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Ronan
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 12:43 pm: | 
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Hi there - First post on site but hoping you guys can help me out. My wife and I are getting our first Disco and I was looking for an unbiased opinion. We are trying to figure out which options we should go for on the truck. We live in Canada so the cold package is a must. I plan to get into offroading but am still quite a novice. My questions involve the ACE and SLS. We are trying to decide whether to spring for a new 2003 with/without these options or go for a preowned 2002 SE without any packages. Any input as to suggestions about 2001/2002 or 2003 models and whether or not the ACE will be a noticeable feature both on and off road? Thanks very much for your help and I hope to be making more regular posts when we get the new vehicle.
Ronan |
David Marchand (Dmarchand)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 01:02 pm: |
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Ronan,
opinions will differ from all. I have a '00 with ACE (still for sale actually, with only 22K miles....shameless plug), that works awesome both on and offroad. Options like ACE and SLS are nice to have, for largely on road driving. As with any 'option' on a vehicle, the more you add, the more chances that option will break down at any future time.
With that said, from my perspective, ACE is great. It does limit you to how much you can lift the rig (if you ever get into that). But I find I get excellent articulation offroad from it. It drives awesome on-road, even with larger tires. I haven't had a single problem with the system at all.
I would review the archives and run a few searches on this site.
The most important concern you may have, if your looking into getting into offroad driving, would be how much and where you plan to go. The '02 and '03 lack a lockable Center Differential. This you can search on too.
I would also hesitate to purchase a brand new rig, if your jumping into offroad. Of course, if you don't mind tree marks and scratches, a few dents here and there, then you should have a ball... I'm jumping way ahead on this anyway. Good luck! |
ken
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 01:19 pm: |
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If I had it to do all over again I would have bought USED. I have a DII w/SLS. I know your question is ACE/SLS or not but once you figure that out buy used. Theses cars depreciate fast if you ever sale it within a couple years you will lose your ass. On the flip side if you are going to keep it for a long time you still might as well save some money. If you bought a 94 accord in 94 for about 12-15k and sold it now for about 3-5k thats not to bad but if you had bought a Rover for about 25-28k and now could only get about 7-9k for it that kinda sucks. I bought my rover for 45k in 99' I would be lucky to get 22k for it today. That aside it is the best car I have ever owned and I will be keeping it. In hindsight i just wish I had bought one that hade been previousely enjoyed.
ken |
Greg Davis (Gregdavis)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 01:23 pm: |
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Ronan, I have an '00 and love it. For '03 there were a few significant improvements, mainly in the braking department. Prior to '03, all DII's suffered from poor brakes. With the '03's, supposedly LR recognized this and used a new master cylinder, larger calipers and pads, and revamped the computer logic. A recent test in a british magazine raved about the on-raod feel and braking of the '03.
Also, you can get the 4.6 engine. Not a huge improvement, but every little bit helps. SLS has rear airbags, which I'm not a personal fan of. No personal experience, but I just prefer coils over air bags. ACE has its followers. My rig is not equipped with it, but I have heard several people rave about it.
It all comes down to what you like and what you WANT. Regardless of what we say, it has to work for you. Just be very realistic about what you will use the vehicle for. Good luck. |
Al Oliveira (Offroaddisco)
| | Posted on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 01:53 pm: |
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I have a 1999 D2 with ACE and SLS. My opinion is to get the 2003 if you plan on doing any off road in the future. Forget the SLS but ACE is up to you. Contrary to popular belief you can lift an ACE vehicle with no more limits than the non-ACE vehicle. You just need to extend the links on the ACE much like people do with sway bars and a tall lift.
My reason against the 2002 is because of the lack of CDL. This is more important to than anything else. Now people say the 2003 has the CDL nipple to do the upgrade but I have yet to see it. LRNA is not importing the 2003 with the CDL this year so it's a question of is the 2003 like the 1999 where you can modify it or if it's like the 2002 where you're SOL unless you replace the transfer case. Either way for me the 2002 is out. One other thing on ACE is that you may only be able to get it with 18" wheels and you really want 16" wheels for off road use and tire choices. |
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