If you are going to step up to a D2, then register on Pickles as an online bidder (you do not have to pay for this, or hand over any money if you just want to observe an auction).
You need to use Explorer and download software to work it, but it gives you a visual of cars selling plus a live audio feed to the auction. That will tell you exactly what Discos are going for at auction, in theory the cheapest place to buy a car. I think that around $8k would get you a D2 that is not stuffed or stolen/recovered.
If anyone thinks that is way too low for a D2, I was offered that much by two different dealers two years ago for my previous tidy D2. Yes, a dealer trade-in price is not what we all can get access to, but I can't see the trade value going up from two years ago.
I reckon that the extra layer of complexity of a D2 is not worth it if you are not worried abt cosmetics/condition. I reckon Discos do not age well cosmetically and when I bought my D2 I wanted a really clean car. The D1s I saw were all very tired. But for an off-road bush basher, they are better as everyone says. A D2 buys you possibly a cleaner car, more cargo room but also more complexity and you won't get an 03 with its centre diff lock for $8k.
Be aware that a cheap Disco is not always cheap to own. You can get caught out buying a Discovery. Last one was $2500 in a head gasket repair and the new one will cost me $2000 in repairs and 1 service alone in 3 months ownership (90,000km service + fr discs/pads, radiator clean, exhaust manifold, MAF sensor).
My car is a good one and I love it but having a problem like an exhaust manifold cracking at 89,000km is stuff that just doesn't happen to many other makes. LR is not on the bottom of the JD Power quality surveys by mistake, although newer generation models appear to be much better.
