Should I buy a Discovery?

[mikelikestobike]

D1's should be offroaded, and the only people who really should own one are enthusiasts as we're the only ones who will be happy with everythig about them, plus it keeps prices low.

Ok, good job trying to recruit a new enthusiast. Will I get a ticket from the Rover police if the truck isn't dirty all the time?

To address the "posering" guy above: I did mistate myself when I said "We liked the look of a Discovery". I was trying to say that for the price, we liked the features and benefits. Liked that it had jumpseats, leather, and AWD, etc. Not that we liked how the car looked specifically.

People I'm not asking for a guarantee on the Discovery from you. I have owned cars before that basically imploded upon approaching 100K miles. I'm trying to see if these are vehicles known for making it to a ripe old age and mileage, or if they just fall apart and need to be basically rebuilt piece by piece upon hitting 100K miles.

Thanks for all of the constructive comments.

 

[Roverlady]

You have, at least, made the first step correctly....you came to D-web. Without this website and some local friends, we would never be able to fix our trucks!

My Disco has been quite reliable in the 60K+ miles and 5 years I've owned it. That being said, it's had its quirks and little stuff is starting to break. Why are you interested in a 96 specifically? Why not consider a newer one?

If you want a people hauler only, and just happen to like the look of the truck, you might not want one. A woman in my office bought one for that exact reason and hated it until the day she traded it for a new Honda Pilot (which is quite nice, btw). But if you want something fun, unique, and loaded with character--go for it. Just make sure you take care of the basic maintenance, check the history and drive it the way it was meant to be driven! Some times you have to blow a little carbon out of them...!

 

[mikelikestobike]

You have, at least, made the first step correctly....you came to D-web. Without this website and some local friends, we would never be able to fix our trucks!

My Disco has been quite reliable in the 60K+ miles and 5 years I've owned it. That being said, it's had its quirks and little stuff is starting to break. Why are you interested in a 96 specifically? Why not consider a newer one?

If you want a people hauler only, and just happen to like the look of the truck, you might not want one. A woman in my office bought one for that exact reason and hated it until the day she traded it for a new Honda Pilot (which is quite nice, btw). But if you want something fun, unique, and loaded with character--go for it. Just make sure you take care of the basic maintenance, check the history and drive it the way it was meant to be driven! Some times you have to blow a little carbon out of them...!

We are looking at a specific 1996 that we found a good deal on. It has under 100K miles and is in our price range. Honda Pilot is out of that range as is an Odyssey (that is actually what we have to get rid of, prompting this search). Xterra, I might check into.

It isn't just the visual appeal I like, it is more the features and benefits. I am interested in the name a little and the history behind them. I like the uniqueness and my ancestry is nearly 100% British (my Mom was born in England) silly maybe. I'm thinking/ hoping that a Rover is better made than the (granted lower end) Ford that has soured us on Fords.

Who knows, once we test drive it, she may not like it. I assume it drives like a truck (I grew up with trucks and am running a Nissan Hardbody 4X4 now) and I'm not sure that is what she is looking for.

I do know about the carbon build up problem on most cars, and try to take care of that every now and again.

 

[Swa j-Ten]

so..

you don't like how it looks

 

[p m]

you need Disco Love

right, Ho?

 

[Roverlady]

We are looking at a specific 1996 that we found a good deal on. It has under 100K miles and is in our price range. Honda Pilot is out of that range as is an Odyssey (that is actually what we have to get rid of, prompting this search). Xterra, I might check into.

It isn't just the visual appeal I like, it is more the features and benefits. I am interested in the name a little and the history behind them. I like the uniqueness and my ancestry is nearly 100% British (my Mom was born in England) silly maybe. I'm thinking/ hoping that a Rover is better made than the (granted lower end) Ford that has soured us on Fords.

Who knows, once we test drive it, she may not like it. I assume it drives like a truck (I grew up with trucks and am running a Nissan Hardbody 4X4 now) and I'm not sure that is what she is looking for.

I do know about the carbon build up problem on most cars, and try to take care of that every now and again.

The carbon comment was more or less a joke... I drive mine like a race car and I think it helps!

They definitely drive like trucks to most people (um, because they ARE--solid axles and all), but with upgraded shocks and even newer springs (not necessarily lifted if she doesn't want it) they handle quite well for such a large, heavy vehicle. I can corner mine better than some people in a car, but then again, I love to drive! I have heard horror stories about the 1996 b/c of the change from 3.9L to 4.0. Both of our trucks have the 3.9 and have been great....you might actually try to find a 95 with lower miles, but that could be hard...or try for a 97-99. A lot of people think the 99 is the best of the D1. They are getting cheaper too.

If you are British, you should definitely get one and then get a sticker like mine that says "Caution: Slow British Truck"

Good luck!

 

[jmoore]

It isn't just the visual appeal I like, it is more the features and benefits. I am interested in the name a little and the history behind them. I like the uniqueness and my ancestry is nearly 100% British (my Mom was born in England) silly maybe. I'm thinking/ hoping that a Rover is better made than the (granted lower end) Ford that has soured us on Fords.

Who knows, once we test drive it, she may not like it. I assume it drives like a truck (I grew up with trucks and am running a Nissan Hardbody 4X4 now) and I'm not sure that is what she is looking for.

I like it's uniqueness too! Hey, I think they look cool! LOL! Nothing wrong with that!

In regards to the ride... actually, stock Rover suspension is pretty soft. Yes, it does drive like a truck, but it definitely doesn't rattle your teeth.

 

[slangel]

I have a Disco II that hauls kids, dogs,boats, etc.. Mine is on pavement quite a bit - but as said before they do love to be dirty and offroad - I try to ensure a once weekly offroad visit - it makes my truck happy and the kids love it too. I like Roverlady drive my truck like a race car and would agree it seems happier. The decision is up to you - if you do buy - don't be surprised when you find yourself buying things to "add" to it!

 

[Chris-St Louis]

but it definitely doesn't rattle your teeth.

Thats a British thing.... If you rattle too hard, they may fall out.

 

[Roverlady]

I really think mine handled better after the OME shock install though....of course, the old shocks and springs were probably worn out, so I had no idea. Once I put bigger springs and tires on it, it's a little rattling, but I like it rough!

 

[flyfisher11]

I really think mine handled better after the OME shock install though....of course, the old shocks and springs were probably worn out, so I had no idea. Once I put bigger springs and tires on it, it's a little rattling, but I like it rough!

 

[Roverlady]

At this point there are so many interior pieces that rattle and shake, there is no way I'll really notice the bumpiness in the suspension! I just turn the music up louder!

 

[mikelikestobike]

Thanks for all of the input. We really liked the idea of the Disco. I buzzed by (an hour away) and took a look at it on Sunday, the 1996 that was a good deal. Grabbed the VIN, ran CarFax. There were some broken things and it wasn't in great or horrible shape. There was a descrepancy on the mileage, which I think means that it really has 193K miles, not 93K.

No thanks.

Actually we ended up finding a good deal on a Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4x4. We know own 2 older 4x4 trucks! Not what I thought we might end up with. At one point in our lives together we owned 2 Black Ford Contours.

I do know about the "modding bug" I had a mild case with my Black V6 Ford Contour. I'm already looking at things for the Jeep!

Again, thanks for your input.

Good luck everyone! Keep the rubber side down!

 

[justinhaaga]

Jeep GC. Yeah, dunno if that's any better.... good luck :seeya:

 

[Greg French]

I wouldn't reccommend one. Discos suck. Unless you like to work on them most of the time as we all do.

 

[mikelikestobike]

Jeep GC. Yeah, dunno if that's any better.... good luck :seeya:

Thanks! I believe it to be a wiser choice as I don't want (or have time to) work on a car all the time. Plus if it does need something, parts will be more readily available.

Thanks to all for their input. Good luck to you.

Good bye. Keep the rubber side down.

 

[RAV]

Well there's two minutes of my life reading this I'll never get back. I think old netjaws is making up D-web aliases again.:banghead:

 

[mikelikestobike]

Well there's two minutes of my life reading this I'll never get back. I think old netjaws is making up D-web aliases again.

:soapbox: :sniper:


:yawn: You'll be allright. :twocents: Here's a little something for your time.

Good luck to you all. Enjoy your exclusive little club. Enjoy driving, well I was going to say driving your Discoverys, but really I should say " Enjoy attempting to FIX and maybe driving your Discoverys".

 

[flyfisher11]

:soapbox: :sniper:


:yawn: You'll be allright. :twocents: Here's a little something for your time.

Good luck to you all. Enjoy your exclusive little club. Enjoy driving, well I was going to say driving your Discoverys, but really I should say " Enjoy attempting to FIX and maybe driving your Discoverys".

So much for trying to give honest objective information

 

[mikelikestobike]

So much for trying to give honest objective information

Is that what you call it? What thread were you reading?

All I was asking was whether or not a Land Rover Discovery was an expensive, high maintainance piece of shit or not. We are declaring bankruptcy (unfortunately) and our van will be repossessed next week, hence our hurried car buying quest.

To those that honestly tried to give helpful suggestions and comments, thank you.

To the rest of you wanna-be elitist, "if you have to ask, then no" jackasses:

:flipoff3a: :moon: :flipoff:

This is mikelikestobike signing off. Bite me.