Getting Sick of the Rover...

[Scott Brady]

I'm leaving it to you guys, throw some ideas at me. Something that is really reliable, gets above 15. Has a fair amount of room. Decent resale value. I'm looking to spend around 15-18k

4Runner... No brainer IMO. Find a nice 2005 or 2006 with a V6.

I do believe that a Discovery can be supremely reliable, but it requires a proactive, as opposed to reactive approach. With my DI, it has not shown even the smallest of issues so far (other than the window regulator plastic rollers).

I think the key is to build them moderately and have an aggressive PM schedule. Replace known failure points with more robust solutions.

My DI is the most simple of all Discos brought to the US, and with good PM and upgrading, have been extremely happy so far.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

if going for a 4Runner, I would get the V8. Tied to the 5spd, it's a great pkg.
the V8 will have more low end grunt and power without too much sacrifice on mpg's.
Once modded, I think the fuel savings between the two will be shaved even more.

The V6 is great though make sure you get it w/ the 5spd.

 

[MattScott]

4Runner... No brainer IMO. Find a nice 2005 or 2006 with a V6.

I do believe that a Discovery can be supremely reliable, but it requires a proactive, as opposed to reactive approach. With my DI, it has not shown even the smallest of issues so far (other than the window regulator plastic rollers).

I think the key is to build them moderately and have an aggressive PM schedule. Replace known failure points with more robust solutions.

My DI is the most simple of all Discos brought to the US, and with good PM and upgrading, have been extremely happy so far.

Thanks for all the great replies guys.

I agree with alot of things said in this post, the discovery can be reliable, but I bought mine, with 138,xxx miles on it. I'm at 148,xxx and I've loved every mile of it, honestly I love the vehicle.

But I think in reality I love vehicle dependant traveling more,

How does a 4runner stack up to a disco in terms of off road capability?

As for the monthly payment vs repair cost analisis, from recent history, the monthly would be about the same as repairing the vehicle, and with a monthly payment, I would get some form of equity in form of toyotas high resale value. I think...

 

[viatierra]

There are so many things I miss about my D90 and D1... but I sleep so much better with my Tacoma in the driveway.

 

[MattScott]

There are so many things I miss about my D90 and D1... but I sleep so much better with my Tacoma in the driveway.

I know what you mean.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

I've offroaded the V6/4spd 4Runner w/ a modded Disco1 and 2. It is comparable and i'll say better in many respects, in my biased opinion.

The good thing is Toyota just intro'd the Trail Edition 4Runner with factory rear locker. V6, 5spd, 16" wheels, nav... this one is appealing as something to build up a bit and enjoy.

 

[MattScott]

Here it is, I've done my best to keep track of all PM and modify it with tasteful parts.

 

[revor]

This is going to bite me for sure .... but both my 97's and one 99 have been silly reliable, If one considers the abuse my Black one gets I'm starting to think it continues to run just to spite me! Suspension changes Gear changes transfer case changes axle changes, engine changes, different cam's, add (then remove) a Supercharger, Headers on, headers off. It's tested and crash tested most everything i've made or prototyped without concern for its overall health... It's just an old test mule.

Major repairs in the last year have only been window regulators, if you don't count the TD5. Well that and it doesn't like water in the security ECU but that's my fault for not re-sealing the roof up after creating holes.

The Black one has 135K bought it with 70K
The yellow one has 145K bought with 120K
The Red (99 Disco) Has 40K bought it with 11K

I'd drive any one of them anywhere anytime. Of course the Fender would be the first choice for a long remote trip.

 

[Christian P.]

I usually tend to stay away from the whole land rover/toyota debate for various reasons...

But all I will say is that I went from a Discovery II 1999 to a 4Runner 2001 and I can write a novel about how more reliable my Toyota is.

That being said, I do miss the style, power and look of the Discovery. But I prefer knowing that I will be able to get back home on Sunday night when driving back from Tahoe...

 

[Christian P.]

The good thing is Toyota just intro'd the Trail Edition 4Runner with factory rear locker. V6, 5spd, 16" wheels, nav... this one is appealing as something to build up a bit and enjoy.

Dude you got me too excited for a moment..I thought they were available with a 5 speed manual transmission...not 5 spd automatic...

 

[TroutBear]

Before we purchased our first 4WD vehicle, I just knew I wanted a Disco - not being up for the $$ on a Defender. Drove a few, looked some more and sat down to talk w/ two outstanding Mercedes techs / shop owners whom I known 20 years plus - both of these guys had serviced Rovers of various styles over the years also. After that, I looked at Toyota's 80 series LCs and purchased a '94 one w/ ~ 110K on it.

It's the only vehicle that I can say I love as much as the 123 chassis Benzs. 50K later, we continue to build onto it - more for trips than the rock crawling stuff and it's still an awesome vehicle.

Check out the culture - www. IH8MUD.com I'd like to locate a Series Rover one day because of the whole Old England thing, but I'll still be driving the 80 in another 20 years.

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

I'm in the same boat as Revor - imagine that....or don't

I've had the '94 since new; I change fluids before it's scheduled, hoses, brakes, etc before they wear out....there was that issue with the rotoflex, but it really was Revor's fault ...and the thing just keeps on going!

I hope I'm far enough away from it that it doesn't hear me and do womething stoopid!

KAA

 

[revor]

I hear you guys on the Toyota reliability thing! And really there is no other that can compare.(besides LR)....When it comes to mechanical design....... But I've owned both and even..... A lot of Fords... In reality electrically they are all the same, add extra doo dads and other garbage. (more doo dads = more trouble)
None of them scare me. In a Rover the statagy is the same as a Toy or a Honda or a Dodge Minivan. How the stratagy is applied matters a lot, how you route wires. what connectors to use. LR does a famous job (as good as toy and Honda) in that respect. Rovers tend to get beat up because of the design, it's an old design and IMO a better design for troubleshooting. The late model Toy leaves your senses on the side of the road when it comes to figuring out what goes where ( I play with lots of late model Toy stuff that unless you understand about switching grounds and creating null circuits by applying 12VDC on both ends of the circuit you are in mystery land) That is what makes it work forever .... until... There is a problem. Then you are left scratching your head. But this is the same for anything built about the turn of the century... (crap I'm Old!!!)
In all cases though there is only one sensor on any late model (OBD2) vehicle that will leave you stranded and that is the crank position sensor. On earlier trucks the ignition module/coil.. Really in comparison All the worlds manufacturers use the same "stuff" to make their cars go. If a CPS goes on a Toy it's probably made by Futaba, on a Rover Bosch on a Merc Bosch on a Ford Tyco.. By current standards of manufacturing and ISO 9001+ Standards of quality each part is the same as the other relative to quality, each will go just as long and as far as the next without replacement.

I dunno where I'm going with this other than to say that they are all as reliable as you make them, cleaning the extra oil from the engine bay, keeping the seals and tie rod ends/U joins free from garbage and dirt.. Just Normal TLC goes a long way regardless of the manufacturer...

My Fender.... = 0.00000 Doo dads..... Well there is XM.....

 

[SeaRubi]

keep the smoke in. much happiness.

(c'mon man ... keep the disco!!@!!!! give it a chance. )

-wishingHeHadARover

 

[hochung]

(c'mon man ... keep the disco!!@!!!! give it a chance. )

NO! MattScott is done.

... honestly I love the vehicle.

You think you do. But you don't.

Just let it go, file for divorce and find yourself a new one.