Thoughts on Land Rover (2000-2002)

Beckwith · Aug 21, 2007

Maybe I am the contrarian, but it is a solid car. My dad owned them once since the Disco inception and he has a very positive experience. I think with any car, it is how well you maintain them, or how well the previous owner mainted them. If you could get service records, you would be able to make the right choice. I recently bought a CPO 05 LR3, and I am extremely happy with it. I have been subject to Ed's post on Land Rover before, but like he said at the end, the cars are tanks and you will able to haul a lot of crap around. Gas mileage is a little less than stellar, but you obviously know that going in.

edmorel · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by Beckwith

Maybe I am the contrarian, but it is a solid car. My dad owned them once since the Disco inception and he has a very positive experience. I think with any car, it is how well you maintain them, or how well the previous owner mainted them. If you could get service records, you would be able to make the right choice. I recently bought a CPO 05 LR3, and I am extremely happy with it. I have been subject to Ed's post on Land Rover before, but like he said at the end, the cars are tanks and you will able to haul a lot of crap around. Gas mileage is a little less than stellar, but you obviously know that going in.

They are great to lug stuff around and I had the SE7 so I could carry 7 people easily but when that warranty expired there was no such thing as an under $2k trip to the dealer and there were quite a few trips. They are also not the kind of car that you can trust to your local auto mechanic, unlike the american cars. Luckily was bole to sell it to some sucker, I mean, doctor in NC through ebay. Also had a Range Rover and if I recount my odyssey with it, I wil probably cry. Wife currently drives the Hippo and it has equally been a POS. Had to have a new engine put in at 47K miles, some other **** went wrong with it a month ago that cost us $2000 and now the check engine light is on, which is a monthly occurence. Can't talk about the LR3 although I did drive it for a few months and was not enamored with the looks nor the drive, I think the Disco is better in both regards.

Beckwith · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by VMan

I like the Audi Allroad and the Volvo XC70 Cross Country but feel like I am too young to drive a wagon.

When I was in the market for a new (used) car, I searched for the all road, as that is not a soccer mom station wagon by any means. The only problem with the all road is that they stopped making them and they are in demand, so it will be hard to find one in that price range.

Cavalier · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by GQgeek

Just a thought, but you don't need a suv for 4wd... Unless you really need the room or the clearance, i don't see the point of having one.

Even with sandbags in the back and good winter tires, 4WD is nice to have in the winter. The back end of these things will swing out on you when you're coming around a slippery corner if you're in RWD.

Beckwith · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by edmorel

They are great to lug stuff around and I had the SE7 so I could carry 7 people easily but when that warranty expired there was no such thing as an under $2k trip to the dealer and there were quite a few trips. They are also not the kind of car that you can trust to your local auto mechanic, unlike the american cars. Luckily was bole to sell it to some sucker, I mean, doctor in NC through ebay. Also had a Range Rover and if I recount my odyssey with it, I wil probably cry. Wife currently drives the Hippo and it has equally been a POS. Had to have a new engine put in at 47K miles, some other **** went wrong with it a month ago that cost us $2000 and now the check engine light is on, which is a monthly occurence. Can't talk about the LR3 although I did drive it for a few months and was not enamored with the looks nor the drive, I think the Disco is better in both regards.

"Can't talk about the LR3 although I did drive it for a few months and was not enamored with the looks nor the drive, I think the Disco is better in both regards."

As someone who drove the old Disco quite a bit, and has been driving the LR3, I have to say it is night and day when it comes to drive. The LR3 does not handle like the old Disco, I am more comfortable driving it, than I was driving the Disco. The ride is quiter and smoother, and feels more like a car. That is a relative term being that it is a 6,000 pound offroading machine. Who doesn't need that for a garaged, pampered Manhattan weekend warrior?

What are you currently driving?

VMan · Aug 21, 2007

I am also considering Jeep - either the classic, boxy, rugged-looking Cherokee Sport, or the more refined Grand Cherokee. Thoughts?

skalogre · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by Beckwith

... The ride is quiter and smoother, and feels more like a car. That is a relative term being that it is a 6,000 pound offroading machine. Who doesn't need that for a garaged, pampered Manhattan weekend warrior?
..

See "Chelsea Tractor"

DMcG · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by VMan

I like the Audi Allroad and the Volvo XC70 Cross Country but feel like I am too young to drive a wagon.

Think of them as SUVs with better handling and better mileage. My Legacy GT wagon is great in the snow as was the WRX wagon I had before that.

coachvu · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by VMan

I am also considering Jeep - either the classic, boxy, rugged-looking Cherokee Sport, or the more refined Grand Cherokee. Thoughts?

I'm on my second Grand Cherokee and have loved both of them. I bought both of them with 100K+ miles, and they have been fantastic. The first one needed a new engine at 200K, but the transmission is still working fine. I'm currently driving a '96 Grand Cherokee with ~108,000 miles and couldn't be happier. My first had the I6 engine, and the newer one has a V8. Both are great engines.

Cavalier · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by VMan

I am also considering Jeep - either the classic, boxy, rugged-looking Cherokee Sport, or the more refined Grand Cherokee. Thoughts?
If you get one in good condition, they are completely bullet proof. Great in the snow, super strong. You need to get the 4.0L inline 6, 4x4. www.naxja.com (North American XJ Jeep Association). All those problems you read about are people will old beat Jeeps that refuse to die--- and it's almost always a fuel injector or o2 sensor that needs to be changed. Super solid construction, mine had solid metal bumpers stock. Cheap to fix (plenty of Jeep hobbyists to do the repairs and cheap at shops too) I've owned an XJ--- seriously feels great driving that truck just because you always felt like you could get through ANY situation, snow, mud, etc. etc. Through jungles, mountains, etc. etc. I'd avoid the newer Grand Cherokees even though they are in your budget.... I just don't think they are the same build quality at all (I could be wrong). I could only recommend an XJ 4.0L seriously.... that truck is legendary.

Piobaire · Aug 21, 2007

My advice would be to stay away from Nissan too. YMMV but my experience is that they build something with a powerful engine and good looks (usually) but that the engineering is not up to Toyota or Honda standards; they just do not hold up as well. I too would go for a 4Runner, given your budget and garage size limitations.

FWIW, AWD is the way to go. Both my wife and I are in AWD vehicles and we will never go back.

Cavalier · Aug 21, 2007

Originally Posted by Piobaire

My advice would be to stay away from Nissan too. YMMV but my experience is that they build something with a powerful engine and good looks (usually) but that the engineering is not up to Toyota or Honda standards; they just do not hold up as well. I too would go for a 4Runner, given your budget and garage size limitations.

FWIW, AWD is the way to go. Both my wife and I are in AWD vehicles and we will never go back.

Older Pathfinder/QX4s (2000-earlier) are very reliable, keep going and going.

Newer Pathfinders, Armadas, Titans, etc. etc. are junky though

Thomas · Aug 22, 2007

Originally Posted by VMan

I am also considering Jeep - either the classic, boxy, rugged-looking Cherokee Sport, or the more refined Grand Cherokee. Thoughts?

Have driven the Cherokee classic (1998) for 6 years now. Bought at 24k, now at 145k. First gear is starting to whine a bit, so that will need an overhaul eventually. Engine still pulls well, smooth on the highways, tires easy to find. 4.0 in-line 6, have replaced a couple of water pumps which is a bummer, but after the first time it's not an ordeal. Can crawl under it with ease so maintenance isn't too bad, plus the Haynes/Mitchell/Chilton manuals cover most of the details down to engine overhaul. Lots of accessories, plenty of people on the web with information if you like to turn your own wrenches. Suspension parts are not sealed, so you'll need a grease gun, or an honest mechanic. Slightly unsettling to be among the smaller cars in the parking lot, but then again we are talking about Texas here.

Bottom line: If I have my way, I'll replace the engine/transmission before buying a new car.

Artisan Fan · Aug 22, 2007

My dad owned them once since the Disco inception and he has a very positive experience.

Your Dad would be the first person I know who did not have major service issues with the Discovery. Look how poor they score:

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings...bility-ratings

itsstillmatt · Aug 22, 2007

Originally Posted by Artisan Fan

Your Dad would be the first person I know who did not have major service issues with the Discovery. Look how poor they score:

http://www.jdpower.com/autos/ratings...bility-ratings
I drove one from 98-05 with very little trouble. At least it is a car with a soul. The new ones are not.

Thoughts on Land Rover (2000-2002)

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