1998 Land Rover Discovery LE 50 Year Anniversary 4.0 V8

Summary:

The best vehicle I have ever owned, because it allows me to go anywhere in luxury!

Faults:

I have replaced the fuel pump and the master cylinder.

The headliner sags on the passenger side, the windows have trouble at times rolling down (switch issues), and there were a few oil leaks. But I see these as minor issues.

The oil leaks stop when I get under my LR and tighten the bolts on the pan once a year. The switches are easy to get to, and the parts are the same as many of LR's Japanese and American counterparts. Extremely inexpensive at the auto wrecking yards.

General Comments:

I currently own 5 vehicles, and I use this car as my Number 1 vehicle. I get 15-18 MPG in my LR1 (which I don't mind). I drive it everywhere and it runs great. I feel safe, and it always starts and gets me to where I need to go and back. Mentioning that it does it with incredible style and comfort.

These are not cheap toys. LRs are heavy duty off-road vehicles. I bought a Land Rover manual, downloaded the RAVE eManual, and have done all of the maintenance work myself. I am not a mechanic, I work on computers for a living, yet I discovered that LRs are extremely easy to work on. I have kept up on the maintenance, replaced all hoses, belts, and brake pads at the appropriate intervals. Most fluids were also replaced on a regular basis (although I only change my motor oil every 5-6 thousand miles). My LR just keeps on running and running great!

At 100k miles, I replaced the distributor cap, the rotor, the spark plug wires, and installed new spark plugs. That is it!

I live in California where we have to smog our vehicles every 2 years, and it has easily passed the smog check every time.

This vehicle is by far the best 4x4 I have ever driven or owned. I will get another one when this one goes to the wrecking yard.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd January, 2015

1998 Land Rover Discovery 50th Anniversary Edition 4.0L V8

Summary:

The ultimate 4x4 cruiser

Faults:

Let's start off by saying that I bought this car as a flood car for $700. That being said, very little has gone wrong with the car.

The driver's side window did not go up or down, since it was off of the track when I bought it. And the passenger rear window works sometimes.

I have also replaced a water pump (a simple 30 minute, $50 repair) and a brake master cylinder ($40 and 20 minutes).

I have also popped a tire and broke a headlight, but those are off roading injuries, not really things that have gone wrong.

General Comments:

I had planned on using it as a winter beater, then scrapping it. But she just won't die! She had been through 2 hurricanes; the previous owner bought it as a flood car after hurricane Irene, and used it for the winter, and in the summer to tow boats to the beach. Then it was washed away in Hurricane Sandy, so he put it up for sale. I picked it up for $700 and could not be happier. I have had it now for 2 years and 22,000 miles, and can't believe things like the air conditioning and heated seats still work.

The truck is an off road monster; the wheel articulation and centre locking diff works magic. It goes over stuff that my buddy's jeep wouldn't dare try. And when he does, I use my fancy winch to pull him over ha ha.

The 4 sunroofs are great for letting light in, and the seating position is perfect. I was a little wary about buying a beat on Rover; I heard that they could have issues, but I think this truck made me a Rover man for life. Plus, it just looks SO cool.

The gas mileage is to be expected from a big box with a V8, and my roof rack with all the fixings doesn't really add to the hypermile experience. But the ride is very comfortable, as long as you don't take turns going too quickly.

Despite the abuse this little Rover that could has seen, I wouldn't hesitate taking her across country.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th November, 2014