I have had my Nas 110 for 16 years & my D1 off the show room floor in 98. I have had very few repairs on either truck. Alt starter rebuild, idler bearings, 2 rear wheel cylinders, now a shifter cable. Those failed parts for 3 trucks well over 200k.
My DD 97 D1 just broke the shifter cable after 190K. I bought the truck for 1500$ put 1000 into it. Its been solid for 80k. I beat this truck daily!
My F250's have eatn 2 e4ods 92 75K 96 86K. So what is your expert there Big Mike The Mod! What is your history with Rovers? Whats that? Sorry I can't hear you?
Just as I suspect a keyboad pounder>
You've been very fortunate, from what I've seen. Most likely it's that you've maintained your vehicles well and took care of things as they happened, instead of remaining ignorant or ignoring them. Not every owner is as proactive or attentive.
I've never been a fan of Ford. Don't like the way the vehicles are put together, especially when it comes time for the owner to do some real maintenance. Maybe that's me.
You're right, I don't have the same experience with Rovers that you do. I did what every semi-intelligent person would do before considering a vehicle- I did the research. I talked to owners, mechanics with experience on the platform, enthusiasts, poked around on the internet, reasearched parts availability, and, when possible, wrenched on vehicles belonging to friends. Pretty much all I could do without actually owning the platform.
I do own a pile of a '73 Series III that I'm rebuilding from the ground up. By the time I'm done, every part, bolt, seal, gasket... will have been touched/cleaned/modified/rebuilt/replaced by me. Is that knowledge on this particular vehicle deep enough for you?
Maybe the 18+ years I've owned, abused, repaired, and modified my CJ-5 would provide some sort of history with off-road vehicles as well. I haven't always lived in Alaska, having driven off-road from coast to coast over the years. Places you've probably heard of, and even more you probably haven't. I've primarily owned Jeeps (CJ-5/CJ-7/YJ/TJ/XJ), but for a brief time I did own an IH Scout 80.
I grew tired of the "hardcore" scene a decade or so ago, and my interest waned in building up a monster vehicle that required excessive effort to find obstacles that were challenging. I looked very seriously at Discoveries and RRCs after I rode in Scott Brady's DII in Arizona, feeling this was a direction that would be more intersting. That option ultimately fell through, but not for trying. I've always admired Series Rovers, and when one literally fell into my lap I went for it. I would have preferred to have a stock Rover, but this one was missing so many parts that I decided to do a hybridized version that was more reliable, economical, and modern than the original version. Beats sending one to the junkyard.
I may still end up with a Disco in the future, if the price and vehicle is right, but I will do it with eyes wide open. It's very easy to get caught up in the great things about Land Rover and ignore the downsides. If you think there are no downsides, well, I would have to respectfully disagree.
Watch the tone. Your contributions are welcome as long as you present them in a civil manner. Want to call me a poser? Fine, do it in a civil and adult manner. Please review the forum policies and try to follow them. If you don't like the way that this forum conducts itself, please refrain from visiting. Nobody is forcing you to be here.