| Author | Message | ||
     Scott Underwood (Stump1883) New Member Username: Stump1883 Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2003 |
Hey guys, I've been looking around your bored here for awhile now. My friend introduced me to your site and he has(had) a 96' Rover before a small accident took it out of comission. Hopefulyl he'll be getting a new one soon. I have a few other fireds with Rovers and they have made me curious about getting one myself. I currently own a 96' 4Runner with a 3" lift and 33s. Well I'm about to loose her do to previous owner stupiity(engine probems, on a Toyota go figure) she had a bad past. But I'm looking for another 4WD that I can get back into the game with, and hopefuly for a slightly cheaper price than another 4Runner. I'm looking into Rovers obviousy, Discovery's more spcifically. I would really appreciate it if you guys could tell the best years of Rovers to look at. I know you don'tlike to talk about the bad parts about your rigs, but could you please let me know some of the negetives if you would so I can have a better idea of what I may be getting into. Thanks ALOT. | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 759 Registered: 08-2002 |
I have a '00 DII, and love it. However, some on this board are more biased towards the DI's (go figure!). Anyway, do a search and you'll see that this has been discussed many times. And don't beleive what you read, DII's can be made just as capable as DI's.  | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 516 Registered: 10-2002 |
Here's a good mechanic's overview. http://www.robisonservice.com/servicedep/rover_advice1.asp I've owned a 88 Range Rover and now a 99 Disco 2. Don't forget to look at pre '95 Range Rovers if you want a great rig for wheelin'. | ||
| Scott Underwood (Stump1883) New Member Username: Stump1883 Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2003 |
Well after reading that stuff it all but discorages me completly from Rovers all together. Do all those problems listed on that link pop up often or can they all be prevented with regular maintence. I would love a Rover but not if it was going to be broken all the time, or needing to be in the shop. This truck would not be just my trail rig, it would be my main mode of transportation and I would need it to be able to hold up on and off road with no fear of problems looming | ||
| Joe M. (Little_joe) Member Username: Little_joe Post Number: 88 Registered: 11-2002 |
Scott, I have a 1994 Toyota 4WD p/u and now a 1996 Disco. If you love Toyotas for what they are, you will hate Rovers. If you like to tinker and upgrade and maintain (a lot) and have a truly unique & capable truck, Rover may fit the bill. Good luck with whatever you decide. joe | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 519 Registered: 03-2002 |
IMO, based on your needs (main trail rig *and* daily driver), there is no other option better than a D2, preferrably one with the CDL-enabled tcase. Be advised, you have to do more than regular maintenance on *any* truck that will be a trail rig. The 4.0 in the D2 still has some sporadic rocker and valve issues (mine never has), but the fixes added to prevent some of the earlier leaking problems appear to be working and FWIW, I have more confidence in the engine control system than earlier disco models. Mine doesn't leak, doesn't even seep at 49K. I did just replace my AT, but IMO it was dead from the factory, LRNA just wouldn't admit it in the end. All that said, my D2 is *not* a daily driver and to do it over again, I'd have gotten a used 99 D1 and moved on from there with trail mods. As it stands, I'll drive the D2 into the ground (if that's possible), I'm currently buying a IIa and if the price is right, I may have a RRC this weekend. I guess my point is, be careful, you'll get hooked, there's something about these trucks that is enthralling. | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 519 Registered: 10-2002 |
I didn't mean to turn you off to Rovers but they can be maintaince pigs. On the other hand they are very stout and capable off road vehicles. Many problems they have later in life are often the result of the previous owner not properly taking care of the vehicle, oil & fluid changes, cheap fuel, etc. I think Robinson mentions that in his article. I used both of my rigs (88RR, 99D2) as a daily drivers and found them to be comfortable and capable of going where ever I wanted to go. Again, if you are looking for a less expensive Rover, check out 97-99 D1's or a Range Rover Classic. 87-95. | ||
| Enoch Snyder (Esnyder) New Member Username: Esnyder Post Number: 29 Registered: 10-2002 |
"but IMO it was dead from the factory," That shouldn't really justify it, should it Mike? If I added up all my repair bills for the past 5 years on my Disco I would commit hari-kari. Love, hate. Love, hate. Love, hate. Fortunately the love side is strong, and I can afford the repairs. (well, kind of. there is the small matter of a home equity line I've had to open...) | ||
| Scott Underwood (Stump1883) New Member Username: Stump1883 Post Number: 3 Registered: 03-2003 |
So these things are maintinece hgs. Well I love my yota for the simple fact that all I have to do is keep the tires rotated and the oil changed and she starts every morning and runs tillthe sun goes down w/o the slightest peep. I heard a thing or two about unproper fuel, does that mean they take premium fuel only? What octane are we looking at exactly. I love the idea of a Rover and all it has to offer but I simply can't have her in the shop all the time or have her stuck in the garage. Regualar mintince done by me is fine but big things popping up all the time I can't handle. I'm in college and can't really afford high repair cost all the time. I need day to day reliablity. Knowing that about me being a student and my needs as one, do you still think a Rover could it my bill??? | ||
| John Moore (Jmoore) Senior Member Username: Jmoore Post Number: 521 Registered: 10-2002 |
The only Japanese vehicle I have had any experience with is my wife's 99 Rodeo. Other than blowing a rear axel seal, it has given us zero problems (knock on wood)and easily let us put 56K miles on the odo. On the other hand I find it a bit boring, plasticy and ordinary. I have beat both of my Rovers pretty good and they have never left me stranded. (knock, knock again) I will let other's chime in on the Rover v. Yota debate. According to the owner's manual, Rovers use 90 octane. I use premium 92 rather than the 89 octane middle grade. The reason is that knock sensors can retard the timing and eventually cause carbon build up in the heads. I would imagine Rovers cost more than similar Japanese rigs, but I don't know. Parts are a little more difficult to find and somewhat more pricey. In regards to repairs, they do happen, but I have done most myself and consider a mechanic a last resort. Rovers are fairly easy to work on. But I enjoy my rig, I feel it is distinctive and has character. I enjoy spending time in my garage and don't mind paying extra to run synthetic fluids or buying premium toys. There are plenty of other college students on this board. The choice is yours... Hope this helps, | ||
| todd slater (Toddslater) Senior Member Username: Toddslater Post Number: 259 Registered: 08-2002 |
Scott, Here is my .02. After reading the above and knowing your a college student, here is the short version: FJ60, FJ62, FJ80. I've owned my 99 D2 since new and the problems I have had by far and away and then some exceeded my 89 FJ62 (lifetime) and other toy 4x's that I still own with shit loads more miles on them. I like my D2 however unless you have daddy big bucks footing your bills, they will be costly for a college student...even if your turning the wrenches (comparatively speaking). LR's will be around when your done with school and making the big $$$. Buy a herd of them then. | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 525 Registered: 03-2002 |
Enoch: True, but infant mortality is what it is and I'm willing to accept that there will be some of that, no matter the make/model. What's disturbing is LRNA's stance given my records, though I've been told more than once that the final deal they offerred was "surprisingly good". Scott: Don't get a rover until you get out. | ||
| Christian Cartner (Cartner) Member Username: Cartner Post Number: 61 Registered: 10-2002 |
No, get a rover, save up for parts you might need, buy a repair manual and do the work yourself like a lot of the other college students on here. | ||
| Jeffry Scott (Jeffry) Member Username: Jeffry Post Number: 84 Registered: 12-2002 |
I traded my 99 Trooper for a 96 Discovery. I'd stayed away from Land Rover for all of the above-mentioned fears, but I found one that had all receipts, a previous owner who was meticulous with maintenance and it is a great daily driver (aside from the gas). No regrets from this end. I have had to do a few thing (master cylinder, radiator reservoir, window regulator) but I did them myself. The Trooper, if and when it breaks, would have been very difficult to work on. Over the long haul you may have more issues with a Rover, but for the most part they are easy to work on (and it's been 20+ years since my high school mechanic days). Buy a rover, just shop around for a good, clean used one. | ||
| Dave (Discoverover) New Member Username: Discoverover Post Number: 22 Registered: 11-2002 |
I bought a 96' 4.0 discovery about 6 months ago with 38k miles. It had all oil changes and a very clean engine, but it has already developed sticky exhaust valves from carbon fouling and it has nothing to do with poor engine maintenance. It is at Robison Service now and he diagnosed it. The GEMS EFI system was not correctly matched with its engine. Robison is going to do the vlave job and reprogram the ECU, as it explains on his site. The 96' through 98' 4.0s are the ones to avoid even if they are clean. |
