Looking to buy a disco.

[88wildrunner]

i am looking to buy a new truck to use as an expedition type vehicle since my built 4runner was recently stolen (damn people have no respect). i found this rover on craigslist.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/1048256268.html

does this one look like a good buy if it runs well. i am new to rovers and would prefer a cruiser but these seem to be cheaper to start a build. i have heard about how rovers leak the windows breaks and abs can be funky. is the 1996 a good year. i dont mind fixing little things all cars have issues especially when taken off road, but i dont want to be chasing engine leaks and electrical problems for ever. also if a head gasket or the window breaks is it usually a one time fix and it good for a long time like toyotas or they just break all the time. also how many miles can one expect to get out of a rover, this one has around 150000 on it.

if you guys have any advice for me that would be great. thanks guys

 

[Chucaro]

IMO if you prefer Toyotas go for them. To own a LR you have to have passion for them. To me they are the most capable 4WD "from the box".
All vehilces have one kind of problems and the Discos have some as well.
1996 is a good year and 1998 are for me the very best.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

That looks like an exceptionally clean specimen and must have been cared for, but the milage is a bit up there as is the price, I think. A vehicle of that vintage would probably be more in the area of $3000.

However, if you don't already know that you NEED a Land Rover, then they're probably not for you.

 

[MattScott]

I don't know if I'd compare a Toyota to a Rover...

...must not question loyalty, must not....

 

[stevenmd]

If you live the Bay Area, whatever you decide to buy, take it to Cerrone's European first and have Tony & Frank check it out for you. Check out http://lrrforums.com/ and you will see a link to their shop.

...and yes, if you don't need a landie, then they are not for you!:ylsmoke:

 

[Desertoutpost]

Agree Rover is either already in your blood or not. I own a Toyota and a Rover, both capable but, I feel something special when I drive the Rover, it could just be me drifitng but, I do not do it in the FJ. Good luck. The D1's seem a little better off road, shorter, entrance exit angles a bit better, do not have the three amigo's. That one is a white manual cloth, all good options. Probably get it looked at and a good drive. They all leak! They are a Lucas.

 

[shake'n'bake]

See if they have maintenance records on it, I agree that you should have it checked by a mechanic that knows land rovers. and see if you can get him down to $3500 that seems like a reasonable offer. I recently got a 98 Disco I and love it. good luck with the search

 

[stevenmd]

is the 1996 a good year.

"They" say 1996 is the worst year but I had a 1996 and I drove her to hell and back and she was old faithful. Jarrell on here has a 1996 all camo'd out and it has been good to him too. I know quite a few guys with '96's and have heard no troubles that were out of the ordinary.

 

[Gore Ranger]

that truck looks like it is very clean and unmolested. You can't tell the rust situation from the pics. If it is rust free, and mechanically sound, then it would probably command 2-3K. IF it is crusty underneath then you should probably walk away, although that is not likely if it is a california car.

 

[Green96D1]

"They" say 1996 is the worst year but I had a 1996 and I drove her to hell and back and she was old faithful. Jarrell on here has a 1996 all camo'd out and it has been good to him too. I know quite a few guys with '96's and have heard no troubles that were out of the ordinary.

Thanks Steven. I have a 1996 and it's been good. Like with anything older things have to be replaced but my Discovery is on the same engine and trans and it's almost 13 years old!:victory::coffeedrink:

 

[88wildrunner]

i am a fan of the rovers and understand the respect they demand, however i am just new to them. ive always thought about buying a land rover. the main reason ive never actually bought one is that ive always thought that they cost a lot to buy which i found out is not true. my main concern is reliablilty, how many miles can i expect to get out of this rover if it has been well maintained and if i keep up on the maintenance which i always do. i dont want to be in the middle of know such as down in baja and have something uexpectingly break leaving me stranded ( which is rare,but you always have to be thinking about the unexpected) and i think the discoveries look bad MMM, and this one has classic expedition styling.

 

[Green96D1]

88wildrunner

Do you live the Bay Area if so there are quite a few of us myself included that would be more than willing to help out with what to look for in the rovers. tips and tricks:coffeedrink:

if you keep up on maintnence then the Land Rover will be your best friend.

 

[stevenmd]

88wildrunner

Do you live the Bay Area if so there are quite a few of us myself included that would be more than willing to help out with what to look for in the rovers. tips and tricks:coffeedrink:

if you keep up on maintnence then the Land Rover will be your best friend.

don't forget about: http://nclrclub.org/

 

[R_Lefebvre]

how many miles can i expect to get out of this rover if it has been well maintained

None. You can't *expect* anything out of them. That's the thing with Rovers. There's a good chance that it will be fine, and give you years of service if you look after it and minor repairs. Or it could MMMM the bed on the first trip. It's not like a Toyota where if you keep up on the maintenance, you are pretty much guaranteed a trouble free ride.

 

[Navman]

If you're willing to spend $5k on a '96, I'll sell you mine. It only has 149k on it.:sombrero:

The '96s had some issues but if it's made it to 150k everything should have been sorted out by now. It will still leak (oil from the bottom and water from the top) and have the occasional electrical surprises. Mine has been rock solid for the last 100k.