| Author |
Message |
    
Jeffry Scott (Jeffry)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 11:36 am: | 
|
I have the LR bug. Bad. Fears of reliability prevented me before, but researching this site makes me more secure in knowing Disco's can and are reliable - once whatever bugs there might be are worked out.
I'm looking at a 96 with 67K for $11,900. Not sure the model, but it has dual moonroofs and leather, no jump seats. It has a clean history, per CAR FAX, except in 97 or 98 it failed emissions. It has since passed every year.
I've asked questions privately to a few, and have searched this forum, but as I get more serious I want as much information as I can get.
What should I look for as potential problem areas?
Any recommendations for a Tucson, Ariz. mechanic?
With the VIN, can Land Rover check on service history (assuming it was done at a LR shop)?
I have a 99 Isuzu Trooper - reliable, capable off and on road, roomy. But it is boring. I want a vehicle with character, but I don't want to give up reliability. And with the Disco, as with any used car, I'm taking a risk. Help me make an informed decision,
thanks, and sorry for the long post. |
P_Kennington
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 12:35 pm: |
|
Jeffrey,
I just bought a '96 Discovery- mine is the SD model, doesn't have the sunroofs, with 80k miles. I paid $11,500. I have heard of problems with leaking sunroofs, and mine needed a few things fixed, but the same rules apply for all used vehicles- check the fit between the panels to look for damage, try every switch, button and dial to make sure everything works, and drive it in tight left and right hand circles to listen for noise. I took a Porsche 911 to a dealer once for a pre-purchase inspection, not sure if LR dealers do this. Might want to check it out- a couple of hundred bucks might save you a few thousand. Good luck!
Cheers,
Paul. |
Russian Landy
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 01:01 pm: |
|
A Disco will be much less reliable than a Trooper, and MUCH more capable off road. Much more character and more interesting to drive both on and off road. Slower on the road and worse gas mileage. Better seating position and visibility. Are you ready for all that? I have owned both Disco and Trooper. I much prefer my Disco-Pig, but it's not my primary vehicle. (that job is fulfilled by my rocket-fast and super reliable 540i 6-speed).
You will be happier with a 97 or 98 (reliability gets better in the last years), but a '96 will have depreciated more, which is an advantage. |
Jeffry Scott (Jeffry)
| | Posted on Sunday, December 15, 2002 - 11:20 pm: |
|
This board is amazing. On the For Sale section was a person wanting to sell in Disco who happened to live in Tucson. I happen to live in Tucson and am looking for a disco. I need to sell my Trooper. He wants to sell the disco for a Trooper. We may simply trade vehicles ... carma must have played a roll in this (puns intended).
I'll update as things develop and probably have lots more questions as I become a new disco owner (one way or another). |
Patrick Kullenberg (Kullenberg)
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 09:46 am: |
|
To check on maint performed; there is a guy who hangs out on the Edmunds - Disco board who uses the handle "tincup"; I think he works for LR North Americe. If given the last four numbers of the VIN, he can look up stuff.
Cheers
Pat |
Tim Ballard (Tballard)
| | Posted on Monday, December 16, 2002 - 07:01 pm: |
|
I've had pretty much that vehicle (96 Disco SE) for the past 6 years (now has 88K), and its been quite reliable. Certainly more reliable than my Saab 9000 which I eventually had to replace! I hit the trail 4 - 5 times per year as well as assorted camping and skiing trips The main repairs have been a new ABS harness (and sensors) a new rotoflex coupling to guard against on-trail failure and new Bilsteins all around - the original Woodheads were totally trashed by the many miles of washboard driving. Little annoying things: check for leaking/rusting around the alpine windows as well as curling of the dashboard plastic. I would definitely go for it, as once you hit the trail, you will not be disappointed. I have gone many places with my Disco and my friends RRC (also totally stock) that had modified rigs parked watching. |
Jeffry Scott (Jeffry)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 12:00 am: |
|
Well, the trade is done. I'm a Disco owner. I swapped titles with a fellow who posted his disco for sale here and happened to be in my town - I was selling a Trooper, he was buying a Trooper and selling his Disco. What are the odds?
A straight swap and I'm quite pleased with the deal. We both got what we wanted and I believe we both got fair deals.
My disco:
A white 96 SD, leather interior, new Bridgestone Dueler AT tires, ARB winch bumper, bilstein's all-around and best of all - meticulously maintained and every receipt from its 62,500 mile history came with it. |
muskyman
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 01:44 am: |
|
sounds like a merry christmas for all
welcome and enjoy! |
Joe M. (Little_Joe)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 08:47 am: |
|
Hey Jeff, congratulations once again and enjoy your good fortune! (maybe buy some lotery tickets!)
joe |
Leslie N. Bright (Leslie)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 08:51 am: |
|
Dang, that's great! Wow.....
-L |
TPH (Snowman)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 09:35 am: |
|
J-
Merry Christmas! What are the odds??
S- |
Jack Quinlan (Jsq)
| | Posted on Friday, December 20, 2002 - 01:41 pm: |
|
wow.
that guy who took your trooper got hosed. No offense, since your a disco guy now, but I own a d1 and drive a trooper for work. The trooper sucks. It isn't that it's an exploder or anything and at least it's coil sprung all around but the IFS sucks, the ass is huge, the clearance is bad, the interior is tacky, the onroad handling is worse than offroad and the auto •••••• is really jerky. Whatismore they aint as reliable as people claim. The radiators go, they can't hold alignment and the starters suck (not that disco starters don't). I hope I'm not ruining the day of your trade partner but you should be happy with your disco. The only downfall is that I spend a lot of time in Tucson and have had rover trouble there. Good luck finding good service. I suggest you buy the .pdf shop manual and a bunch of metric tools.
the one good thing about the trooper: It's really easy to take all the doors off to lighten it up when you go offroading.
happy trails with your new disco! |
Jeffry Scott (Jeffry)
| | Posted on Saturday, December 21, 2002 - 05:42 pm: |
|
I'm thrilled with the Disco, but do have to defend the Trooper. I put 46K on it in just over two years and never had one problem. I had it in the shop once for a warranty repair on a part that was still working, just ill-fitting. If I am half as lucky with the Disco I'll be thrilled.
The Trooper was a good, solid vehicle - just throw some Old Man Emu shocks and 32" tires and it was far better off and on-road than when it came from the factory.
The Disco, though, is incredible - big and airy feeling inside, good visibility out all sides and driving position is great. The character, uniqueness and capabilites of it will offset any mechanical or electrical irritations that may occur (or so I've told my wife). The Trooper was just a truck. The Disco feels like so much more ... |
|
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page