dcarr1971
Adventurer
Like the others here have said, get it looked over but an independent Rover mechanic. I own both a D1 and a D2. Despite similar looks, they're truly different animals and both are great vehicles in their own right. My D2 was my first Rover, and it's the one that I've off-road-ed the most. It is solid, roomy, comfortable, and will go just about anywhere most people would want to take it. That extra 7" of length can occasionally get in the way though...
My D1 is a 5-spd, has a cheap aftermarket Thrush muffler in place of the stock exhaust, so it sounds great, and IMO it's just plain fun to drive all the time... The D1 is simpler (even though it's a '96), feels more agile, and has been very reliable. That said, it's not anywhere near as comfortable as the D2, and if you need to haul stuff (i.e.- kids and a 95lb German Shepherd) on long trips to go 4-wheeling, then you might be better off with a D2.
My D1 is a 5-spd, has a cheap aftermarket Thrush muffler in place of the stock exhaust, so it sounds great, and IMO it's just plain fun to drive all the time... The D1 is simpler (even though it's a '96), feels more agile, and has been very reliable. That said, it's not anywhere near as comfortable as the D2, and if you need to haul stuff (i.e.- kids and a 95lb German Shepherd) on long trips to go 4-wheeling, then you might be better off with a D2.