1997 Land Rover Discovery SE V8

Summary:

1997 Discovery : The reason Rover is now bankrupt?

Faults:

Oil leak since new.

Failed electric windows.

Failed electric moon roofs.

Won't start/leave stranded.

Failed ignition switch.

Premature brake pad wear.

Non-existent customer service.

General Comments:

Bought this car new w/extended warranty. Thought I was buying luxury... instead I bought hassles.

Ultimately, unloaded my 41k car for 6k with only 75k on it. The sad thing is that I got the better end of the deal since ultimately it wasn't worth 6k. It just looked like it was.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd July, 2005

7th Aug 2005, 15:02

FYI - Land Rover were sold to Ford a few years back.

They were not part of MG Rover when they collapsed in April '05, although some Rover components are used in Land Rovers.

1997 Land Rover Discovery SE 3.9 V8

Summary:

Great, Great vehicle!

Faults:

Drivers headlight goes dim after hot or stormy weather.

Front leather seats wore badly.

Lots of squeaks and rattles.

Alarm pragmatic.

Power steering leaks a little, can't seem to fix.

Original sound system Sucked!

Cruise Control module when out at 130k.

General Comments:

This car is a TANK! Its been thru my dad, mom, and now me (the only son). My dad bought it for him to drive, then my mom took it, now I have it! Its been a great vehicle to drive and drives GREAT for having almost 200k on it. I will keep it til it dies for good. Highly reccomend buying one and seeing what you think!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 8th May, 2005

1997 Land Rover Discovery SD 4.0

Summary:

Very capable vehicle, but only if it's properly maintained

Faults:

The alternator did give out at about 195,000km.

General Comments:

The vehicle hasn't assaulted my pocketbook primarily, I believe, for the reason that I maintain the vehicle according manufacturers recommendations. I have never tried to fool myself in to believing that this will be as cheap as operating a bicycle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st February, 2005

1997 Land Rover Discovery SE 7 4.0

Summary:

Excellent

Faults:

The passenger front seat switch stopped working.

General Comments:

Heard lots of talk about being nickel and dimed to death, but this has been an amazingly reliable auto. In winter it is the best car in snow I have ever owned. Including an Expedition, 4 wheel drive Chevy and Ford Pick-ups. Minor electrical annoyances such as the air conditioning turning off for a few seconds if it is on the highest setting. Change the oil and drive it, unbelievable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th November, 2004

1997 Land Rover Discovery SD7 4.0

Summary:

A 4x4 that delivers

Faults:

Marker and parking light bulb replacements seemed premature. Wheel center caps fell off. Coolant hose split at 19000 miles. Plastic on rear bumper and around rear bumper lights faded, cracked and eventually fell off. Most of the items were replaced/repaired under warranty by the local Cadillac/Rover dealer. (Don't keep it after the warranty expires unless you know a very good garage).

General Comments:

This Rover was the entry level with cloth seats and no sunroofs.

I have heard that the model with leather has a totally different seat that is extremely uncomfortable. The cloth were easy to clean (I have two Black Labradors) and the back seat was easily removed to reveal an incredible amount of cubic space. The huge windows were one of our favorite features. It also had two jumper seats in the back which we never used.

This rover took my family and I through a severe snow storm over the Donner Pass not far from Lake Tahoe. We were the only vehicle on the I-80 as we drove through the Sierra Nevada range from Sacramento, CA to Reno, NV. The rover charged through the snow confidently, (Without chains) being at night, the front driving and rear fog lights were very good. The traction was incredible and the experience will never be forgot. There can be bad things said about Land Rover quality, but when placed in the extreme our rover was impressive. It is this reason that I would look at Land Rover again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th April, 2003

1997 Land Rover Discovery V8i

Summary:

Better to know before you buy

Faults:

There is always something going wrong with the Discovery. The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) has been replaced twice. There is corrosion on the aluminum doors. The window seals all split. It gets terrible gas mileage ~ averages 11 mpg. And if you don't know a mechanic personally, be prepared to sign over half of every paycheck.

General Comments:

If you are considering a Land Rover, know what you're getting yourself into. The "club" of owners include many loyal Rover aficionados. However, if you're not going to be going off road or towing horses, get a Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Similarly priced, same great comfort, much more reliable and cheaper to repair.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 1st October, 2002

1997 Land Rover Discovery 4 litre gas

Faults:

The front seats were designed by Satan. They are too short in the lower area, providing no leg support. Sciatica pains abound. The cupholder was designed for European and not America (ie Snapple; Big Gulp) containers. The lighter socket is 1mm too large for most car phone plugs. Plugs fall out..

General Comments:

Great unstoppable vehicle. Will boldly go where no vehicle has gone before, at a great price. Typical 1980's British build quality and (lack of) attention to the little details. I test drove the 1999 Disco II; many errors were attended to. I do love to take this car skiing, though.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 1999

12th Dec 2005, 12:17

I am looking for a socket adapter for our 1996 Discovery. We've been frustrated by the same item pointed out in this review - the lighter socket (which I thought was just worn) is about 1mm too large for most American appliances; cell phones, iPod chargers, etc. Can anyone point me to a good source to rectify this problem?

11th Jan 2006, 05:03

Replace your socket with one bought @ a local car store or walmart for 7.99.

Are you helpless???