Wife wants land rover discovery - any recommendations?

[chuckw951]

Hi,

Over the years I have owned a number of porsches and a boat. Now the wife wants a toy of her own. She likes the Land Rover Discovery SUV. I've heard good and bad things about these trucks.

Anyone own one of these things? Any web forums that I should check out?

I'd like to be able to tow a 22 foot power boat with any SUV that we decide to buy...can a Discovery pull a boat?

Thanks.


Chuck

[nostatic]

I've heard plenty of bad...not very much good.

How about a nice Cayenne?

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by nostatic
I've heard plenty of bad...not very much good.

How about a nice Cayenne?

Certain significant others think that the "look funny." Actually our local PCA chapter had event a Porsche dealer when the Cayenne was unveiled and I got no traction despite seeing one in person....though I was informed that she could live with a Cayenne twin turbo. Ugh. Our budget would be under 30 for a used (or new) SUV.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

Women driving Hummers (H1, not the goofy H2) get LOTS of attention.

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by BlueSkyJaunte
Women driving Hummers (H1, not the goofy H2) get LOTS of attention.

Hey now I don't want her to get LOTs of attention!

I need to get her an SUV so I can continue on buying porsches and porsche parts.

I've offered to buy her a 924 as her porsche but that didn't work either.

Now all I hear is "land rover" "land rover" "land rover"

[island911]

Just make sure she gets that option with the thingies over the head & tail lights . .
. . .uhm, what are those called. . .ah, "Run-away-shopping-cart-guards" . . that's it.

Seriously though, I've heard nothing but bad things about these suvs; but expect mechanics like them.

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by LynnsABCs
The 98 and later models have Bosch rather than Lucas electrics--a major improvement and a perfect opportunity to hi-jack this thread with Lucas jokes. Examples--

That is good to know. How about the motor? I thought I heard the early Discoverys were a bit underpowered compared to the later models. What was the first year of the bigger motor? Personally I like the Defender landrover but those are out of the price range and I don't think they are still being imported.

I tried the line about "you will not be happy the first time that you have to fork over $800 at the Land Rover dealer for something that won't break on a Chevy" and that didn't work either. It's difficult to argue that line when the come back is "well you just spent $XXXX rebuilding the motor in the porsche! So you can appreciate what up against here. I've also been informed that the brush guards and roof rack are desired options.

The good news is that we will use it off road. We have about 100 acres of woods and mud in the back yard. Years ago the property was a junk yard. Now all of the cars are gone so I do agree with her that it will be fun to have a 4x4.

[joehahn]

i had one that i got new in 96. i loved it! i am 6 feet tall though and it was a little cramped (british people are only 5'10" max by law) because the seat wouldn't go back enough. if you have a warranty get it.

joe 68 L

[RickC]

It depends whether her feelings are love or just lust. If her heart's really set on the Disco, just get it. My wife fell in love with a family car a few years ago, and it was worthwhile to get it as she is very happy with it and doesn't envy my Pelican purchases because she has what she wanted. We lucked out, as our 2001 Volvo V70 XC (now XC 70) has performed perfectly - so much so that we're likely to get another one next year.

But if her heart isn't set on it, well....In my mind, emotion and beauty are fine in a sports car - I once bought a Fiat for goodness sakes! But in a real, working truck or family car, those qualities ought to be at the back end of the list - nice if you can get them, but not critical to the purchase.

I've heard bad things about realiability with these (especially from my cousin who owned a 1999 version - it was a constant nightmare). Suggest you do what he did when his came off lease - buy a Honda Pilot (or some such thing).

Get one solid appliance-type truck and you can then justify any old sports car for each of you, no matter how rickety, rusty or suspect.

[joehahn]

rick, i'll amend my prior post GET A PILOT! after discovery we got a mercedes ml 320 which we thought would be an upgrade from discovery. it was the worst car i have ever owned (seriously). tiring of expensive bills (no warranty on benz) we said "screw status" and got the pilot. it is UNBELIEVEABLE. we love it. so much better than other trucks, more room, more powerful etc. great pilot bbs/forum like this one too.

joe 68 L

[RickM]

I knew two people who leased early Discoverys. They both counted the minutes to the end of the term.

The Range Rover is no different....although, IMO, nicer looking (up till the 2003 model).

The MB 320 based cars are all nightmares.

[Harlan Chinn]

Don't do it! I have friends that have both the Discovery and Range Rover. Unless the vehicle is still under warranty, then still No!
They have had to have complete drive-line/tranny and differential gearboxes replaced on them. Up to 40k in parts in one instance, covered under warranty. You can see the prices new and what they are going for used to realize how quickly you should pass and look at something else.

[RickC]

I've had a number of Honda's, both new and used, cars, trucks and motorcycles, and they've never let me down.

One day, just before I bought my son a Civic, I found myself just thinking of the number of well-made and well-thought out machines they make (cars/cycles/home/marine). Next day went into work and bought stock in the company.

Honda - Like Porsche, Ferrari, Lotus, was created and led for a long time by one man. IMHO, that is why to this day an Accord drives with some spirit, and a Camry drives like a Fridgidaire.

There's a reason they don't usually give rebates. Actually saw a piece recently that showed that an Accord still costs less over the life of the car than a Big Three (Two?) built car with a $4,000 incentive due to reliability and resale.

[JavaBrewer]

Chuck, hello.

Here are some of the things I have said on this board regarding the Land Rover Disco:

Land Rover Discovery - yes I'm the first to say reliability is probably not the best, but its improving and their service policy is top notch. If you buy one get the extended warranty. Regardless, we will replace my wife's 99 Series II with a later model sometime in 04. We like it that much. Avoid the ACE package at all costs. Much like Porsche ownership sometimes you pay a higher fee to drive something you really like. The bonus with the Disco is that underneath the aluminum skin it's the real deal and will handle anything we throw at it including a 40 mph frontal collision with a utility truck. Minivan ran a red light, wife swerved HARD right (heavy LR chassis = no rollover...this ain't no Explorer), contact with Dodge fullsize truck and finally the hydro utility truck. Wife and 2 year old daughter walked away and the 1998 Disco was totalled. Had she hit the minivan I'm sure all of its occupants would have not survived. Reality bites and it's a tough world out there.

My wife and I aren't into being politically correct when it causes us to sacrifice too much. With kids, dog, and all necessary paraphernalia, we have a need for a big SUV - bigger than the Disco that's for sure - so a Ford Expedition is the current #1 contender for us. Wish it came in a diesel. All these sporty SUVs are really a contradiction - they have no more room than a sedan yet are big, heavy, and expensive. What exactly are they trying to achieve? What question do these things answer?

Sunroof - on the Series I they never leaked but they rattled when open. That was a source of fustration for me. On the Series II they went with a whole new design that seems way way better. When we replace the 99 (no sunroof) with a later model we will try to get the sunroofs again and the side steps so my wife has an easier time getting in/out.

Overall we love the truck. It's had some issues but they were always quickly resolved by the dealer at no cost to us. I highly recommend buying a used (1 yr old) Disco and then purchase a 1-2 yr extended warranty. As much as we love the Discovery I would hesitate owning one without the warranty

We really like the truck but to be honest it would have put us in the poor house had we not bought the LR extended warranty package. No way do I want this in our garage out of warranty.

What do I have to say now? Well reliability is still a concern for me. This is combined with the fact that the nearest dealer is 25 miles of heavily congested freeways away. My wife is the primary driver and prior to her 99 Series 2 drove a 97 Series 1. If she had 100% say we would be replacing her 99 with a newer Disco. She loves the truck that much. Oh and if you're into 4x4 the thing really excels in that environment plus most major cities have LR groups that encourage owners to participate. If it were not for the reliability concern I would not hesitate to buy another. I believe in 03 or 04 they increased the engine output but not by much. I think 05 will be a complete redesign. On road performance is pretty lack luster - but this is a SUV and not a Porsche. We have no problems "lumbering" along, you sit high and get to see out some very panoramic windows. With its gearing it can tow something like 7K lbs I believe. Not much else I can say pro/con on the truck.

[chuckw951]

The Honda Pilot looks very nice and I was surprised to read it has 240hp....though it looks like the towing capacity is only 4500 lbs (keep in mind I want to comfortably tow a 22' power boat). Wife reports that the Discovery can tow 7000lbs and I know the Porschey SUV can tow like 6000lbs or something. Friends of mine have owned Hondas and they have been very reliable...but I must say I don't find honda/acuras very inspiring except perhaps the Acura NSX. To me a SUV/truck needs to have plenty of towing/hauling capacity and good ground clearance for off-roading. So many of the SUVs I see on the road have like 4" of ground clearance between the axle and the road....what's the point, right? She used to own a jeep with big tires we are in agreement about the ground clearance and "offroadability" requirement.

[joehahn]

...then you are probably looking at the disco. i have a buddy who is selling one (lives ininner harbor in baltimore, walks to work) but i am sure the used ones are as plentiful there as they are here...

GET WARRANTY. that other post reminded me that i had my real diff replaced under warranty. that would have been grim onmy own.

[RickC]

Yea, towing. That's a problem the Japanese don't seem to worry about. I only tow a Hobie 16 - about 350lbs plus the trailer, so I've never worried about it.

How much does a 22' power boat weigh?

[JavaBrewer]

Originally posted by chuckw951
To me a SUV/truck needs to have plenty of towing/hauling capacity and good ground clearance for off-roading. So many of the SUVs I see on the road have like 4" of ground clearance between the axle and the road....what's the point, right? She used to own a jeep with big tires we are in agreement about the ground clearance and "offroadability" requirement.

Throw some tires on that thing and its instant "Disco fever"

[chuckw951]

Originally posted by RickC
How much does a 22' power boat weigh?

Anywhere from 3500 lbs to 5500lbs. Depends on the style (Donzi vs. Cruiser) and the motor (350 to 454 to 502).

[91C2wrencher]

We bought a 2000 Disco-in'02- (kinda the basic version, not the SE7) and it hasn't been a bad vehicle. It had 33k on it then and now is just ckicking over 50k. It is a big heavy truck, that gets horrible fuel milage, rides rough on the back roads and other than than catching everycross wind rocks down interstate quite nicely all with a comanding view of the road. I did lots of work on it - new Bilstiens, Michelins, Brembo rotors, and change the oil often with M1. It will tow a 2200lb. boat no problem. I think the most suprising thing has benn the dealer experience - best I've ever encountered(at least while under warranty) I would suggest the SE7 model for the creature comforts and as new a unit as fits in the budget. Prices on these have plummeted lately you should be able to get into one for about $22K. Go to www.discoweb.org and just ask what they think, be warned these are not the cultured, refined and curteous bunch we have here.