Land Rover Discovery (1998 - 2004) 2.5 Td5 GS 5d (5 Seat) (1999/T) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Practical, no-nonsense, unpretentious and completely mad to own one.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

They all have nothing but glowing praise for the car. Everyone comments on the high ride and comfortable seating (not mention its cargo-carrying capacity). It also leads to some interesting car-related conversations with my fellow enthusiasts..

Would you buy this car again and why?

Yes, assuming I were to ever sell this one. This Disco has been a fantastic machine so far and I don't anticipate getting rid of it anytime soon unless the engine packed in. With a bit of home maintenance, hopefully that won't be for quite some time!

What are you likely to buy next?

Nothing but Landies from here on!

Type of dealer you bought from?

Didn't buy from a dealer

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£1,200

When did you buy the car?

August 2015

Did you get a good deal and why?

For the most part. The vehicle was advertised for £1500, and the owner agreed to let it go for £1200. It's a heck of a lot of car for the money, and it came pretty well-equipped as well. On the other hand, a few niggling issues due to neglect were skimmed over during the test drive and had to be fixed. None were too expensive, but nevertheless rather annoying.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

Landie Dreamer, always wanted one.

What was the dealer like?

Friendly and laid-back. Although he did neglect to mention the aforementioned issues with the car.

What's it like to drive?

For such a large vehicle, the Discovery is a surprisingly compliant drive. The steering is well-weighted and responsive (turning circle aside), body control in the corners is practically flat, visibility is unmatched and the cabin is refined and well-insulated. The seats are also supportive and comfortable, though they're not quite as cosseting as those one might find in a saloon car or a Range Rover. Off-road, it lives up to its reputation. Despite being on road tyres, it managed to climb a rain-drenched hillside track about five miles long that my Suzuki had previously struggled with. Despite the long rear overhang, it pretty much slices through whatever we throw at it.

What's it like to park?

Not bad. The high driving position gives good visibility to the corners, although the rear pillars are still fairly thick compared with the Grand Vitara I previously owned. The turning circle is rather huge, so getting into tight spaces can involve a fair bit of wheel flailing.

Have you had any problems with the car?

Surprisingly, despite the horror stories I heard beforehand, nothing major. The car came to us with a multitude of niggling issues, most of which were fixed in five minutes using simple tools, the remaining ones are easily remedied using the mountain of spare parts to be found online. It does demand more maintenance than the Japanese cars I drove beforehand, but so far (touch wood!) it's served us without any significant problems.

What's most practical about your car?

The immense luggage capacity. The boot is already pretty large with the rear seats in place, but folding them forward gives you a massive load bay that can fit pretty much anything. Cabin storage is a bit lacking, but the fitting of aftermarket cupholders fixed that issue.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

Traction Control. While it won't get you out of every situation, it greatly reduces the chance of excessive wheel-spin when off-roading and makes gloopy situations less frustrating.