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I also expressed the opinion the the dodger guy posted what he did just to incite those who prefer Land Rovers; in other words,that it was a harassing tactic directed to other members ment to arouse passion. And for that reason, I said he was successful. I then concluded that that HAD to be the reason for the posts because no one with any intelligence and maturity would post something like that otherwise, although I didn't quite put it like that. Besides, I saw a post where he was compared to a five year old which was not struck.
Anyway, I agree, enough said. Let's get back to the topic at hand, Land Rovers, and try to ignore such foolishness in the future (although you can't completely ignore it or someone might think, unchallenged, it's true).
Every board will, at one time or another, encounter those who are out to incite and provoke. I must say that, for the most part, people here have responded in an exemplary manner.
Product comparison is also an inevitability even though a particular board isn't intended for comparison. Clearly the line needs to be drawn somewhere though it's not always easy to define just where that point lies. A little bit of topic drift is a good thing!
In any case, there are always options in dealing with rabble rousers ranging from more or less sterile rebuttal of facts and reasoning all the way to simply ignoring those who wish to become a spectacle. Personal attacks do cross the line, however.
Now, let's get back to Discovery!
tidester
Host
SUVs
Having that in the back of my little mind (and taking up scant precious room, I might add) I saw mention of a new Jeep, the "Rubicon" special. Very interesting... coil springs all around, lockers fore and aft, dana axles and a nice low transfer case ratio. Looking a little further though, the power curve peaks around 4200 RPM and the torque curve peaks around 3600 RPM.
Does anyone here drive their Rover offroad with that kind of RPMs? It seems to me that's just begging to shear off halfshafts. Granted the Rover's power peaks are much lower (and more useable) but still... any ideas why Jeep would make that move? Maybe that explains the 4:1 ratio in the transfer case... Or maybe they just lifted the engine unchanged from the road-going versions and plopped it into the Rube?
Personally, I prefer walking speed, low-RPM power peaks and long-travel throttle and brake controls. It makes picking a line much less frenetic.
Also, to bolster a point made earlier, you can drop a Quaiffe and a Tru-Trac differential fore and aft into your Disco for less than $1800. No air pumps or lines, almost seamless operation, 90% of the capability of air lockers, you can't forget to unlock it (or struggle to do so quick enough in a tight spot), and your Significant Other won't be calling you from the parking garage asking why the truck is acting so weird.
Chirp/hop, chirp/hop, chirp/hop... -Bob
I have narrowed my search to 3 SUV's..all terrific in my mind..the disco SD, the isuzu trooper, and the toyota 4runner..all of these are about the same price with some nice toys..33,000 or so..not a biggie difference..truth be told..my heart is in love with the disco more than the other 2..but i would be ahppy with any of the three.
1. the other 2 are japanese makes and have a reputation for great reliability..its hard to find 4 bad comments from owners on mecahnical problems..leaks, breakdowns, etc..but the disco on the other hand, in all forums and research i do on the net has more bad comments than good..always horror stories, regrets, cursing..as i said i am new at suvs..so i dont know..i went to the disco dealer and he said they did have problems with the 99 and 98 ..but the 2001 and 2002 were 85% new and had no problems..yet i have read on several places that some owners are having same problems as always..leaks, lights coming on, break down, etc..i am not rich and have been saving for 2 yrs for my dream suv, so i want to buy quality if i am spending 33,000 big ones..
2. i did manage to get the new 2002 SD brand new for a quoted price of 31,900 if i want it..with wood trim inside, running boards, front grills, and back light grills, total would be 34,000..not bad huh, i think price is great for this suv..but peace of mind and quality have to be there...
can you tell i want to be convinced to buy this land rover !! lol
but really, any detailed commenst would be great...i would have a heart attack if the 3 week i owned this car my hose broke or i had a blown gasket or whatever..
ps..anyone interested in where i got my price and who i spoke with ..please feel free to email me at erichochman@hotmail.com
best regards,
eric
The question you have to ask yourself is how much of that can you take? If you get a good truck then all is well... especially having a good extended warranty for peace of mind. But if you get a bad one (commonly known as a Monday/Friday truck) then you'll have hell for breakfast. Eventually it WILL get fixed but it takes persistence and guts. The good news is, once fixed, Rovers tend to stay fixed.
The old "Friday Truck" concept really died out a couple decades ago. We still joke about it, and perhaps there is a smidgen of truth there... but Rover is far more modern than it used to be with far better quality control.
Most people buy a new DiscoII and love it. Given a few small quirks and a pleasant service department, they drive the truck until they're sick of it. I bought one that was a year old, got a great deal on it, and I spent 2.5 years fighting hundreds of small problems. I literally HATED my truck for months on end, but the fine gents at Rover Anchorage went the distance with me, and now she's fixed and I'm utterly pleased with her. Zero problems for the last 2 years, and I use her hard.
If you want a turnkey "appliance" truck then you might want to consider the 4Runner or better, a 2-year-old Land Cruiser. That's a fine truck too. If you want the Rover experience and you're not afraid of a little (hopefully) aggravation then your choice is made. But don't go into this with blinders on, a Disco is a great truck but you'll hate it before the year is over... then all will be well again. It's gonna happen.
You'll also have to adopt a little tougher attitude about what's a "problem" with your truck. A leaking head gasket is truly catastrophic, but a drop of oil is not. A leaky hose will stop you in your tracks, but it would stop any vehicle. Rover's warranty is a good one, make sure you use it well.
Many people expect a Rover to be clean enough to eat off of, and when it makes a drop of oil on the garage floor they scream "LEMON" and speed-dial their attorney. It seems to be an American phenomenon... the rest of the world gladly accepts a drop of oil for the Rover's durability.
If that last paragraph resonates with your soul, then you're in it for the long run.
Best regards, -Bob
My wifes 4 runner has been a very good experience. The vehicle has a comfy ride, lots of cargo space, and we have had no problems with service. The only complaint about the 4 runner is the ABS system. Now this is a 97 model so they may have changed things, but this truck is not fun to drive on snowy roads. We have had the brakes checked out and everything works, even put new tires on it. The mechanic said Toyota's ABS systems are not very good. Now you may live in Florida or someplace warm so that may not matter to you.
I would take into consideration how far the land rover dealer is away from your house. If it is close than any service issues will not be a problem. Every time I have had work done on my Defender I was given a free loaner car. Toyota does not do that. If the nearest dealer is 50 miles away than service runs could become not such a nice experience.
Whatever you decide either vehicle is a good choice. You ultimately have to make up the decision for yourself..
FWIW, I grew up there rattling around in the back of a Willys CJ2A, and those were some great times. We went places that mules were afraid of.
Thanks for the visual! -Bob
Can someone give me some advice on things I should look for in determining if it is a good vehicle?
I appreciate any usefull information. Thanks!
Thanks!
I was in your same shoes two years ago. I was looking at Toyota Land Cruiser vs. the Dico II. I also grew up driving very reliable Japanese cars (including a reliable Trooper). I was scared, but took the leap. I also read the posts before hand. But, I just loved the way the Disco drove and felt. Nothing was close to it.
I bought a new 2000 Disco II. I have put 32,000 trouble free miles. I drove it across the midwest, I drove it accross muddy marshes, I have pulled trailers, and cruised in traffic. It has been great. A couple small peices broke on the interior, but were immeidately replaced under warranty while I waited.
These trucks are tanks. If you get a 2000 or newer Disco, you should be okay on the reliablity issue.
For now, I am waiting for the 2003 model. Maybe a bigger V-8, side impact air bags, and some other areas that could use some improvement. When it arrives, I will be back at the dealership.
My thought is hopefully finding some good deals since the 2003 Range Rover is coming out.
At any rate, what is your input when comparing a Disco II to a 2001 Range Rover. The interior doesn't seem a whole lot bigger, but I hear it drives a little smoother on the open road. I woudl assume it's offroard capabilities are just as good.
I will now relate a personal encounter with a woman who owned a Discovery, a Range Rover, and a Toyota 4Runner. She told me that her husband could basically afford anything his heart desired and that he was partial to the Land Rover products. She said that all three trucks had served them well but she was partial to the 4Runner. Her reason for this was that although she liked the Rovers, she felt that in her personal experience, the 4Runner had proven itself to be more dependable. She also had issues with gas mileage. In my personal experience one SUV gets the same poor gas mileage that the other SUV gets give or take two or three miles per gallon. Yes, I have run up a few miles trying to get everything just right with my truck but those miles have enabled me to become familiar with the vehicle I have purchased. For my $40,000 it was a Land Rover. These are big heavy trucks that are built well and should deliver much satisfaction of ownership. I am not one to hold back my dissatisfaction with any product I purchase. So far, I am very pleased. You will have to decide for yourself and spend your dollar where you think you will get the most for your money. Good luck in your decision. Let us know what you decide.
Best regards,
02
best regards,
eric
I've read elsewhere, and it's been my experience, that these engines thrive on regular exercize. If you drive it good and hard periodically, it seems to do well. Give her a long hard blast up an onramp once a week, or something like that. Driving around in '3', the ECU soon "learns" this is your driving preference and your mileage won't be much different than using 'D'. Your performance will be much better and your engine will (in my opinion) last longer.
-Bob
About the heated seats... you may already "have" them, it just may be there are no switches to activate them. Apparently many trucks came with them, and there's a kit at Rovers North (I believe) consisting of switches to connect the existing wiring. These seats were dropped as a standard install item at some point in the recent past, so unless you pop open the panel to see if there are wiring plugs hiding in there, you're taking a chance. Scroll back thru the posts here, I believe we talked about this a couple weeks ago.
Congratulations! -Bob
Did you know that your Discovery is prewired for heated seats? Even heating elements are already there. All you need is to connect the switches.
How do I install heated seats?
Actually, all leather Discovery Series II's, and most of the others, come with the heated seats by default. They're just not hooked up! So, "installing" them is as easy as installing two switches and a faceplate. Here's what you need.
A small Phillips screwdriver (preferably magnetic) and the following parts:
Component Land Rover Part # Approx. selling price
Left Heated Seat Switch YUG102430 USD 33.00
Right Heated Seat Switch YUG102440 USD 32.00
Heated Seat Switch Cover Plate BTR3655LNF USD 10.00
Using the above items, do the following eight steps.
With the vehicle turned off, pry off the rectangular plastic plate that surrounds the window switches by inserting a small flat tool, or your fingernail, and carefully pulling it up. Remove it evenly from each side as four 1/2" plastic spears keep it centered and attached. You must be careful not to break them off.
Using the screwdriver, remove the four small screws that hold the black switch plate into the console. A magnetic driver will aid you in not losing these small screws. Remember which four holes they were in!
Pry up the switch plate, which you'll notice has holes for the heated seat switches. Insert the appropriate switches in the two holes.
Find the two unattached plugs in the wiring under the plate that match the switches. In theory, Green goes to Left and White goes to Right, but this is, after all, Land Rover. Plug in both switches.
Start the vehicle and engage the Left switch. Ensure that the left seat warms accordingly. This may take up to four minutes. Repeat for the Right side. If the opposite seat heats up, reverse the plugs after turning the vehicle off.
Reinstall switch plate with four screws.
Install new switch cover plate that is orificed for the heated seat switches, window switches, and rear window lock switch. Ensure that the four retaining spears accurately and evenly engage their ports. Ensure that neither the rubber skid guard or emergency brake boot are pinched behind the plate.
Drive around with a warm posterior!
You can buy the kit at roverconnection.com for $60.00
I managed to tear the roof rack crossbars clear off the top of my Disco (don't ask how, it was ugly). I have one good crossbar left, and I'm wondering if anyone here has one bar they want to sell? These are the Thule bars, sorta square in cross-section... with the pairs of pins that stick out from each end.
I'd sure appreciate it. L-R doesn't sell these old ones anymore, and I don't want to buy a whole new set. You can write me if you have one, at:
nanuq@bigfoot.com
Many thanks!
In my opinion the on road performance is great. These trucks are solid and keep you safe.
As for off road ability these trucks are mountain goats. I went out on a dealer event last Friday and put the Disco and Rangie to the test. What a blast. I spent a day climbing and descending steep rutted grades, stradling narrow valleys and getting sideways on cross slopes all while talking extensively with a large group of service and sales people.
Any new owner needs to this.
Looking into this whole mess I got myself into, I found Expedition Exchanges Disco forum and apparently someone else had gone thru the same scenario I had done. Anyway this gentleman decided to go thru the process of ordering the heating elements and will try to install them on his SD seats. He said he would post the latest developments on his project.....hope it works!
Anyway this was just an FYI for those wishing to get heated seats on their SD model Disco.
Al
I bought my 98 LSE almost one year ago and love it. I know there are some horror stories out there, but the only issues I've faced have been very minor: sunroof rattle, cracking window molding (dealer replaced free). It is so much more fun to drive than my previous Cherokee. I concluded 98 was a good year from the reliability and value standpoints, and I haven't regretted the decision at all.
A Light off-road event in Southern New Jersey! Come enjoy the trails!
-mike
I felt sorry for her, I told her it's no biggie and she left, looking extremely embarrassed. And I went back out and busted some more drifts! Anuqa is in the garage now, melting and making a lake the size of Rhode Island.
YAHOO!
I spent 2 winters in Chicago driving a jeep with no heat. I had to carry a scraper to scrape the frost off the INSIDE of the windows as I was driving. These kind of experiences keep you humble. Anyway, even though it is expensive, my dealership treats me right every time.
nanuq, sounds like you are having too much fun, we haven't got any snow to speak off yet... I am holding out in hope for the spring snows.
Hey I can top that... here we get invitations to the catered Christmas party with gifts for all the kids from Santa... and these are NICE gifts! It's always a free bar, free chow, great folks... but it's attended by all these snooty Rover drivers (grin!!) so I just hang out with the mechanics in the shop... between trips for more shrimp!
There's an EARLY Chevy Apache pickup running around town and she puts candles on the dash to keep the glass clear. Gotta love that Yankee ingenuity!
Una inuq aaniqtuuq, -Bob
Enjoy the day!
PS. I am driving my 13 year old nuts listening to the WB. What a neat option being half way located between the mountains and the seashore.
If someone else owned it for 4 years and put 90k miles on it, chances are that it was solid and anything that did go wrong was fixed and stayed fixed.
Am I correct in this thinking?
comments on this vehicle before final decision to buy