| Author | Message | ||
     Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2003 |
I pay be getting a 2003 Discovery S today; it's a nice deal on an "executive driven" car; and since it's the year-end model ... the price is incredibly fair. I know the 2003 will have CD, but I cannot afford the 2004. Has anyone put an after-market CD player in it? I have a trusted guy who can do it for (a nice one) $400. LR said they'll charge me $1000 for the changer/labor on their factory-install option. Even the sales guy said it was ridiculous. Has anyone done this? What kind of CD player did you put in? Also, how hard is it to install those extender bars for the roof rack? | ||
| max garcia (Max_n_erica) New Member Username: Max_n_erica Post Number: 36 Registered: 02-2003 |
Hi Carolyn Congratulation on your Disco. I can't help much on the cd player. Are you looking to just put a cd changer in or will you replace the headunit as well?Take a look at the link I have posted and see if this helps. At the upper right is a search key that you can try also. Max ../17/26841.html> | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 1982 Registered: 02-2002 |
Here is an example if installing a changer for very cheap. With this option you can keep the steering controls that LR provided you. ../17/8708.html> Paul | ||
| Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 2 Registered: 09-2003 |
Thank you kindly gentlemen (and for being able to understand my original post WITH all the typos). I really just want a single, but the changer seems just as easy to install, so may as well ... | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 314 Registered: 10-2002 |
The 04' disco S will have a single disc CD player in the dash. It would slide right in and with any luck the connectors would be the same. May want to price this option out. | ||
| Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 3 Registered: 09-2003 |
I ended up not buying the Discovery after all (FYI Oliver, they are only offering $500 off the retail price on the 2004s & they aren't actually AT the dealers yet - and a "single CD" is not an option to upgrade to on the 2003, only the 6-CD changer & they charge way too much for what it is). I REALLY test drove it this time and the V8 had nothing, no punch at all, zip, it just sat there. For what I'd be spending in gas for such a huge engine, I wanted at least a little pep. The brakes were also quite bad, it took a lot to stop the vehicle ~ and that just scares me, plain and simple. Many of my miles are highway, so I would not feel safe pulling onto the tollway with it, let alone passing anyone. Also, the dealer would not negotiate further after I found some pretty substantial chips in the paint. He also low-balled me bigtime on my trade in (which I had gotten 3 better offers from other dealers). It all added up being just not worth it ... I know Discos are are what they are (big, heavy trucks); and I expected that - but it just ended up not being worth it for the price - a lot of compromises, but no real "wins" for me (other than maybe the image factor, which I don't give a hoot about); the tape player being just one of the reasons. That's just plain dumb, I don't even know if you can buy cassettes anymore - why on earth would that be standard on the base model? Also is just not "fun" to drive... which I expected; I thought it would be really a fun vehicle, if nothing else. It's a rather labored, lumbering affair and you have to really drive defensively with those brakes. Thanks for the input though, it's helps a lot when making the ultimate decision. | ||
| OLIVER CLOTHSOFF (Everythingleaks) Senior Member Username: Everythingleaks Post Number: 320 Registered: 10-2002 |
Actually I was talking about buying a '04 single disk CD player for your new '03. I just performed a PDI on a '04 at our dealership friday so if your dealer does not have it they are either pushing out the '03's or will have them within a weeek or two. It sounds like you have already talked yourself out of the truck though. It may be better to buy something else if you are this unhappy already. It sounds like the X5 or the new porsche is up your alley. | ||
| Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 4 Registered: 09-2003 |
I don't know Oliver - the guy told me it simply wasn't possible to put a LR "single CD" into the 2003 S ... but I did not mention that 2004 option either. It's a good idea though. I think the dealer was trying to move the 2003s with as little hassle as possible. Yeah, I drove the X5 and LOVED it (and actually my Dad got one - the BMW dealer is owned by the same person as the LR dealer) ... but I will need to save a few $$ to get one. Even with the considerable tax break I'd be getting, it's still a big chunk of change Thanks for all your help. Carolyn | ||
| Steve Vines (Stevedsii) Member Username: Stevedsii Post Number: 56 Registered: 05-2002 |
Pull out the factory head unit and just replace it with an aftermarket unit. I am running a Pioneer in dash single CD player head unit. I had a local shop do the install. Forget the cost but it wasn't much. Works great and won't cost you a thousand bucks. | ||
| Jim Ingarra (Jimingarra) New Member Username: Jimingarra Post Number: 24 Registered: 09-2002 |
Good Choice to not get THAT 03, There were things wrong with that truck. I have an 03 and have put 13K since march. I love it, the 4.6 has way enough pep, and braking is substantially better and I'm not easy on brakes(past history). Just wanted to add my .02 cents. Good Luck with whatever you choose. | ||
| Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 5 Registered: 09-2003 |
Thanks Jim ... you know, I kept thinking that because I read a lot about how LR had gone through great lengths to fix the slowness and the brake issues. I had a Jeep Gr. Cherokee before and had to fix the brakes FIVE times, all under 36,0000 miles, no exaggeration. The rotors warped for the first time @ 9000 miles. They make the rotors too thin to work on the vehicle (quick answer to long research). Because I'm a lawyer and spit venom, they did it for free (as it's technically not covered under the 'bumper to bumper' warranty, nor is it w/LR), but the last thing I wanted was to go through that mess again w/a new vehicle. I may drive some other Discoveries and see what comes up; maybe they will drive differently ... maybe the '04 is more up my alley too ~ the "basic" stuff on the '03 just seemed rather arcane. I'm still trying to scoop up that 6000 lbs. tax break before it evaporates ... | ||
| Scott Scott (Scottoz) Member Username: Scottoz Post Number: 114 Registered: 02-2003 |
The DISCO is only really loved by people who get the vibe of the thing - and the vibe is really only "gotten" if you either tow a lot and/or go off road and put it through its paces. My 2cw PS. I got the impression you were a lawyer - being one for many years myself you get to pick the writing style! | ||
| Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 6 Registered: 09-2003 |
Hey Scott - yeah, sometimes the speak/writing style is hard to shake  I hear what you are saying on "getting" the vehicle. I thought I might - but one never really knows until you get in there and really drive/test a vehicle. I do a ton of camping, kayaking, home repair & dog rescue, so really "use" the SUV-ness of a vehicle, but I'm not so sure I use the "off road"-ness of it, nor would I tow with it. If I went off road, it would be dirt roads and hills ... not like big-time off road stuff. I have heard the 2004s are awesome though (maybe for reasons the die-hards would not like but I would!), so I will give another peek when they come out. I believe they are going to extend the roof rack all the way back which is right up my alley, the CD player is standard and it's supposed to be quicker and more fun to drive. I will keep an open mind | ||
| Jim Ingarra (Jimingarra) New Member Username: Jimingarra Post Number: 25 Registered: 09-2002 |
Carolyn, I think you might be hearing about the 2005 model. From what I hear, and I will check, the 2004 with all the refinements made to this point stay. The only big thing, is the CDL(central diff-lock) and that you could opt for the single cd-player. I bought the S model with the rear seats and sunroofs. I got a great deal with incentives and loyalty discounts. I also got the duragrain due to the kids and the abuse the leather seats took in my old disco.(although they don't look unlike leather). I can't see myself taking it heavy off-road, (yet), but I know its capabilities are there, and as far as getting me to the hospital for a on-call case in the middle of winter, bring it on. (strange how I want those calls now that I've got the disco.) Give it another shot though, things happen for a reason, good luck! Jim | ||
| Alyssa Brown (Alyssa) Senior Member Username: Alyssa Post Number: 267 Registered: 01-2003 |
The 2004 roof rails are different, but they do not extend further. They are very large around, instead of the skinny, stylized version on discoveries now. | ||
| Carolyn A. Schroeder (Sunnyil) New Member Username: Sunnyil Post Number: 7 Registered: 09-2003 |
Thanks Jim & Alyssa! Yeah, I heard now the rails are more "tubular" but won't extend back (the extension bars are like $200 I think) ... Jim, I really liked the duragrain as well (I rescue tons of dogs and mine gets abuse as well, in fact, I usually opt for a series of seat covers, but that is a nice option). That's so funny that you mention wanting bad weather ... I now have a Santa Fe, my 3rd SUV and I am too like "bring it on" I will post if I get a Disco - it is still an option |
