What to look for when buying a Rover?

[Christophe Noel]

I'll stand by my statement that I wouldn't consider a newer Land Rover to be as "reliable" as some other brands.

Thats not what your statement was! I rest my case. Go back to noobville Mr Mod..

Let's not go down this road. I was just making a funny observation about Rover Forums in general, not just this one. This particular Rover forum is pleasantly free (mostly) of the bravado and chest thumping that other forums allow. Dweb as an example is a zoo. My newb opinion is my Rover, and Rovers in general, are not as reliable as some other vehicles. If you disagree, that's fine. Just my 2 pennies.

I still love my rig. As others have said, the problems are easy for even us newbies to see coming. While I had to sift through a quagmire of insults and mud slinging on many forums, I was able to find out what years and what models will likely need specific repairs. I think for me, the message I took to heart early on was that a Rover is only as reliable as the owner makes it. If you're a gas and oil only owner, it's not going to end well.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

Yes, of course any vehicle that is 10-15 years old is not going to be rock solid reliable, and I, of course, do plan on plenty of maintenance... I'd rather find a vehicle I can baseline (new fluids all around, whatever is needed [head gaskets seem a little intensive just for base lining a truck]), and take it out and not worry about... From all the reading I've done (thanks for the link BTW), I think I'm going to steer clear of any Rover for now... I'd love to have one, but I'd rather get into something I know has a reputation for reliability... I would rather drive something with a little less "character" (Cherokee, Trooper), but known for more reliability... It's not that I couldn't do the work, I just couldn't "afford" (being that I'll need to use this truck most every day) to have my vehicle go down and need to be repaired immediately (which I can't do till the weekend)... Thanks for all the advice, but I believe I will stay with something I know more about, and I know will be more reliable in the long run...

 

[R_Lefebvre]

One curious thing about Rover ownership - Rover forums. If you buy a Rover and intend to frequent a Rover forum, be prepared to recieve challenges about who's the mostest smartiest about Rovers and who's been driving them longest. Someone will say they've been driving Rovers since they were 10 and others since they were a zygote in a Series II. I don't get it, but there must be some point system with Rover ownership that didn't come with my Rover.

Agree with this. This is the #1 thing I tell other "car guys" when they ask about Rover ownership. There's something different about Rover forums. Never seen anything like it with any other brand. Well, OK, Corner-Carvers.com used to be pretty brutal, but it wasn't marque-specific.

The cute phrase issued with every repair bill, "Well it is a Rover" didn't fall out of the sky.

That's the other one. Everything is just more expensive, and for no damn good reason other than "It's for a Rover". Brake rotors for a Rover... $150. For a Chev truck? $50. And they all come from the same factory with the same weight of iron. I know *why* it happens (economy of scale, supply and demand, etc.) but it's annoying.

 

[Christophe Noel]

There's something different about Rover forums. Never seen anything like it with any other brand.

I find it hilarious that some posters on Rover forums can provide truly excellent advice and information garnished with a nice dose of insults fit for a bar room brawl. "That's how you fix your brakes, you #@!*#$@!!!!" Not always funny, but sometimes it makes me chuckle.

I will say, I would be in a heap of trouble as a Rover owner if I didn't have the Rover forum community to help with my various questions.

 

[Snagger]

Agree with this. This is the #1 thing I tell other "car guys" when they ask about Rover ownership. There's something different about Rover forums. Never seen anything like it with any other brand. Well, OK, Corner-Carvers.com used to be pretty brutal, but it wasn't marque-specific.

It happens in the MG and triumph forums too, and I'm sure it occurs in others. Forums will have a few people who want to be seen as the local guru, and most have a few trolls who enjoy goading others. In between, you have a range of more normal people, some of who are very calm and can float above all the sniping, and others who try to be helpful but get goaded into shooting back (like I do elsewhere). Pirate 4x4 and the Off Roaders Rant Page (ORRP.com) are not LR specific but are seemingly very aggressive, and PPRUNE.com (an aviation forum) is extremely so. It's not just Land rover owners; it's forums as a whole, and it's just because people can say what they want without any body language or facial expression to tell them when they're going too far. Text is a dangerous method of cominication, in that respect; too much context and emphasis is missing, and tone can be misinterpreted, so tempers subsequently become heated very quickly.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Yes, of course any vehicle that is 10-15 years old is not going to be rock solid reliable, and I, of course, do plan on plenty of maintenance... I'd rather find a vehicle I can baseline (new fluids all around, whatever is needed [head gaskets seem a little intensive just for base lining a truck]), and take it out and not worry about... From all the reading I've done (thanks for the link BTW), I think I'm going to steer clear of any Rover for now... I'd love to have one, but I'd rather get into something I know has a reputation for reliability... I would rather drive something with a little less "character" (Cherokee, Trooper), but known for more reliability... It's not that I couldn't do the work, I just couldn't "afford" (being that I'll need to use this truck most every day) to have my vehicle go down and need to be repaired immediately (which I can't do till the weekend)... Thanks for all the advice, but I believe I will stay with something I know more about, and I know will be more reliable in the long run...

I would say two things that Land Rover has in spades are character and capability. With your emphasis on reliability, I would certainly look at brands like Toyota or Isuzu. Speaking as a Jeep guy, I would say your inclusion of Jeep in the 'reliable" column is interesting. While the XJ Cherokee was among the most reliable of the Jeep products in that era (based on maintenance issues reported), it still wasn't what most would consider stellar. Like the Disco, it had its own issues, which are now known and documented. Where the Jeep is superior is in parts availability and price. It's the difference between wide-distribution domestic and niche, luxury import.

The big thing is that you set the priorities. Form follows function, even if the form is a really cool Rover.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

I would say two things that Land Rover has in spades are character and capability. With your emphasis on reliability, I would certainly look at brands like Toyota or Isuzu. Speaking as a Jeep guy, I would say your inclusion of Jeep in the 'reliable" column is interesting. While the XJ Cherokee was among the most reliable of the Jeep products in that era (based on maintenance issues reported), it still wasn't what most would consider stellar. Like the Disco, it had its own issues, which are now known and documented. Where the Jeep is superior is in parts availability and price. It's the difference between wide-distribution domestic and niche, luxury import.

The big thing is that you set the priorities. Form follows function, even if the form is a really cool Rover.

I would love to get into a Cruiser, or 4Runner, but people around here want ridiculous amounts for beat up trashed trucks just "because it's a Toyota"... I haven't found a decent Trooper around here either... I'd like to know why you don't consider the XJ a reliable vehicle? I know several with the 4.0L that just won't die... I know I can get a relatively inexpensive low mile XJ, the only Toyotas in my price range are well over 200,000 miles... I, sadly, don't have an enormous amount of money to lay out, I also would rather not blow my entire budget on a truck...

 

[Alaska Mike]

Jeep was pumping out the vehicles in the 90s, and quality control was somewhat lax. What kept the XJ somewhat reliable was:

• It was a basic, low-frills vehicle.
• It was a mature design. Other than the late life-cycle retool, changes were done gradually. The line could run on cruise control without major issues.

I used to own a XJ ('85 4 cyl, 2 door beater), and I really liked it for what it was. I certainly consider the XJ to be among the top 5 vehicles Jeep ever produced (which is saying a lot). The 4.0L engine would have been the least of my worries. Some of the transmissions, axles, and other attached stuff though...

However, it really doesn't compare to the reliability, capability, and long-term sustainability of a Trooper or Land Cruiser. Just a different class of expedition vehicle. Not to say that they are unworthy, I just consider other vehicles to be more worthy. YMMV.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

Ok, I understand now... I have found a nice 4Runner I'm looking at... It's really between the Trooper, XJ, or 4Runner, and I can only find decent XJ's around here...

 

[Alaska Mike]

I think you have 3 solid platforms there. All things being even remotely equal, I tend to favor the 4Runner, but it really depends on the overall package. A junked out version of the best expedition rig ever made will strand you faster than a well-maintained XJ.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

I think you have 3 solid platforms there. All things being even remotely equal, I tend to favor the 4Runner, but it really depends on the overall package. A junked out version of the best expedition rig ever made will strand you faster than a well-maintained XJ.

I'd rather have a 4Runner, if I could find a nice one in good shape...

 

[muskyman]

I think it is funny that in the rover section a guy that wants a old disco as a cheap truck for getting away he is being chased away saying that the truck isnt reliable.

what a buncha garbage this is.

the Disco1 is one tough truck to kill and one really easy truck to fix.

They lend them selves to new shade tree mechanics and the huge amount of real web support is easy to find.

Add into that that a huge number of quality dismantlers have sprung up all over the country and you have a great cheap off roader.

I have come to the conclusion that this is really a toyota section in disguise.

OP get the disco1 you want and dont look back. ignore the dribble you are hearing and enjoy one of the best bargains in off roading. Dont sweat the small stuff it can all be worked out real cheap and a truck that has 125 k on it has lots of miles left in it...lots of miles.

 

[ExplorerExplorer]

I think it is funny that in the rover section a guy that wants a old disco as a cheap truck for getting away he is being chased away saying that the truck isnt reliable.

what a buncha garbage this is.

the Disco1 is one tough truck to kill and one really easy truck to fix.

They lend them selves to new shade tree mechanics and the huge amount of real web support is easy to find.

Add into that that a huge number of quality dismantlers have sprung up all over the country and you have a great cheap off roader.

I have come to the conclusion that this is really a toyota section in disguise.

OP get the disco1 you want and dont look back. ignore the dribble you are hearing and enjoy one of the best bargains in off roading. Dont sweat the small stuff it can all be worked out real cheap and a truck that has 125 k on it has lots of miles left in it...lots of miles.

This is a little good news, but I've read about the old alum block engine dropping liners and I really can't fix that in a couple days, I don't mind PM's as long as it's not EVERY weekend (I like to have at least 1, if not 2, weekends a month I can be out camping)... I'm gonna check out the Disco anyway, if it's in top notch shape, I might take it anyway, really depends on the shape it's in...

 

[muskyman]

dont sweat a dropped liner its more a internet legend then a regular happening.

the issues start when you over heat the things. keep a fresh radiator in there cooling it with a working fan clutch and a somewhat fresh thermostat and they dont have issues.

ignore the thing till it overheats on you and yes you will have issues.

the trucks are great trucks and they wheel circles around the land cruisers everyone is so quick to worship around here.

Go ask your question on discoweb.org and you will get a much better idea about these trucks. I have a number of them and wrench on them all the time and dont really feel they are any unreliable at all, infact I think the are tough as all hell and stand up to a bunch more then most people will ever throw at them.

 

[troopernate]

i just sold my 2000 discovery II and i loved it but i sold it because the economy sucks and they are not great on gas mine got 9mpg. i will buy another one some day but i will get a disco 1 (pre-99) they dont get all the quirky fault codes, factor center dif lock no need to buy a aftermarket lever, and in my opinion the older it is the more relaxed i am when driving offroad.....body damage sucks