QuestionHello,
I'm a 20 year old working college student in search of my first car. With some help from my mother I have set a budget of about 8-10000 dollars. I would prefer a small-midsize truck and I think the price would give me leeway in finding me an affordale, fairly new vehicle that would be dependable and pleasing to my eyes.
I've found an 2000 Discovery II with about 42,000 miles on it that fit my budget perfect. It was go until I heard about what it could cost to repair them. I don't know much about the trucks (cept that I love the hell out of them, specially the Ranges) and I'm concerned about the most common problems that would arise and what it would cost to repair them. I need to know about the cost of upkeep before I commit to it. Thank you in advance
AnswerHi Air Davis,
RUN AWAY FROM THAT DISCO! The price of the 2000 Disco is very, very good HOWEVER it makes me wonder what's wrong with it!
2000 Disco's should be going for about $15 - 20,000 US.
If it is a high mileage Disco, you could be looking at exhaust valve problems $2000+, alternators $150 to $800 plus labour, steering pump $300+ plus labour, tune-ups are usually about $300 tax included. Brake jobs, unless you do them yourself, can start at about $500 and can be much higher if you need rotors and/or calipers.
General upkeep of a Disco can be very expensive UNLESS you have the time and place to do the work yourself. Are you familiar with general auto mechanics? Do you think you could rebuild a $700 alternator on your own?
A Disco sure looks good on a campus parking lot BUT you'll be paying big fuel bucks as you must only use high octane 'SUPER' fuel. Diesel versions are a bit better in fuel costs.
Then there is insurance. All luxury vehicles have higher premiums...add to this the fact that you are a college student...you'll be paying higher premiums than most Disco owners.
My advice to you would be to buy a North American 4x4 and save all around. The real question is: do you REALLY need a high-end 4x4 like the Disco or is this just image you want. You'll be saying, "Nice 4x4 but I'm always broke!".
Unless you are a geology major who needs a reliable 4x4 to get you into the back country, you can wait until you are gainfully employed for that Land Rover. By the time you finish school, the new LR3 will be a few years old and you can consider buying the best that LR has to offer.
The 2000 Disco was a good as Land Rover could make BUT the costs are just too high for a college student. Unless you have your parents WRITTEN agreement to cover the cost of repairs, I'd stay away from most new Land Rovers.
The older series LR's (defenders, Lara Croft like LR's) are costly...parts are hard to find and you've really got to be a do it yourself'er (DIY) to maintain those older LR's. Save your money, find an older low mileage Ford or GMC and give your parents a break from covering tuition, living expenses and high auto repair bills.
I wonder if this is just projection...my son can't wait until he can drive my Disco. I'll be having nightmares tonight...thank you very much!
Best of luck,
JohnMc
NB: Check out the subaru outbacks.
