Hypothetically speaking, if one were wanting to keep the price of the vehicle between $5k-$8K, understanding that the 'primo' years for a D1 and D2 are 1998 and 2004, respectively....
If you had to choose between a 1998 and a 2000, only $1k difference in price, similar mileage (under 90K) , and the 2000 already had a nice ARB bumper on it....which would you go for?
Factors important in this deal are purchase price, and how much immediate need for maintenance I could expect for this age of vehicle. I know that could depend from vehicle to vehicle, but 'in general'.
Let me put it this way...I am looking to give up a 2004 DC Taco if I make a deal. I am trying to cut my payments significantly. Either of these two would roughly cut my payments in half. The Taco has been dead on reliable, save for a battle with the axle seals.
Will the 'average' Disco (of either vintage) cost more than $200 or so in maintenance per month (egad, I HOPE not!)...which would be the difference in the payment.
Worth mentioning is that even as a DD, I average maybe 500 miles a month driving right now (carpooling with wife). Simply put, if I could get somone to buy my Taco outright, I would not even replace it, but I am having ZERO bites, so now I have to look seriously (and quickly) at finding a trade I can make that can REALLY make an impact on the payment.
What I would like about the Disco is that it would keep me in a 4wd that I could still do some off-highway travel in. I also like what seems to be reasonable prices, though I know the Discos have their....quirks.....
I am not in a place to immediately sock a lot of $$$ into repairs (or mods) so between the two, is there a discernable difference?
2 years difference to me does not seem significant. It kind of makes me lean towards the 98, due to price, and that it seems that a lot of Rover folks actually think the D1 is better (or am I mistaken?).
I am fairly certain the 2000 doesn't have the center diff lock. Does the 98?
I don't mean to keep hi-jacking jeep guys thread, but any advice is appreciated.