Thread: Am I crazy?

I'd suggest that if you are looking at any vehicle that is from 9 to 14 years old that it will have issues. And you may be asking the wrong group, as there may be a bias here ....

Perhaps, given your heading and questions, a Disco isn't for you. Have you considered a diesel Pajero, as it's much more sophisicated than a Nissan or Toyota of the same era and is around the price range that you indicate. Good on road handling, good off road for the type of driving that you talk about. Whilst others may disagree, owning a Land Rover isn't for everyone.

As per one of the aulro members tag lines "Land Rover, making mechanics out of motorists since 1948". That being said, most of the faults are well known and should be checked in a presale inspection. Get someone who knows a Discovery well, to do the check. I'm not in Melbourne, so I don't know the mechanics down there, others can recommend.

If you are the kind of person that will enjoy tinkering with the vehicle mechanically and garnering some mechanical skills along the way then get a D2 for sure.

If you have no inclination to want to work mechanically on your vehicle at all, then D2 ownership could be expensive for you, and a D2 might not be the best option.

Some key things to research on this site (good oil) before purchasing, and to check for at inspection would be
1. Three Amigos
2. Shuttle valve switch
3. Front prop shaft double uni joint (non greasable joint)
4. Rear prop shaft doughnut
5. Auto Trans (shifting smoothly, locking torque converter above 80kmh)
6. Oil in the injector harness

That should get you started.

Also, do a bit of research into 33's on D2's, you might find making it happen is a bit more involved than you think.

YES !!!!!! nice and easy--if you have no mechanical skills and no inclination that way DO NOT BUY A 4WD, for they all have their own little idiosyncracies and if you go off road damage mechanical and cosmetic will happen and you will have to attempt to fix it or not go home

You are going to have mechanical problems with second hand 4WD's regardless of make, contrary to popular belief Land Rovers aren't the only vehicles to breakdown.
If you have no mechanical knowledge do not buy a second hand 4WD of any make, unless of course you have very deep pockets, if that is the case, buy a new 4WD with warranty, Regards Frank.

Bah, 33s on a D2 isn't that much of a difficult task.
Mate, when I bought my D2 I had issues telling one end of a tool apart from the other end.
I've certainly learned bucketloads, but it helps that I enjoy learning new things about my car.
Have a squiz at this
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-...02-2004-a.html
Cheers
Muppet

Thanks for the feed back guys. Yeah I have limited to zero skills on the tools so any issues more than likely will end up at the shop. By the sounds of things maybe you guys have all save me a bucket load of $$$$$$$( maybe I should just give it to you guys)
Probably need to listen to head and not heart on this matter. I know an older truck will require items that need servicing but I don't want to head off road with a on my shoulder just waiting for it to break down.
Big thanks guys, now to head online in search of a pootrol or cruiser. Off road ability, and more reliability.
Cheers gents

Not everyone is a mechanic, and its pretty daft to set that as a benchmark for ownership.

Depending where you are Melbourne you either have a decent selection on specialists or a bit of a drive. The east especially in the Ringwood FTG area is well serviced, the west far less so.

Bottom line is get the vehicle inspected. Id highly recommend Ritter if you are in the East. They are very, very comprehensive in their inspection reports and go over vehicles with a fine tooth comb. They will give you an accurate (and somewhat scary) estimate of cost to rectify. They aren't cheap but if you get them to inspect you'll know exactly what needs to be done.

I'd not sweat about minutiae. Much of what is considered must check is difficult to get at without pulling the acoustic cover, or crawling under the car with a torch and pry bar. Not too many sellers appreciate a buyer pulling the vehicle apart.

3 amigos is a RWC issue and you shouldn't be buying a vehicle that is displaying the three braking lights.

What you can do is normal inspection. Check for obvious signs of respraying, drooping head lining, dropped rear door hinges, basically general condition. Take a few for test drive so you get a feel for them. When you find one that looks straight, and drives well, get it inspected and purchase on the basis of the inspection report.

Cheers
Paul

As others have said, any older vehicle (& some not so old) will have issues.
I know a guy with a 3.0lt GU Patrol - in 150 000km its needed 2 new engines and is on its about 5th turbocharger.