| Author | Message | ||
     SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 576 Registered: 06-2002 |
Who owns a 2003? My husband and I are looking at trading his truck for a new Disco...and although I like the 2004, the deals are so good on the 2003! Any feedback? We haven't driven one yet. | ||
| Eugene (Eugene) Member Username: Eugene Post Number: 134 Registered: 02-2003 |
Susannah, I've had an '03 D2 since September 2002. It has about 13,000 miles on it (and several off-road trips). I absolutely love it! No major (or minor) problems to speak of to date. *knocks on wood* I think the 4.6 engine is a nice upgrade over the previous 4.0 engine. It gives the Disco more power in day-to-day driving. It's not even close to being a "fast" vehicle, but I have no trouble on mountain passes, hills, etc. Brakes are much improved as well. I have no complaints about them in stop-and-go NYC or Philly traffic. The only con I can think of is that your husband will probably pick up the Rover bug bad. He'll drool over the EE, RTE, and GBR websites and want to add upgrades over time.  The major change for '04 is the return of the center diff lock. I wish CDL was an option for the '03 models, but alas we'll have to make do with electronic traction control (ETC). The pricing on the '03s seem really nice right now, especially when combined with the LR Owner Loyalty Rebate. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 577 Registered: 06-2002 |
Thanks for your comments Eugene! I've given him the bug from MAR and other events...and have been pushing to add another Rover to our family. So, his drooling can't be worse than mine! I"M actually the car nut in this relationship! I'm just scared I will want to trade my D1...which I said I'd never do! | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 948 Registered: 09-2002 |
Hi Susan, I don't own one but got a chance to drive one for a bit. They're quite nice. The engine is definitely peppier than the 4.0L but a bit thirstier too however that extra hp is quite nice. Makes driving in traffic more pleasant as you have the ability to make passing easier. It's not a rocket ship but it's not the slow brick the 4.0L's are. Much more refined on the road than a D1. Finish is very nice and a bit more storage. Fit and finish seems more polished. I'm not sure if it's actually the case but in the back seat area the roofline looks like they pushed it back a bit so the slope is closer to the rear passengers' heads or at least that's how it feels to me. All around the 2003 is quite nice. | ||
| Eugene (Eugene) Member Username: Eugene Post Number: 135 Registered: 02-2003 |
*grin* I keep telling my girlfriend that we need to add an '04 Disco to the family. She won't quite fall for it, but I can keep hoping. Maybe another few snowstorms will help. If you're patient, LR will have to clear out the '04 models around this time next year. Combine that with the fact that the '05 models will be completely new and there may be a major sale. It's a gamble, but CDL would sure be nice... | ||
| Bryan Crosby (Bcroz) Member Username: Bcroz Post Number: 109 Registered: 03-2002 |
I just traded my 95 D1 for a 2003 D2 (your right the deals are way too good to pass up, especially the tax deduction-covered in another thread-and the Rover loyality rebate. The engine is vastly superior, the 18 inch wheels are great, a class 3 hitch is standard, a lot quieter on the highway, much better sound system yada, yada, blah blah blah... In all, 350 modifications were made between the 02 and the 03 and there is little if any difference between the 03 and the 04. Go for it, you wont be sorry! | ||
| Dick Walker (Wyo183121) New Member Username: Wyo183121 Post Number: 4 Registered: 12-2003 |
Susan My wife probably would not be here today if it wasn't fo her 2003 HSE. She fell asleep and lost control causing the Discovery to go sideways down the interstate at 70 mph. We attribute the Active Cornering Enhancement option with keeping the unit from rolling over. She has 15,000 miles and has had no problems other than the accident. My only problems are she wont't let me take it off road so I had to buy myself a 95 D1 and the dog wont't ride in the back seat anymore. | ||
| Ross Thoma (Rossthoma) Member Username: Rossthoma Post Number: 215 Registered: 08-2002 |
Sus I have an 03. If you are gong to use it off road get the 04 (CDL) because when the ABS senser goes bye bye and it will (grin) you will be glad you have it. "If you needed it going in you will probably need it going out". In all honesty I should have waited, but I couldn't so I now have an 03 with a used CDL X-fer case in my future. and by the way the 04's have a new ABS/CDL program that takes full advantage of all the best attributes of both systems. Ross Thoma | ||
| Ray Wallace (Rayd2) New Member Username: Rayd2 Post Number: 24 Registered: 05-2003 |
Susan, I picked up my 2003 Disco in May and have loved every minute of the time. Two weeks in Moab area (2 different trips), waaaaay off-pavement in Montana, a few trips in the Sierras here in California (RUD chains help when you're in 2+ feet of snow), and not a single problem except that I keep getting it dirty. Plenty of power, can climb ledges/hills/banks I would have never thought possible, cruises well on the Interstate (but 75 is sort of it's comfortable speed there unlike an M5), averages about 15.6 mpg overall to date (8,315 miles) which I figure is pretty good for a heavy-footed driver, and lots of space for storing all sorts of recovery and emergency supplies. The navigation system in the HSE does not cover off-highway, so bring along you Garmin. Don't wait, grab the great deal now and enjoy it! Ray | ||
| Tom J (Tom_j) New Member Username: Tom_j Post Number: 5 Registered: 08-2003 |
I bought an 03 SE in July 2002 and it just rolled over 28,000 miles today. So far, the only problem its had is a bad power steering pump and a bad stereo unit, not counting all the rattles, squeaky seats, etc. It gets about 14mpg with mostly highway driving. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 581 Registered: 06-2002 |
Tom J, that doesn't sound good!!! Thanks everyone for your feedback. Ok, here's what we are thinking...the 04 is great with the CDL, but since it will be our NEW baby, I don't think we are going to be dogging it offroad. It will certainly see some dirt, grass, rocks and mud, but nothing too extreme. My 95 will be more of the trail truck b/c of age,condition, etc. So is it really worth waiting a year for the CDL? I saw quite a few stock 02s and 03s do the same stuff my stock 95 did at MAR and we were certainly impressed. Maybe in 2005, I'll trade the 95 for an 04?! Always thinking ahead. Anything Rover is true love for me. Is the ABS sensor something that is bad on only the new trucks? | ||
| Michael Noe (Noee) Senior Member Username: Noee Post Number: 807 Registered: 03-2002 |
....or you could buy a used pre-mid-2001(with the CDL LT230SE), then take _all_ that money you saved and start enhancing the 95 and probably still have some left over. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 583 Registered: 06-2002 |
Oh, now I'm confused. I thought only the 99 DII had the CDL? Does the 2000? There seem to be quite a few of those available now..... | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1092 Registered: 08-2002 |
Yes Sus, all the way through the mid 01's have the CDL stub. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 584 Registered: 06-2002 |
"stub" meaning the capacity for CDL installation or the actual thing? (I'm ok on basic mechanics....but limited! ) THANKS! | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 1093 Registered: 08-2002 |
Yep, that's it. Of course, I'm not sure of the true technical term for it. Perhaps CDL Activation Stud? | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 585 Registered: 06-2002 |
Ahhhhh....this is good to know! Well, our local dealer has either a 2003 S model with 11K for $26,950 or a 2000 Model with 24K for $23,995. Hmmmm.....would the 2000 be better for the price? Um, Greg, the activation 'stud' would be the guy engaging the CDL, right?! |
