97 Disco - looking for advice on sale

M

mc9735

Active member
Apr 29, 2017
41
3
Chattanooga
hey guys - if this is not cool to post here, send me the right way.

I inherited this truck from my friend in CA a few years ago...132K miles, runs great, have done some light off-roading in it, but never built it out as planned. In short, it needs a new home. Two questions...

1) the truck is generally in great shape, but front seats are beat and the headliner needs replaced...should I invest the money to do this before selling or let it ride?
2) what's the best approach to selling? Auction, here, elsewhere? Any ballpark figures? It's honestly in great condition...details below.

Hope these questions aren't too asinine, I just don't know a lot about these trucks and would like to find it a good home...I think it's deserving.

Details
- I drove it back from LA to Chattanooga a few years ago and it went smoothly!
- flushed all fluids and ended up replacing radiator, water pump, brake master cylinder, steering stabilizer, plugs & wires, new tires...prob other stuff i'm forgetting
- cracked windshield, one rear window doesn't work, alarm system and door locking is maniacal, ABS light, occasional engine light
- new audio system (speakers, sub , amp, head unit, etc)

Appreciate any guidance y'all have to offer.

-Mike
IMG_20220921_174414136.jpgIMG_20220921_174706270.jpgIMG_20220921_174154385.jpg
 
MM3846

MM3846

Well-known member
Feb 18, 2014
1,221
161
LI, NY
headliner+seats and a detail will net you MUCH more money. Easily $5k if you're thinking auction sites. Add another G if you get good photos taken.
 
M

mc9735

Active member
Apr 29, 2017
41
3
Chattanooga
MM3846 said:
headliner+seats and a detail will net you MUCH more money. Easily $5k if you're thinking auction sites. Add another G if you get good photos taken.
Click to expand...
I got a quote to reupholster seats at $900 per seat 🤯 so I think that is out. Is $4k a fair asking price as is?
 
terryjm1

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
1,489
375
mc9735 said:
I got a quote to reupholster seats at $900 per seat 🤯 so I think that is out. Is $4k a fair asking price as is?
Click to expand...
I would think $4,000 is in the ballpark. What really will determine that is rust. Take some photos showing typical rust areas, body mounts, under the cargo area carpet, and in particular the seam in the back seat door openings. I have posted a photo of that specific area I am talking about. I am fortunate to not have rust in that area as it is a really common rust spot. Showing no rust there will really increase interest from those that know these Land Rovers.

You can buy upholstery kits that are not terrible to install for a whole lot less than $900 a seat that are really nice. The headliner can be done for a reasonable price and in my opinion now that I have replaced one would be a real incentive to buy if already done.
 

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Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,757
563
Seattle
1) the truck is generally in great shape, but front seats are beat and the headliner needs replaced...should I invest the money to do this before selling or let it ride?
2) what's the best approach to selling? Auction, here, elsewhere? Any ballpark figures?
Click to expand...

Sprucing up the interior will make this Disco much more attractive to buyers. See if you can find a set of front seats from a donor truck nearby to swap in. Obviously availability will depend on where you are. Headliner definitely needs replacement and while you have it out you might as well track down whatever leak might be causing the mold. If not done recently, new plugs and wires are an inexpensive improvement.

As for approach to selling, don't expect to get much for it here. You'll never find a more wretched hive of cheapskates and lowballers. List all the work you've done in detail, including mileage/dates of repairs. Take lots of close-up photos of the rust-prone areas: rear door arches, under the loadspace carpet, under the front footwell carpets, frame and underside. Get it detailed. Take a video of engine starting and running. Be transparent, highlight all the shortcomings you're aware of. This is not a distinctive vehicle so I doubt the big name auction sites will be interested in it, but ebay is always an option and a good way to reach a wide audience. You can always post it locally on craigslist simultaneously, as well as the numerous Land Rover for sale Facebook groups.

Consider adding a zero deductible glass rider to you insurance coverage. That might take care of the windshield.

It's more effort, but getting figures for compression, coolant temps, etc. will give buyers a more detailed picture.

After all that you could have a shot at $5,000. But you never know, there may be someone out there who just has to have this and will pay more for it.
 
M

mc9735

Active member
Apr 29, 2017
41
3
Chattanooga
Tugela said:
Sprucing up the interior will make this Disco much more attractive to buyers. See if you can find a set of front seats from a donor truck nearby to swap in. Obviously availability will depend on where you are. Headliner definitely needs replacement and while you have it out you might as well track down whatever leak might be causing the mold. If not done recently, new plugs and wires are an inexpensive improvement.

As for approach to selling, don't expect to get much for it here. You'll never find a more wretched hive of cheapskates and lowballers. List all the work you've done in detail, including mileage/dates of repairs. Take lots of close-up photos of the rust-prone areas: rear door arches, under the loadspace carpet, under the front footwell carpets, frame and underside. Get it detailed. Take a video of engine starting and running. Be transparent, highlight all the shortcomings you're aware of. This is not a distinctive vehicle so I doubt the big name auction sites will be interested in it, but ebay is always an option and a good way to reach a wide audience. You can always post it locally on craigslist simultaneously, as well as the numerous Land Rover for sale Facebook groups.

Consider adding a zero deductible glass rider to you insurance coverage. That might take care of the windshield.

It's more effort, but getting figures for compression, coolant temps, etc. will give buyers a more detailed picture.

After all that you could have a shot at $5,000. But you never know, there may be someone out there who just has to have this and will pay more for it.
Click to expand...
wretched hive of cheapskates and lowballers...lol. thx for the advice!! I honestly just want it to go, but I get all you're saying. I think if a potential buyer could drive it, they'd be impressed...so maybe auction isn't the right move.
 
M

mc9735

Active member
Apr 29, 2017
41
3
Chattanooga
terryjm1 said:
I would think $4,000 is in the ballpark. What really will determine that is rust. Take some photos showing typical rust areas, body mounts, under the cargo area carpet, and in particular the seam in the back seat door openings. I have posted a photo of that specific area I am talking about. I am fortunate to not have rust in that area as it is a really common rust spot. Showing no rust there will really increase interest from those that know these Land Rovers.

You can buy upholstery kits that are not terrible to install for a whole lot less than $900 a seat that are really nice. The headliner can be done for a reasonable price and in my opinion now that I have replaced one would be a real incentive to buy if already done.
Click to expand...
You have a link to these kits? Thx!
 
CBiDrive

CBiDrive

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2007
108
22
Parker, CO
Blows me away what the D1's are fetching now. The only one on CL here in Denver they are wanting 19k for it. Honestly I would be starting the haggling at more like 7k. This is the worst bunch to try to sell to, me included. You will be answering questions all day and make no progress.

Seat covers and you can poke a tube squirter on a can of spray headliner adhesive through the headliner and spray away, top and bottom. Let it dwell for about 10min and you can tack the fabric back into place.

Clean'r up and let the wheel'n and deal'n in no time. The white ones are the hot ticket as they are typically the only ones that still have all their clearcoat. Enjoy
 
D

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,718
1,016
Northern Illinois
terryjm1 said:
I would think $4,000 is in the ballpark. What really will determine that is rust. Take some photos showing typical rust areas, body mounts, under the cargo area carpet, and in particular the seam in the back seat door openings. I have posted a photo of that specific area I am talking about. I am fortunate to not have rust in that area as it is a really common rust spot. Showing no rust there will really increase interest from those that know these Land Rovers.

You can buy upholstery kits that are not terrible to install for a whole lot less than $900 a seat that are really nice. The headliner can be done for a reasonable price and in my opinion now that I have replaced one would be a real incentive to buy if already done.
Click to expand...
Thats the money shot Terry posted. I think you could get 4 grand without doing anything. If it's rust free near that rear door striker and bottom inside of the tail door. Also any bumpy` looking surface of the quarter glass seals and alpine seals means rust is growing under it. Another spot is at the bottom of all the doors where they bend the aluminum door skin over the steel door frame. If all those places are really clean and rust free I would think you could get as much a 6 grand without doing anything at all.
 
Last edited:
lunchbox

lunchbox

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
2,138
166
50
St Louis, MO
Just an FYI. I looked at this truck via pics of the rust areas. It was bad. I do believe he was going to scrap it. I gave him Wills info. Not sure it’s fate.
 
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