Talk me out of this stupid idea (winter vehicle contents)

Right, so I'm getting a tad frustrated that I can't find a winter vehicle I actually like for the money I'm willing to spend. Sure, I could spend $10k on a Wrangler but (a) I don't have $10k at the moment and (b) I tend to buy multiple vehicles for that sort of cash anyway.

That said, I noticed that both classic Range Rovers and Land Rover Discoverys are falling straight into my budget. I had an RR Classic in the UK for a little while but gave up on it (it was a little, well, past its sell-by date and the fuel consumption was a little too expensive in the UK at $7/gallon) and that should have cured me of ideas like that, but for the past 9-10 months I've had a secret hankering for one again.

Can someone please, please talk me down and explain to me why a nice E36 M3ty pick up truck is a much more sensible purchase?

Because it won't cost you your first born child to fix a E36 M3ty truck ?

I have heard some horror stories about the Discoverys. An old Range Rover would be kind of cool though.

The main risk with a cheap Rover is an expensive engine or gearbox failure... either of which essentially totals the truck.

For an even more unique ride without that fear, head over to the $2010 classified and check out my Laforza/ Bronco combo... a drivetrain as cheap as that E36 M3ty pickup wrapped in a Euro package...

A weekend (or two) work of engine swap work (and possibly a $250 aftermarket oil pan) and you're rolling for very little outlay. And that's before you sell off the remains of the Bronco.

Of course, you're on the wrong side of the country.

Were I to buy a cheap Rover, I'd be looking for a Disco 5sp (as I was when I found the Laforza)

My next door neighbor bought a well used Range Rover some years ago, and he drove it for three or four years without any problems. So, I suppose the answer it depends...you could get lucky, or you could end up with a money pit.

With the Discos, it seems that the thermostat tend to fail and sticks closed, leading to well cooked head gaskets. Oddly enough I've seen a bunch of them around for cheap that needed new head gaskets. Of course the RR uses the same engine so that's likely to be a problem with them, too.

The main problem I'm aware of with them is rust (which obviously is a big issue in the UK, but should be less of an issue over here). Oh, and finding someone who's going to work on them...

Land Cruiser > Land Rover

Land Cruiser $$ > Land Rover $$

Decent Land Cruisers out here seem to be similar money to a decent CJ7 or Wrangler, and I'd rather have the Jeep in that case.

discos and RR seem cheap to buy. You could have a fleet of discos for what a good classic bronco goes for

We've had a few discussions about these

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/lr-discovery-2-really-that-scary/6624/page1/

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/the-unthinkable-suv-buying-advice/4255/page2/

spend $2k on a good cherokee (xj) and be done with it.

Well, I'm kinda tempted by this one: http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1939780590.html

Probably going to give them a ring to see if it's still for sale. I don't expect them to move too quickly.

ignorant wrote: spend $2k on a good cherokee (xj) and be done with it.

Not around here. More like $4k.

Just say no.

• Actually...there has to be a cool, capable, cost friendly rig close by. I'm liking the LaForza idea....or an Explorer...

JFX001 wrote: Just say no. * Actually...there has to be a cool, capable, cost friendly rig close by. I'm liking the LaForza idea....or an Explorer...

It's sitting here... if I get time to do the engine swap I'm keeping it... and my busiest time of year ends in 3 weeks and I go into my slowest time of year....

I'm surprised no one has mentioned big Broncos... the main reason I got rid of mine was to more comfortably tow a race trailer... but otherwise I really enjoyed owning it and would definitely consider another as a winter driver.

JFX001 wrote: Just say no. * Actually...there has to be a cool, capable, cost friendly rig close by. I'm liking the Explorer...

Huh whah? You're kidding right?

To the OP, get a Jeep. You can pick up a runner for 2K and they will run and run. They'll go anywhere the LR's will go but they'll get you back too. I can't believe you can't find a YJ or XJ for that. What's your ZIP code, I"ll find you a few.

Zip is 89410 - decent XJs run around $3k-$4k (and my wife already has one and I don't necessarily want another one). YJs with a roof - you're looking at $6k+ if you don't want the 4 banger.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1896490967.html
$1700

For $400 you get a full set of spare parts.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1881536542.html

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1940033510.html
Dull but effective

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1912961792.html

Lots of room and AWD.

jrw1621 wrote: http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1940033510.html Dull but effective

That might have potential.

jrw1621 wrote: http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1912961792.html Lots of room and AWD.

That's spelled d-i-v-o-r-c-e.

Crazy stuff but well respected.

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1885870614.html

Scrap the idea of 4wd. When was the last time you saw one of these!!!!!!
http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1882605299.html

http://reno.craigslist.org/cto/1936607569.html
Sweet!

What about buying a bottom of the barrel whatever and fixing it. Around here, unless it's a Wrangler, it has no value broken. My XJ was $600 broken (bad freeze plug at the rear of the block). While I probably should have passed on this particular example, it's pretty much the norm for any 4x4 in these parts that has just had everything replaced, but the owner lost interest or whatever.

The LaForza would be very cool, too bad it is on the wrong side of the country for BHT.

1997 4 cylinder 4X4 Nissan pickup is the the most inexpensive,reliable vehicle that I have owned.