So a '95 Disco has popped up pretty cheap not too far from me. They say it has been sitting a while, but was driven around the neighborhood recently. Looks clean from the grainy pictures, but not sure. I want to avoid taking the Miata out this winter if possible, however, don't want to get a money pit of a winter vehicle either.
What are some of the issues with Disco's? I know switches, etc usually go bad. What else? It is something I can sell come spring and get most of my money back?
Electrical everything. Gas mileage isn't good.
That's about it... they're one of those vehicles that if you try to keep it 100% functional in EVERY way, it'll break you.
If you only care about point A to point B, no matter WHAT the conditions, they're great, and not HORRIBLY expensive.
A Cherokee is cheaper in every situation, but nowhere near as cool.
I doubt you would lose much money on it if you're handy.
They will run but throw codes and check engine lights all the time. They're slow, noisy, uncomfortable, and get terrible gas mileage. But they feel solid and heavy .. because they are very heavy. Everything electrical will break but the mechanicals are actually pretty solid. The transmission is a ZF and the diffs and transfer case are pretty bulletproof.
If you aren't in love with it, I would recommend something less troublesome or at least with cheaper parts. The horrid resale value on these is a solid indicator of their troubles.
Prices on these always seem to be ridiculously LOW, or somewhat high. When they are low, the current owner has about run out of money and is trying to break even or not take too much of a bath. When they are high, nothing major has broken....yet / in a while.
If nothing else, the fuel mileage versus the acceleration that is "on tap" is bordering on scary. That is, you'll burn a fair amount of fuel in these to get them moving. (Hard to believe they are made with a fair amount of aluminum.)
I had a '95 Disco and loved it. They are relatively simple vehicles, so get the factory service manual and plan to do your own maintenance and repair and you'll be okay. These vehicles have depreciated about as far as they can so your mostly looking at maintenance and repair item and parts aren't too terrible. Check our Rovers North and other parts suppliers to get an idea of what your in for.
For better or worse, I'll probably own another one (once the 2004 models reach the bottom of their depreciation scale).
I had a 98 and it was terrible. I heard all the warnings before I bought, and did my best to make sure I wouldn't be another victim, but after its first trip, and using nearly 2 qts of oil in 200 miles, I traded it about 3 months after I bought it.
Oh and I nearly lost a thumb while working on it, so needless to say it did not sit well with me.
That said, I am still drawn to them for some reason, but will never own another one, at least of that vintage.
What you want is a Defender. Too bad they cost and arm and a leg over here.
I decided to pass. I was going to post the ad for you guys to grab it but it is gone. Guess it sold already. Now to search for the learn me Cherokee threads...
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