I think I found a good one! DII 2000

[scot]

I found one I really like. Interior is nice, exterior is in good condition except for a headlight washer nozzle being broken. Power is great, no electrical bugs or engine service light etc. ODB shows as clean (though could have been reset of course).

Tires are "ok" but getting a bit loud, will need to be replaced within 5-10k miles. Brakes are a bit spongy, so the fluid needs to be replaced (I would do that anyway). It has 90k miles on it, so I am guessing the 90k mile service has not been completed by the condition of the belts. I will be doing the service myself so it shouldn't cost much more than 250 bucks to replace all of the belts and fluids.

The only thing that I can think of wrong is that the engine makes a nice low "hum" through the exhaust. My guess is the middle resonator's fiberglass has broken down over time as the sound only comes from the exhaust tip, I could not find any exhaust leaks. Its not terribly loud, though the sound is louder after fully warming up and definitely audible. Nothing obvious is rattling in the exhaust.

Replacing the exhaust is probably the answer, unless someone else has a specific theory about this issue?

Price is 11k. That sound like a good deal?

(figure a loaded cost of 12.5k with tax tags and everything fixed)

Will still be getting a mechanic to check out the engine. Standard compression test and coolant purity check.

BTW: whats the easiest way to spin the engine without having it fire to do the compression test and what size are the plugs?

 

[Disco Mike]

You might want to crawl under the truck while it is running and listen for the noise, could be the muffler or just the pipe rubbing on the frame.
Unless the old plugs look like shit, don't worry about chamging them, that is done at the 60 and 120,000 service. If you want to change them out don't just drop any old plug back in, use the factory plug or Bosh Platiumn Plus 4's, some of the run of the mill plugs don't hold up that well.
Mike J.

 

[Asolo3j]

Appears that you have a good deal on your hand... and it seems to be the month for Disco deals. There have been some good posts about recent purchases. I am buying a 1995 Disco with 98K, origianl owner, a few mods, a tiny leak in power steering fluid, new brakes, a spare that has never been dismounted, and all the factory options that came in 95 for a whopping $3500. I too couldn't pass that up. Good luck with the new toy.

 

[scot]

WOW now thats a damn nice deal! If that truck is in halfway good condition I think you have a winner there.

As for the plugs, just looking for a size so I can pull them off without lugging all of my tools down there for the compression check. Not overly concerned about replacing them right now as the power was extremely good. I did get under the truck to check for rubbing, and couldn't find any, though its hard to say. The noise is definitely only coming out through the exhaust, it cannot be heard anywhere else under the truck.

The same dealer has another disco with 56k miles and SLS, priced another grand higher but in very good condition. I'm tempted to offer them the same price for it, but I am not sure if I want the airbags. I will be towing a kart racing trailer, so one day it might get a bit heavy back there (1klbs for now) but for now the spring setup is a-ok, plus its better for offroad anyway.

 

[jmoore]

The mileage bothers me. I would highly consider the one from the dealer with 56K for a grand more. You're buying alot less miles for $1000! And hey, like you said, maybe they will negotiate. Also, I tow a pop up camper and really like the SLS. It really helps reduce the squat.

my $.02

 

[craig]

Don't get the SLS if you want to lift it though.

--Craig

 

[SteveA]

I'd try to work a deal on the one with SLS. It seems like a better deal with that many fewer miles. You'll need to do the major service on it soon too though (60K). If you are going to lift the car, it's easy enough to swap out the airsprings for coils. You would be replacing the springs anyway even if it had coils to begin with. The SLS is a nice feature if you will be doing some towing. Plus used off road, it can give you a little better departure angle (less likely to rip off the rear bumper). Just my $0.02 worth.

Stephen

 

[scot]

Looks like I was incorrect on the second price, the one with SLS is actually 2.5k more than the one without. Original price 14999, internet 13999 with my price being 13500. The one with normal springs is 10999 after some haggling even though the original price was 13999.

While its not too much higher than the first one, I am already over my original "limit" of 10k. I'll see if I cant get them down any more on it, but I aint holdin my breath on that.

Scot