| Author |
Message |
    
Kit Redwine
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 12:24 pm: | 
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I hope this is the correct forum for this question. I'm looking at my first Disco, a '97 with 54K. New tires, new Bilsteins, recent replacement of steering box and transfer case seal. Front brakes at 60% but rear pads and rotors need replacing.
Major issues are the rear differential will need replacing (metal bits in the oil) and it may eventually need headgaskets, valve guides, or new cam (apparently common on '96s and early '97s?)
Mechanic estimates the repairs as follows:
Brake job at $650
60K service (sooner than later) $850
New diff $2590
Head/valve/cam work $1000-$1500
The current owner bought the car after it came off a lease two years ago and purchased an aftermarket warranty with a $200 deductible. The warranty expires in about 3 years or at 75k miles. We don't drive much.
Now that he knows the car needs some work, he has offered it to me as is for $14.5k. The brake job and the 60k service wouldn't be covered by the warranty and would bring the total back up to his original $16k asking price. The other work should be covered by the warranty and each job should only cost me $200. He apparently can't start the engine work, though, until the "check engine" light comes on and then the car would be off the road for a week, probably irritating my wife who would mainly be using it.
So, If anyone has any advice or has been in similar situations, I would appreciate it.
Kit
Seattle |
PerroneFord
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 12:42 pm: |
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Just a few comments:
1. The price seems too high
2. Replace the diff in the rear with a locker. You'll double the traction and the cost will be less than half.
3. Get a second opinion on the engine work, but do it while under warranty if at all possible.
4. Do the brake job yourself. Cost will be 1/3 and will take a few hours with basic hand tools.
5. 60k service can be done with pretty basic tools and the parts and fluids should cost about $200-$250. It'll take a newbie the whole weekend, but you'll get to know your truck a lot better.
If the truck is in good shape otherwise, I'd probably buy it, but try to get the price down if you can.
Good luck
-P |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 12:58 pm: |
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price does seem high, especially high when you factor in all the known issues.
you, or any local mechanic, can do the rear rotors & pads. Why do they need to be replaced at only 54k miles? Are you sure the rotors need to be replaced? Replacing pads only is a 15 minute & $50 job.
that 60k service price is high. way high. You can do it or have a local mechanic do it. The aftermarket warranty folks shouldn't have any heartburn if you do the work (and document it) or have an SAE certified mechanic do your work, but check the warranty paperwork.
is there any other indication of a "bad diff"? a little metal in the oil is not uncommon. Even if you do need to replace the diff, someone here can hook you up with a used one, a locker, or a lead to a new one at a much better cost I am sure. Stick around here for a while.
He apparently can't start the engine work, though, until the "check engine" light comes on
that doesn't sound right - waiting for a little light to come on to do needed work is letting the tail wag the dog.
sounds like the seller is being very honest, but maybe it's really not as bad as it sounds. The asking price is high, though. |
David Dryden (David914)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 05:50 pm: |
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Check for rust at the bottom of the C-Pillars, and along the bottom of the Alpine window rubber.
David |
RVR OVR (Tom)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 05:58 pm: |
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Kit, with all that stuff wrong with it, I would say find another 97 Disco. If I understand correctly that the car has to be dead for a week before they fix the valves, the warranty doesn't sound to hot.
Tom |
JMcD
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 08:27 pm: |
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I am with Tom 100% on this one, with all that crap going on, find another rig. I have seen 97's for much less than that, without those major problems. Stay away...
JMcD |
ken
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 09:42 pm: |
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Find another vehicle lease return Land rovers are a bad risk. Land Rovers are maintenance dependant and lease returns tend to have poor maintenance histories. If you already have these problems somethings wrong. Not all major problems are easy to spot unless you know your way around a land rover and even then you might miss something. Don't get tempted to buy it just because you realy want it.
I did just that and found myself in need of a new engine shortly after. Still love my lease return but now 1 month after the new engine I need a a/c comp. replaced. $900.00 , or $200.00 deductible which ever way you want to look at it.
from first hand experience your wife wont be happy when it's in the shop more than on the road.
good luck on your search and look for documented main.records.
Ken |
Jeremy Katka (Jkatka)
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2002 - 10:45 pm: |
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Kit,
I think that you should avoid this truck. I know that finding disco's forsale in WA is sometimes a challenge. I found mine after waiting and watching LRX.com for a few months. I have seen a few deals on autotrader and motorcars ltd up in Mt Vernon. There was a eco-challenge XD forsale that had all records for 16k awhile back in redmond. Take your time in shopping and make yourself a check list of things to look at.
JK
PS. If you need a hand I am in Seattle |
Kit
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 12:03 pm: |
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for the advice. I am going to pass on this particular one and wait for a better one to come along.
Thanks again,
Kit |
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