Land Rover Dilemma

[eskimo]

What would be the DUMBER and/or LESSER of two evils?

A 2007 lightly used LR3 with probably 40k miles @ $25k
or
A 2003 Discovery II with probably 90k miles @ $8k

I have the cash for either, and I'm very DIY.. DYI to a fault actually, meaning if the bastard catches fire I'll push it back to my garage to fix it.
I'm really caught. I love the landy's. Heck, my dad has a disco. He LOVES his, and then gave me the laundry list of broken crap that's on his right now.

Worse, The angel on my shoulder is telling me to get a off lease Pathfinder and leave well enough alone.

Pelican opinion?

[Scott R]

LR3 without question. I just got rid of my 01 disco for the LR3 and it's night and day. The LR3 has at least twice the power, runs a lot better and has about 10 times the person room in the cabin.

Secondly NEVER EVER buy an 03's Disco, most of them have a tragic non-repairable oil pump issue, and the other half that LR claims don't are having it as well. A 2003 without a new motor is a ticking time bomb, it's not "if" it's "when."

Now onto the other years, say you want an 02' or 04' Disco you're going to need head gaskets if they have not been done, and you might need them again if they have. The front drive shaft if it's factory has to go right away. Driving a disco with the OEM front prop shaft is like driving a 944 with an old timing belt.

On and on after that the Disco 2's have issue upon issue you will have to address in time. The shuttle valve issue, SLABS failure, air suspension problems, front cover seals, power steering pumps that never stop leaking, and on and on. I own a $600 computer called a "Hawkeye" just to bleed Disco 2 brakes, it really can't be done correctly any other way. (If you need it I rent it out on the forum listed below)

The best guide to buying a used dicso is at:

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[924slover]

the lesser of two evils with a land rover would be to just shoot yourself in the foot. i will never buy another land rover again after the prince of darkness caused the center console window switches to short out and catch fire mid drive.

[eskimo]

That's the answer I was looking for Scott, many thanks.

[Paul K]

If you get an old-style Discovery, get an '04.

But that is absolutely no guarantee that you won't have to spend thousands on it.

Ppi, ppi, ppi.

[Mrmerlin]

if you have the cash consider getting a Range Rover 2005 model its the best of the BMW era trucks. It drives terrific. Price wise they are upper 20s next option is to find a nice LR3 in CA no salt used on the roads

[JavaBrewer]

PM me on Disco info. I think the LR3 is a 'better' setup but misses the LR marque by a country mile...

[eskimo]

Originally Posted by Mrmerlin

...n is to find a nice LR3 in CA no salt used on the roads...

Seems like Texas might be the place to buy LandRovers as well..