Opinions on Land Rover brand?

[smoak]

I have heard many stories about these vehicles in the past but the wife needs a new SUV and I am considering a 2003 Discovery model or a 2001 Range Rover model, which are both around the 26k price range. Seems like a lot of vehicle for the money when compared to the American SUV's and about 5k less than a comparable X5. I know they get spit for gas mileage but other than that issue, any other comments, opinions, suggestions?

[smoak]

Yikes. People really have strong opinions about these things. We found an '04 S model for 25k that only has 6k miles on it. Maybe she can have it until the warranty expires.

[vash]

used discoverys are cheap. i would love a defender. i gotta admit, very few SUVs feel as sturdy.

[Overpaid Slacker]

Lemme put it this way -- my sister works at a CarMax in NoVa -- she's got all kinds of experience in evaluating/cleaning/detailing/marketing cars. She sees every kind of car, every brand, every make and model... it's about as objective as you can get in the car selling biz, IMHO. If part of my purgatorial penance was to have to sell cars for a living, I'd want it to be at a CarMax b/c I have EVERYthing available to me -- I'm not pimping only Camrys or only Accords, or, heaven forfend, Hummers.

Anyhoo, two marques that the sis wouldn't touch with a ten meter cattle prod are Land Rover and Jaguar. Now, MHO is that I agree -- I see people (suckers) driving these things and cringe at how susceptible to marketing they are (they probably own lots of diamonds too...). My sister reports dire issues across the board with these marques and won't even buy one at wholesale, knowing she can flip it to some suggestable dupe for twice the price b/c she doesn't want the hassles if (coughwhencough) it goes all wobbly.

OK, I've owned an OLD LR and loved it -- it was pretty much a reliable tractor with some squared-off coachwork and a feeble heating system as an afterthough -- it treated me well and I miss it sometimes. I like the E-Type and some of its older cousins ... but as for any recent example of LR or Jaguar, NFW.

$.02 You asked; hope I didn't step on any feelings, but for want of conviction in expression, I might not have made the point and you might have made a mistake.

JP

[RickM]

Originally posted by Overpaid Slacker
cringe at how susceptible to marketing they are (they probably own lots of diamonds too...).
JP

LOL, love it!

[jyl]

I have a 95 RR LWB with 100K miles. It is a very nice vehicle to drive, lots of legroom in the rear, solid feel, best snow car I've ever had (heavy, narrow tires, long-travel gas pedal). However, it is not particularly reliable, I spend $2,000/yr in repairs at an independent mechanic. The basic mechanicals don't fail, but the doodads do. My feeling is I'd be inclined to get one with years left on the warranty. Also, the gas mileage sucks due to the vehicle's weight and fulltime 4WD. No firsthand knowledge on the late-model Disco or RR though.

[Icemaster]

Considered buying a new Discovery using the sister in law's A plan discount. Quickly nixed the idea after the sister in law's husband second unit in two years hit it's seventh warranty repair. That's the limit of my experience with them.

[GettinHeadStuds]

Yea, defenders 90s and 110s are very cool... my family used to have the 90s when we lived in africa...pretty kick ass...with that being said...i'd rather have a '67 bronco...lol

as for the discovery.... the only thing you'll discover is how to take it up the ass after your warranty has expired. ask me how i know. good luck!

[nostatic]

get an old Toyota Land Cruiser.

oh wait...you don't want to go offroad, do you?

so why do you want an suv?

[david914]

If you thought Porsches were expensive...

At any rate, mine has been a real love-hate relationship. Handles great, well appointed, goes anywhere I want to go. The bad? Parts are outrageously expensive, stuff breaks that never breaks on "normal" cars, Land Rover is unbelievably arrogant to deal with, Lucas electrics (need I say more?). The later models are probably a little better in the rust department (mine had rust popping up with only 29K on the odometer!) as they FINALLY started galvanizing the bodies (welcome to the 21st century!). One thing you have probably thought about; Why are they so inexpensive on the used market? Because in spite of their long and *ahem* distinguished heritage, they're still not anywhere near as well built or reliable as a Toyota, Chevy, etc. Don't get me wrong, I am still fond of my Disco. It does have a certain "mystique" about it. The problem is, I bought it thinking I was buying a new, modern, low maintenance vehicle, not another project car.

[hex9145]

I was told that the ones to get are the 98 disc and newer thats when bmw took over and fixed all the electrical stuff. David914 mentioned that chevy's were reliable but in my experience they are the worst soccer mom suv's out there. We drive new and older tahoo's at work everyday and they are just terrible. Everything breaks and they over heat very easily. The 99 and older are better than the new ones.

[JavaBrewer]

Read the linked post that Lynn gave. Even after all the pain and suffering my wife still prefers another Disco. Our 99 Series II is head and shoulders better than the 99 and earlier Series I Disco - though it's missing the CDL (center diff. lock) in favor of the ETC (enhanced traction control). LR 2005 is planning on releasing a new version of a mid-size SUV in the U.S. and will discontinue the Disco - looks like a cross between Disco and Range Rover. Pretty nice - though I will vote that down in favor of a Ford Expedition.

[JavaBrewer]

Strange that p-car folks are frowning on the Disco. It's the only SUV out there with character, except for it's big brother. That's gotta count for something, right?

[MFAFF]

The new Disco called the LRD3 has just been launched.....

Get than instead.

The older models, even the Ford ones (becuase now LR is own by Ford as is Jaguar) are still below par in reliability terms and above par in character and ability....

[Chilling in VT]

As a 1961 Series 2 station wagon owner, I can say I love old Rovers. They have an honestness about them like the 911. A couple of years ago, my wife and I looked at one of the Series 2 Disco's. We were actually talked out of buying one by the dealership. The salesman said never to own one that does not have a warranty. I read a news release in the Rovers North newspaper that said that the factory in Sloihull is on "notice" for the next 60 days. They have been told that they must improve the quality and initial reliablilty of their product or risk having the factory shut down and production moved to some other Ford facility. Be careful.

[david914]

Originally posted by dmoolenaar
Strange that p-car folks are frowning on the Disco. It's the only SUV out there with character, except for it's big brother. That's gotta count for something, right?

Not really frowning, just not smiling as much as I used to They are wonderful vehicles as long as you don't have any major problems (like rust, cracked exhaust manifolds, leaking sunroofs, quirkey ABS, intermittent electrics,etc.). In spite of how this sounds, I don't mean to sound sarcastic. Just speaking from experience. My Disco is a '97 (built 2 years after BMW aquired them) and was purchased with 29K miles on the odometer. I have not had as many problems with mine as some others have had, but I have had my share. Just a word of caution, if you purchase a second-hand Land Rover, buy it from a Land Rover dealer and make sure it is a "certified" vehicle with full warranty. With certification, the dealer will be your best friend. Without it, your worst enemy. Again, not to say that you will suffer from any problems, but if you do, the certification will keep you from becoming frustrated and going bankrupt!

[gaijinda]

The Range Rover and Discos are very robust and off-road worthy. Not without a little work Dad's '80-something is still running.. (Slid off a dirt road into an oak last month, not pretty) The electrics are pure British. But what Bronco or Blazer from that era is still running??

[joehahn]

"as for the discovery.... the only thing you'll discover is how to take it up the ass after your warranty has expired. ask me how i know. good luck!"

I laughed out loud at this!

I got my 96 new and promptly gave it back after 36 months. No way I would have owned that thing w/out a warranty. Rear upper window "fixed" 5 times for leaking. Rear diff replaced and various other things. Rear door and hinges rusting off at 36K miles.

I did like it though. Gas was cheaper then.

joe 68 L

[smoak]

Wow, these things sound as expensive to repair as my last P-car. Probably not a good idea for a daily driver. I do wonder if the 03-04 Disco with a warranty would be o.k. I think the 01 Range is out of the question now.

[david914]

Originally posted by smoak
Wow, these things sound as expensive to repair as my last P-car. Probably not a good idea for a daily driver. I do wonder if the 03-04 Disco with a warranty would be o.k. I think the 01 Range is out of the question now.

"As expensive"? No, worse. Short of having a 911 engine rebuild, the Land Rovers will eat you alive when compared to Porsches. It's really a shame. They are very capable in terms of handling, both on and off road. Like I said before, it's a love-hate kinda thing.