Should I buy a Series 1 Disco?

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Originally Posted by 001525

I know this is a stupid question but I would like to hear from current owners of Series 1 Disco's who can advise me on whether or not I should by a Discovery. I currently drive a Pajero which I want to get rid of and move over to a Disco. My Pajero has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. It's never missed a beat and never broken down particularly out in the bush...

Why get rid of it then?

I've heard so many bad things about the Disco's reliability that I'm hesitant to buy one purely based on it's reputation. I'm also put off by the poor fuel economy of the V8 and I would prefer a V8 to the diesel.

What mileage does a V6 Pajero get you ?

You might ask why a Series 1? Simple answer. I don't have a lot of money to spend and the Series 1, particularly the pre 96 models are going very cheaply these days. Obviously if i had the money, I would go for a Series 2.

I would go the new Defender

I will greatly appreciate as much info as I can get.

Cheers.

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Are you on the south side of the CBD ?

I don't have the money for a new defender. I earn a modest salary and cannot afford any more than $5000. I'm considering a 93 V8 Disco which looks to be in above average condition. The current owner is asking $5500 which fits in to my budget. No real reason to get rid of the Pajero other than it's time for a change. It's returning about 400 km's on a full tank which I think is comparable to the Disco. I figure that the Disco is only half a litre more in engine capacity and only slightly heavier than the Pajero so it shouldn't be too bad.

13 years ago I bought one of the first D1 V8's to come off the ship.

I still have it today ..she is mildly modified with chip, headers, more air in etc. Has had some interesting times inc a engine bay fire that tested the patience. Parts off fleebay, investing some time and having a expert have a good look at least once year have paid off.

On board computer system worth more than the vehicle and more lights happening than Wolf Creek.

Only thing I would trade Wolfie for would be a supered RR sports.

Hmmm. The legendary Land Rover electricals. I've been warned about them. It's a real shame that LR didn't invest more in build quality for the Disco. It could have easily been recognised one of the great all time automobiles.

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Originally Posted by 001525

t's returning about 400 km's on a full tank which I think is comparable to the Disco. I figure that the Disco is only half a litre more in engine capacity and only slightly heavier than the Pajero so it shouldn't be too bad.

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Depending on what driving you do then 400km/tank is possible. Anything from 350 to 500km/tank is what I've had or there abouts from a 3.9 manual.

Personally I think that $5.5k for a pre update D1 it would want to be a bloody good one.

The car has 150,000 km's, service history, never been off road or towed anything and always been garaged. I have to take the seller's word for it. I haven't had time to look at it yet. The seller is currently overseas and I work odd hours so it's a matter of finding the time to check out the car. There are plenty of Disco's available on the market. I've looked at so many, mostly in dealers and they're all still in the yards after many months. They're obviously a hard car to move sales wise whereas the Japanese 4WD's seem to still sell quickly. I'm still not sold on a Disco and at this stage I'm thinking I'll hang on to my Pajero. Better the devil you know and heaps cheaper to maintain than a Land Rover.

I think you will find maintenance is no dearer than the pajero (allowing for the fact it is an 8 versus a 6)

After the Jackaroo the difference for us has been a huge increase in comfort, especially on longer trips and also the vehicle in terms of capability off road is in a complete different league to the Jackaroo (Obviously Jackaroo, Pajero are comparable)

Things the Jack use to do we now do easily with a lot less chance of damage and a lot more comfort. We have more space than what we did (although not as much as Patrol/Cruiser), you learn to pack well and a cargo barrier or roof rack is essential. (Ideally both for longer trips)

I have a mate with a GQ ute and another with a GQ wagon and they can't beleive the stuff that comes out of the Disco when we are setting up camp. (The fridge stays in the car) but on a usual weekender we take the following;

Tent (Large 8 man two room dome.... bad buy but anyway)
Tent (small dome for the boys)
5 Sleeping bags (2 large ones, I hate feeling wrapped)
2 Burner Gas cooker
Stand for above
Medium (4kg?) gas bottle
2 Picnic blankets
2 Fold out camp chairs
3 kids camping chairs
fold up camping table with bench seats
2 medium suitcases
(Nappy bag extra nappies heaps of wet wipes etc)
Plastic Tub for food
Plastic tub with picnic gear in it (cutlery, cooking utensils, spray on oil, washing up gear frypan a couple of saucepans, salt, pepper, can opener etc)
Plus a few blankets and rugs, tarp and poles for shade

Plus we carry the usual snatch strap, shackels, 2 draw toolbox, about 30l of water in different containers (Depending on where we are going) couple of ropes, small spade, socket set, air compressor, fire extinguisher (mounted near drivers seat) fire blanket (attached to cargo barrier) and first aid kit (2, 1 larger one which stays in the car and a smaller one that we take with us when walking etc with just the basics in it.)

So as you can see because of the height you can pack heaps in to them, now the kids are getting a bit older I am working on a roof rack as it is a bit of a pain sometimes getting to things. (The ideal of packing based on what you are likely to need the most comes second to fitting it in!)

Yep, buy one... the Solid live axles on coil springs give a great ride, great articulation (almost the best out there) and still fairly good handling!

V8i is a great engine... it isn't too thirsty either - mine is currently getting 17ltrs/100kms City, 13ltr/100kms Country on petrol... LPG it gets 21ltrs/100kms City and I don't know for country yet.

On LPG it currently costs me an average of under $11 per 100kms in the city and I LIKE TO PUT MY FOOT DOWN!!! - This is really cheap!!!

Chosen

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 001525

There are plenty of Disco's available on the market. I've looked at so many, mostly in dealers and they're all still in the yards after many months. They're obviously a hard car to move sales wise whereas the Japanese 4WD's seem to still sell quickly. I'm still not sold on a Disco and at this stage I'm thinking I'll hang on to my Pajero. Better the devil you know and heaps cheaper to maintain than a Land Rover.

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Mate judgeing by your last stay with the Pajero, you shouldn't come over to the light.

For some reason jap car drivers think Land Rovers are expensive to maintain. WRONG:mad:

My dad had a 91 pajero (old shape) and 94 Pajero which were good, both on road and off-road, I used to take them everywhere, however enter the world of beam axels and coil springs all round!!! Add to that the V8 and you have a fun, comfortable and capable car for camping and off road fun with the family and comfortable with plenty of punch as a daily driver.

Since then Dad has had 2 Dicovery 1s and now I have my own after having played with Jeeps for a while, I must say the Disco is much more fun than the Cherokee and the Pajero.

I picked up a 94 ES V8 on gas, so air bags, sunroofs, leather and seven seats for around what you are wanting to spend with 180000kms, and mine came with the scuba LPG tanks so I still have a full cargo bay.

Dramas with the Disco's have been minimal and no more than what the Japanese and American Vehicles game me in the past, with repairs been cooling system and the iddling problem with the MAF which some Discos suffered from.

All our cars are serviced well and on time in order to avoid costly repairs.
My 2 cents worth