Possibly in the market for a disco

[xCSx]

This will be mainly a future mini expo car (prob mostly long weekend trips) / a bad weather vehicle.
Do not want to spend more than $6000 on the vehicle itself (This does not include modification budget - but does include any initial mechanical work/preventive maintenance that needs to be done)

1) Mileage wise - what is the highest mileage you would go for if you had this budget?
2) I think I would rather have a 1999 DI or a 2004 D2 - the last year models seem to be the best. I obviously want the CDL built in.
3) Rust prone spots? I live in New Jersey so this could be important.
4) Headgasket issues - these should have been replaced by what mile marker you think? On both the 2004 and 99?


I really just want to get an idea, I see lots of Discos for sale on craigslist.

Any other tips?

Thanks

 

[454]

The D2 seems to have more HG issues than the D1. Mileage is less an issue than condition and the attention that the previous owner has expended. Remember, some of these are getting into their third and fourth owners, and each seems to pamper the vehicle less than the last.

Look for a truck with records. Also, the '04 trucks seems to be slipping liners more readily than earlier trucks. I'd go for the cleanest D1 you can find, '99 or not. Don't be afraid to pull up the carpet and inspect the floorboards. Look at Robison's shop blog for a good tutorial on what to look for.

I'd avoid sunroofs, as well.

 

[Ray_G]

I'm a D1 guy so I'll let others chime in on the D2's past saying the 04 is likely the way to go if you're going to do it and the adage that is quickly wearing thin just b/c us of time as mentioned by 454 is to get the lowest miles possible. Once upon a time you'd still be able to get under warranty and the like but now we're talking 8 years down the line...

So with the D1's...
94-95's are getting long in the tooth now for sure but do have the advantage that many will claim of being simpler; i.e. OBD 1/3.9L running off a distributor.
96 they switched over the GEMS and now you are in OBD II with a coil pack....most people would say stay away from the 96 b/c of teething problems, and look for the 98/99 last of the D1's.

I've had a 94, a 98, and now a 96...

The 96 is the best truck of the litter, but that's b/c it was meticulously maintained and only had 78k miles on it when I got it last year!

So I'd suggest a good search; one good example is on Dweb right now for a 98 with 132,XXX miles but it is supposed to be 'pristine' and appears to be well maintained. A Va truck so not likely to have the rust issues of the NE/Midwest, but not as clean as a SW truck would be.

I can go on and on, and I'm sure the D2 guys will chime in on behalf of that platform....countless threads exist comparing the two and with any 4 Rover owners you will probably get 6 opinions.
r-
Ray

 

[dcarr1971]

I have both a D1 and a D2. Both have been reliable (*knock on wood*), so I think a lot has to do with what you want to use it for and how much space you need in the interior. The D1 is undeniably simpler to work, but you don't need a PhD in Engineering to work on a D2 either.

I love my D2. It is more comfortable, bigger (taking 2 kids, and a big dog camping/wheeling requires a lot of space), and the traction control makes a huge difference. That said, if it was just me, I'd take my D1 any day. It just doesn't feel a big as the D2; it feels like it is more agile and somewhat quicker...ultimately more fun to drive.

The problem is finding a D1 that isn't rusting away. If you look at a D1, make sure you're pulling the door sills (including the rear hatch sill), and are pulling up the carpets. My truck is rotting at the door sills, the bottoms of the a-pillars, the cargo area floors, and at the top of the floor pan (maybe it's more the bottom of the bulkhead) where the pedal box connects. You can see this in the front wheel wells...the seem is obvious...before buying, poke it good and hard with a screwdriver if anyone tries to sell you a truck saying it hasn't got any rust.

There are other bad spots to look at like the rear door corners (rear inner wheel wells), but I'm sure others can provide additional details on those spots...

 

[ColoDisco]

I love my 95 D1. It has been a labor of love though. I have spent ALOT of time keeping it maintained and there have been several challenges with upgrades. My intention has always been to make a offroad capable overland vehicle out of it. It all depends on your intended use as to which model you pick. Earlier are more simple but later do seem to have more space in the cargo area. Not sure why that is except the trim is better designed.

 

[The Rover Shop]

I have a 1997 XD discovery one i am selling for $5500... pics and details over on d-90 source or I can post pics and link here..

 

[jpc1818]

Love my 98 D1.
Im the second owner and bought it certified pre-owned in 2000.
I cant praise the truck enough.
Its all about maintenance, if you have it you should be ok.
Living on Long Island, the rust thing is a fact of life.
I just wash under the truck every chance i get.
GL with your search

 

[xCSx]

I think after all this time the opportunity to get a D1 may be arriving... I realize now I will never been doing month long adventures especially in a discovery, this will probably end up being a daily driver for a few months than turn into a weekend/sometimes week long adventuring vehicle... I have seen some around with about 85K miles for $3500 - I am going to find the one in the best condition that I can...

I don't really plan on doing technical rock climbing, and just want to be able to navigate forest roads and such, so I hope I don't have any bad breakdowns.

I've had land rover fever for a few years now, and I am anticipating finally getting one!

 

[David Harris]

I think after all this time the opportunity to get a D1 may be arriving... I realize now I will never been doing month long adventures especially in a discovery, this will probably end up being a daily driver for a few months than turn into a weekend/sometimes week long adventuring vehicle... I have seen some around with about 85K miles for $3500 - I am going to find the one in the best condition that I can...

I don't really plan on doing technical rock climbing, and just want to be able to navigate forest roads and such, so I hope I don't have any bad breakdowns.

I've had land rover fever for a few years now, and I am anticipating finally getting one!

Sounds good. 98 is a good year for the D1, though I myself like the 94/95 with the distributor for the most simplicity. Whatever you get, learn how to do all the maintenance yourself. It's cheaper and very satisfying to drive a vehicle that you have worked on yourself, especially because you will then know how to fix it in the wilds should you have to. Also, Rovers seem to love attention from their owners, the more the better. Whenever I have left my Rovers sitting for too long they seem to make me pay. Drive them everywhere and they just keep going and going despite their faults, at least that's been my experience. I have to say that I have had more satisfaction from my Land Rovers than any vehicle I have owned, and I have owned a lot.

David

 

[psykokid]

Just take your time and find the right truck.. I started looking at rovers back in 05, didnt finally buy my truck until september of 2011. Took my time, found a truck that had a lot of records. Fast forward to the day after christmas and the HG let go. Turns out the PO's mechanic that did the headgaskets was an idiot and used RTV on them.. Did all the work myself and put it back together. Running like a champ.

I'll echo the sentiments about getting a non sunroof truck, one less thing to fail. My rear one leaks, but not too much. Plus i live in socal so it doesnt rain enought to bother with fixing it until i get around to doing the headliner.

I dont know where you're located but this truck was up for sale back east on d-90.. He needed to sort a few things before it was ready for sale but might be worth a PM. Lots of boxes ticked off on mods you wont have to sink money into, plus it's a 5 speed if you're looking for a manual transmission: http://www.d-90.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41569

 

[brushogger]

As the former owner of an 04 D2 that committed suicide, I'd stay with a nice D1. They just seem to be better built. I do miss mine though. Discos remind me of a gorgeous British woman that you meet and are totally enthralled with. She's quiet and pays attention to your every word and movement. You say to yourself, "There can be no other!". Then you say something funny, she laughs loudly, and you see the bad teeth.


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[David Harris]

As the former owner of an 04 D2 that committed suicide, I'd stay with a nice D1. They just seem to be better built. I do miss mine though. Discos remind me of a gorgeous British woman that you meet and are totally enthralled with. She's quiet and pays attention to your every word and movement. You say to yourself, "There can be no other!". Then you say something funny, she laughs loudly, and you see the bad teeth.


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That's what the dentist is for.

 

[brushogger]

That's what the dentist is for.

It just boils down to how much you are willing to spend on dental work.


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[David Harris]

It just boils down to how much you are willing to spend on dental work.


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How great is the girl. . . ?

 

[xCSx]

I found a 99 D1 with 84K miles looks really clean - they are asking $4300 firm. Has tow package, jump seats, (dual moon roofs (unfortunately)) - i haven't seen it yet in person, and still waiting back on the maintenance records - but is that a good price for a clean low mileage D1?

Thanks