Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
That said, you stand to save a lot of money with the deal, but it may have a checkered past (already). Ask to see ALL records for the vehicle, obtainable by VIN. It will reveal any chronic problem that may have prompted the original owner to dump it. Or it may simply be that you're getting a fantastic deal!
Good luck! -Bob
Thanks for your help!
Glenn
what do you guys think about these offers, and whether the price on the loaner is worth it? is it unreasonable to ask for a roof rack, brush guard, or floor mats along with this offer?
can i get a better base price? cap cost? monthly payment?
i'm in the los angeles area, where i have about 5 dealers located within a 30 minute drive, and 3 of them claim to have a very large selection of outgoing 04 discoverys.
thanks in advance!
That's what I did, and now I haven't had one problem (other than one part that wore out) in 5 years. The boys here at Land Rover Anchorage bent way over backward for me, and I couldn't be more pleased.
Nanuq is absolutely right, you should just ask the dealer to print you a service history. I was looking at a 99 Series II SE in excellent shape on the local Audi used lot, but when I got a copy of the service history it was about as thick as the owner's manual. I passed on it, and shortly thereafter ended up buying a 2000 SE7 that had no major warranty work done and had been well maintained by a dealership.
My local dealer will give you the service history on anything you drive up if you ask. Then they try to sell you one of their service loaners.
Discovery is not being killed off. The LR3 will be known as Discovery 3 every else but the US (apparently we like numbers and letters, that way nobody knows what vehilce you're actually talking about). Go to the UK website, you will see it refered to as Discovery 3.
That being said-I should imagine there will be some stupid cheap deals on the '04s
http://www.alldata.com/TSB/68/96680604.html
As for my retraction, I've been saying for years that if you drive with cheap gas and ping it too hard on tough uphills with heavy load, it will "learn" and retard the timing for self-preservation. And that only the Testbook will reset it back to spec.
I was wrong!!! I spent some time with the tech a few days ago just chewing the fat, and mentioned I'd got a load of bad gas and my timing was toast again (grin). He gave me a freebie of official green Land-Rover goo that goes in the tank as a treatment, and said to fill up on Premium gas, then drive the entire tank "like I'd stolen it". So I've been driving the hell out of Anuqa for the last two days and sure enough, the timing is coming back to a nice advance curve and she's running like a cat on carpet! What power! He says over the course of the tank it will "relearn" its driving environment and reset the timing back to the "fun" side of the curve.
You learn something new every day!
-Bob
Thanks,
Glenn
"That's why I've been wondering when the SUV craze is going to fade. If you don't need to go off road or have to deal with major inclement weather conditions why would you want to put up with an ill handling, ill performing, gas hog SUV beast? Especially when there are so many nice euro sport wagons on the market.
Don't get me wrong, I owned a Range Rover for over 8 years in Colorado and loved it. I was an off road fanatic and really became a dyed in the wool Rover owner. My old Rangie never stranded me and was a very dependable vehicle until I sold it with 160k miles on it.
I was transferred to Florida a couple of years ago so have absolutely no need of an SUV here. We've taken up sailing and enjoy it every bit as much if not more than off roading as a passtime. So we have an Audi A6 Quattro Avant as our hauler here. The Audi's been a perfect match for our new locale.
I can't imagine why someone would want to put up with 1950's era handling performance, gas mileage etc, if you don't off road or have any practical use for what SUV's (especially Land Rovers) are primarily designed to do.
What made me a Land Rover fanatic is experiencing what one will do off road - basically defy the laws of physics. People that yak about that "feeling" a Land Rover gives them dispite never taking it off road make me laugh, what an increadable waste of an incredable off road vehicle"
this post is from 2000 but it's great for today. im actually surprised his RR lasted that long. im an engineer and i do alot of mechanic work and my professional opinion is that they are terribly designed. i think LR has even *more* problems with quality control.
oh well, that aside, i agree with this guy in that it's pointless to drive one of these beasts around as a daily driver. they are dangerous - too heavy, bad brakes, unimpressive crash test scores.
a note to family guys: you dont need a 4x4. get a sedan to keep your family safe. dont get sucked into the "image" void. LRs are costume cars - they make you look rugged and outdoorsey but the reality is no one else cares. they are too busy thinking about themselves.
a note to future off-roaders: avoid LRs. serious off-roading requires serious upgrades. it will also tear up your rig. i advise getting an old jeep for cheap and modifying the heck out of it. expect to destroy it. dont worry though, the cost of a rebuilt transfer case on a jeep is going to be miniscule compared to a LR.
a note to everyone: sorry about the long post. i have owned and worked on LRs and just wanted to pass on some solid advice. i think that they are, financially and technically, a waste. if you feel you must make a $500 a month payment for 5 years, maybe invest it somewhere else. then again, if you have that much expendable income, you probably dont care.
good luck.
Jeeps can do it. But, try to keep one running. I had one. I know. There are other rock crawlers out there, but none do it any better than the Discovery, and most not as well.
Reliability? After 22,750 miles in less than two years, and much of it going off-road in Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana, the only mishap has been a burned out low beam light bulb. Replaced in a trice with a stock bulb from NAPA.
Gas mileage? 15.8 mpg, city, highway, back woods, mild rock crawling, etc., etc., over the entire 22,750 miles of ownership (a 2003 SE). Long trips to Florida, New Jersey, Washington State, Oregon, Montana, etc. Two Great Pyrenees dogs fit just perfectly in the back. Remove one or two of the back seats and there is still tons of room for fishing gear, etc.
Not rich. Retired. Modest pension. This is the kind of stuff that a Discovery is made for. If one wants to ride around town and not feel the bumps, get something else. Advice is free, and worth every penny of it. For some people a Discovery is the wrong vehicle. For others, it is the ONLY vehicle.
73's,
Light Cahill
We go to snow country at least 2 or 3 times a year, so having a SUV really helps.
On your thoughts about SUVs being gas hogs and ill -performing, needs to be updated., IMO>
...nowadays there are newer tech SUVs that are really pretty good on gas....almost as good as some medium sized performance sedans, but definitely better than many large sized sedans.
Example: Honda CR-V , Volvo XC90, etc..
there are many performance oriented SUVs, which handle superbly, better than most sedans, and even besting some sports cars !!!
Examples: fx45, Cayenne, X5, etc....
although for luxury and offroading, the LandRover and family , cannot be surpassed...
I have camped and plowed and trooped and skied and sledded and hauled with this truck for 5 years, nearly 6, all over Alaska in all conditions. Since my warranty expired I have had ONE failure: my viscous coupler died from olde age. This truck has lived a hard, but well-maintained, life with me and she still drives as new. Meanwhile every one of my relatives is on their 2nd or 3rd truck since Anuqa came to my driveway, and they have payments and problems.
Oh, and three of those trucks have been Jeeps.
I would also like more info on the "subwoofer noise" job you mentioned earlier...
Odiopus
That's great for you. I am thrilled that he is having so much fun with his Audi(Volkswagen) wagon. I am sure he doesn't miss his Rover.
But, why are you still on the LR website? All people have different tastes, and not everyone looks the same way at a car. In your case it's a tool, so when you didn't need that tool anymore, you put it down and got a new tool.
For some it's image, and they enjoy that image. It makes them feel as good as buying a new shirt. These people will usually get a new one every few years because they want to have the newest and latest. That doesn't necessarily mean the best. I have a 1996 Disco. I wouldn't trade it for a newer one, and when I was getting a Freelander for my wife, the dealership practically begged me to trade it, offering well over blue book. These 96-97 Disco's are the best ones. They have a locking center Differential and don't have all the troubles the Series II has had.
Then you have die-hards. They are the ones who will keep something for as long as it lasts, because as long as it looks good, and runs good, who cares how old it is? I am not a mountain man, mudder, rock climber. I do go off road several times a year, fishing, and camping, and live in a climate where I don't want to have to worry about whether or not it's going to freeze tonight, or snow on my way home from work.
My point is this. Don't knock, mock, or laugh at someone because they like a certain type of vehicle. And if it makes them feel good, so be it. Everyone should be able to drive a vehicle that makes them feel good about themselves. Not everyone has to be practical. Some even have stories about how their Rover saved their lives. Not everyone is as concerned with what other people think of them.
Land Rover's are rugged, tough, will last forever(If cared for), Easy to work on if you have the books (I do my own maintenance because I enjoy it). Classy, Chic, Masculine, etc.
They are also not very fuel efficient, (even though better than some out there),noisy, surefooted, handsomely ugly and I will probably own mine until I get buried in it. You can go camping in the mountains and wash off the mud and then go to the opera, and not feel out of place in either situation. They are timeless, never go out of style. And finally, not everyone had a $500 payment for 5 years. Most who did were happy to pay it. Some have theirs after they are paid for and didn't have to rush out and spend more money. So if you don't like it, Fine. Then go somewhere else and stop telling us what's wrong with our driving Rovers.
Thanks!
If you do have any problems, it will be annoying to do the drive and get them fixed. But once they are fixed you won't be going back unless you want to.
My '96 DI has been utterly stone solid since my warranty expired, and I use her HARD here in Alaska. The only time I go to the dealer is for light bulbs (some are hard to find) or lubes... I really like the grease they sell for the swivel ball housings. Otherwise, you can have any competent mechanic work on her for you, or you can get some tools and DIY ... these are wonderfully accessible trucks for the backyard grease monkey.
Here's a shot of Anuqa in her element:
http://www.nanuq.net/Troop215/byronglacier2003/byron_rover.jpg
Good luck, -Bob
For one more owners experience with a 2003 Disco SE, refer to my post # 3861. Our Disco has been rock solid since day one. Since our purchase came with free oil changes, I have been back to the dealer twice for that. I was also back to the dealer for one recall. None of the trips lasted more than an hour. I go again tomorrow morning for the 22,500 mile oil change.
I am hoping that they will have one of the new LR3 models in the showroom, but I think it will be too early for that.
That said, I would think carefully before I bought a vehicle where I knew that it was a 200 mile round trip to the dealer, even for free oil changes. If your friend can deal with the long drive, and s/he likes going off road, the Disco is one mighty fine vehicle.
Light Cahill.
It's good for the truck to take the occasional long drive... it gets the diffs and bearings heated up good so any moisture vents out. Especially if you go wading much!
One other thing: The break pedal makes a switching sound and vibrates when the car is turned on. This occurs only when starting the car. I assume this is normal.
(Expert input on either of these issues would be appreciated mightily.)
The pick up is good, especially given the vehicle weight. I have had no problems with handling at all and moderate tests offroad have confirmed what I knew: it's a monster in sand, mud and water. Haven't yet tried her on the beach with deflated tires, but will probably get a chance this weekend. Have taken several day trips and am pleased with the comfortable seating. And I actually like the interior controls: they take all of 10 minutes to get familiar with. The gas mileage is better than expected, about 16 MPG on average which includes mixed highway and in-town driving. We've been using 89 (plus rather than premium gasoline) at the dealers recommendation. Breaking distance is better than expected. This may sound silly, but it has significantly better visbility in the rain than other cars I've owned. In this category, I've had a chevy blazer (complete trash: blew the engine twice, among other things, before I dumped it with only 60K miles) and a 2001 4Runner: this was a very good car, only problem was the cheap sourced rotors that Toyota uses; still the 4Runner lacks the panache and capability of the disco.
As far as routine service goes, it is covered for the first 45K miles. Beyond that I plan to do it myself (maintenance costs look much better now that I've found roverparts.com). Another question for experts: should I plan to change the oil before the manufacturer recommended 7500 miles?
The only extras I need: I plan to add a thule roof rack for canoe/kayak/bike/ski transport once I confirm that the high foot mounting system won't destroy the rain gutter. The roof rails that are installed by the factory are essentially useless cosmetics. I may add a ladder to the rear window if it's too hard to get big stuff on and off.
Greg
A couple of thoughts... the whining sound you hear when you lift the throttle is the transfer case. It's gear driven (instead of chain driven) and it's massively strong. I believe it's the only 4WD on the market with this design. It will get quieter over time... I just learned to like it. For a real eye opener, try driving her in low range... then you're using a set of straight-cut gears instead of helical cut, and they are NOISY. But oh so smooth.
I would change the oil and filter at 3k miles. I'd never go 7500 miles on any vehicle. Sure it *can* be done, sorta, but "oil is cheaper than metal" applies. Set up a lube change schedule and follow it annually or better. Your truck will last nearly forever if you do this. Annually I change my diffs, swivel balls, brake fluid, power steering fluid (ATF), transfer case lube and auto transmission fluid. Anything else (is there anything else?) gets changed evefy 3k miles (oil and filter). In summer I use Castrol 10-30w and WIX filters. In winter I see some COLD temperatures so I use Castrol Synthetic and it's something outrageous like 0-50w again with a WIX filter. You're looking at a lot of lube to recycle but it's worth it. If you're changing oil every 3k miles you don't need synthetic, even though it is a superior lube. Don't use an oil with a "spread" of more than 30 points... that's accomplished via polymers. Polymers are not lubes. Stick with 10-30.
I'm not sure what the pattering sound is. Perhaps some parts getting acquainted with each other?
Don't fall into the trap of replacing your rotors and pads at some ridiculously low mileage. I have to replace my front pads about every 15k miles (rears about every 25k) and I'm still on the original rotors at 92k miles. Get a micrometer and measure the rotors for minimum thickness. That's what matters. Pad replacement is a HOOT and super easy.
Brake pedal switching / vibration... no idea. Is it the ACE system? ABS? Mine doesn't do it but it's also a generation older than yours. I've got ABS but mine doesn't switch or cycle at cold start. I don't have ACE.
For visibility in rain, try Rain-X. I love the stuff. There's also a spray-on kind that you use WHILE it's raining. Great stuff! Who needs windshield wipers?!
I use a Yakima ski rack with my factory roof rails and crossbars. I tried the connectors till I found some that fit my crossbars... something like the A-10 or something. Your crossbars are different. Then the 6-pack Yakima went right on. And I busted them right off driving into my garage the first time. CAUTION!
I use a Rhode Gear receiver hitch bike rack for when I transport more than 2 mtn bikes. It was $109 online (REI?) Otherwise you can easily get 2 mtn bikes and helmets and gear and packs in the back. It'e more secure too.
Try driving in "3" instead of "D" around town at speeds up to 45-50mph. It will give you loads better response and the ECUs are "learning" computers and will quickly figure out what you're doing. Your mileage will be about the same and you'll love the performance.
Enjoy your truck! What are you naming her? Mine is "Anuqa" ... that means "wind" in Yup'iq eskimo.
-Bob
I am thinking of picking up a 2004 Disco SE from dealer stock. Right now local dealer is giving $33K to buy but $38K to lease ($512 48M 15K) because he said they don't get the $4500 incentive on a lease. Could this be true.
Some dealers from Edmunds are offering $31.9K to purchase.
I Really like the Disco but I am a bit worried that either people love them or hate them.
I am considering the X3 also but I can't get a straight answer on its offroad capability.
I want to be able to drive on a beach and do some light off roading.
I think Discos at this price is a great deal. Wife likes the MDX and BMW because of their reputations.
Anyone care to offer a opinion ??
Thanks
Lou
Interesting!
The X5 is much nicer than the X3, overpriced, and perfectly adequate for light off road. You will get considerably more room in the disco over the X3.
Greg
The only other oddity I've noticed is a clicking (my wife says it's a clank, but it sounds like a click to me) sound when the accelerator is first depressed after removing the foot from the pedal while the car is moving; I observed this at 35-50 mph or so. It only appears to happen sporadically and only when the car has been running for some time (say 45 minutes to an hour).
The car continues to perform very well under a wide range of conditions. If it weren't for the gas mileage, I'd probably buy a second so we both could have one.
Greg
GPP, you might be hearing the infamous drivetrain "clonk". There is an appreciable amount of play in the drivetrain, and when you get things nice and warmed up and then lift the throttle and reapply it, you get the nice "clonk" tone. Not to worry.
The pattering sound has been happening to mine since day one. I asked the mechanic about it and he gave her a listen and smiled. It's the nature of the beast. I was concerned but now at 93k miles she doesn't use (or leak) a drop of oil, my lifters are tight, and she runs like a scalded cat. It is just like a diesel sound but much "lighter".
For awhile I thought perhaps the oil filter was leaking and draining back into the sump, forcing it to refill the oil galley before it came up to pressure. I experimented with all kinds of filters and none made it go away; some made it worse. I was concerned it was the sound of dry rod bearings. Now I've settled on Napa Gold or Purolator Premium or Wix filters and they all seem to hold oil just fine. For awhile I was running the Wix 51515 which is the replacement for the Fram PH8A ... it's a perfect fit and it's got HUGE filtering surface area. But sometimes it would knock a bit as I started her up and that spooked me. I'm back to the smaller filter body now and I'm pleased with how quickly she builds oil pressure upon start.
One more noise to watch for... the exhaust manifolds connect to the Y-pipe with a flange and three bolts per side. If one of the bolts vibrates loose you'll get a spectacular poofing sound from leaking exhaust gasses on-throttle. The diff side is a pain to get at but all the nuts are a straight shot with a socket and extension... piece of cake to retorque.
Una inuuq aaniqtuuq, -Bob
Does that mean "it's only Sept. 24rd and we already got 6 inches of slushy snow"?
Got your studs on?
Steve, Host
YARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR WE GOT SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've already been out sliding around in it! BOOYAA!
Greg
What's reported applied to earlier LT230 transfer boxes and some transmissions (manual and auto). It had to do with mainshaft spline fretting and parts redesign. But your new truck should be well past this series of transmissions.
My guess is it's related to the many cumulative bits of free play in your drivetrain and when you go from throttle to lifted throttle back to throttle it hits both ends of the free play. When you get back on the gas it takes up the play and the driveshaft resonates the impact as a "clonk".
Mine has done it for 8 years now with no damage or clonk increase. I just remember to take it easy when I'm rocking fore and aft to unstuck it from a snowbank.
Greg
I hadn't even considered a Land Rover until a friend suggested it - the vehicles on my shopping list for a December +/- purchase are the XC90 (prefer new V8), the GX470, and the Pilot/MDX.
The LR3 HSE would have an MSRP of around $52k the way I want it. I can get $5,500 off MSRP on a GX470, bringing it down to around $44.5k including navigation. If I could get the LR3 around the same price, I'd consider it, but probably not at full MSRP.
Any thoughts / comments?
The 2005 GX with the upgraded V8 engine (280 hp) would also be tempting, if I can get a good deal on it before the end of the year. But if I have to wait until 2005 anyway, I think the XC90 V8 is going to be the best fit for us. Not as off-road capable as the GX470, but a far tighter handling vehicle and with the V8, performance that is right in line with the Cayenne S. I would have given Lexus the advantage in reliability but, in fact, there are vibration issues and other problems that seem more prevalent in the GX than the XC90.
After reviewing some reasle data on the Land Rover, I've concluded that you better be damn sure you want to keep one for life or you will get hammered on depreciation. The Discovery is dead last by a large margin in its estimated retained value after 2-3-4-5-6 years, compared to every other SUV we've even remotely considered. The Volvo, GX and Pilot are essentially tied for the best. Even the Touareg has better projected resale than the Discovery and, likely, LR3.
If you go back further than that, avoid a '96. That was the advent of the GEMS-4 system and sticking exhaust valves.
My advice is to go for a '97 - '00 Disco Series I and to find a nice low-mileage version. My '96 still drives like new at 93k miles, and I use her HARD. It also has the locking center differential, which became unavailable on the DII for awhile.
If you do want a DII then I'd start looking more toward the '01 - '02 model years. BMW was involved and a lot of bugs were worked out. It had the simpler Rangie axles and the Bosch engine management system, replacing the often quirky Lucas.
If you're looking under the hood and aren't sure which EMS it has, just look around the blocks and connectors for the words Bosch or Lucas.
Good luck! -Bob
Look at the residuals on the new Range Rover ('03 and up) compared to the outgoing model. Because the '03 is light years ahead of the old one, it is a much more desirable vehicle, as a result, strong resale.
I am confident the same will happen with the LR3.