Looking into 2003 Discovery

[Photog]

It would be used for mild offroad, camping, taking clients on day off-road trips.

If you are taking "Clients" out for off-raod day trips, you will not want some pesky little problem to pop up, every time you venture out. Since these clients are depending on you and your rig, stick with something dependable.

 

[Scott Brady]

Get a 2004 DII or a DI. The DI is more dependable (quicky still, but will nearly always get you home) and the 04 is the last of the build years and most likely a higher quality solution. It also has the CDL. I would not even concider a non-cdl adaptable DII.

I have heard very good reports on the 04 DII's, and very few failures.

For me, the choice was easy. Buy the most simple of the Discovery's and steadily remove the failure points. I am very happy so far, and will often grab the keys for the DI before my Tacoma now.

 

[TeriAnn]

I'm glad this thread got started, because the initial price on these trucks is quite tempting. I've always been scared of the upkeep maintanence costs?

There are reasons why Discoverys and Range Rovers don't hold their value and why owners of said vehicles always suggest an extended warranty.

They work well when everything works. But considering poor fuel mileage with an engine requiring premium they are expensive to drive and they are expensive to maintain. I suggest looking into costs and time between repairs long and hard before plunking down your $$$.

:Mechanic:

 

[FortyMileDesert]

Sure are a lot of NON LATE MODEL D2 experts on here. :clapsmile

Mine is at 60,000 miles now and has completed 72 serious off-road treks.:26_7_2:

So far (other than regular maintenance) it has needed:
* brake light switch.
* front drive shaft.
* two head light bulbs.

 

[rripatti]

They are addicting trucks aren't day

Get a 2004 DII or a DI. The DI is more dependable (quicky still, but will nearly always get you home) and the 04 is the last of the build years and most likely a higher quality solution. It also has the CDL. I would not even concider a non-cdl adaptable DII.

I have heard very good reports on the 04 DII's, and very few failures.

For me, the choice was easy. Buy the most simple of the Discovery's and steadily remove the failure points. I am very happy so far, and will often grab the keys for the DI before my Tacoma now.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

Latest FZJ80 was made in 1997 and they cost upwards of $15000 in stock form.

If you shop around some this will not be the case. 1.5 years ago I got a 1997 Lexus LX450 for $12.2 and I over paid because I was tired of looking. Today, the 96-97's are out there for 8-10K in great shape. Some will even have FACTORY TRIPLE ELECTRIC LOCKERS which saves you thousands on your build.

Once bought, it takes under $1000 to lift the sucker to the point you can slap on 35's and run almost any trail. No axle or driveline upgrades are needed to run 35-36" tires.

I am in luv with both Cruisers AND Rovers. I'm not trying to start anything here. I am just pointing out the costs of an 80-series Cruiser (and how easy they are to build).

 

[Christophe Noel]

You need to realize a rover developes all sorts of leaks including a rather ugly leak in your bank accounts.

That would have to be one sa-weet '03 to fetch that price. I found a very nice (that means maint. records) '02 with 50,000 miles for under $12,000. Of course I then immediately dumped about $3000 into it with all the usual repairs with head gasket, brakes, and all sorts of stuff. For that coin I'd either buy a nice DI and plunk $10,000 into killer mods or buy an '04 and leave her stock.

 

[rmccoy]

Look at a 2004 instead. I have a 2003 and as others have mentioned, no CDL. Not only no linkage (older DIIs have the nib on the transfer case, but no linkage) but no nib on the transfer case. If, at some point you want to get CDL, you will then need to replace the transfer case with a 2004 or and older DII tranfer case that has the nib (e.g., from when the DII was introduced to early 2002). Or you can contact Aschcroft transmission as I believe they have the parts to modify the 2003 transfer case, but I haven't seen any reviews from people who have gone this route.

Also, the "Three Amigos" is a constant, annoying, problem.

 

[ShottsCruisers]

You need to realize a rover developes all sorts of leaks including a rather ugly leak in your bank accounts.

That would have to be one sa-weet '03 to fetch that price. I found a very nice (that means maint. records) '02 with 50,000 miles for under $12,000. Of course I then immediately dumped about $3000 into it with all the usual repairs with head gasket, brakes, and all sorts of stuff. For that coin I'd either buy a nice DI and plunk $10,000 into killer mods or buy an '04 and leave her stock.

My mechanic has another D3 right now with 60K miles and ABS out, engine, tranny and T-case all leaking. He's fixed a few now for folks.

 

[Z O O R O P A]

in short

if you are seriously considering a Landy other than a 04 have your SO slap as hard as she/he can in the face :wings: