Land Rover Discovery 1 or 2, or Range Rover Classic 1 or 2

[pixelcodex]

Hello, question from a newbie to this forum here. First of all I live in the USA, so a diesel option (though I would rather have one) are not an option from the factory. I am looking at selling my car, getting a truck/suv as an overlander/travel vehicle for the family (wife + toddler and 1 on the way), to add a hitch to the back and carry my dirt bike, possible roof tent (cause they are just plain cool), but will also be a daily driver, all of this with a reasonable MPG.

I have been reading these forums as much as I can about different brands/models and opinions are as varied as can be.

Due to their availability and seemingly good price, I am looking at getting a Land Rover Discovery I/II or Range Rover Classic from late 90's or very early 2000's. My question is for those that have owned both and can weigh in on which one they recommend.

I can weigh in on some other factors if it will help et opinions.

Thanks!!

 

[Scott Brady]

When you look at all of them, which one do you like most? Is there a love at first sight?

 

[AxeAngel]

Is there a need for practicality?
Who will be maintaining this vehicle?
What is more important daily driver comfort or trail capability?

-Sam

 

[pixelcodex]

looks, maintenance, preferences...

@Scott, I definitely like the look of the Discovery more, but I am willing to go with the RR if somebody was to say: ie. "The discos have electrical problems and are a pain to work on and they leave you stranded, whereas the RR will keep going no matter what and are easy to work on..."

@AxeAngel, I do still need it for a daily driver, so there is a need for it to still be practical. I will be doing most of the basic maintenance, though I am not expert mechanic, so I would be leaving the "big stuff" if any to a mechanic. I own 2 adventure motorcycles, so this would mean to be a "compromise" of sorts, where I can go on vacations with the family and still explore around. I guess I would like it to be comfortable enough (I come from an Audi A3) but still be able to go explore the beaten path.

Appreciate all the expert feedback.

Fernando

 

[LtFuzz]

Lr3

(R should be capitalized but this BBS autocorrects me for some reason.)

 

[AzRover]

Don't expect good gas milage, I get 12 mpg in my 03 Discovery. 90+ octane.

 

[Rocket Ship]

I guess I would like it to be comfortable enough (I come from an Audi A3) but still be able to go explore the beaten path.

If this is important to you, you'll need to test drive all 3 to see for yourself. Big difference between them all, with the D2 being the best. All 3 of them, stock, will go pretty much anywhere a big adventure motorcycle will. The only real exception being, obviously, vehicle width. I've been places where the big bikes struggle, but which were literally child's play in a truck. There are places such as narrow trails, or off-camber or heavily rutted areas that a truck will struggle with and a bike will squeak by. But it's rare.

I don't think anybody can say with any credibility that "If you buy X, it WILL cause you more problems than Y." Unfortunately, much of this comes down to simple luck on the particular vehicle you end up with. ie: It's too close to call.

 

[pixelcodex]

Lr3

(R should be capitalized but this BBS autocorrects me for some reason.)

I am looking at late 90s early 00s because of how "cheap" those are for what they offer as well. An LR3 would be way out of my budget now.

 

[LtFuzz]

I am looking at late 90s early 00s because of how "cheap" those are for what they offer as well. An LR3 would be way out of my budget now.

Gotcha -- you can get project Discos and RRCs for $1200-$1500 all day long over at DiscoWeb.org

Red Mountain Rovers usually has a decent collection of clean DIIs. Not the cheapest but folks have good things to say about RMR.

Common wisdom says '95 is the best year for RRC, '99 for the DI, and '04 for the DII. YMMV, of course.

 

[Wander]

Mechanically the RRC's and DI's are similar. You will be able to find "newer" DI's as the RR's changed to the P38 style in the mid 90's. The higher roof profile of the Discovery gives the truck an airy, open feel inside that makes it seem larger. The LWB RRC's have a limo like back seat but that extra length doesn't help on the trail. Both of these options are getting old so the vehicles history is the key. Even so the age of these is such that you have to start thinking about engine rebuilds/swaps, new seals, bushings and everything else rubber that cracks with time and age, etc,etc. The newest DII is an 04 so it DD ability with occasional travel is the goal I'd buy as new and as nice as I could afford. I know it sounds odd but you have to want a Land Rover to be happy with one. They are quirky and can be a maintainance nightmare if it was not taken care of. Nothing older and inexpensive will be perfect and I'm guessing your looking into Land Cruisers, 4Runners and similar which are also great choices, maybe better choices on the reliability side.

 

[Rocket Ship]

Gotcha -- you can get project Discos and RRCs for $1200-$1500 all day long over at DiscoWeb.org

I wouldn't drive one of these if you gave it to me. Other people's project vehicles are almost invariably mechanical disasters. Especially when they're cheap.

 

[Viggen]

I am looking at late 90s early 00s because of how "cheap" those are for what they offer as well. An LR3 would be way out of my budget now.

As long as you realize that cost of entry and cost of ownership are two completely different things. Im hoping that that is what the quotes meant.

 

[pixelcodex]

Mechanically the RRC's and DI's are similar. You will be able to find "newer" DI's as the RR's changed to the P38 style in the mid 90's. The higher roof profile of the Discovery gives the truck an airy, open feel inside that makes it seem larger. The LWB RRC's have a limo like back seat but that extra length doesn't help on the trail. Both of these options are getting old so the vehicles history is the key. Even so the age of these is such that you have to start thinking about engine rebuilds/swaps, new seals, bushings and everything else rubber that cracks with time and age, etc,etc. The newest DII is an 04 so it DD ability with occasional travel is the goal I'd buy as new and as nice as I could afford. I know it sounds odd but you have to want a Land Rover to be happy with one. They are quirky and can be a maintainance nightmare if it was not taken care of. Nothing older and inexpensive will be perfect and I'm guessing your looking into Land Cruisers, 4Runners and similar which are also great choices, maybe better choices on the reliability side.

I have been reading/looking at other choices, and I guess people's opinions here are varied depending a lot on what they have. I do like 4runners as a second choice, but I like Land Rovers a bit better I think and (with the risk of sounding naive) have the reputation for the "go anywhere vehicle". But I also don't want to get into a constant project car or money pit from the get go. This is why I am raising the question on this forum of owners/experts.

 

[pixelcodex]

As long as you realize that cost of entry and cost of ownership are two completely different things. Im hoping that that is what the quotes meant.

Yeah, the quotes were meant as how cheap they are now (around 4k) for what my perception of them is. But f I am getting into a situation where it is constantly broken or at the shop, then that obviously would not be something I want to get into. Can you elaborate on your comment about cost of ownership since I obviously never had one?

 

[Rocket Ship]

Can you elaborate on your comment about cost of ownership since I obviously never had one?

This is very difficult to answer, as it depends so much on how the particular vehicle is used. And luck.