The most expensive car you will ever own is probably a cheap Rover variant. Parts just fall off all by themselves. For cheap and reliable 4x4 it's hard to beat a 4Runner. Sherman freaking tanks!

note 2003 Discos had a misaligned timing case alignment dowel,
and this will over time cause the engine to seize,
a lot of these engines were replaced as that was Rovers repair a new engine,
so check the oil on these engine do a vin search for 2003 rover engine failures
Vin range link

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CDUQ rAIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flandroverforums.com%2Fforu m%2Fdiscovery-ii-18%2F03-bad-oil-pumps-vin-range-16454%2F&ei=6ggaUpbEGor72QXGuYDACA&usg=AFQjCNGy2ND 2Gs-Eg0O3gcldYuWSCPGxcQ&bvm=bv.51156542,d.b2I&cad=rja

One owners struggle with an 03 Disco 2

NOTE the 03 doesnt have the transfer case locker like the 04 does,
so this is another thing to consider,
it can be added to the 03 transfer case for about 700.00

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CC4Q FjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Flandroverforums.com%2Fforum% 2Fdiscovery-ii-18%2F2003-discovery-oil-pressure-light-engine-failure-12805%2F&ei=mgcaUpGkMeXn2QWb7oG4DA&usg=AFQjCNEblFK m_BbTyxnFGS2cKcAweIrMog&bvm=bv.51156542,d.b2I&cad= rja

Not sure if your budget or this guys price are flexible enough for you to meet, but...

2005 LR3 SE-7 111k miles grn/beige $9800obo - Defender Source

Can't remember the year of my neighbor's old Disco but I recall bad head gaskets, valve issues, horrible mpg as they are in 4wd all the time.

and if you can swing it an 05 would be a way better choice,
as the rattly Rover engine with the loose cylinder liners was finally put to rest,
and the new Jag engine was installed.
To do this again I dont think I would ever buy a RR with the Rover engine but that me.
I did own a 2004 Disco2 from new for about 2 years it always had a rattle from the cylinder liners .

Fast Fred is a mechanic right? Do it! They are awesome. My sis sold hers so cheap. I almost got it, but I'm not a pro mechanic.

I say the Land Cruiser is a better vehicle, bigger, just as reliable if not more, bit a bit more money.

LC is also excellent except for the 1992. It was a new model and there was a mismatch between the 4600lb vehicle, 155hp motor and gear ratios. Really slow dog. My brother had the 4.0L 1992 LC and I had a 3.0L 89 4Run. We used to tow to Nevada a lot over 3 serious grades. I was pulling 1000lbs more and he could never keep up. He also had a lot of mechanical issues that were not found on earlier versions. Just a bad year I think. I put 260K on that 3.0L 4run and all I did was change fluids, brakes, belts, and tires. The LC typically got 12mpg and the 4run got 18mpg. Very different tools.

Fred,

You know what you are doing and know what to look for in the intitial purchase, so I vote "yes". There are alot of cheap examples out there and they aren't terribly hard to work on. I resurected a 96 Disco I from a salvage and drove it for years.--terrible gas mileage though. I wish I still had it.

Do NOT buy a range rover--after the LR, I had a 91 classic--pain in the ass and not nearly as easy to wrench as the Disco. I have since sold it and bought a 90 Landcruiser FJ62--which is also easy to wrench on.

I vote either Disco or a LandCruiser.

You are correct that the 3FE equipped FJ80 is SLOW. But, they are great trucks if you go in with your eyes open. The 3FE is bulletproof and will easily run over 300k with only basic maintenance. Removing the smog equipment will really help open the motor up as well. I had a 1991 (same as the 1992) with 200k on it, the only engine work done was a water pump and alternator, it still didn't burn a drop of oil and ran great. The FJ80 and later FZJ80 are fantastic trucks, simply bulletproof.

Regarding the Discovery, I had a 1995 Disco 1 that was a pretty decent truck. Lots of little nitpicky annoying stuff and expensive parts were my biggest complaint. The Disco 1 is much simpler and therefore more reliable, the electronic gizmos on the Disco 2 are the primary failure points, most of those parts are very expensive and require setup and calibration with the LR computer system. They are cool trucks with a lot of character, but after owning a Disco and a Land Cruiser I'll take the Toyota all day long.

I had a 93 and found that to be complete opposite except for the 10 mph part. Plenty of Tq out of that straight 6. a pinhole developed in the head gasket after 200k+miles. I think the 93 was the year they changed to a double over head cam engine. I know the LCs has a robust tranny that's for sure. Brakes were terrible. calipers were way to small for the vehicle. It will go anywhere. I had two of them. The first I beat the heck out of it in the desert when I was young. I can't kill it. It rolled.

I have a 95' RR Classic TDI with 300.000Km, used as a daily driver and has been quite reliable since I have it (1yr)

I think the TDI's were never imported to the US. They're slowish, but reliable and easy on the diesel (22mpg).

Apart from the coolness factor, it's really nice to drive, was quite a surprise indeed.

93-97 had head gasket issues between cylinders 5 and 6 on the 4.5l motor. 1994 got rear disc brakes. 1991-1992 with the 3FE are bullet proof.

Out of the 3 80's that are/were in the family, the 91 is the most reliable. Just turned 265K, gets 10 in the city, 14-15 on the highway. Haven't changed the plugs in over 100K. You can wake up a 3FE if you advance the ignition timing a tad.

They are solid vehicles.