milage, I would suggest that if you worry about that DO NOT GET ONE!...
My 2 cents
My choice would be the early 90s even an 89 Range Rover. These cars have been around since the 70's. There has been alot of changes, upgrades and refinements. The key is to find one that has been taken care of, otherwise you will be spending alot of money taking care of it yourself. I think the less electrical stuff the better. The engines in either RR or Disco are a stout long lasting enginge, that with proper oil changes can go easily 300k. The transmissions are ZF, again bulletproof. My buddy has a 97 Disco that he really likes. 150K on it and runs great. Avoid cars with air bag suspension, although they can be converted easily, its best to let the PO ( previous owner) take that hit. So look for ones that have already had the springs converted. The LWB has lots of leg room in the back (93-95), and a 4.2L engine. Check ebay and craigslist.org (LA of SF)for deals. Ifyou can save 3 grand on a car, paying 1K to ship it makes it worth it. I have seen nice Disco II's on ebay for 17 grand with 60k miles.. None of these cars get good gas milage, I would suggest that if you worry about that DO NOT GET ONE!...
My 2 cents
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