Quality, quality, quality

I purchased my Disco new in 2003 and just recently paid it off with 84k miles on it. Until recently, I have overlooked the quality issues I have experienced with the vehicle, because the truth is, I really did like it. However, I've recently experienced just rather expensive quality issus at 84k miles. In the last two months, I have had to replace 2 Oxygen sensors ($450), replace a door lock motor ($400), replace a rear hub that was leaking gearbox fluid ($650), and replace leaking head gaskets ($2400). That doesn't include the other quality issues that were mostly covered under warranty - hinge back door, new transfer case and gear box due to a balancing weight falling off driving shaft, heated windshield replaced, etc... Like I said, I looked over most of the quality issues because I really do like the vehicle and its ability to get me through tough winters; however, to have to spend $3000 on a new rear hub and to repair an engine oil leak at 84k is ridiculous in this day and time. Not only that, but LR customer service is awful to deal with. After my recent experiences, I will NEVER purchase another LR and will advise my friends and family to do the same. It is unfortunate that a loyal customer like myself has come to this conclusion.

-Excellent off-road system and ability
-Dual Sunroofs
-Good Ground Clearance
-Powerful, low torque V8
-Unique look and feel relative to other cars on the road

-Extremely bad gas mileage
-Premium fuel only
-Expensive repair costs
-Above average on electrical repairs
-Poor acceleration

I bought a 1-owner Discovery II with 65,000 miles on it. The car is really a recreation type vehicle for me; my primary car is an 07 Ford Explorer. The Disco will only see about 2500 miles per year. The SUV is in excellent condition and I cannot say enough about how much I love it! The tires were worn when I got it so I went on eBay and put 19" wheels and tires off of an 08 Range Rover on it... HUGE appearance upgrade and cheap ($750 total for the new wheels & tires, and I sold my old rims for $500). The only repair I have had thusfar has been to replace the radiator, which I spent a total of about $550 on. I think it was damaged on an offroading trip I took when I first got the car. The only other problem I have had is with the driver's window jamming and making a popping sound about once every 10 times its lowered and a problem with the drivers tail light sometimes not working (Ive replaced the bulb, I think its a wiring issue). When I bought the car, I paid for an extended warranty and I do expect and have budgeted for repairs. Overall, I love it! There is nothing like it on the road and it has awesome visibility for offroad and city driving. The dual sunroofs an stadium-style rear seating makes passengers very happy. The Disco is a beast offroad and has very nice ground clearance on those steep grades. The 4x4 system works great and the hill descent is extremely useful on steep, muddy declines. Buying a Land Rover thats not new and is not still under factory warranty should be looked at as a hobby rather than a necessity. These cars are expensive to own, but they are unique and lot more fun than regular vehicles. Don't buy one if you cannot afford unexpected repairs costs because they will happen.

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2000 Jeep Wrangler, 2003 Mercedes-Benz ML500, 2002 Ford Explorer, 2008 Ford Explorer

Almost everything! Great stereo (sucky speakers need to be replaced, no big deal), great ride, great room in cabin, ease of controls, HUGE ENGINE, quiet inside...like being in an airplane cockpit all by yourself.

Not a ton of get up and go but she's not supposed to. Weird warped overflow tank. Need to find a keyfob for my alarm. The key works but would be nice to unlock just one door and not all 4 just to keep the alarm from going off. Kind of a chick/safety thing you know?

Well I must say that I'm hoping I don't go through what some of you have gone through. I've only had it a week but so far am loving it. Kind of ticked at the dealer. Got it home and found that the overflow tank warped (apparently a problem in this breed of Rover). Have a great mechanic that fixed it for $287 although didn't really want to spend that much but you know what? I still love it and knew what I was getting into with it. It's a true 4 wheeler!!! Not a softie. I'm female but I love to 4 wheel and know a tad about the trucks I drive. Yeah it eats gas (what SUV doesn't?) but I've not noticed any wind noise and I've taken some turns pretty quickly in it just to test the "cornering on two wheels" theory and none of the 4 tires ever broke from the pavement. I haven't taken her off road yet but I do look forward to it. I'm swallowing the fact that she will probaly need repairs (costly ones) in her lifetime as she already has 115,000 on her but I'm hoping they come later rather than sooner. So far though, she's tough...as tough as I wanted her to be. She's solid on the road, comfortable to sit in, power works where it's supposed to (motor jammed in sunroof but at least it opens and closes...will fix that later), engine is solid and she doesn't have a mm of slop in her anywhere. She's not perfect with her dings and scratches and the headliner is doing the Bedouin thing but the pins hold it up stylishly...no one notices. But she runs and rides great even on road and I look forward for my visit with my family this weekend to show her off. 6 hour drive each way ought to put the whole shebang into perspective. I'm not forseeing any problems and have my fingers crossed. Although being a Rover, I knew the parts would be expensive and while I don't have a ton of money, I will pay to keep my truck on the road. I've always wanted one and will not be disappointed. Good luck to everyone with your Rovers. I'm sorry some of you have had a rough time but this truck of mine will be the creme-de-la-creme on my vehicle resume.

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2005 Toyota Tundra crew cab iForce V8 (I miss her to this day); 1998 Toyota 4Runner (another beauty that I miss); 1992 Toyota 4Runner (off road queen!); 2001 Jeep Wrangler (another toughie); 1996 Jeep Cherokee (eh...just okay); 1994 Ford Ranger (what the heck was I thinking?!?)

Great 4x4 if not the best. Unique look. Good Paint. Decent cargo space. You tell people you Drive a Land Rover and they think you are rich :)

Oh God! where to start, Extremely poor acceleration. Horrible gas millage. Expensive repairs. Hard to find people to work on it. Normally one Stealership in town. This could keep going!!!

As much as I like Land Rovers, I must say that this is probably the most unreliable car I ever seen. If you are going to buy one of this, you might as well buy 2 since one is always at the dealer. I think I have spent over 4K in repairs. Nobody would work on this car ONLY the Stealership.

This cars are very temperamental and required a lot of expensive maintenance. Be ready to pay Big$$ for parts as much as twice than an American made car.

If you are on a budget like me, DO NOT buy this car. It will make your life miserable. I would suggest not to buy for the look although I must I admit that this is the nicest car I had so far.

EXTENDED WARRANTY , EXTENDED WARRANTY , EXTENDED WARRANTY , EXTENDED WARRANTY ...

Road traction
Comfort
Decent assist

Replaced the sound system
Low ground clearance

Price in SA Rands.
Although generally viewed as a sissy 4x4, this is a very capable SUV. Did several trips into Botswana and Mozambique and she did well on sand and in water. Ground clearance a bit low, so did not deflate the tires. Down Sani Pass the decent assist was quite useful.

As a city car, she is quite, comfortable and has enough power to beat the taxis. She has all the nice features of a luxury sedan, yet the power and driving technology of a proper 4x4.

I love it and can recommend it.

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Isuzu

Almost unbeatable off-road. Strong enough to bounce off the on-road cows. Diesel engine keeps on going and delivers decent mileage. Seats.

Annoying squeaks and rattles. Total lack of acceleration. Manky old radio/cassette.

If you want a comfortable car that can get through the sand, mud and salt pans of Botswana while loaded to the roof with camping gear, you can't beat it.

As for all the complaints about mileage, I have the advantage of being able to buy the diesel version, which while slower than a milk cart, can easily get 500 miles out of a tank. It does eventually reach a top speed which would be illegal in any country I have driven bar the German autobahns.

After having driven nearly 20,000 of the 120,000 miles on the clock I can happily say that the relaibility is pretty good. We have never been let down while in the middle of nowhere without a satellite phone and as long as the services are done regularly, it will keep on going.

style riding high and lost of head space

oil leaks windows got stuck upand seats

I have a black 1996 Land rover I am the only driver or the truck for 10 years I love the high ride until my seats callapsed and now i feel like i'm low riding. there have been lots of small things that has stopped working and I have learned to live with all of the big kinks overall I love my truck and am planing to restore it soon

High Heavy Ride, Great Int. & Ext Styling, superb customer service.

Too sensitive Traction/ABS sensors expensive parts and labor when not under warranty

I purchased my Disco in 2003 and have really enjoyed it, it's never left me stranded or hot (the AC ROCKS).
Yes it drives like a truck but the interior is comfortable and pretty luxe. HOWEVER.. I'm selling mine soon b/c my extended warranty ends in a few months and I'm scared to own it without a warranty. Overall, I think the styling and ruggedness is to be admired, inside and out. The customer service is also top-notch, but these SUVS are not cheap to maintain. Of course, that does come with the territory when buying a high end vehicle. My only complaint with the Disco is the Traction Control/ABS sensor lights are SO sensitive if you slide on a rock, you have a christmas tree light up in your dash. I would say for anyone considering a LR.. do your homework on which years/models have mechanical quirks and try to avoid them. Also, have it paid for by the time the warranty runs out, so you can foot the occasional expensive service visit and not part with your quirky old friend, due to expense! If Landrover can work on the quirks/reliability and get the kind of rep that Toyota LandCruisers have, I'll definitely buy another one, but until then I think I'll admire the Disco from afar.

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4 runner

High up, visability, turning ratio, full time 4 wheel drive, off road capability, comfy seats, roomy, looks.

Premium gas (gets about the same mileage as my 2004 Tundra)
electrical system has quirks...a ghost maybe?

I love this truck! I am still struggling with some quirky electrical problems with the power windows, but love being up high, the tough feel and handling. Bought this as a 2nd vehicle to bring to Florida, and mostly wanted something so I could see the old folks coming at me, and this does the trick. Also figured it might come in handy if the roads get washed away. I hate having to use premium gas, but have been trying a half and half mix of 90 & 93 octaine to help save money. This truck has 181,000 + miles on it, so hopefully the former owners have already fixed everything. My plan is to do only what is necessary to keep her running, oil changes, etc. Has a little oil leak, my son says, not a problem, so I'm not going to worry about it. Maybe I'll write another review after my 1200+ trip from Massachusetts to Florida. For comfort, it's not too bad. I would like the seat to go back father and it doesn't handle like my Toyota Tundra...but I didn't expect it to. So far...so good! Repaired the rear trailing arm, oil change, thats it so far.

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1992 Mazda Navajo, 1996 Eddie Bower Ford Explorer (blown head gasket at 55,000 miles) Toyota Tundra 4x4...nothing else like it!

Very Profitable parts and service departments at all the dealers. Ugly old looking design with fishbowl size windows so everyone can see that YOU own a Land Rover . .er, ah Discount Model !

Will lighten your bank account at an accelerating pace the longer you do more than park this status symbol.

If you like large black oil leaks on the garage floor, tipping up on two wheels when cornering, a radio that can't pick up the station you're parked in front of, and hugely expensive parts and repairs, then By All Means You wanna get yourself one of these Lemons !

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I never owned a Yugo, but have been told they are similar, as are a few old Russian cars with names like The Volga. I drive a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2004 Overland now, and its like going from shopping cart to a Ferrari after the DisCovery of owning a Land Rover.