Need advice. All opinions welcome

C

Carter

New member
Feb 10, 2020
4
1
32
Upstate South Caroline
Hi, ive been looking to buy a discover for the last couple of months and i found one im interested in and would like opinions please. As a little back ground im relatively familiar with the common issues and i do 99 percent of my own labor on vehicles. This will be a second car for me to use as a camping/trail truck.

Its not letting me attach a clickable Facebook link but it is a 98 with 145000 miles and no mechanical issues. Sagging headliner, radio doesnt work and front shocks are shot. Seller asking 1600

Santa Clara

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Tugela

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,285
156
Seattle
What do you want to know? Your question is vaguely worded to the point of being difficult to answer in a useful way. My opinion is that the decision to pay a modest sum of money for a 22-year old British car with incomplete service history is risky. It could be a joy to own, requiring little more than routine maintenance and some basic restoration. It could be a money pit that takes a toll on relationships as well as bank balances.

I myself own, drive, and work on a 1998 Discovery LSE. I happen to love it, although finding paint-matched body parts is challenging for a version that wasn't sold in large numbers. If you have a high risk tolerance, some disposable income, a fair amount of spare time, a decent mechanical acumen, and there is something about Land Rovers that you just love, then rolling the dice on this truck might be worth it.
 
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terryjm1

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
465
59
That seems to be reasonable for that truck. However, with a little more cash, you could probably find something a lot better. But, if that is where your budget is I think you could do a lot worse. Just make sure there are not rust issues. There shouldn’t be in that part of the country. Typically, lol, the purchase price for these is often the smallest part of the investment.
 
C

Carter

New member
Feb 10, 2020
4
1
32
Upstate South Caroline
terryjm1 said:
That seems to be reasonable for that truck. However, with a little more cash, you could probably find something a lot better. But, if that is where your budget is I think you could do a lot worse. Just make sure there are not rust issues. There shouldn’t be in that part of the country. Typically, lol, the purchase price for these is often the smallest part of the investment.
Click to expand...

No rust. There arent many more for sale in my area. The ones that are either arent running or they want 7k for an 03. Center locking diff and able to drive it home are 2 must haves.
 
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StangGT5

StangGT5

Well-known member
Feb 4, 2019
64
16
Atlanta, GA
If the headgaskets had been replaced at some point in its life I would say the price is definitely fair. At 145K, the stock ones would be pushing it for me.
 
p m

p m

Administrator
Apr 19, 2004
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
If you like the vehicle, find the cleanest body and frame you can find. Mechanical bits and pieces for a Disco 1 are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, all of them.

It takes a day to replace the head gaskets on a D1, if you are reusing the heads or have a pair of rebuilt heads at hand. Not a factor.
 
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Gordo

Gordo

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2004
1,343
12
Bradenton, Fl
www.floridalandroverclub.com
I’d get the one with lower miles if it was me. Rust is the thing to watch out for. The body, pull the carpets up and look at the foot wells and rear section. Sills, inner fenders etc. a compression check will tell you a good bit on its health. 1600 isn’t bad if it’s not rusty. I’d rather fix mechanical things than a lot of rust.
 
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terryjm1

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
465
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No sunroofs is a big plus. I imagine at 250,000 miles it has already had a lot of wear items replaced.
 
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p m

p m

Administrator
Apr 19, 2004
14,602
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La Jolla, CA
www.3rj.org
Gordo said:
I’d get the one with lower miles if it was me.
Click to expand...
This may be my Southwest U.S. bias - but high mileage would not be a factor in my decision.
My D1 has 286kmi currently, with the original engine, transmission, and axle gears and bearings. The engine had several head gasket jobs, I replaced the rod bearings at 250k, camshaft and lifters at 280k, and reluctor ring a little after (may not even needed a new camshaft).
My current Classic with 355kmi has its original transmission, transfer case, and axles (the engine is newer and was replaced before I bought it with 337kmi on the clock).

Rust would be a deal breaker.
 
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Swedjen2

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
405
64
California
If he's asking $1600, those wheels alone are worth more than he's asking for the vehicle. Look at Rovers North website.
'Course, nobody here will pay you that much for them though.
 
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CORover

CORover

Well-known member
Jun 11, 2007
715
52
Colorado, USA
I bought a 99 w/ 130k on it for 3 grand 6 months ago. I looked for 3 to 6 months to find it. Leaks oil, don't they all. No rust and I am slowly going through the small mechanical issues it has. It is my DD now.
 
Blueboy

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
2,323
119
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
If you like the vehicle, find the cleanest body and frame you can find. Mechanical bits and pieces for a Disco 1 are plentiful and relatively inexpensive, all of them.
Click to expand...
Yep - mechanical issues are easier to resolve versus a rusted body shell.
Flights are cheap compared to the upside of buying a Rover from a salt free road environment like Cali, Southern States.
 
terryjm1

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
465
59
Blueboy said:
Yep - mechanical issues are easier to resolve versus a rusted body shell.
Flights are cheap compared to the upside of buying a Rover from a salt free road environment like Cali, Southern States.
Click to expand...
Totally agree... from someone that just bought a 55,000 mile D1 from Kentucky. I am amazed at the rust on such a low mileage vehicle.
 
CBiDrive

CBiDrive

Well-known member
Sep 20, 2007
55
8
Parker, CO
I am on my second D1. I love the fact that it is so easy to work on which I do a lot, between mods, upgrades and general maintenance. Parts are relatively inexpensive. As long as there is no rust on the frame or body box sections, no matter the mileage, everything else is easily fixable.
 
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