| Author | Message | ||
     Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 138 Registered: 01-2003 |
Well maybe not a Jeep, but I'm starting to get frustrated with my D1. It hasn't been drivable for 3 weeks now, and it's starting to really suck trying to arrange transportation for my wife and myself. It gets more complicated, my wife is going to go back to graduate school (for her FNP) this fall. My question is this; is my 95 D1 with 106k going to be a money pit? Would I be better off getting a $1000 to $2000k wrangler during the time she is in school? All I need is a commuter for a 60 mile round trip, and having something cheap to wheel would be nice. My wife and I agree that we should keep her 2001 Audi A4 avant as the nice car which has factory service for the next 2 years. But my disco is becoming a money pit, should I keep the faith, or sell the thing? I realize a jeep isn't as nice as LR for comfort, but if the damn thing doesn't break down, I'd be happy. | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 108 Registered: 02-2002 |
SELL IT! ---------- Ho Chung | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 139 Registered: 01-2003 |
So give up the faith in LR's? Whats a cheap wheeling vehicle? A samy is a death trap for commuting, since its a commuter as well and a cheap bastard wheeler I want, samy's are out. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2202 Registered: 04-2002 |
I think you need an xterra | ||
| Robbie Donaldson (Robbie) Senior Member Username: Robbie Post Number: 336 Registered: 02-2002 |
get an old toyota 4-banger. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2203 Registered: 04-2002 |
NO an xterra w/ IFS | ||
| TPH (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 371 Registered: 12-2002 |
I'd sell it and buy a Toyota 4x4 pickup for that money. It always re-sellable, cheap to run and a pickup is just great to have in the fleet. After grad school is done buy another LR. S- | ||
| Jason Bard (Jbard) Member Username: Jbard Post Number: 96 Registered: 10-2002 |
Lose it man. Priorities. But when your wife's through with Grad school, you'll be back. Oh yes.....you will be back. Suggestions on vehicles? YJ, TJ, CJ or older 4-Runner My 2 cents. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 140 Registered: 01-2003 |
I was thinking about a old (80's) Toyota 4 banger 4x4 PU. The rust on it should help articulation  , cheap, okay on gas, more or less disposable. I think I'd rather walk than own a Xterra, plus that is out of my price range. If I get rid of my disco, I'll get another one, but it will be a second vehicle and after my wife graduates and gets a job. Don't get me wrong, the rovers a great truck, I'm just pissed at it right now and worried I can't afford it in the coming years of reduced by half income level. I swear I spend as much a month on gas, parts, higher insurance than on a Audi with 60k less miles and its 6 years newer and hauls ass which my discovery does not. Of course it will never go offroad, but I'm looking for a vehicle that can that won't break the bank and can go offroad. | ||
| Leslie N. Bright (Leslie) Senior Member Username: Leslie Post Number: 1992 Registered: 02-2002 |
I love my Rovers, but a Subaru is my commuter. Ya do what ya have ta do...... -L | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 2204 Registered: 04-2002 |
Well if your thinking about digging back as far as the 80s give fj60s a look, I know of quite a few that are reliable daily drivers | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 107 Registered: 02-2003 |
toyota of course. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 141 Registered: 01-2003 |
Found this: '88 TOYOTA 4x4, 5 spd., lift, new paint, liner, doesn't run. $400/obo. How are part prices? I wonder how much a engine would be? | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 110 Registered: 02-2002 |
GET IT! ---------- Ho Chung | ||
| Kevin Howell (Kevinhowell) Member Username: Kevinhowell Post Number: 62 Registered: 02-2003 |
how about a nice, purple or muave vw beetle, a couple of years old? you might be able to find one that still has the little flower vase on the dash for those times when you're feeling "outdoorsy", watching the rest of us wheelin' in our man-machines. add a lift and some swampers and you'll be set, my friend. | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 313 Registered: 08-2002 |
Personally I would guess that just as much can go wrong with the type of vehicle that you are looking at getting. Only difference will be that it is somewhat cheaper to fix. Your statement about a $1-$2k jeep not breaking down is really not accurate. But again, you do what you have to do. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Member Username: Markp Post Number: 188 Registered: 02-2002 |
Andy, I think you would be trading one familiar headache for another unfamiliar headache. At $1K to $2K for a wrangler I suspect it will have more problems than the Disco. Jeeps with age are not very reliable. At 106K miles what is worn out on the Disco? - Mark | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 142 Registered: 01-2003 |
If I did just get it, then I could have 2 broken down trucks sitting in my driveway. I'll need some parts trucks to sit on my lawn to complete the look. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 143 Registered: 01-2003 |
True, at jeep could be more headaches than my rover, but at least it may run (unlike my discovery).... I'm not sure what's worn out my disco, I'm just worried that it has lots of problems are coming up. It was running fine until about 3 weeks ago. I have a thread in the tech section about it. I guess I want to know what to expect. Last spring/summer it was the p.s. pump, radiator and hoses, abs, rotoflex, swivel ball seals, rear wheel bearings, on top of all the regular maintence, plugs, cap/rotor, wires, transmittion filter, all fluids and filters. I guess I'm asking, will it every end? | ||
| todd slater (Toddslater) Senior Member Username: Toddslater Post Number: 264 Registered: 08-2002 |
Andy, 88 yota is IFS. 85 was the last of the line for solid. If you need a parts truck I'll sell ya this 84 xcab (less drivetrain) for a lawn planter  | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 145 Registered: 01-2003 |
Now your talking! | ||
| Peter Matusov (Pmatusov) Senior Member Username: Pmatusov Post Number: 643 Registered: 09-2002 |
Andy, a $1000 to 2K wrangler will be a total POS. If you need an economy transportation with decent 4WD ability, look at XJ Cherokees. I wouldn't look at anything older than 96, and if gas mileage is a concern, 2.5 four-banger will get you about 20mpg (16 in town, 24 hwy). It will be loud, jumpy, and squirrelly under cross-wind, but you can wheel it. toyota pickups and 4-runners are cool, but somehow the ones older than 85 will be either trashed beyond repair or cost arm and leg. peter | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Senior Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1402 Registered: 02-2002 |
Take the 1 or 2K and put it into the D1 and get another 100K miles out of it. | ||
| Paul Reyes (Paulr) New Member Username: Paulr Post Number: 24 Registered: 01-2003 |
Keep the Rover and buy a bicycle for back up. I can't beleive all of you lala's out there telling this guy to ditch his LR! KEEP IT! | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 146 Registered: 01-2003 |
Funny thing is I own 4 bikes that all need overhauled for the season before they should be ridden. Even worse is add what I bought those bikes for and they equal about $14k, add all the stuff I've done to my rover and your at about $11k with the purchase and mods. I swear my luck with anything with wheels sucks right now! | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 111 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hey I got about 3 grand worth of bikes not to mention all the other money (XTR) I have put into them Yeah I agree wheels are expensive but damn they are lots of fun. I am guilty of riden bikes to avoid having to drive the Rover..... | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 147 Registered: 01-2003 |
But Peter, Todd's toyota looks like a sweet deal, a little wax and duct tape and it will look like new! | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 148 Registered: 01-2003 |
Phillip, I've done that, my old job was only 3 miles from my home, now with a 32 mile one way commute it's to hard for my lazy fat ass. Plus on days like today where I am now on my 13th hour of being here, I am way to tired to even think of riding. | ||
| Matt Morian (Mmoria01) New Member Username: Mmoria01 Post Number: 6 Registered: 03-2003 |
Get the Toyota 4x4 p/u. I've got an 86 with over 230k miles. Bought it brand new for $8,800. Standard cab, bed, AC, PS, no radio, no rear bumper. Still drive it 2-3 times a week to haul wood, take the dogs to the park, etc... The motor is all original, now starter, alt, h2o-pump have been replaced but never even had the valve cover off. I had a new clutch and trans put in at 190k. I drove that thing till I only had 2nd, 4th, and rev, then the clutch completly went out. The bed is pretty bad but I've seen worse and I've got a 3/4" plywood linner. The cab on up, not a speck of rust. Parts are a plenty. That 22R engine has been around for over 35 yrs and in 85% of the Toyotas in the junkyard. That truck has started up on the coldest days that my maxima wouldn't. The times the bat was dead, I just get out and push, and pop it. If you can find one, get it. -Matt | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 149 Registered: 01-2003 |
But Peter, Todd's toyota looks like a sweet deal, a little wax and duct tape and it will look like new! | ||
| todd slater (Toddslater) Senior Member Username: Toddslater Post Number: 266 Registered: 08-2002 |
Andy, My truck in the photo was my daily driver since I purchased it new in 84 until 2 winters ago when me...some black ice and a fagus grandifolia all came together. Its got around 240k (trouble free)on the clock and the meeting with the American Beech pushed the core support back...but not far enough to put the rad in contact with the fan. (Yep it drove home) The frame is straight and true. I was going to put it back together but picked up a FJ40 to play with instead. Hence the drive train will be coming out (power steering..disc brakes and the like). Like Matt said the beds on these older trucks rust/fade away but cab forward is usually rust free. If you find one just make sure the rust hasn't comprimised the frame...everything else is easy. And I do think some hastas (sp?) in whats left of the bed would look nice | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 150 Registered: 01-2003 |
I like the idea, I could build my own custom bed. I don't own a welder, but I have lots of wood working tools. I could see it now, wood spare tire holder and jerry can holders. Mounts for a hi-lift etc... Well I'm working on hour 45 for the work week right now and I think I've gone nuts. Think plywood could work as a radiator mount?  | ||
| Greg Hirst (Gregh) Member Username: Gregh Post Number: 138 Registered: 10-2002 |
Keep the Disco for weekend therapy (both working on and wheeling) and spend the $2k on a good used jetta or Golf (preferably GTI) or Toyota/Honda if you're so inclined and install a good cheap stereo. Better mileage for commuting, less expensive and more reliable than either Jeep or Rover. I still use my old '88 Jetta GLI with 400K+ miles for daily commuting and it's easy and cheap to fix. My $.02 | ||
| Alex Moore (Landvagabund) New Member Username: Landvagabund Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2003 |
I agree with Greg. I have a 2001 Jetta Wolfsburg that my mom drives daily. It is a great car. The Disco will never be replaced, so don't try with a Land Cruiser or a Jeep. If you don't want to risk having the Disco if it becomes a "money pit", then sell it, and get something like a RRC or a 1980's 90. And that's my 2 cents Take care, Alex | ||
| David Morin (Sporin) New Member Username: Sporin Post Number: 25 Registered: 02-2003 |
"Take the 1 or 2K and put it into the D1 and get another 100K miles out of it. Best advice in the whole thread. If you REALLY want something else, find a well cared for Toyota with the 22re. Mines got 187k on it and runs like a dream. Even with 4.10 gears and 31's, I average 20mpg in mixed driving. Cheap to fix, parts are everywhere. And it doesn't NEED to be older and solid axled unless you plan on lifting it way up or getting into some serious rock crawling. The IFS trucks are very stought and take 31's with no lift. Add some good skids and it will take you just about anywhere you want to go offroad. I paid $2500 for mine, but nearly mint, straight axle ('85) 4Runners are hard to come by in the Northeast. | ||
| Roland Kutasi (Disco1) Member Username: Disco1 Post Number: 60 Registered: 10-2002 |
Get a Russian Lada 4x4 and swap vehicles with your wife. It won't solve your transport problems but a least you'll be single again! |
