AuDIDAS4:SZR

I'm just looking for an SUV in the $6,000 price range that we would use for weekend getaways and trips to the lake/river with the dog this summer. I went and looked at a '96 Rover Discovery last night and it's in fantastic shape and only has 77k miles as I mentioned. The tires only have a couple of thousand miles on them and he just put new brakes on and he's asking $5,700 which is right in line with KBB. The consumer reviews are pretty funny to read..about 50/50 people telling you to grab your wallet and run away fast to people saying they love their Discovery and would never consider another SUV. Anybody got any insight on these cars and advice on whether or not I should pull the trigger?

I also looked at a 95 Mitsubishi Montero that has 143,000 miles on it for $4,700. It's in really great shape as well, but has a few little quirks that would need fixing (sunroof doesn't work, rear driver's side window doesn't work so it sounds like it's got some electrical problems going on).

So, just trying to weigh the potential maintenance on a Land Rover with 77k miles vs. a Mitsubishi with 143k miles.

Redgoat

Horrible vehicles. Keep looking.

andysprague

Its a buyers market now, so I wouldn't pay book value for much of anything.

If you can get for a lot under book maybe, so you have some money toward future repairs/maintenance.

HeartlessNomad12

bout as much trouble as the winged beast

ePuFFy

For $6k or so, you could get into a 1999-2000 DIscovery II. A bit bigger, looks better, nicer interior and better options. Only reason to choose a DI over a DII to some people is offroad capability, some prefer the DI.

Reliability is about the same, small quirks here and there but usually easy and relatively inexpensive fixes.

Checkout the website www.Discoweb.org

The key to Land Rovers are keeping up with maintenance, (they are easy cars to work on yourself if you want to) and they are good cars.

Neglected, lots of stuff will start to go wrong.

pattycakes® iCode

If it's 13 years old and been maintained, the majority of the b.s. Biritshness has been dealt with and repaired.

AuDIDAS4:SZR

Thanks for the info. Are there local (Seattle/Eastside) indy repair shops or dealer only?

77'911

Had a similar experience awhile back. We have a neighbor up north who runs a business in LR restoration/repair. The word I got from him for series 1 trucks was, the 1998 was the best year to buy due to a number upgrades done. They seem to have lots of electrical problems along with motors going(wiper, etc.).
You might look at an older 4runner or Land Cruiser which are both bullit proof. We ended up with a low mile 4runner that has been amazing.
Regards

ePuFFy

and I would bring the Disco to them over the LR dealerships.

ePuFFy

and if you want super reliable, a 4Runner or Land Cruise is great, but they generally cost more, and I think LR's are nicer and have more character.