| Author |
Message |
    
Darren K
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 12:56 pm: | 
|
I'm am looking at buy either a 96 Discovery SE7 or a 97 Subaru Legacy Outback. Both are approximately the same price (Outback through a dealer v. buying the Discovery from an individual) and have the same miles (about 65,000). The Discovery has more options and is more appealing to me, but everyone tells me to go with the Subaru's reliable reputation. Are the Discoverys that unreliable? I was under the impression all that changed when BMW took over. The only person I know with a similiar Discovery loved it, but had a major problem with an oil leak that required one extensive repair (under warranty). Are expensive repairs just part of the Discovery experience? |
John Cinquegrana (Johnc)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 12:58 pm: |
|
Go with the Subaru. |
Marc
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 01:06 pm: |
|
if oil leaks concern you, go with the Subaru. |
Greg Davis (Gregdavis)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 01:28 pm: |
|
These are totally different vehicles. That's like asking if glazed doughnuts are better than devil's food cake. Just depends on what you will be using the vehicle for. If yo plan on taking it offroad alot, and eventually modifying it, then go with the Disco. If highway driving is your emphasis, then the Subaru is probably your best bet. Just boils down to your intended use. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 01:49 pm: |
|
I've got a Subaru and a Disco.
Subaru is better for the daily commute, by far. Double the gas mileage, and it needs nothing, just gas and keeping the oil changed.
A Land Rover is much more of a hobby. The wife is using it as her daily driver for now, but it's for a 5-min commute. It's fine for that, but, you've got to plan to work on these things on your own, IMHO.
The Disco is great off-road, stock. W/ little work, it is even better. But, it's demanding when it comes to attention.
Either the bug will bite, and you HAVE to have a Land Rover, or else you'll not be happy w/ it...
IMHO, FWIW....
-L |
Darren K
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 01:57 pm: |
|
What do IMHO and FWIW mean? |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:00 pm: |
|
IMHO: In My Honest Opinion (or Humble)
FWIW: For What Its Worth
-L |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:00 pm: |
|
IMHO = in my honest opinion
FWIW = for whatever it's worth
Am I right? I'm just guessing here.
A |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:13 pm: |
|
Hey Darren,
You should really take a look at what think you will do with this vehicle. As others have said, if you think you may do some off-roading (fairly serious that the Outback won't make it), then the Disco is the one but if it's more for commuting then get the Outback.
It also has a bit to do with what you're willing to tolerate I guess. Land Rovers do cost more to own, regardless of whether you go off-roading or not. Is that something you're going to be comfortable with?
I see a lot of people who buy SUVs but never really use it any different than a car. They just like the look of them and some say they like the cargo space but if you really look around, you can find wagons (ie. Jetta wagon, or Volvo wagon) that have almost as much cargo space if not more. It's when reality sets in and the owner sees what it costs to drive and own an SUV that they suddenly become disenchanted.
But the thing is you really have to be honest in what you think you'll do with the vehicle.
A |
Paul T. Schram (Paulschram)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:34 pm: |
|
If you crash an outback, you will almost certainly total it. If you crash a Disco, you will drive it to work the next day.
My wife, the insurance adjuster, had to write an estimate for an outback that had jumped a curb and flattened some bushes. Just from plastic body part damage, the vehicle was totaled.
I feel confident in saying that had the same happened with a Disco (at least with mine), the only injuries would be to the bushes.
Paul |
Rans (Rans)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:36 pm: |
|
Buy the Subaru, just the fact that you had to ask indicates you have no idea what a Land Rover is all about. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:37 pm: |
|
That's exactly what happened with us. My wife had an Outback Sport, was rearended.... the car didn't look THAT bad, damage was estimated at ~$10k, but because they couldn't get parts for the new models for a couple of months, they totalled it out... so, we replaced it with another Disco.
FWIW...
-L |
Darren K
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 02:53 pm: |
|
I'm test driving the Discovery tonight, do you have any suggestions of things to look for? Typical problems at the 60K mark?
Its in a pretty urban area, so I won't (on this trip) have an opportunity to try it on a trail.
Thanks for all your help so far.
I understand the difference in uses/abilities between the two vehicles and I know the discovery is probably overkill for my needs, but I have always admired Discoverys. The reasonable side of my brain says "Legacy," but the youthful side says "Discovery." I just don't want to be kicking myself two years down the line having spend several thousand dollars in repairs. And who's to say I won't pick up off-roading. I have some close relatives and friends who already do it as a hobby. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 03:01 pm: |
|
A '96 Disco, right?
It'll have the 4.0 OBD-II distributorless engine.
Ask if it's had valve issues...
Drive it agressively, see if it has any stumbling.
Ask to see the records... if the maintenence records are thorough and well-kept, then it's probably a well-looked-after vehicle, and you'll know what has been done to it.
Don't expect it to be a WRX, but it should ride fairly smooth... not a Caddy, but not a Series either.
Look at the dash-top, see if it is curling up away from the shelf underneath, right up next to the windshield.
If it has sunroofs, check to see if they rattle or look like they leak.
All of the other usual car-buying tips apply, too... Caveat Emptor and the like....
Good luck!
-L |
John Cinquegrana (Johnc)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 03:01 pm: |
|
Ok, since you insist on the Disco, here's what I paid for my 96 D1 with 88K in excellent condition: $6,500 (check out the pic in my profile)
You will be kicking yourself .... unless of course you can make all the repairs yourself.
Like Rans said, if you have to ask then you are not ready for a LR.
Good luck and let us know what you decide. |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 03:06 pm: |
|
Well......
I agree, a Land Rover IS an addiction.... Rans and John C. have a point when they say that if you have to ask, it may not be the right vehicle for you.... when people ask about 'em at work, I usually tell them to get a Toyota instead.... but... you may be the person who has yet to discover that they're a Rover nut at heart.
John C. got a great buy on his, but, they are out there for similar prices... don't jump on it if you think its too much money... the market is getting depressed, they're coming down in price....
It pays to shop around......
FWIW...
-L |
IHWillys
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 04:09 pm: |
|
I recently made a similar decision, or atleast my wife and I did, with her having more weight in the decision as it's mostly hers.
We were looking st 4runners, pathfinders, durangos and such. We picked up a '98 LSE. We were just coming out of a '98 Accord.
Two things here:
- I don't expect the Disco to be even close to the honda in reliability.
- I didn't know how much the Disco could make me like it.
We've had it for about a month now and it just keeps growing on me. I already LIKE to work on it(I do the work on all my toys). With the Honda, which we purchased new, I didn't even like changing the oil, absolutely no passion there. The Disco inspires me to coddle it with preventative maintenance, read all I can about it, heck just stand there and look at it... I would not get this from any Subaru. So, for me I had to give up the warm fuzzy over having an incredibly reliable car that got 33 mpg on the lowest grade fuel for the passion(forgive me, please) of owning something that would meet none of those standards but provides so much more in other ways.
The Disco costs more to operate in every way, needs diligent maintenance, and will require more use related repair, but it would be hard to find another "new" vehicle that could make me feel the same.
Understand that my next newest vehicle to the Disco, aside from motorcycles, was made in 1957. Our Disco will not see a great amount of offroad time(I have three other 4x4s), it is not a logical choice for us to own.
I'm rambling now so I'll sign off...
Ken |
Andrew Clarke (Aclarke)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 07:04 pm: |
|
(*#(*&#%)^)(*#%9857-09q I just wrote a very long and eloquent response and it disappeared. Oh well.
Basically, I've owned a 1996 Subaru Legacy Outback, a 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport and I currently have a 1996 Land Rover Discovery. I got the Legacy originally because I didn't want to be another poseur SUV owner not taking my SUV off-road, and I figured the Subaru would be enough to take me to trailheads or wherever I want to go. Well I totally trashed my first Subaru before forcing myself to accept the fact that while it might take me where I NEED to go, it wouldn't take me where I WANTED to go, at least without significant damage to the vehicle.
For me, the decision to get a Land Rover over a Subaru was based on the fact that I proved to myself that I actually DO want to take my vehicle off-road. Like seriously off-road. A subaru outback will kick a Land Rover's butt on a dirt road or something like that. If this wasn't a requirement for me I'd still have a Subaru...except that my wife hates them...
My wife doesn't like Subarus because on both of the ones we've owned, little plastic things were always breaking. Buttons, bumpers, cup holders, etc. If you can deal with that, cool. Once all the plastic crap breaks, you're left with a pretty reliable vehicle, mechanically. Subarus tend to run and run and run as you know.
IMHO, both the Subaru and the Land Rover represent a "non-default" vehicle choice. I imagine that a higher percentage of people who buy Saabs, Volvos, Land Rovers, Subarus, etc. actually THOUGHT about their vehicle purchase than those who buy Hondas, Toyotas, Chevys, etc. Maybe that's just the snob in me speaking though.
BTW owning a Land Rover definitely costs me more than owning a Subaru did. Unless you're hammering it through the desert, bottoming it out and smashing the plastic front bumper into the ground repeatedly and stuff like that with your Subaru ... in which case, get a Land Rover ;-) |
Darren K
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 07:25 pm: |
|
Well, my wife saw the Discovery and found out that both previous owners got divorced and sold the car as a result. Laugh if you want, but she is superstitious and refuses to even consider it. Buying it would probably cause a divorce now.
Since there are no other 96 or 97 Discovery's in my area, that put the nix on this one. Unless I can come up with a reason she should love it, its over. Thanks for all the help. |
Gregg Smith (Discogregg)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 09:50 pm: |
|
Get a Freelander! Handles like a Subaru and still does ok off road. They have great deals on new ones! 0% financing and they come way off the price. I traded my '97 Disco in on a new Freelander SE and love it. (Yes I really miss the Disco) but my kids get to eat now too! |
todd slater (Toddslater)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:13 pm: |
|
Andrew,
"imagine that a higher percentage of people who buy Saabs, Volvos, Land Rovers, Subarus, etc. actually THOUGHT about their vehicle purchase than those who buy Hondas, Toyotas, Chevys, etc. Maybe that's just the snob in me speaking though."
Drugs are bad ...don't do'em Andrew |
Curtis N (Curtis)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 09, 2002 - 11:50 pm: |
|
Darren,
Good luck with the Subaru. I know they are geat cars, and I have looked in to owning one previously. The reality is they have NO personality (except the WRX). I cannot tell you how many times I have driven a Sub when purchasing time came only to walk away thinking: that was...OK...
After your wife makes you buy the Sub, take the time to check back here from time to time to see what goes on. Look at the Photo Gallery. Watch the threads. Sooner or later you will get hooked
Curtis |
muskyman
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 12:03 am: |
|
If you crash an outback, you will almost certainly total it. If you crash a Disco, you will drive it to work the next day.
"My wife, the insurance adjuster, had to write an estimate for an outback that had jumped a curb and flattened some bushes. Just from plastic body part damage, the vehicle was totaled.
I feel confident in saying that had the same happened with a Disco (at least with mine), the only injuries would be to the bushes.
Paul"
paul speaks the truth I hit a deer with my outback "skicar" last november the car was destroyed! the total carnage that the car suffered was really way mored then should have happened. the passenger compartment changed shape to the point that I will never own another one and I grew up with them.
the adjuster that I talked to said that of all the mid size cars he has seen subaru really scare him. seats comming outa the floor and drivline components being seperated from the car are not uncommon he said. My motor broke off the transmision and motor mounts and hit the firewall from a colision with a deer?
and as far as the MPG thing I never got very good MPG in mine maybe 20 with a tail wind,they really push alot of gears like the disco and with the big rack on top into a headwind going out west there were times I got 16mpg.
if you search pretty sure the pics are on here somwhere? |
Andrew Clarke (Aclarke)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 01:24 am: |
|
toddslater: drugs? Huh??
All I'm saying is that it's easy to go out and get a Toyota Camry, 4-Runner or a Honda Accord or something. There's a lot to be said for that sort of vehicle. Generally economical, good resale value, etc. Obviously many people buy a Land Rover for goodness knows what reason, but my "seat of the pants" feeling, well besides being sort of tingly, is that the farther you vary from the mainstream in your purchase, the more LIKELY you are to have varied because you have a specific reason. There are always people who go onto a showroom and drive off with a Saab (or whatever) just because it was red and they've always wanted a red car, but for instance one of the things Saab marketers always say is that "people who drive a Saab usually buy one". That's primarily because most people don't know what the heck a Saab is so why would they drive one unless they're reasonably certain they want one before they even go to the dealership? I'd say there's a similar phenomenon amongst Subaru and Land Rover owners. |
IMX-2
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:07 am: |
|
Hey! Lay off the SAABs I've gone against the mainstream, I own a SAAB which is sleek and sexy and a DISCO that is rugged, very reliable and damn sexy, my wife and I love them both. They may be more expensive to have, but anything worth while is. Remember "The greatest temptation in life is to sebtle for less." So don't, get the biggest bang for your buck. |
MTB
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:43 am: |
|
Bought a Disco because the best4x4,rugged,comfortable,you can come out of a mall and not see 50 others out there,and I love them and I would not have to walk to my hunting spots. And it is always fun to take friends through the woods branches scraping the sides; and seeing the look on thier face that you are crazy doing that to our $60,000+ SUV
Bought a Camry coupe(wifes)very dependable that way I would have more money for repairing the Disco
Hell Darren a Disco can cause a divorce between repairs and mods you could do; it won't be long your will be fighting about money(one of the main resons for divorce) Rational people don't buy Land Rovers. You know if a LR is right for you. |
nadim
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 05:28 am: |
|
I shouldn't have even opened this conversation!
But, since I did, here is my input:
"HOW THE HELL CAN YOU COMPARE A GREAT TRUCK WITH A LIFTED SEDAN WITH A GLASS TRUNK?" |
Andrew Clarke (Aclarke)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 02:07 pm: |
|
Hey I have nothing against Saabs. Well nothing major anyways ;-) I was just saying that most people who buy them do so because they WANT A SAAB vs. just needing a new vehicle. |
Alan Yim (Alan)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 02:12 pm: |
|
AHAHAAHAAA!!! MTB, I know what you mean about seeing 50 other vehicles of the same make and model when you come out to the parking lot. Never NOT been able to find my truck.
AND LMAO!! I get the same looks from people when they hear I take my truck off road. They can't believe it. I work for a company that has mostly GM and Dodge owners and with the exception of a few, most of them have never taken their SUVs further than a gravel road. One guy (has a Jimmy/Blazer) even went as far as to taunt me, making comments about going off road in my Disco. It was on a Friday afternoon so I threw out a challenge to him. Said "It's Friday afternoon, nice outside and slow in the office. Let's get in our trucks and I'll follow you ANYWHERE! If you get stuck, I'll haul you out then do your best to keep up." He never took up my offer but he's also never bugged me again.
A |
todd slater (Toddslater)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:36 pm: |
|
Andrew,
"Obviously many people buy a Land Rover for goodness knows what reason, but my "seat of the pants" feeling, well besides being sort of tingly, is that the farther you vary from the mainstream in your purchase, the more LIKELY you are to have varied because you have a specific reason. "
I am getting worried...you're starting to sound like Yogi in that AFLAC commercial....I'll cut you some slack ....afterall you're post was after 1 AM EST. (:0
Remember. Marketers are evil...don't listen to them. |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 03:49 pm: |
|
I lifted mine, threw some steel wheels and M/Ts on it, got an ARB and a winch, and most importantly scratched the paint all to hell. Now people don't look at me stupid when I tell them I take it off-road. |
Bill M. (Circekat)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 04:04 pm: |
|
I fell in luv with my 94 Disco at first sight for three reasons:
1) It was a Land Rover!
2) It was in a place where nobody knew a thing about the entire Land Rover line.
3) It was used with high mileage and no one wanted it.
That said, the only thing I didn't like about it was that it was not a Series.
I use mine for work and as a volunteer firefighter in rural South Carolina. Read my profile about what my Chief said about my Disco. And that was before I started getting recovery items for it.
P.S. anyone want to send a poor, used firefighter a spare or abused ARB bumper and Warn winch. Be prepared to pay the shipping and the insurance when you send it to me. I will also ask you to mount it for me as I am lazy and do the electrics as I will be tired from working all day for the .05 I will make. What?! Buy my own!?! LOL |
Jason T.
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 05:34 pm: |
|
Here's the scoop with me. I've had a subaru, broke lots of CV joints off roading, bend A arms and even went a whole winter without any defrost, had heat but no defrost. Built my series and had lots of fun off road with minimal breakage (read half shafts), got the disco ('96) and haven't had any problems with it. Think you know what I mean... Depends what you want to do with it.
J.T. |
Sean Hanagan (Seanh)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 10, 2002 - 10:30 pm: |
|
My 2p
I have( wife's car)had two outbacks in the last 7 years( a 95and 01) and spent about $200.00 in repairs. I had one Disco for 13 months and spent $3300.00 in repairs. I was saved by trading in the disco on a nice D90 last winter. The numbers speak for themself. By the way the D90 has cost nothing in repairs knock on WOOD!! |
KJ
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 12:21 am: |
|
Well, speaking of wood, tell your wife a Disco will give you wood. Rob says it all the time. I believe him because I don't want to have to look to verify. Hell Darren, it'll give the wife wood, too.
Karen, all burled up |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 12:26 am: |
|
Are you drunk Karen???? First all that "Its a Small World" crap in the other thread and now THIS. |
KJ
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 01:04 am: |
|
Carter,
I'm powered soley by Ben and Jerry's tonight....now, are you stalking me??????
Karen "It's a small world after aaaaalllllllll......" |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 01:13 am: |
|
So just because I have a shrine dedicated to you in the spare bedroom means I'm a stalker now???? ;)
Now speaking of Ben and Jerry's, what is the name of the flavor with the pretzels in it??? I haven't seen it in forever and I now have a place that will get it in for me if I can only remember the name.
Finally Damn you again, I had just got that freakin song out of my head |
benjerry
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 08:26 am: |
|
chubby hubby ,it's delectable |
Sean Hanagan (Seanh)
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 10:44 am: |
|
Chubby hubby and wood, I get it! |
Carter Simcoe (Carter)
| | Posted on Friday, October 11, 2002 - 11:26 am: |
|
YES!!!!!!!! Thank you!!! |
KJ
| | Posted on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 12:35 am: |
|
Carter, get back to me when my shrine moves to your front yard and has an eternal flame. Damned rookies.
Karen |
curquieta
| | Posted on Saturday, October 12, 2002 - 10:31 pm: |
|
Owning a LR is like owning a Ferrari. It is impractical, expensive, and highly tempermental, probably like your partner. All that goes away when you get into it and use it like its supposed to be---and remember--it always WANTS to go out when YOU want to go out
Just like your partner though, massage it, change its oil, coddle it with tender care, and always tell it you love it, it'll probably love you back unless you get a real witch.
REALLY. |
KJ
| | Posted on Sunday, October 13, 2002 - 01:10 am: |
|
Holy cow. Now, that's some poetry.
Karen, damned straight |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page