Thinking about getting back in

nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,059
63
Pittsburgh, PA
How’s it hanging discoweb?

I’‘ve substantially complete my home renovations and now permanently work from home (pre COVID move), so after a 6 year hiatus I think I’m ready to get back in.

Here are some consideration I’m working with. I’d like any advice you care to give.

budget ~$20k USD, if above that it’s going to have to be some kind of sweat heart deal that’s too good I can’t pass up.

will not be garage kept, and will live parked on the streets of Pittsburgh. So creampuff restorations are not practical, and rust is going to happen, so really needs to be a fixable vehicle.

my first love is a pre ABS Range Rover Classic, but I worry that the ECM may become an issue, with scarce replacements, and that rust can get out of control and not be easily fixed or replaced. but it’s a damn looker and I do enjoy the smooth ride and air conditioning.

practically speaking, I’m thinking some kind of ex mod TDi defender might be more Sensible, and more easily repairable due to a myriad of aftermarket support. but looks like I’ll have to do the importing to get that budget to work. Ideal vehicle would be a 110 hicap, but they seem scarce.

Anything else I should consider?

-Rob
 

nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,059
63
Pittsburgh, PA
Hi Peter!

i guess my main concern is for availability of parts for the RRC , especially the electronics aspect, quickly followed by the fear of rust.

im also making an assumption that defender parts are more plentiful , and therefor easier to fix Issues, especially considering stick shift and tdi engine, but I might my smoking dope on that point.

I don’t plan on taking this car on any cross country travels or much off-road, so its just going to be my around town car. Still I would like to pick the easier to fix of the two.

I completely forgot to mention that I am open to other brands, but don’t care to own another disco, because I’d just wish I bought a rangie every time I looked at it. At least the defender has some additional utility.


So I guess the question is are my assumptions correct?
 

discostew

Well-known member
Sep 14, 2010
7,706
1,015
Northern Illinois
Disco's are going crazy in price. Fetching in the 20k range on Bring Trailer auctions. Those are pretty nicely finished. I think you can still find a good example that needs some repairs for around 4k still. So that would put you ahead of the price curve. But I think importing a Defender would be great.
 
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Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
until you sit in the Defender and start to miss basic comforts....

But if it's just your "running to the post office" car, you might not care.

I'm in a plush and cushy 2013 LR4 now. But I have a few years on you too.

Welcome back, Rob!
 

mgreenspan

Well-known member
Feb 28, 2005
4,723
130
Briggs's Back Yard
Just buy a Perentie and be done with it. Maybe your budget +1-3k depending on what the previous owner has done or maybe under your budget. Galvanized chassis so no worries on leaving it on the streets. Just deal with the RHD. Another option is buy a Tithonus LHD and be done with it. 2.5 N/A for around town will work fine. Otherwise don’t mess with a Defender because the price points are stupid and people sell used garbage for significantly more than they should be. If you’re buying a rusted truck in the US you may as well import a rusted truck for 1/3 the price.
 
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nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,059
63
Pittsburgh, PA
Greetings !

Bluegill, you kind of just hit the nail on the head there, and woke me out of buying a defender by reminding me of how not nice they are to ride in.

Clearly the Range Rover is the way to go, and wife is strongly on board with that pick as it's far less conspicuous vehicle and nice riding. I'm going to start looking for deals and then if nothing shows up I might go retail on something that's been fluffed up for an auction around August.
 
Aug 20, 2007
2,727
45
Nashville TN
there’s an LS swapped rrc for $30k on the Facebook groups. I’d check there. Might be worth it for you. I’d definitely out a tracker on whatever you get in case it’s stolen
 
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nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,059
63
Pittsburgh, PA
Hi Jamie, nice to hear from you! I saw a job opening with Hilti the other day on linked-in and thought of you. I'll check out Congleton when i get serious in a few months.

Michaels, I see those LS swapped Rovers on various auctions, big bucks. so 30 sounds reasonable, all things considered. And great tip on making sure things aren't stolen. I quit facebook, so dont have access anymore, but might have to have friend check when I'm seriously on the hunt.
 
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Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
I still have PTSD. However, local breakdowns can be handled with a tow truck, so I’m not so concerned :)
There was a time period when the Disco and the Rangie both were pissing me off with really bad running issues. AAA took care of me and currently (knock on wood) both are dependable again for pretty old Rovers. However I’m never really “calm” driving either of them although I’m more comfortable in the Rangie for a Pixburgh trip. If my backwoods mechanic ever quits I’ll probably just sell the entire fleet.
 
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nosivad_bor

Well-known member
Mar 27, 2004
6,059
63
Pittsburgh, PA
There was a time period when the Disco and the Rangie both were pissing me off with really bad running issues. AAA took care of me and currently (knock on wood) both are dependable again for pretty old Rovers. However I’m never really “calm” driving either of them although I’m more comfortable in the Rangie for a Pixburgh trip. If my backwoods mechanic ever quits I’ll probably just sell the entire fleet.
Next time you are heading in town, look me up, I’m living near squirrel hill now. If weather is looking good I’d like to hit the PVGP this year on British car day.
 
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