Help me make a choice....

[GunshipDriver]

So I just missed out on a "great opportunity" to buy a very well maintained and well built up '98 Disco.

I don't know or think I'll find another as nice around the low $4k mark and now am looking at 2004 Discos based on what I've been reading here or possibly an LR3.

This vehicle would replace the wife's '07 Tundra as she wants an SUV again and something not quite as long. We like Toyotas and have been looking at the 100 series as well... but I really like the idea of owning our first Land Rover.

Could you all help steer me in the right direction in trying to find a "reliable" Land Rover?

Many Thanks in advance! :bike_rider:

 

[AlohaRover]

Could you all help steer me in the right direction in trying to find a "reliable" Land Rover?

Sure. Buy a toy

 

[SeaRubi]

Aloha? Damn - it's been a long time since I last saw you 'round a PCRC fire! Welcome to ExPo!! :sombrero: How is your '88 doing?

cheers from SeaRover :elkgrin:

 

[stu454]

Buy a P38!

Don't buy a P38!

Now that that is out of the way, I'd advise an '04 D2.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

My 04 has been pretty good. Sure, the front driveshaft failed, but at least my frame doesn't flex like a Tundra!

 

[GunshipDriver]

Sure. Buy a toy

Mahalo for the advice! Land Rovers seem to be quite a good deal at the moment and the interior fit and finish seem second to none.

I've had a few different 4x4s and do enjoy doing my own maintenance and don't mind getting my hands dirty...

So are 2004 Discos supposed to be the model with the most kinks worked out of them? I guess it also helps that its the last year they were made...

Anyone got any input on 2005-2006 LR3s?

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Yes, 04 supposedly have the most kinks worked out, plus the CDL and 4.6L engine are nice. Otherwise, guys tend to recommend a 99 D1 for the same reason, it's got the most kinks worked out.

I don't know much about LR3's, but I try to avoid first model years as a matter of course. Especially with the "domestics", of which I consider the LR3 to be pretty closely related to a Ford.

 

[Navman]

If you want a DII the '04 seems to be the year.

I would avoid an '05 LR3. I'm not sure about the '06s as I've just begun paying attention to LR3s once we bought ours. The LR3s are really cool and come with about 20 different electronic control settings (for good or bad - you decide). The coolest feature is that I can flick a lever an get an instant 2" lift. I won't discuss the downside to that though. The worst thing about the LR3 is that I don't want to use mine too hard because it's too nice. I need to get a beater. But, the prices are pretty good.

FWIW, I sold my DI because I just couldn't get comfortable in it. The driver compartment is just too cramped for my 6'2" frame.

Should you buy your first Land Rover? Sure. A year from now you will either be hooked, or will own another Toyota.

 

[GunshipDriver]

If you want a DII the '04 seems to be the year.

I would avoid an '05 LR3. I'm not sure about the '06s as I've just begun paying attention to LR3s once we bought ours. The LR3s are really cool and come with about 20 different electronic control settings (for good or bad - you decide). The coolest feature is that I can flick a lever an get an instant 2" lift. I won't discuss the downside to that though. The worst thing about the LR3 is that I don't want to use mine too hard because it's too nice. I need to get a beater. But, the prices are pretty good.

FWIW, I sold my DI because I just couldn't get comfortable in it. The driver compartment is just too cramped for my 6'2" frame.

Should you buy your first Land Rover? Sure. A year from now you will either be hooked, or will own another Toyota.

Thanks for the info.. I can relate to what you're saying... I'm 6'2" / 190lb but my wife would be the primary driver... We have two boys at 1 and 3 years and a 80lb rottweiler.

After reading your post I think I definitely need to jump in and get my feet wet with a Land Rover... Right now I'm focussed between a '04 Disco (in the $10k range) or a '06 LR3 (in the $20k range--not sure if it would get wheeled though)... Gotta talk to the Mrs. and get her input I guess... :ylsmoke:

 

[crusader]

Land Rovers seem to be quite a good deal at the moment and the interior fit and finish seem second to none.

Hmm...They must have improved things since the 98 Discoveries. I think that was probably the cheapest, cheesiest plastic interior I've ever had on ANY vehicle I've ever owned, and that was the version with the fake burlwood dash panels even!

Geez, the interior fit and finish was even cheaper than the old stripped down Nissan pickup I owned from the "side view mirrors and rear bumpers are options" era.

You should be able to source truckloads of mid to late 90s Discoveries for $1500-$3000 at this point. At least that seems to be the case around here...

 

[Rovertrader]

The '04 D-II if the budget is such, but the rear seat is not the best for kids and carseats, etc- especially w/ a 2" lift and tires. However, I love wheeling ours. The LR3- avoid '05 & '06 if possible, and do wheel it. Don't let the 'pretty' dissuade you- it is extremely capable- and fun. And for the kids- perfect. In fact the kids get a lot less bothered off road in the LR3 than the Disco, as it is so smooth. A 2" lift on the LR3 and a bumper/winch... send me your email and I'll send pics of both trucks. Just my 2c.. but remember, the more comfortable the wife and kids are, the more you will be doing :smiley_drive:

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I haven't had any problem with the wife and kids off-road with the D2. Removing the front swaybar helps a lot. My wife rode in the truck up until she was 6 months pregnant. My son used to fall asleep in his carseat offroad when he was 2.

 

[GunshipDriver]

The '04 D-II if the budget is such, but the rear seat is not the best for kids and carseats, etc- especially w/ a 2" lift and tires. However, I love wheeling ours. The LR3- avoid '05 & '06 if possible, and do wheel it. Don't let the 'pretty' dissuade you- it is extremely capable- and fun. And for the kids- perfect. In fact the kids get a lot less bothered off road in the LR3 than the Disco, as it is so smooth. A 2" lift on the LR3 and a bumper/winch... send me your email and I'll send pics of both trucks. Just my 2c.. but remember, the more comfortable the wife and kids are, the more you will be doing :smiley_drive:

Wow... looking at your sig it looks like you have the whole family... a '97, '04, and an LR3.

Would you mind sharing a little of your personal experience with the three vehicles maintenance/reliability-wise?

I definitely love the way a kit'ed LR3 looks and I have seen a few 2006 in my price range.. was there anything in particular to look out for with that year (i.e. are they things that I could look for in an inspection/test drive?)

my email is elum79@hotmail.com AND eric.lum@usmc.mil :smiley_drive:

 

[nwoods]

Should you buy your first Land Rover? Sure. A year from now you will either be hooked, or will own another Toyota.

Wow that is hilarious, and so true....

A while back I wrote a quick article on "Buying A Used LR3 (V6 or V8?, Which Options?, Cautions?)"
http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=78, it may be of help to you in considering LR3 options.


The decision between an 04 Disco and an LR3, if those are your two choices, is very interesting. The 04 Disco, with about $10k in upgrades, will far surpass the LR3 off road, but it will never equal the LR3 in comfort, spaciousness, and handling. The LR3, is amazing off road, but you are very limited in what you can do to make it even better. Stock, the LR3 will surpass the D2, but the D2 can be built up to be much more capable. The LR3 will never be able to be "built up" other than add-on accessories. Also, the cost of LR3 accessories is MUCH more expensive than D2 stuff.

If you are physically small in stature and can comfortably fit a D2, and want to build up a durable highly capable off road rig, the 04 is a good vehicle, and is owner serviceable (as long as you own an OBDII reader with reset abilities) to clear the Three Amigo's.

If you are looking for a rig that can do everything up to, but not necessarily including the Rubicon trail, the LR3 is an excellent vehicle and makes a great daily driver as well. It is not as durable as the D2, so the frequency in which you take if offroad should be considered as well. Capable yes, durable... not so much. The bushings and so forth wear out fairly quickly. It is far more versatile than the D2, and it's design and construction techniques are literally decades more current. However, it is not easily serviceable by yourself.

 

[lwg]

Just to clear up the space issue in a D2, I'm 6'5" and considerably bigger than 190 and fit comfortably in my '00 D2. I had to remove the cup holder on the drivers side but have no problem spending 12+ hours in my truck, well except for the lack of power but that's getting fixed soon.

Also I would prefer a D2 to an LR3 off-road, everytime. The LR3 is plenty capable but has a massive body that tends to get into the way as well as the lack of approach/departure angle. But then again comparing a D2 to an LR3 is really apples to Oranges. Kind of like comparing a Series to a Range Rover Classic.