CD Article: Land Rover Discovery, 1999-2004

[CD_Editor]

Used Vehicle Review:


Based on its reliability history, "you'd be crazy to consider buying a used Discovery," says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  On the other hand, "you'd almost be nuts not to considering this truck's (low) resale values," he says.

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Read the article | View the photos | All The Used Vehicles

[Demosthenes X]

Funny this should come up now.  I was sorting through a stack of old K&N Air Filters we have lying around at work, ones that people had ordered in and never picked up.  One of them fit a 1991-2004 Land Rover Defender.  One of the other guys and I looked at it, and said aloud, "Who comes into Canadian Tire looking for parts for their Land Rover?"

Not fifteen minutes later, a customer walks in looking for parts for his Discovery.  Go figure...

[2hondas]

Funny this should come up now.  I was sorting through a stack of old K&N Air Filters we have lying around at work, ones that people had ordered in and never picked up.  One of them fit a 1991-2004 Land Rover Defender.  One of the other guys and I looked at it, and said aloud, "Who comes into Canadian Tire looking for parts for their Land Rover?"

Not fifteen minutes later, a customer walks in looking for parts for his Discovery.  Go figure...

Haha, did you have any?

[mrthompson]

The Disco is/was capable retro-cool SUV that I wouldn't touch with a 10 ft. pole. 

I love the Defender but would never buy one.  I've seen perhaps 2 in my life.

[ktm525]

Perhaps as a project vehicle or a weekend fun vehicle these might be ok. Owner must be willing(enjoy) turning wrenches though. I would pay about $5k for a cherry Disco. Hmmmmm.

[Arthur Dent]

I looked at a 1998 Disco - I could accept the reliability concerns given the price asked and I can do almost all of it myself but the fuel mileage was absolutely tragic. Much worse than I though - worse than a full size GM SUV. The later ones are better on gas but still really heavy. Made no sense unless its an off road toy or dedicated trailer tower.

[mrthompson]

With an aluminum body, shouldn't the Disco be more efficient due to lighter weight?   

[gta_driver]

If your handy, have time and the fuel bills don't scare you, this is a good vehicle to have. The mechanicals are simply designed and there is a lot of room to work. All replacement repairs are straightforward. I've worked on a friends (he has 3-you can basically name your price these days, these vehicles are languishing on lots). It would make a good hobby off-roader.

[Demosthenes X]

The Discovery II used a 4.0-litre V8 engine producing 188 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque

  And I thought Hyundai's 25.7L V6 was a poor performer.  At least this engine has some torque.

I wonder how difficult it would be to swap a diesel engine into this chassis, like some Jeep YJ owners have done.  That would make for a very appealing off-road machine, imo...

[Arthur Dent]

The Discovery II used a 4.0-litre V8 engine producing 188 horsepower and 251 lb-ft of torque

  And I thought Hyundai's 25.7L V6 was a poor performer.  At least this engine has some torque.

I wonder how difficult it would be to swap a diesel engine into this chassis, like some Jeep YJ owners have done.  That would make for a very appealing off-road machine, imo...

Its an old design - originally a GM design from the early 60s. There was a 2.5L diesel four offered in the UK.