Thread: What are the reasons you bought your Disco

Twas 1998 and I was looking at getting my first disco, had all the brochures sent out to me........but also had a passion for mercs as well. At the time, I ended up buying a new merc.............then had to sell it due to going through a divorce . Many years later...in 2004.... with a growing family and a requirement for a 7 seater we bought a new Territory. Great car, but it swung me back into looking at 4WD's as I knew it wouldn't take me to places I would want to go. Out came the D3..........love at first sight. It was time . Went and test drove a D3....plus some similiar brands in same price range....nothing came close. Told the dealer it had to be black, V8, with all the bells and whistles..........$110k later, she was mine .

Before it started to earn its scratches .



When it was out earning its scratches



But alas, with another mouth to feed, bringing it to total of 7 including myself, a new business and overall cost..........my precious had to go. The D3 is still in the family...sold it to my brother......so we catch up every now and then.........and in years to come...........my D3 will come home .

So along came Smoky an 03 D2 TD5, no bells and whistles bar a DVD player which I have still yet to get to work and have had Smoky for 5 mths now.




It has taken getting some used to...no V8 power, no leather, sun roof, no ACE but SLS..........and you know what.........its a love that has grown over time.

We have yet to experience our first foray off road when no doubt the love will grow even more. I am looking forward to modifying Smoky with tyres, lift, bull bar, lockers and other accessories to take it away from looking like a little stocker. Then I think my smile will be even wider .

Having now owned 2 discos, I cannot see myself ever buying anything else but an LR....when $$$ permit will also add a Fender in the future and maybe even trade in SWMBO XR6 in on a new FL2....Long Live LR's

Regards

Stevo

We bought our 1995 ES 3.9 V8 auto



To replace our 1989 110 County V8 manual



For us this was the biggest mistake in our Landrover history! (i'm up to Landrover no 9 now). We were too well used to the room in the rear of the 110, we never used the Disco for an overnight trip, with the 4 of us in it there was bugger all room for any gear. Fuel consumption in the disco on road was quite good, but off road was horrific compared to the 110's 3.5l manual. The Disco was the one Landrover I lost alot of money on, $4,000 in 9 months of ownership, compared to $1,500 in 7 years ownership of the 110. The differences were enough that when I hinted to the wife about selling the Disco and getting a Defender, the answer wasn't "should we" or "shouldn't we" or "can we afford it", it was "how fast can we get one!" She wanted back into a 110 too.

2 Weeks later we bought the 1995 300TDI



And now we are happy campers again.
At the time of the changover (both private sales) the Defender was $17,000 and the Disco (same year 75,000 less KM) was $5,700. The Defender still has $17,000 agreed value insurance 2.5 years later.

We found the Disco to be a very good road car, but we had been "spoilt" by having the 110 before hand and couldn't handle the lack of load space.

Well we bought ours because it had to be,
1- a factory v8 4wd (had previously converted a landcruiser to v8, bad idea)
2- Had to be manuel
3- had to be late model
4- had to be a basic model with no fancy electrical stuff.

Considering it was in 2001 the ONLY option was a base model 3.9 manuel disco. No ABS. no airbags, no cruise control, no sunroofs.
Its been an awsome car. Highly underated in running costs and reliabilty. Had it 7 years now and till now have only done basic oil changes myself at home and its never missed a beat. Economy is fantastic. Does 13-14 L/100 on the highway with power to climb hills at the speed limit (or higher lol..).
Almost traded it in recently on a later model but was offended at the $3500 trade in i was offered. Considering its a 99 series 1 in top nick with 150ks on it i think its worth more! So told them to shove it and decided to keep it for good. Now in the proccess of converting it from a "stocker" to a "tough tourer". Have just bought a arb winch bar, factory alloys which im fitting with 245/75/16 coopers, long range tank, winch coming shortly and a spring lift. Should make it a nice offroader and i can get back into going bush.

7 seat, LPG, cheap

Big family

15-year itch caused by a bug that bit me in Sabah, Borneo, 1993.

Vehicle of choice - D2 TD5
Reason - Mental Instability
wouldn't go back - yet.

I knew my Pajero inside and out and needed a new mechanical challenge.
But mostly, it was the price/value for money. (or so I thought at the time)

Because there wasn't an '08 Defender then.

The Disco was so refined and capable at the same time