By Karen Jones on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 04:16 pm: Edit

Hope you don't mind me posting this here, but this is where I came for and received wonderful help, so it seems logical to report in here. I got approved for my loan today (3.9 % through Land Rover, so I was happy with that), and tomorrow I pick up my new Land Rover! Yup guys, it's a thoroughly chick car, 2001 Discovery II SE in White Gold with Lightstone leather. No ACE, did get the Cold Climate Package. We'll see if all the electronics will provide years of service or years of headache . This is an absolute thrill for me, having wanted a Land Rover for SO long! I could have done without the Lightstone, but it was what they had and we did a pretty reasonable deal. Someone asked where I was finally going to purchase and I've chosen the Alexandria, VA dealership. So far it's been a very good experience and I hope tomorrow is the same. If anyone is looking for an easy good deal I'd recommend trying Autobytel, who directed me to the Princeton, NJ dealership. But for the distance, and the drawbacks regarding future maintenance (none of my local dealerships will provide a free loaner car unless you buy from them initially), I'd have purchased from them. Really nice sales guides, very responsive and helpful, great price point and they'll deliver to your door. Alyssa from the Main Line dealership was also terrific, and had a competitive price. Thanks to her for answering questions and helping to clear up some confusion. She really could not have been nicer, wish we were closer geographically. I can't say the same of my most local Maryland dealership who were wankers of the first order. Well, the second guy from the MD dealership was decent, although he turned me off with some of his scare tactics. Overall they had a decidedly, "We don't need you", attitude, and I felt if that was their first "service" to me, it wasn't likely to get better after they had my money. No problem, I know when I'm not needed, so I voted with my feet and my checkbook. I took one last shot and called Alexandria, and so far I'm glad I did.

MANY thanks to everyone who helped me here, answering so many of my newbie questions. I'm now a DiscoWeb addict. Thanks, like I need a new vice, LOL! Maybe someone can tell me where I should begin reading, books, mags, whatever source, so as to avoid peppering you nice folks with a boat load of doofus questions. This is a wonderful place and I don't want to wear out my welcome. Thanks once more.....

Karen Can't wait until tomorrow!!!!!

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 04:19 pm: Edit

Thats what the site is here for. Did you get it from Sam?

Kyle

By Karen Jones on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 04:55 pm: Edit

Hi Kyle,

What I meant was, I realize this thread is under Technical Discussions and I didn't want to offend anyone by posting in the wrong area. The Sales Guide I'm working with is Wayne. So far it's been an extremely easy, straight-forward encounter. I'm a straight-shooter and fully appreciate the same reciprocal treatment. So far, so good. I feel like I'm always waiting for the other shoe to drop as a result of my repeated unsatisfying contacts with the first local dealership I tried. Hopefully I can put that all behind me and look forward to a happy relationship with this crew.

Karen

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 04:59 pm: Edit

Hmmm , it dont matter where ya post... You are a new owner,,,you can do what ya like.. For now THey are a pretty good bunch in there..


Kyle

By Perrone Ford on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 06:15 pm: Edit

Karen, althougth I am not a Disco owner (have a RR Classic) We are ALWAYS glad to welcome a new enthusiast to the fold. Your questions and enthusiasm have spoken well of you and I am sure you will recieved with open arms.

There are some serious bits of indoctrination you have before you. The first is joining your local Land Rover club. That will be your closest source of hands-on experience and you can get PLENTY of idea on what to do with your truck from that group.

You'll then need to learn what businesses to patronize for certain bits. Use Rovers North for your technical needs and genuine parts. Use RoverTym for your off-road goodies. Use Atlantic British for those "I gotta have something cool that says Land Rover" purchases.

Then you need to get your truck muddy. You can do this with your local club and then you can do it for a nice vacation by taking an official "class". Have a look at the LR Equinox schools for a nice retreat for you and husband.

You need to get copies of some old Camel Trophy tapes as soon as possible. You will not really be a LR enthusiast until you've seen at least one of these tapes (pre 1994). THAT will educate you as to what your truck can REALLY do. I think I have seen every one, and I still enjoy looking at them.

Lastly, get yourself a subscription to a LR magazine. Pick up a copy of each of the different ones. They are LRM - Land Rover Monthly, LROI-Land Rover Owners International, LRW-Land Rover World, LRE-Land Rover Enthusiast. Consider this substantial purchase your indoctrination into the LR family. Each of these magazine has a completely different flavor and there is also some politics involved. Be forewarned. They are expensive to purchase at around $8 each.

Again, welcome to the family.

Perrone Ford
Co-Founder & President
Spanish Trail Land Rover Club
http:/www.spanishtrailrovers.com

By lynden on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 06:41 pm: Edit

Karen, Congrats!!! I know what you mean. We bought a '96 about 1 1/2 months ago and right now I'm bummin' haven't had the truck for two weeks now. Some assho!e backed into our truck at a garage sale of all places. Body shop still hasn't got the parts. (A cuteute w/ a rear spare like ours hit it, didn't hit the bumper because of the tire, crumpled the hood and grill) You'll have tons of fun. You'll now find reasons to go out into the country and do what comes natural to these rigs. Have fun and don't worry about questions. As I'm sure the guys he can attest, I'm pretty lame (didn't get an owner's manual w/ my rig so I had NO idea what some buttons did).

lynden

By Steve (Steve2) on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 07:59 pm: Edit

woohoo! about time you took the plunge!! despite the colour - which is just a colour being you ARE A CHICK (a good thing!) - welcome and be sure to post pics of your new baby. i had severe discovery idus for quite some time and it only became worse until my 'boil' was lanced about a year ago. i'm recovering nicely and driving my disco every day seems to help alot. i still get giddy when i go for a drive. i have never had a more satisfying automobile.

though i am getting chronic rangieitus, the regimine of a disco a day seems to keep it away (until i see a kent green 4.6hse in the parking lot!)

best of luck and welcome! so this makes it three births this week. first horness, then the guy in dallas (sorry i forgot his name, but it is a red 98 le) and now you. this is great!

steve

By Disco2 on Thursday, August 09, 2001 - 09:39 pm: Edit

You could also join Kyle et al on http://groups.yahoo.com/group/disco2owners

Which is especially for D2 owners.

By Bud on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 01:10 am: Edit

Welcome, Karen! Ditto on all the above, especially the invite to disco2owners. Between this site and that group, you will get a pretty well rounded support group. Although Kyle DOES NOT OWN a DII, he has become an integral part of that group because of his inate abiltiy to recognize and dispell myths about Land Rovers and off-roading. I'd call him a Devil's Advocate, but that would be putting it mildly. At any rate, enjoy and, by all means, get some pics to Ho so he can set up a gallery for you.

Bud, from the Mall to Mineral and back.

By Kingfish (Kingfish) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 01:17 am: Edit

Karen, you said you werent too thrilled with the MD dealers? Which one? Also, did any of them tell you about a new LR dealer opening up in Annapolis?

By chrisvonc on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 01:45 am: Edit

Welcome to the party Karen! Now go get that thing dirty, take lots of pictures and send them to Ho Chung here on the Discoweb. Send copies over to Rovergirls.com as well and you can get known over there too.

Have fun!

By MTB on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 03:17 am: Edit

Karen
Welcome. hope you have great luck with your new baby. when you get a chance join a club they can give alot of pointers on safe offroading.
And you will never wear out your welcome here.

Have Fun
Michael B

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 05:44 am: Edit

I knew she'd do it Congrats!

So, Horness up & bought that Disco? I haven't followed that thread lately....

Three "births" this week - that's pretty funny I wish my Disco would knock up someone else's Disco so we could have a litter of DII's. There's two black ones, two brown ones, a white one, a kent green, a black one with white spots, and the runt of the litter - kinversand...

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 05:48 am: Edit

Bill,

Go get a II. Just make it a Series IIA. J

Our stable... (His & Hers)

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:02 am: Edit

Of course, that Disco looks great...but that IIA looks better Very nice.

By Karen Jones on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:05 am: Edit

You GUYS! Thanks so much for all the enthusing and next step pointers! I'm thrilled beyond all good sense, just waiting for my husband to come home so we can make the trek and pick up the new truck. He never takes time off, so a half day off on a Friday tells you how excited he is, too.

Perrone, I found the link on this site for some of the magazines you mentioned. I'd seen some once at Borders Books, but my husband warned me then that I'd probably make myself miserable buying them, and advised I wait. He's right, I had a time line and it was too early then to get fixated any deeper than I already was, LOL! NOW I CAN!!!! I'll get a video or two, too, and yes, we're already talking about making a trip to the Greenbriar driving school. I really want to know how to properly and safely operate this vehicle. A little fun at the same time is a good thing, too!

Lynden, what a bummer about your bruised Disco! Dag, sometimes a garage sale is not such a bargain, hope you get things fixed soon! Your enthusiasm needs a Disco infusion lest you explode .

Steve, you wicked man , glad you forgive me the color, LOL! I did see the great pic of Horness's new truck, out front of his modest country home . Missed the fellow in Dallas, I need to dig through DiscoWeb even more! This Disco Fever is spreading like an epidemic this week!

Kingfish, about my unsatisfying local dealer experience, I wouldn't want to say the name out loud, but it starts with a Rock and ends with a ville. That help? ;)

Bud, Chris and MTB, thanks so much for sharing my enthusiasm and for the kind welcome into the coven . Oh, and Disco2 I'll join the e-group, too. I think it's a good thing to have Kyle to poke the loyal subjects once in a while, it wouldn't do to always see everything exactly the same. I'll take a pic or two, but it might seem a bit silly given the truck will look exactly like any stock model right off the lot. Now, if I had me that big-ass WINCH, I might not be so embarrassed, LOL! I'll try to throw some mud on it before I shoot pics.....

Thanks again everyone, this group has already substantially enhanced my enjoyment of the vehicle I don't quite own yet. And now to get my horses in from the heat, and wring my hands until David gets home.....gawd, I'm the worst, LOL!

Karen

By gil on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:16 am: Edit

yup, new addition to mi familia as well, just picked up a 96 4.0 SE in Black with Walnut. the addiction is just to strong...i cant fight it..wheres my local LROA meeting? (Land Rover Owners Anonymous)

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:20 am: Edit

damn, you must be one rich mofo with 2 Rovers: Disco & RR!

By gil on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:24 am: Edit

the advantages of working for Land Rover...

By Ron on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:27 am: Edit

Karen,

You better plan to go to the Mid Atlantic Rally in Oct 5-7th.

Hope to meet you there.

Congrats!

Ron

By Mike B. on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 02:44 pm: Edit

Karen:

Bean you husband over the head with a very large object and drag the whole family to the Southern Appalacian Expedition (SAE) in Menlo Georgia on September 14, 15 and 16th! They will have trails for the beginner, intermediate, and advanced folks. There will be about 300 Rovers there. Camping and hotels will be available! Here is the link: http://www.solaros.com/calander/sae.html

Thanks,
Mike B.

By Karen Jones on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 05:20 pm: Edit

Good grief, I think we've had our first Disco adventure already! (Hey, I said DISCO! I think I finally can!) For anyone familiar with the D.C. area, this was our dangerous combo platter coming home with the new truck tonight: Friday night rush/get out of Dodge hour/Wilson Bridge/gargantuan electrical storms/torrential rains/Volvo with a stinking never-did-function defrost/overheating Volvo resulting in turning off the a/c, which is the only shot you have of actually SEEING through the fog! Lucky to be home alive, and I'm barely exaggerating. I'm pretty sure the bridge got struck by lightening as I was crossing it at all of 15 mph, and all the while thinking I was driving WAY to fast for those conditions. David drove the Disco (which was my vote, he's a quicker study under pressure of new car features), I drove the Vu with window rolled down through a large part of the torrent. His ride was better than mine (G). Anyway, we're home and nearly dry, the dealer was great and did everything as promised, the car looks beautiful to my eye and we're pouring over the owner's manual and have already watched the video. Ron, we'll see what we can do about making the Mid-Atlantic Rally, we've got to do some of these events! It would be great to meet you and Alyssa. Mike, I'm going to check out that link you left, thanks!!! Gil congrats on adding to your LR stable!!! I'm already thinking that if David and I ever got very serious about off-roading maybe we should get an older LR, something really tricked-out, or that we can modify ourselves, so my "pretty" truck stays that way. LOL, I know the first scratch is going to REALLY hurt! I'd have to go pretty far back in model years though, because I got me a brand new payment to look forward to already!

Soooooo, I think we'll be doing a little bit of engine break-in work this weekend. Tough job, but you know how that goes! Oh, David got to do the hill/test drive thing today, which he thought was great fun, too. I think that's a little appetite whetting for off-roading. Now, to find some of those Camel Trophy tapes.... And load up on Pepto-Bismol for the motion-sickness....LOL!

Karen, enthusing to the sickening point already....sorry guys! ;)

By Eric N (Grnrvr) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:12 pm: Edit

Karen, congrats on the new Disco. The first scratch doesn't hurt that much cause you did it your self while having a good time. It's the first door ding from the butt head that parks next to you and just swings open his/her door that is going to really piss you off. Trees and rocks don't jump out at you. Idiots in parking lots do.

By Wes Legaspi (Wes) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 06:37 pm: Edit

congrats!

By Jon E. Yermo (Jon) on Friday, August 10, 2001 - 07:43 pm: Edit

I never got this much attention around here. LOL
Oh, I'm in a Discovery 1, almost forgot!!!

Hope everyone has some off-road fun this weekend.

-Erik

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Saturday, August 11, 2001 - 03:20 am: Edit

Karen , I dont think anyone can feel our pain over the WW. I cross that damn thing every day and every day its an adventure...

Kyle

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Saturday, August 11, 2001 - 03:57 am: Edit

I remember the traffic from DC when work was in the city and home was in Potomac. That being said, until I moved to LA, I never understood traffic.

The 405 Freeway can regularly be bumper to bumper STOPPED at 1AM. I kid you not. There is no rhyme nor reason. It's just a parking lot all the time. The 10 Freeway is another joy to behold.

It's the one reason I am comfortable driving the Series truck on the highway. The speeds are never high enough that I'm in the way!

Karen, congratulations on the truck. I wanted to wait until you actually took physical ownership to say so. Enjoy. You've got all weekend to play. Just make sure the first ding/scratch/dent is one you caused.

By Karen Jones on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 05:19 pm: Edit

Thanks again to everyone for sharing my new Disco joy. Kyle, the Woodrow Wilson every day??? Good lord man, better to row a canoe! My hat's off to you for avoiding road rage. Eric, Wes and Jon/Erik, thanks again for being so kind to me. Jeff, good call on waiting until I had payment book in hand. I don't blame you one bit for holding off until I'd gone from tire kicker to tire owner. Oh and speaking of tires, my Disco came with Michelins instead of the BFGs I'd seen on several others. Not sure what to wish for there, but I'll write down the vital stats and y'all can tell me how I should s-can them and buy new right away (G). Yeah, and the Bilsteins, it's burned into my brain boys, LOL! Perrone, I tried to buy some magazines yesterday at Borders, but don't you know they had nothing this trip! I looked at a few online links and I'll be ordering some pretty soon. Any idea where I can get some Camel Trophy tapes? BTW, I saw the web site for your club and it looks like you have a lot of fun down yonder. I watched some of the DiscoWeb video snippets today and I'm incredibly impressed with what some of these members do. I'm sure it's all something you work up to, but from this PC some of that stuff was incredibly daunting!

I'm going to try and get a picture of my new machine up tomorrow. It's been like a rain forest around here the past four days, so all my pics have been awful. Anyone who likes to run in the mud, come to Maryland!

Karen

By Perrone Ford on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 06:06 pm: Edit

Karen,

No magazines?! What kinda place are you living in! Anyway, if you want copies of the GOOD Camel Trophy tapes, you're going to have to get them from enthusiasts. The GOOD ones aren't sold anymore. Don't bother with the ones after 1994, they are just not the same. You want ANY of the tapes from earlier than 1990 and I believe the 1992 or so tapes have the Discos in them. I've got a few with Discos but can't remember the years. Why not put your new dealer to work and ask them to secure you some pre-1994 Camel Trophy tapes.

You might be able to get a GOOD trade-in price on your tires at Discount Tire if you take them in now. They can see the tire is still "new" and that should work in your favor. There is absolutely NO modification you can do to your truck that will improve its on and off-road capability like the installtion of tires. Even lockers can't make up for a lack of tire. But whatever you buy, don't BS around. Get a GOOD mud tire and have them siped. The temptation will be to get a good multi-purpose tire and live with it, but I promise, the first time you hit mud or the rocks, you'll curse the day you spent good money on all-terrains when the guy in front of you with the same truck on mud terrains pulls out the strap and pulls you through the mud.

I don't know if Mike Bauer reads this board, but I did this to him. He was on stock Michelins and I was on my BFG Trac Edge (a good all-terrain tire) and I was in 2 wheel drive. I drove through a mud hole, he got stuck RIGHT behind me. I offered to back up and pull him out, but the guy behind him winched him backward. It was noting but better tires. See the pics here:

http://www.spanishtrailrovers.com/Past_Events/Past_Trail_Rides/Crestview__February__2001/crestview__february__2001.html

Peace!

-P

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Monday, August 13, 2001 - 06:58 pm: Edit

Karen, not to burst the spending bubble while the check book is ready to spend, but I'd recommend that you sit tight on the truck you have. Learn how to drive it, learn what it can and can't do, and learn what you can, can't, and won't do as well. If you get a chance to go out with other Rover owners, you can see what they are doing to their trucks and learn about your options.

It's really easy to go out and blow a few grand in a matter of minutes on all sorts of nice toys, but the toys won't do you any good if you don't understand how to use them.

All the bells and whistles will still be there waiting for you to buy them tomorrow. I promise.

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 04:20 am: Edit

I am with Jeff here. You have no idea where you are unless you full understand the path that brought you there. Some things just make good sense if you know you are going to take it off the beaten path , others , well , my opinion is known about the others.. Enjoy that new car feel (And smell) for awhile...

Kyle

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 05:50 am: Edit

yeah, could you bottle up a little of your new car smell and ship it to me?

By chuanchen on Tuesday, August 14, 2001 - 07:55 am: Edit

Karen

My little suggestion. if you would like to join off-road events or seminar for your first step into this wonderful world, you might want to go to the Land Rover hosted ones rather than those hosted by someone else. The reason is that the vehicle you've got is Disco II, which's got some devices and fuctions different from most of 4x4. These do require some different approach/methods for you to manage the vehicle. in LR hosted events, they would demostrate specifically the difference between Disco II and traditional 4x4s so you'll know how to safely manage your new baby. those non-LR hosted events won't specifically tell you what's the difference between your Disco II and others. it might get dangerous and harmful for you and your new baby. I mean it.

you'll get to learn both knowledges for your Disco II and typical driving techs, and you'll be safe!! 8-)

chuanchen