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Rover or Cruiser
Moderators: toaddog, TWISTY, V8Patrol, Moderators
Rover or Cruiser
Looking for a daily driver/weekend warrior. My price range permits a 93 and above Cruiser with 120k mls or a mid 90's Disco with 80k which does anyone think will be more reliable in the long run. And what are your opinions on the 95/96 discos compared to the 97/98's as far as engine and drivetrain reliablitity. Sorry this is a broad question but I have to make up my mind soon, thanks.
I'd go for the cruiser. I have a 96 model poverty pack 80 series and it has been a good vehicle. Decent 33 inch tyres a 3 inch lift, front locker and you have a pretty capable car. Add a rear locker and they are extremely capable.
On road they are very comfortable but are a tad thirsty. Probably not as thirsty as a V8 Disco though. The naturally aspirated Diesel cruiser is a bit slow on hills, especially when towing, but the turbo cruiser is a rocket.
Ive had a good run out of mine without too many problems. I have blown a front diff and a CV bent a few other bits etc when wheeling hard. Those on this board that know me will confirm that I wheel pretty hard. So they are fairly tough vehicles.
Toyota parts can be a bit expensive, but as a general rule, you can get parts anywhere.
GO THE CRUISER
Cheers
Peter
On road they are very comfortable but are a tad thirsty. Probably not as thirsty as a V8 Disco though. The naturally aspirated Diesel cruiser is a bit slow on hills, especially when towing, but the turbo cruiser is a rocket.
Ive had a good run out of mine without too many problems. I have blown a front diff and a CV bent a few other bits etc when wheeling hard. Those on this board that know me will confirm that I wheel pretty hard. So they are fairly tough vehicles.
Toyota parts can be a bit expensive, but as a general rule, you can get parts anywhere.
GO THE CRUISER
Cheers
Peter
One more thing......
If you can, go for a 91 or 92 model as they have the smaller discs and allow you to run 15 inch wheels. Mine will only run 16" and this means mre expensive tyres and less tyres to choose from.
After 6/94 the cruiser also changed a bit and if you have mates with Pre 94 models (like I do) there is little chance of sharing parts like CV's Axles etc as they are different.
Cheers
Peter
If you can, go for a 91 or 92 model as they have the smaller discs and allow you to run 15 inch wheels. Mine will only run 16" and this means mre expensive tyres and less tyres to choose from.
After 6/94 the cruiser also changed a bit and if you have mates with Pre 94 models (like I do) there is little chance of sharing parts like CV's Axles etc as they are different.
Cheers
Peter
A few things to think about.
The 80 series cruza is a copy of a 1970 model range rover (coil springs, radius arms etc etc) It took toyota 20 years to come to the realisation that coils were actually better.
And the 95/96 disco is basically that exact same 1970 range rover (same chassis, axles, motor, doors, windscreen, dash and seats). I mate of mine has got a 96 model disco with a 1974 rangie body on it - still got the disco chassis, drive train, dash, steering wheel and seats etc. everything just "bolted in".
An 80 series drives like a truck, a disco drives like a car by comparison.
An 80 series is very big on the outside and small on the inside. The disco is much smaller on the outside, much wider on the inside and probably longer on the inside as well.
In Aust a 93 model cruza can legally tow 2.5 tonnes and a disco (and any range rover from 1970 up to about 1998) can legally tow 4 tonnes.
Stock for stock the cruza has the stronger drive train.
Sam
The 80 series cruza is a copy of a 1970 model range rover (coil springs, radius arms etc etc) It took toyota 20 years to come to the realisation that coils were actually better.
And the 95/96 disco is basically that exact same 1970 range rover (same chassis, axles, motor, doors, windscreen, dash and seats). I mate of mine has got a 96 model disco with a 1974 rangie body on it - still got the disco chassis, drive train, dash, steering wheel and seats etc. everything just "bolted in".
An 80 series drives like a truck, a disco drives like a car by comparison.
An 80 series is very big on the outside and small on the inside. The disco is much smaller on the outside, much wider on the inside and probably longer on the inside as well.
In Aust a 93 model cruza can legally tow 2.5 tonnes and a disco (and any range rover from 1970 up to about 1998) can legally tow 4 tonnes.
Stock for stock the cruza has the stronger drive train.
Sam
there's absolutely no way a disco is longer or usefully wider inside than an 80 series.
the argument will rage forever over whether coils or leafs are "better", but at the end of the day they're just different systems, both with their pros and cons.
calling any landcruiser a copy of any landrover is drawing a pretty long bow. sure there are similarities. does that mean all coily 4WDs are landrover knockoffs? there is not a lot of similarity in the suspension, especially in the rear, where the cruiser has a 5 link setup more or less identical to patrol.
the discos I've driven have felt more truckish than the 80's. especially in the body roll and gearshift departments. of course you've left the most important point till last - disco driveline bits break.
and if you need to tow 4000kg, no landrover/rangerover is going to cut it, legal or not - for that sort of towing you need an F truck or a suburban or similar.
considering reliability, parts price and availability, collective knowledge, off the shelf modifyability, unless you're a hard nosed rover nut there's just no reason not to buy the tojo. sure maybe it's a cheap knockoff, but they've managed to chop out all the inherent british crapness that rangies/landies are loaded up with.
the argument will rage forever over whether coils or leafs are "better", but at the end of the day they're just different systems, both with their pros and cons.
calling any landcruiser a copy of any landrover is drawing a pretty long bow. sure there are similarities. does that mean all coily 4WDs are landrover knockoffs? there is not a lot of similarity in the suspension, especially in the rear, where the cruiser has a 5 link setup more or less identical to patrol.
the discos I've driven have felt more truckish than the 80's. especially in the body roll and gearshift departments. of course you've left the most important point till last - disco driveline bits break.
and if you need to tow 4000kg, no landrover/rangerover is going to cut it, legal or not - for that sort of towing you need an F truck or a suburban or similar.
considering reliability, parts price and availability, collective knowledge, off the shelf modifyability, unless you're a hard nosed rover nut there's just no reason not to buy the tojo. sure maybe it's a cheap knockoff, but they've managed to chop out all the inherent british crapness that rangies/landies are loaded up with.
dumbdunce wrote:there's absolutely no way a disco is longer or usefully wider inside than an 80 series.
Get the tape measure onto it because the cruiser is a lot smaller on the inside than you would think. They are small cars on the inside vs their outside appearance. The patrol is a stack bigger and I am pretty sure the disco is bigger on the inside too.
IMHO The discos are more refined, drive better and are a lot less "plasticy" on the inside than the 80 series. Not much lucas (any I believe) in a mid to late 90s disco, they reliable if looked after and didn;t give my old man any trouble for the 100 000K he owned it.
Heater core was the biggest thing he ever had done but .... you get that sort of thing with all cars.
Parts and off the shelf bits won't be a problem for either and will cost about the same from Toyota or Rover.
Go drive them both and see what you think but I would be voting disco.
Thanks for the info, as BJ on roids knows I posted this topic on Pirate as well and got a strong recomendation for the Cruza as well. I currently drive a flatbed 97' Tacoma (Yankee for Hi-lux) and I had a 84 FJ60 for a long time and loved it, I just wanted to hear how everyone else thought they stacked up to Disco's, thanks.
I like the idea of the rangie body on the Disco frame and driveline. Always liked the old rangie body style for some reason.
80s are a very tight fit inside for such a large car. That's why I got a Patrol more room for my 6'4" frame. Felt quite cramped in the 80 which is saying alot as I also drive a Sierra Ute
80s are a very tight fit inside for such a large car. That's why I got a Patrol more room for my 6'4" frame. Felt quite cramped in the 80 which is saying alot as I also drive a Sierra Ute
Ransom note = demand + collage
dumbdunce wrote:there's absolutely no way a disco is longer or usefully wider inside than an 80 series.
the argument will rage forever over whether coils or leafs are "better", but at the end of the day they're just different systems, both with their pros and cons.
calling any landcruiser a copy of any landrover is drawing a pretty long bow. sure there are similarities. does that mean all coily 4WDs are landrover knockoffs? there is not a lot of similarity in the suspension, especially in the rear, where the cruiser has a 5 link setup more or less identical to patrol.
the discos I've driven have felt more truckish than the 80's. especially in the body roll and gearshift departments. of course you've left the most important point till last - disco driveline bits break.
and if you need to tow 4000kg, no landrover/rangerover is going to cut it, legal or not - for that sort of towing you need an F truck or a suburban or similar.
considering reliability, parts price and availability, collective knowledge, off the shelf modifyability, unless you're a hard nosed rover nut there's just no reason not to buy the tojo. sure maybe it's a cheap knockoff, but they've managed to chop out all the inherent british crapness that rangies/landies are loaded up with.
Get your measuring tape out. A disco is about 100mm wider on the inside. The 80 series is very narrow - its just the steel flared arches plus the plastic flares that make the wide on the outside. And I would almost bet that the rover is longer inside but I dont know for sure. The cruza is lots longer because of the very long bonnet.
There is absolutely no way that leafs are better than coils in a passanger car setup. Carnt see that you can argue any different.
Yea it was a copy - coil springs, radius arms, full time 4wd. Lots of ways to do a rear suspension setup .... four link plus panhard is standard passanger car rear live axle suspension setup - toyota didnt have to copy this bit cause they already had it covered.
mmmmm, saying that a disco is more truck like - you must have been in some pretty crappy discos. And the gearshift???? which one has the 2 foot gearstick? - thats right the cruza
Have you even driven a disco??
And yes I said that stock for stock the cruze drive train is stronger - I even put that point on a line by itself. BUT modified for modified with bolt on parts the disco can be built way stronger than the cruza.
And yep - every coilsprung disco/landrover/rangerover from 1970 to 1998 (except for the P38 rangie) can tow 4000kg and it can do it legally. An F truck or suburban can only tow 3500kg
So you arnt going to do it with one of those.
And in terms of reliability - its been found that approximately 80% of all landrovers EVER build are still in service today. Have a look around ... the fawkers are everywhere. Dont think you can say the same for the land cruiser.
Sam
Strange Rover wrote:dumbdunce wrote:there's absolutely no way a disco is longer or usefully wider inside than an 80 series.
the argument will rage forever over whether coils or leafs are "better", but at the end of the day they're just different systems, both with their pros and cons.
calling any landcruiser a copy of any landrover is drawing a pretty long bow. sure there are similarities. does that mean all coily 4WDs are landrover knockoffs? there is not a lot of similarity in the suspension, especially in the rear, where the cruiser has a 5 link setup more or less identical to patrol.
the discos I've driven have felt more truckish than the 80's. especially in the body roll and gearshift departments. of course you've left the most important point till last - disco driveline bits break.
and if you need to tow 4000kg, no landrover/rangerover is going to cut it, legal or not - for that sort of towing you need an F truck or a suburban or similar.
considering reliability, parts price and availability, collective knowledge, off the shelf modifyability, unless you're a hard nosed rover nut there's just no reason not to buy the tojo. sure maybe it's a cheap knockoff, but they've managed to chop out all the inherent british crapness that rangies/landies are loaded up with.
Get your measuring tape out. A disco is about 100mm wider on the inside. The 80 series is very narrow - its just the steel flared arches plus the plastic flares that make the wide on the outside. And I would almost bet that the rover is longer inside but I dont know for sure. The cruza is lots longer because of the very long bonnet.
There is absolutely no way that leafs are better than coils in a passanger car setup. Carnt see that you can argue any different.
Yea it was a copy - coil springs, radius arms, full time 4wd. Lots of ways to do a rear suspension setup .... four link plus panhard is standard passanger car rear live axle suspension setup - toyota didnt have to copy this bit cause they already had it covered.
mmmmm, saying that a disco is more truck like - you must have been in some pretty crappy discos. And the gearshift???? which one has the 2 foot gearstick? - thats right the cruza
And yes I said that stock for stock the cruze drive train is stronger - I even put that point on a line by itself. BUT modified for modified with bolt on parts the disco can be built way stronger than the cruza.
And yep - every coilsprung disco/landrover/rangerover from 1970 to 1998 (except for the P38 rangie) can tow 4000kg and it can do it legally. An F truck or suburban can only tow 3500kg
And in terms of reliability - its been found that approximately 80% of all landrovers EVER build are still in service today. Have a look around ... the fawkers are everywhere. Dont think you can say the same for the land cruiser.
Sam
To add to the towing argument.
You will not find a better tow rig than a TD5 disco. They will out tow anything!
To queensland with my zook and a heap of parts and crap i could out pull a patrol and pathfinder a 80 series all while using about 1/4 of the fuel. I had it pulling up hill on the way back at 140km/h that the patrol and pathfinder were down to 90km/h.
Another one towing my zook from Hampton to kurrajong in an hour. Pulling up the hills on the bells line passing gq wagons etc, not one car passed me
Strange Rover wrote:And in terms of reliability - its been found that approximately 80% of all landrovers EVER build are still in service today. Have a look around ... the fawkers are everywhere. Dont think you can say the same for the land cruiser.
Sam
Well said Sam.
I would go the Disco anyday over the 80 but a Rangie over both. A late model Rangie will get you plush leather seats, close on 4l V8 and heaps of potential.
to bad you guys dont have patrols, because there would be no argument... 
as for a disco or a cruiser, go the cruiser if you want a "reliable" vehicle and one that doesent fall apart after beating it around a little. ALso compared to the disco, the cruiser has a much stronger drivetrain.
Reliability should be enough to sway your judgement...
Jes
as for a disco or a cruiser, go the cruiser if you want a "reliable" vehicle and one that doesent fall apart after beating it around a little. ALso compared to the disco, the cruiser has a much stronger drivetrain.
Reliability should be enough to sway your judgement...
Jes
ATTACH BROKEN TOYOTA HERE--->
DUCATI <-----Worlds best warning label
DUCATI <-----Worlds best warning label
Not saying anything for against either car here, but what is reliable........
As sam mentioned look at the amount of early model RRs and Disco still burning around they are just as reliable as any other car.
My fathers first real 4wd was 83model Range Rover and he never had one problem with it, his next 4wd after that was an 80series and he never had one problem with it either.
The person who he sold the rangie too was sorta good friends with my father (new him threw work) he didnt look after it and some how ended up having problems left right and centre. My cousin currently owns my fathers 80series and he started havin problems with it........ my father looked at it and told him what needed replacing etc. you see he had let little things go unoticed to long until it got to something worse.
My mother just bought an 80 series about three months ago and she already had RACQ out to the shopping centre to tow the damn thing to a servo (fuel pump stopped workin, then she wonders what the funny winding sound was earlier in the week)............ I have had my rangie for 7months or so and its never stopped but it didnt get used much......
My father used to own a service station, now he does tours to North Stradbroke Island almost every day of the week in his troopies, he services them regularly and makes all the necesary oil changes etc. they run flawleslly each and everyday.
I too change my oil and filters regularly, just like the people that service the HOLDEN & FORD taxis, they get shitloads of ks and reliabilty with out much hickup, heck I was in one the other night that had 849000k on it.
I DONT THINK RELIABILITY is a cars main downfall its OWNER CARE and SERVICE that can be lacking.
Dont expect to buy a new car and drive it till you die just by toping it up with fuel when the fuel light comes on.
My few cents
I say Disco but the 80s are a great car aswell
As sam mentioned look at the amount of early model RRs and Disco still burning around they are just as reliable as any other car.
My fathers first real 4wd was 83model Range Rover and he never had one problem with it, his next 4wd after that was an 80series and he never had one problem with it either.
The person who he sold the rangie too was sorta good friends with my father (new him threw work) he didnt look after it and some how ended up having problems left right and centre. My cousin currently owns my fathers 80series and he started havin problems with it........ my father looked at it and told him what needed replacing etc. you see he had let little things go unoticed to long until it got to something worse.
My mother just bought an 80 series about three months ago and she already had RACQ out to the shopping centre to tow the damn thing to a servo (fuel pump stopped workin, then she wonders what the funny winding sound was earlier in the week)............ I have had my rangie for 7months or so and its never stopped but it didnt get used much......
My father used to own a service station, now he does tours to North Stradbroke Island almost every day of the week in his troopies, he services them regularly and makes all the necesary oil changes etc. they run flawleslly each and everyday.
I too change my oil and filters regularly, just like the people that service the HOLDEN & FORD taxis, they get shitloads of ks and reliabilty with out much hickup, heck I was in one the other night that had 849000k on it.
I DONT THINK RELIABILITY is a cars main downfall its OWNER CARE and SERVICE that can be lacking.
Dont expect to buy a new car and drive it till you die just by toping it up with fuel when the fuel light comes on.
My few cents
I say Disco but the 80s are a great car aswell
The crusier is stronger in factory from, It has wiring done by an adult, After my mum owned both ( I am going on asmple of one vehicle each here) The crusier clocked up 220,000+ Kms with semi regular serviceing (say every 10 to 15000 kms) and nerver needed anything except consumables, brakes, plugs etc .. was in great working order when traded
The Disco on the other hand busted stuff left and right Quick list of parts replaced .. 2 alternators I know of, 2 oil pressure switches, one tacho, one stero (was becuase it ceased working) one broken tie rod end after she took an xxtreme round about to quick .. transfer case that made horrible bearing noises .. was a dog on fuel, would not pull the skin of a rice pudding .. as also serviced semi regularly every 10,000 to 15,000 kms
Oh this was by less than 200,000 kms .. by a women aged ovr 50 ..
Mind you the crusier was also driven quite a bit on and offroad by 3 boys aged from 25 to 18 .. we know how well they treat mums car (I know I caned it .. I am sure my brothers did as well) .. The Disco was driven by us in occasion but we were all grown up a bit by then .. had our own toys to break ..
My GU patrol is up to almost 200,000 .. gets flogged .. works perfectly
My 0.02 cents ..
The Disco on the other hand busted stuff left and right Quick list of parts replaced .. 2 alternators I know of, 2 oil pressure switches, one tacho, one stero (was becuase it ceased working) one broken tie rod end after she took an xxtreme round about to quick .. transfer case that made horrible bearing noises .. was a dog on fuel, would not pull the skin of a rice pudding .. as also serviced semi regularly every 10,000 to 15,000 kms
Oh this was by less than 200,000 kms .. by a women aged ovr 50 ..
Mind you the crusier was also driven quite a bit on and offroad by 3 boys aged from 25 to 18 .. we know how well they treat mums car (I know I caned it .. I am sure my brothers did as well) .. The Disco was driven by us in occasion but we were all grown up a bit by then .. had our own toys to break ..
My GU patrol is up to almost 200,000 .. gets flogged .. works perfectly
My 0.02 cents ..
" If governments are involved in the covering up the knowledge of aliens, Then they are doing a much better job of it than they do of everything else "
love_mud wrote:The Disco on the other hand busted stuff left and right Quick list of parts replaced .. 2 alternators I know of, 2 oil pressure switches, one tacho, one stero (was becuase it ceased working) one broken tie rod end after she took an xxtreme round about to quick .. transfer case that made horrible bearing noises .. was a dog on fuel, would not pull the skin of a rice pudding .. as also serviced semi regularly every 10,000 to 15,000 kms
mmmmm - sound just like a mate of mine that owns a 93' cruza except he had to put a new main shaft in the gearbox (mega $$$$$$s here) and the thing would run out of oil pressure if he drove faster then 120km/h on hot days. Think he ended up having to put in a new set of big end bearing shells in the end.
And my fathers 80 series thats had heaps of turbo work plus intercooled that tows a 3.5tonne boat up to the gulf and back each year hasnt missed a beat at all. Even pulled the big ends to have a look at them at 120000km and they were perfect.
I just guess that some people are more lucky than others.
Sam
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