Talk me out of it: Disco II content

I have been looking for a lawn service tow vehicle, but due to the upscale neighborhoods where I am working, a "nicer" vehicle is pretty much a requirement. We have gotten several complaints about my Dad's Ridgeline, which is absolutely baffling to me.

Now, I'm shopping for vehicles under $3,000. My requirements are 4 wheel drive since it's also going to serve double duty as a camping vehicle, some level of panache, and the ability to tow 5,000 pounds or more.

The Disco II is rated at 7700 pounds tow capacity when properly equipped, so it checks that box. Being a Rover, it checks the box for off road capabilities. Since even 20-odd year old Rovers are still considered "nice" vehicles, it should save time dealing with the NIMBYs that don't like a work truck parked in front of their house for half an hour while we mow.

I found this Disco II on Craigslist for $2,800 OBO. It has been listed for a while so there should still be some room to negotiate.

My concerns are the typical Disco II issues. Head gaskets and cracked heads, air ride issues, the three amigos, and frame rust. Are there any other things I should check before I put my money into something like this?

What say ye, oh knowledgeable and powerful GRM overlords?

You're never going to satisfy those people.

That's not one of the ones that has the 7700lbs capacity, though. IIRC for that you'll need the 4.6 engine and the factory tow package.

The 4L will drink a lot and not move very much, and not tow that well either, mainly due to lack of low down torque.

Yeah, but it helps to show up in a nice vehicle rather than the clapped out truck I'd be able to find for the same amount of money. Trucks are stupidly overpriced here due to the redneck tax.

Wow, they're listed as only able to tow a little over 1,600 pounds. That scratches that one off my list.

I'm interested in this as well. Wondering just how terrible these actually are, which years have the head gasket issues, which is the absolute best (least worst?) to buy, etc...

My lawn/plow guy had an Escalade from the cowl forward after he hit a cow with his Tahoe.

All of them have the head gasket issues, around 100k they tend to start leaking to the outside and then it's time to replace them. All of them have the issue with the thermostat failing closed and all years can have the sunken liners. My wife's got a Range Rover with the 4.6, once we had the head gaskets sorted out it's been pretty reliable. They're needy vehicles, but for this non-SUV guy, they're probably the only SUVs I'd consider owning myself.

Derick, this one is probably a better bet but a little far away: http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/4574322473.html

BTW, the regular ones should have a tow capacity of 5k lbs, the 4.6 is the one that's got 7.7k.

anytime you're tempted to get one just go looking at Nissan pathfinders instead

Was the 4.0/4.6 a year split, or an option for all years? I found This one for $3200. I think I see a 4.6 sticker on the fender, but I can't be sure.

So basically... one with a good amount over 100k miles that still runs well and isn't leaking externally from the head gasket has probably already been serviced and is ready to go another few years? (We put like.... 7k/yr on our SUV.)

Head gaskets, like I said, aren't that big of an issue for me. It's expected at some point.

Derick Freese wrote: Was the 4.0/4.6 a year split, or an option for all years? I found This one for $3200. I *think* I see a 4.6 sticker on the fender, but I can't be sure.

IIRC it's a year split and according to Wikipedia it's 2003 & 2004 that had the 4.6.

An '03 Disco II that appears to be at a dealer lot. Maybe I can use the headgasket issue to get the price down.

Derick Freese wrote: Yeah, but it helps to show up in a nice vehicle rather than the clapped out truck I'd be able to find for the same amount of money. Trucks are stupidly overpriced here due to the redneck tax.

Your key words are 'SHOW UP?'.

I want one (in my opinion) waaaaay more than anyone I know of and I've consistently talked myself out of one very time.

(And I don't want a NICE one, I want to wheel the heck out it but alas, I cannot trust them).

Land Rovers are like porn stars. They get you to looking and then you start thinking i want to try some of that.

There's two in driveways near mine. In two years I've never seen either move. Both have current plates.

Not sure what that means exactly but it's not a good sign.

Of course I saw a nice lifted one with 33" mud tires and a roof rack on the Kancamagus in NH that had Colorado plates. That takes guts!

Btw, DO NOT search youtube for Camel Trophy footage. Crack isn't as addicting as that!

As much as I like Land Rover's, I would be biting the bullet for a pick up. If you are trying to project a good "image" for your lawn care customers, make sure the pick up is all one color.

For what it's worth, I really liked MrJoshua's when he had it. I believe it was the 4.0 at that. Since I need the added towing capacity, I will need the bigger engine.

I had been looking at Jeeps, but their tow rating is what keeps me away from those. Occasionally, I will tow a car, so it needs to be able to handle that load.

I do want an SUV as a camp vehicle, and these things do roof tents very well.

pres589 wrote: You're never going to satisfy those people.

This.

Those people will never be satisfied, but they'd be more likely to use our service if we look as professional and formal as possible. We got extra accounts when Dad first upgraded from his beater 1992 Nissan pickup to a 2003 Chevy Silverado, and then again when he went from the Chev to the 2007 Ridgeline. While it may be stupid, but image matters to enough people to take it into account when it doesn't cost any more.

find a blackwood or MARK LT then and be done with it.