Looking to buy a disco 2

[oscar the grouch]

Anything I need to look for? Ive seen some mention of a tcase lock

http://macon.craigslist.org/search/cta?query=land+rover+discovery

Any of these look promising?

 

[Rocky Crag]

I clicked on your link and only saw one D2. There were two D1's however. I don't know what your purposes are but as the owner of a D2 if I were shopping and knowing what I now know, I would be buying a D1. In almost all cases D1's and D2's qualify as "old" and it's better in my mind to have an "old" car with simple systems (relative) vs. more complex systems. I only use my D2 for recreation not a daily driver. I love my '04 D2 and if you're set on one, yes only the '04 came with a locking transfer case. All D1s have it and some years of D2 can have it fitted by adding a lever (up to '01 I believe), while others require switching the case. You've got more research to do and more than I can (or want to) write here but search Discovery head gaskets, front driveshaft joints, three amigos, and there'll be plenty to keep you busy for awhile.

 

[oscar the grouch]

Thanks. I have a jeep rock Crawler but was looking for something cheap and more family friendly. An older Cherokee is another option

 

[454]

"Cheap" and "Rover" don't know one another.

 

[oscar the grouch]

Haha. Yeah. I'm a jeep guy I know that feeling. There is a disco with a Chevy v6 in the classifieds. Thoughts on it?

 

[454]

I haven't looked at that one, but as a rule I would avoid swaps like that. Stock is best as a starting point. YMMV

Edit: I just read the FS post. Not to poop on that guy's thread, but here goes. It'd be easier if you paid a hobo seven grand to run up and kick you in the junk at random for the next three or four years. The result would be the same.

 

[oscar the grouch]

Hahahahaa. Noted

 

[XJLI]

Haha. Yeah. I'm a jeep guy I know that feeling.

It's way different. In my Jeep I was always like, "oh another 500 here, another 275 there so this is better, that is better add this or that." With the Rover its, "****, I need a radiator hose. I can buy one for $50 and wait 3-4 days for it to ship or go to the dealer and spend $200." I've had very good luck with my D1, but it was pretty well maintained when I bought it. Has 130k now, and I plan on driving it until the motor doesn't turn anymore. It's staying pretty much stock, my XJ was too ridiculous for the (lack of) wheeling I do. I'll echo everyone and say find a good condition stock D1.

I'm currently starting to gather up a good collection of spares... I picked up a NOS Genuine LR lower rad hose off of this forum for $45 bucks... from the dealer its something like $250. Aftermarket parts are junk for these things. I replaced what I "thought" was an old LR upper rad hose with a cheap one, it already looks like crap. I'm probably going to put the old LR one back on.

 

[getlost4x4]

With a Rover you learn to keep up on maintenance. Its really not hard. Worry about changing out all the fluids when you get one. Replace all the radiator hoses and put in a cooler running thermostat. I've had 4 rovers now. 2 Range Rover Classics, A 2001 Range Rover and now a 2000 Disco 2. I've never had a single catastrophic failure.

The worst things I had are a pin hole in a radiator hose, a radiator, a starter, fuel pump and a fuse box melted down. All of those were in the 2001 Range Rover, which wasn't taken very good care of until I got it.

In my disco2, all I've done since I bought it 5 months ago is changed all the fluids and put a 180 degree thermostat in it. It had the motor replaced before I bought it. Runs great, leaks engine oil all over. I still need to reseal the oil pan gasket, but I haven't gotten around to it. Maybe in the spring. I'll also replace the valve cover gaskets while I've got it torn apart.

I paid $3100 for mine with 139K miles. I'm already at 149K miles in 5 months. Its already been to Moab once. Mine is an SE7, fully loaded with 7 seats.

I added a roof rack, OME springs, Bilstien Shocks, ARB front Bumper, 32" tires, 16" wheels, and a 10K winch.

 

[oscar the grouch]

So a D1 is an option. I'm willing to travel. Anyone have a good deal they know of?

 

[Christophe Noel]

Here's a very rough overview of a buyer's guide I compiled for the home page:

http://expeditionportal.com/buyers-guide-purchasing-a-discovery-ii/

The best year for the DII is the 2004. That said, don't expect anything about DII ownership to be cheap. The purchase price can be quickly eclipsed by repair invoices. I loved my DII but it was unrivaled as the worst automotive experience I have, or likely will, ever have. Darn near everything that could go wrong...went wrong. Easily pushing the $6000 mark for repairs. The most unreliable vehicle on the planet.

 

[getlost4x4]

There are quite a few D1's for sale in the Salt Lake City Area.

http://www.ksl.com/auto/listing/1832387?ad_cid=7

http://www.ksl.com/auto/search/inde...&search.x=32&search.y=18&search=Search+raquo;

 

[Drover]

As you can tell by my user name , I was quite the finatic.


Buy a Toyota


The "Land Rover" thing is like dating a really really hot chick, who is crazy! Its a-lot of fun, you spend too much money, your up all night ending up sweaty & greasy from it, your friends are jealous, you get admission into some sort of weird club... but it gets mad at you for no reason, throws fits seemingly randomly, has unexplained issues which it somehow solves on its own only after you try a bunch of different things (and spend a bunch of money) to solve it... and yet you can't resist getting in it every chance you can.


That pretty much sums it up!

 

[11b4v]

if you're a good shade tree mechanic, dont worry so much

If you're a good shade tree mechanic, don't worry so much. Repairs get expensive only when you "drop it off at the mechanic"

I picked my 00 years ago with 113 on the clock, and Im up to 192 now. There are still some well cared for trucks out there. Mine had never been off road until I added all the goodies. You'll know if a truck has been well cared for my crawling underneath it. First owner was OCD on maintenance-I still have all receipts and the original window sticker in the glove box. Two drive shafts, an alternator, radiator, rear prop shaft donut, throttle body heater once, (second time I did the bypass), plugs/wires, crank position sensor and did AC line seals too. All those repairs are easy, DIY. Lots of how to out there for these trucks, and still great sources for new and used parts at reasonable prices as well.

But, I do have a back up, which is my 01 DII, $1100 blown head gasket special with only 86K. Did the head gaskets myself for less than $700 with parts from Will Tillery, AB, Marty Powell, et al. We're up to 102K in it now with no major issues.

again, if you're a decent home mechanic, got a code reader and the internet, you can enjoy these trucks without that much worry.

 

[oscar the grouch]

I do all my own work. Built several buggies and rock krawlers. Know my way around some tools.

You guys are making me lean more Cherokee.....m