Best Discovery II year?

[Butcher54]

Ive always liked the Disco II, just wanted to get some knowledge on what year to look for. I have a truck for day to day use so it would be just a expo rig. Its really between a 4 runner and a Disco, but this being posted on the Land Rover Forum i know how the votes would go. What do I need to look for when checking one out? Rust areas? should I try and find one with all mechanical windows/ locks? thanks guys

[leeawalden]

DII? 2004 hands down. Newer, more than likely lower miles, CDL, 4.6.

[leeawalden]

edit, the 4 runner is going to be more reliable, but if its purely for offroad and you don't care about fuel I would get the discovery. If its between a discovery and a FZJ80 then I dunno.

[AxeAngel]

I have an 04 disco and an 03 disco with 04 engine and tcase. Noticing a theme here?

-Sam

[onewhippedpuppy]

Drive both. I'm the previous owner of an FJ80, 4th gen 4Runner, and have driven a number of FZJ80s. The Disco wins hands-down when it comes to driving experience and overall character. As much as I've liked my Toyotas, they're just a bit vanilla for my taste. I was actually shopping for another Land Cruiser when I found my Disco, I like it better in just about every way.

As for your original question, that's easy - 2004.

[Butcher54]

ya a landcruiser is deff in the running.

[khronus79]

Interested as well, I'm looking at a 80 series Land Cruiser or a Discovery II.

[Schattenjager]

Drive both. I'm the previous owner of an FJ80, 4th gen 4Runner, and have driven a number of FZJ80s. The Disco wins hands-down when it comes to driving experience and overall character. As much as I've liked my Toyotas, they're just a bit vanilla for my taste. I was actually shopping for another Land Cruiser when I found my Disco, I like it better in just about every way.

As for your original question, that's easy - 2004.

2004 for sure.

I agree with the idea of driving both but otherwise have the exact opposite take. I've had a few Rovers, including a built DII. They have a cool charm for sure, but they are problematic. To say otherwise is misleading. They are comfortable and look great, but my passion was trumped once I learned more about Toyotas.

The 80 is a bit larger, insanely capable, 96 & 97's have more modern design, and they are slightly more reliable than a hammer. Look at the two forums and see what people are talking about - mods and maintenance or repairs?

I sold my DII prior to driving back to America from alaska where I bought and built it. I did not trust it despite detailed base lining, repairs, and mods, plain and simple. On my return for a year, I bought it back from the fellow who bought it from me and it lost the motor the day I registered it. A buddy has a DII and hasn't gone camping this summer because the rig was always in the shop and ate up his fun money.

If you've never had a cool car, it's something you have to experience for yourself. If you love your cars, problems become more than a frustration, they are a heart ache. I used to pull a Fiat w/ a Range Rover Classic. After time taught me a few lessons, I'm now into Toyota's and Porsches.

Oh what a feeling! Accept no substitute.

[AxeAngel]

Will echo the above, and also mention that it is absolutely imperative that you find a CLEAN used 04. Had my 04 for a month and fortunately I have a decent knowledge about these trucks, otherwise i would have hated my life. If the truck was abused (or driven through mud and not washed and let sit for a month and 2k miles) you wont be happy about the ensuing repairs.

My land rovers have required more maintenance/repairs than my porsches and my track cars, such is life...

-Sam

[onewhippedpuppy]

Hard to argue that the Toyota is the more reliable of the two, I wouldn't recommend a Land Rover to anyone that didn't DIY (or have deep pockets).