Thread: Educate me on the older discoverys

I have some rural property located out of state. I use it mainly for hunting from time to time and we are having a little cabin built on it and plan to use it more as a getaway. Some of the trails are pretty rough and snow fall is heavy in the winter.

I was looking for an inexpensive 4X4 to leave up there to use when we fly in. It would be used for hunting and trail riding around the property as well as something good in the snow to head into town and bring out to the ski resorts. I was looking at the 03-04 discovery's as they are inexpensive and still pretty nice and of course have a reputation for being great off road. My concern is rovers in general also have a reputation for being maintenance nightmares. Been there with a range once before.

Just wondering what the over all feeling was on the discos. Do they have any inherent issues to watch for or are there any years to look for or stay away from? I know any vehicle with 75K miles is going to have potential wear items. I am looking to have it fixed up mechanically with a good service and hopefully be able to enjoy it. Just looking for everyone's opinion on whether this would be a good fit for what I want?

Stay away.

I know this is the LR forum, but I just wanted to suggest an alternative. We had an old Toyota Land Cruiser in our old property just for getting around the place and it was amazing. Solid vehicle, handled the sand, the water etc... no problems.

IMO, try to find an "old" Toyota Land Cruiser as mentioned above. I recall seeing them used in Safari hunts in Africa. Those things look like they could taken on some tough terrain. Not a "Rubicon" type vehicle but for anything else, they seem to be the sh!t.

Funny the Land cruiser comes up that was one of the others on the short list I was thinking about. I am looking more at the 2003ish models as I need something with some form of luxury as well since the GF will be driving it as well as having clients up.

So I am guessing the discos are a mechanical nightmare then?

ding ding ding. you guessed correct. pretty much anything will be better than a disco.

land cruisers are getting discontinued too

Guess it depends on who you talk to....we have had Disco 1-3's with no major issues (other than ones we caused! LOL!) ...of course Coy and I both probably know more about maintenace and repair than the adverage person so if you are not mechanically inclined and have to take your vehicle back to the dealer for everything then this is probably not the vehicle for you...I will post your ? on the Rover Board for SCLR...The guys will able to let you know the years to stay away from ...The rear differential is a weak issue on D1-2...cleared up by D3...also if look for an HD package(rear lockers) if the terrain is too rough.

I have had my '04 since new and am really happy with it. Only once has it ever left me stranded and that was on the "John Bull" in Big Bear arguably one of the tougher trails up there. (I had to winch off of a Broken down Jeep Rubicon that was blocking the "winching tree" on my next run through there) Especially for the price of a used one these days, I would definitely recomend the '04 over the '03 as it has a Center Dif lock (look at Land Rover Repair Forums - LRRForums.com or discoweb.org -- for more info) mine is not my daily driver but I use for hunting, trails and towing my boat. I really couldn't be happier with it, plus it cleans up real nice and respectable like

WELCOME to the "4" Ed! You are going to like it here!!! Thanks for the links! From Eric "My opinion. 96 to 99 because of ignition set up."