| Author | Message | ||
     Bill K (Bill_k) Member Username: Bill_k Post Number: 215 Registered: 08-2002 |
I'm actively looking to buy a 2003 Discovery SE. The dealers are now adding an extra 12k miles and 12 months to the warranty. I currently have a 95 discovery. What are the pros and cons of buying this thing with the new 4.6l V8? The price is about 30k and it seems competitive to me. Any problems reported for this year? | ||
| Randy Maynard (Rans) Senior Member Username: Rans Post Number: 769 Registered: 08-2002 |
2003 has no CDL and not even a nipple on the xfer case to add a manual bar. | ||
| Tom J (Tom_j) New Member Username: Tom_j Post Number: 9 Registered: 08-2003 |
The 4.6 has adequate power, but you still won't win any races. It still does OK off road with the ETC considering the tread pattern of the Wrangler HP's. Most of my time spent off road has been on muddy or dirt trails, and I did just as well as the Grand Cherokee I was with that had CDL and AT tires. As far as problems, between new and 30,500 miles the power steering pump has been replaced & stereo head unit replaced. It has a lot of interior squeaks and rattles that started at about 15,000 miles. If you plan on doing light off road work only, the 03 will save you some money, but I would probably spend the extra cash for an 04 to get CDL. | ||
| Bruno Tome (Bruno_tome) Member Username: Bruno_tome Post Number: 63 Registered: 01-2004 |
"but I would probably spend the extra cash for an 04 to get CDL." Right on ! BT. | ||
| Bill K (Bill_k) Member Username: Bill_k Post Number: 216 Registered: 08-2002 |
The cdl is nice, but I'm mainly a street driver. My main goal is for getting through a couple feet of snow (like we had last year). I'm going back to the discovery, because my current disco had no problems getting through unplowed neighborhoods and, generally speaking, it's been reliable. I didnt use the cdl to get through the snow anyway. I'm mainly looking at reliabilty issues. i like the fact that it has the 4.6 (Thats why I'm looking for the 2003 as opposed to the 2002 or 2001). I know I wont win any races, but I'm hoping it has a more updated improved engine with less problems. I dont like the fact that it has a "maintenance free" transmission or the sealed swivels or the lack of the cdl, but I dont want the 2004 because of the extended warranty they give with a used 2003, it makes no sense to pay more yet have the same warranty. In theory, if I bought a 2003 with 10k miles, my warranty would have another 52k miles and end in 2007. So it would outlast a new car warranty which would cost me more. AND, i have a 4 month baby which I'll have to drive around and need reliability. | ||
| Rick Neff (Lostinboston) Senior Member Username: Lostinboston Post Number: 324 Registered: 06-2003 |
i think reliability and discoveries is an oxymoron, But thats just my opinion. I cant see spending money for an '03 or '04. Id go with an '01 with few miles and buy an extended warranty for it if your dead set on the disco. The CDL helps a lot in the snow and ice if it gets bad enough. I think LR's are a decent second or third vehicle to have fun with. Hopefully they got rid of the slabs ecu issues and drive shaft problems with the '03. otherwise you may find yourself using the dealer loaner or renting for a while. | ||
| Shane Lesteberg (Snwbord24) New Member Username: Snwbord24 Post Number: 29 Registered: 01-2004 |
I have an '03 SE and love it. I've never had or used a vehicle with CDL so I don't know the difference it'll make. I have driven it (with the crappy wrangler HP's) through some good snow storms in Oregon and the Sierra's in California without a problem. I now have 33k on it (yes I drive it alot) and have had no real problems at all. I did have my driveshaft replaced at the 30k maintenance due to leaking grease or something but it was covered under warranty. This is just my opinion but I don't see a problem with the '03, but I've never owned any others like most people here. |
