Thread: Adivce on purchasing a Disco2

Even though you don't plan to go off road (just yet) you'll get hooked. PM me an email address and I'll send you a several page doc I prepared before and after purchasing my D2a TD5 nearly 2 years ago. It's a bit too big to attach direct here, but lists most of the issues to watch for plus some solutions, contacts etc.

One of the recent posts indicated that a previous Nissan owner was still getting over the fact that the Disco's ride was so much beter. From a maintenance point of view, there are several things that, like any vehicle, a Disco has issues with, but if you keep on top of the maintenance regime and an eye out for these things, then the vehicle is so much better than any vehicle coming out of Japan of the same era (and even later times). The issues are well documented in this forum, so they won't be repeated here.

BTW: the service intervals are so much better than the Nissan (15 to 20k versus 5k for the Nissan), TD5 uses less fuel than a 3 litre Nissan and has better performance (even more if you get it remapped), if you do the steering mod (not difficult) you get a better turning circle etc. The funny thing is people bag LandRovers so the price is so much lower, yet the build quality isn't usually an issue and they are so much more capable off road out of the box than Toyotas or Nissans.

Originally Posted by RNQLD

I will only be buying from a QLD dealer with the extended warranties (after reading it and the vehicle history over with a fine comb). .

I wouldn't be scared off by a good private sale vehicle. There are many anally retentive LR owners that will fix any little niggle on D2/s.

I would only purchase from a dealer if you can actually speak with the previous owner and/or the last mechanic that has serviced the vehicle.

Honest dealers will always assist you with this - otherwise walk away, seriously. You can still end up with a lemon and an extended warrantee may be useless.

Also consider carefully whether you would like SLS and ACE (see the 'Discovery 2 Launch video" on YouTube) - in my opinion the 2 best options on the D2, and worth waiting for.

Happy hunting!

It comes down at the end of the day to documented service history and a good pre-purchase inspection. You just need to be a bit more careful with private sales, regarding checking title and there is no statutory 3mth warranty.

With respect to extended warranties they really only cover you for major mechanical failure of major components and usually have an upper $ limit. I got convinced to buy one when I bought my D2 and so far haven't been able to claim as the particular electronic components aren't covered. Still 2 years to go though. I found the statutory dealer warranty was more use.

Have a good read of the sticky thread, Buying a D2 at the top of this forum, lots of good advice there.

Cheers

Steve

Dealers paint a pretty picture of piece of mind whilst departing you with extra money for it.
Wait until you make a claim.

Read the fine print slowly and carefully before you part with the money,what it covers and HOW MUCH of it is covered. Do fall into false sense of secuity that when you motor has a major break down and you try to claim. The back pedalling of this and that caused the problem and sorry that's not covered.
Salesman use the extended warranty as a tool, to get a signature, it's an add on like fries with your burger?

I wouldn't buy another Disco. I bought my 2001 TD5 S mainly for the 7 seats and anything Toyota of similar age and condition was more than double the price, which was more than I could afford.

I drove the Disco from Brisbane to Canberra with no problems. It sat in front of my house for 6 days before the transport company took it to Darwin.

I got it registered in Darwin and drove it for a week and a half before the Altenator went, cost me $700 odd and I did all the work myself.

It went for 1 and 1/2 days before I blew a ACE hose. Cost me $180 for fittings to be welded to the stell pipe so a section of flexible hose could be replaced. Again I did all the work of getting the pipe out and refitting it. Took me several hours and I believe when they build Discoveries, they start with this pipe.

2 weeks later the top radiator hose starts to leak. I keep it going for another 2 weeks just topping up the radiator for short trips to the shops. i remove the hose to find it has rubbed on the power steering hose and worn though itself. Joiner and several super clamps cost me about $50. Coolant cost me another $50. It's now leaking around the hose clamps. Yes all connections were perfectly clean.

Got the transmission serviced today as a prevenative measure. cost me $484.00.

I only wanted 7 seats becasue I'm hoping my relos will visit us here in Darwin a bit and I have 2 kids. With the 7 seats the Kids can go to the back, the olds in the middle seats and we can still go exploring the national parks. I'm not really convinced it would not have been cheaper to hire an extra car when they visit.

The ride is definatly nice but I've driven 75 series Toyotas for years and I have no doubt what so ever a troopy would not cost me this much in 2 years.

Yes my Disco had a full service history when I bought it.

Happy Days. I hope you have better luck than me.

I forgot to mention.

I did a sevice and since you need to run Synthetic oil it cost about $80 and a full filter kit cost me $70. Again I did the service myself.

Oh yeah and when the ACE hose blew. It cost me $75 for that oil too.

If they are offering RACV warranty. I have used it to good value when my auto died. As it cost me nothing extra.
They only cover upto $3000 per a claim on drivetrain and engine.
Although the RACV book lists better coverages. Disco 2's are all to old for anything else.
But it is 3yrs unlimited km's. which in my case will be close to 150,000km.