G4 CHALLENGE EDITION w/155K miles - Am I crazy to even think about it?

[LC4Dakar]

I've come across a Discovery G4 Challenge Edition for sale. It has 155,000 miles, looks super clean in and out, starts up and runs good.
NO service history.
It would not be a daily driver. Just playing in the desert and trips. No planned mods.
Has the locking diffs.
They are asking $8,500 negotiable.
I want it. It looks great, nice orange paint, everything but the passenger window works, and he has the part ordered for that.
I am scared to death of the engine with that many miles, and not too sure about the tranny.
I do not want to buy it and then put $8K-$10K into a rebuilt engine or a diesel conversion.

Thoughts?

 

[jpc1818]

MY 2006 LR3 has 240k miles on it...
Just stay onto of the maintenance and you should be fine..
Good luck

 

[Fivespddisco]

MY 2006 LR3 has 240k miles on it...
Just stay onto of the maintenance and you should be fine..
Good luck

WAY different trucks

The D2s are always a bit scarry but the hight miles makes me feel better about it.

 

[frank84]

With regular oil changes and some luck the V8 can go for quite a long time. My dad's '99 DII went to 325k with one head gasket change at ~75k and that was it. Got rid of the truck with the engine still running great.

 

[LR Max]

Ooooph. For $8.5k, it better be perfect inside and out. Does it have any extra goodies?

Probably a good place to start would be the local dealership. See if its been serviced there most of its life. Hopefully it has been. Then get an independent LR shop to provide an inspection. They will point out EVERY LITTLE problem and then you can decide how it stacks up. Good use of $75.

IMO for D2s, when was the head gaskets done. If they haven't been done, you'll end up doing them. Just seems too common with these trucks.

Personally, I'd say throw an extra $5k into your budget and look for an 05 or 06 LR3 with the V8 engine. Find one with good records. Will be A LOT better truck.

 

[SSF556]

Do you have pics....is this a G4 challenge truck from the USA?

 

[LC4Dakar]

Current owner actually owns the lot it is at. Says he and his dad have had lots of LRs. Has not had it long, did not get records with it.
Nearest dealership is 300+ miles away. No knowledgable local shops.
Not perfect, but still pretty nice.
US model.

 

[justaddmtns]

There's some ambiguity with any purchase like this. Considering what you need vs. what you want...is the real question right? It doesn't sound like you really "wanted" a G4...just a Disco. If that's the case, hang in there and wait for a clean DII for the money you want to spend. Either way with some regular maintenance and the CDL....and some good tires you'll be able to do everything you "need" to do....no rose-colored-glasses for the G4....IMHO

 

[KyleT]

My bet is they got it at auction cheap.

Not many 04's are worth $8500...

Trade in on a G4 is $2100 to 4100
Private party excellent chape wich I bet it is more like good or average as almost all are, is only $5500.

I personally saw very clean 03 and 04 trucks with 120-150k get $2000 consistently as trade ins.

so essentially you are buying Orange paint.

 

[pugslyyy]

As I recall, the dealers had a tough time moving the G4s and debadged a bunch of them. I think they are supposed to say 'the ultimate global adventure' across the top above the windshield. The G4 is a nice example of the Disco 2 - I would just have a real hard time getting to that price point.

 

[LC4Dakar]

Yeah. They will have to move a lot on the price. It's been for sale for a couple of months, too.

 

[spikemd]

Hmmm...I understand the lust for Tangiers Orange, but there are few red flags...buying for a dealer #1, they have no history on the truck and probably bought it at auction because another dealer couldn't move it or required too much money to fix it...no records because the dealer doesn't know the truck at all...high price for a truck that isnt worth it. If you are serious, you need to take it to a competent LR mechanic for a close look before purchase.

If you can stretch your budget, LR3s are dropping below the 10k mark now. Much improved vehicle in every way...engine...suspension...cargo space...overall comfort.

You never know when the disco is going to crap itself. My buddy just dropped in a rebuilt 4.6 in his 2001 disco that he has had since new. All scheduled maintenance, took incredible care of the truck but engine blew up. That's what the old Buick engine can do to you...

 

[bri]

If you are considering anything near $8500, you are crazy. I assume since the dealer knows LR and what he has, he thinks a collector piece. it is certainly priced that way.

If he thinks all of the above, you'd be silly to do it since is is > 2x the price that it should be.

Dealer on it is 3600, which is the most anyone should pay for something unrestored. Frankly I cannot imagine driving around in such an oddly colored vehicle.

 

[GaAlpinaowner]

I like Tangiers colored D2's. Price is a bit high for mileage. 50/50 gamble if it will need motor. Does it tick? Probably will have other issues to fix or stop excessive leaking. Have a d2 expert check it out my advice. I took the gamble and spent a lot to make mine right. But I am glad I did.

 

[samer0214]

Forget that it's a G4 edition for a little bit, and yourself a question. Should I be buying a Land Rover this old, with this mileage and no records, and without having it inspected by a local specialist? That's what you are doing, and the answer should be a big NO, and applies not just to this particular vehicle, but any car/truck you are buying.

You are lusting after this particular vehicle because it's a Special Edition vehicle, and forgetting that it's being sold by a dealer who, has no knowledge about LRs, and probably bought it at auction, had it cleaned up and polished, and is asking for a $3K premium probably playing up the G4 Special Edition status.



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