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Discovery vs Cherokee vs other

General Tech Talk

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Discovery vs Cherokee vs other

Post by Dexter »

Hey guys,

I am in the market for a new 4wd, I used to have a NL Pajero.
I wont be using it as a daily driver, mostly just something to take away on weekends and have a bit of an explore.

I would love another NL Pajero but cant afford to buy one as I have about 5K to play with.

I have been looking at both the Discoverys and Cherokees with some interest as they seem to be very cheap. I have no preference auto or manual. Is there anything else I should be looking at?

I would be looking to do mild mods to them to increase their 4wd ability, bit of a lift and some larger rubber but thats about it.
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Post by Ruffy »

There is a reason why disco's and Cherokees are cheap.... cos they're not worth much!.
Look at something with jap heritage again. Maybe a Prado, good offroad ability, well built and RELIABLE. Although you might pay more, you wont be fixing it as often.

Dan
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Post by GRIMACE »

Discovery is the best hands down don't listen to any one else on here unless they agree with me!
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Post by Dexter »

Prado's / Pajero's are all out of the 5k range. (I am not getting a MK1 Paj).

60 Series landcruisers are under 5k. How do they stack up against the others?

Edit... Silly me
Last edited by Dexter on Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Loanrangie »

Dexter wrote:Prado's / Pajero's are all out of the 5k range. (I am not getting a MK1 Paj).

60 Series landies are under 5k. How do they stack up against the others?
Never heard of a 60 series landie, but if all you have is 5k the Discovery will give best bang for buck and centuries ahead of the jeep. Try and get at least a 95 up model, most are auto but did come with a 5spd.
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Post by lockdup »

Get a Sierra, not much space or comfort but its not a daily. they are cheap to modify and run and will get you further
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Post by Struth »

The 60 is primitive and will rattle your bones.

The Disco will have that many electrical issues it wont be funny.

The jeep I don't know but I wouldn't go for a jeep under 5K.

An early Paj is probably best suited to your requirements.

Cheers
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Post by Loanrangie »

Struth wrote:The 60 is primitive and will rattle your bones.

The Disco will have that many electrical issues it wont be funny.

The jeep I don't know but I wouldn't go for a jeep under 5K.

An early Paj is probably best suited to your requirements.

Cheers
And you know about disco elctrical problems beacause ?................. what a lot of crap, never heard of one that had any major problems that werent related to being submerged in mud - jeeps are much more likely to catch fire and Paj's well he has already been there. There are a lot of myths about landy's out there and yet its the nissans and toyo's that drop their guts everywhere.
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Post by Dexter »

Yeah I thought about the sierra but having been involved on a rollover once before the thought about a raised sierra scares me.

The DIY factor attracts me to both the Disco and little ones more so than the Jeep.
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Post by mur »

And you know about disco elctrical problems beacause ?................. what a lot of crap, never heard of one that had any major problems that werent related to being submerged in mud - jeeps are much more likely to catch fire and Paj's well he has already been there. There are a lot of myths about landy's out there and yet its the nissans and toyo's that drop their guts everywhere.
More crap....
Just as many myths about jeeps as landys
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Post by Dexter »

Yeah I didnt think either of them were always moments away from explosion. I guess the attractiveness of the Jeep over the Landy was the price, both are going to have weaker drivelines than my old Pajero and I am willing to accept that.
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Post by GRIMACE »

Dexter wrote:Yeah I didnt think either of them were always moments away from explosion. I guess the attractiveness of the Jeep over the Landy was the price, both are going to have weaker drivelines than my old Pajero and I am willing to accept that.
Weaker drivelines than a paj.... please elaborate?
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Post by Struth »

Loanrangie wrote:
Struth wrote:The 60 is primitive and will rattle your bones.

The Disco will have that many electrical issues it wont be funny.

The jeep I don't know but I wouldn't go for a jeep under 5K.

An early Paj is probably best suited to your requirements.

Cheers
And you know about disco elctrical problems beacause ?................. what a lot of crap, never heard of one that had any major problems that werent related to being submerged in mud - jeeps are much more likely to catch fire and Paj's well he has already been there. There are a lot of myths about landy's out there and yet its the nissans and toyo's that drop their guts everywhere.
No need to get your knickers twisted.

Every disco that I test drove 2 years ago in the 7 to 8k range had major electrical issues.

ie: turn the indicator on the horn goes off, or the tacho flickers, weird stuff like that.

And you know because why, you own "one".

They are worthless and devalue by 50% as soon as purchased.

Cheers
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Post by Gonzo »

Cherokee would be the best offroad of the lot. As long as it is not on fire.
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Post by RockyF75 »

I took mates Cherokee to Lithgow a fortnight ago, on the drive through to Sydney. Just stopped of to drive the powerlines track with the 'wombat holes'. A relatively straightforward track that really just lets you flex right up.

Boy, it lowered my opinion of Cherokees but :D Only did half of the track and even that took about an hour. Stupid thing wouldn't go into Low range so had to do it in high 4. Engine was getting hot from not moving much, and the auto box was really annoying me cause you couldn't really 'rock' the car to build up momentum.

Got it out eventually with track building, and I jumped in and drove with a bit more right foot, but for a track that my rocky did first go, fairly easily. It was pretty disappointing. I think if it was a manual it would have done better.


If your only after a weekend toy, why not go for something rough as guts and cheap, like a 60 series? Something solid axle, and common with parts. Even and old MK/MQ/GQ. Will certainly be tougher than whats already mentioned.
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Post by Highway-Star »

My parents own an XJ Cherokee ('96). Alright vehicle, biggest problem it has is rear seat leg room (actually everything about the rear seat) and a bit hungry on the fuel (averages about 8km/L). It is one of the most reliable cars my family has ever had, in the 7 years they have had it this is the complete fault list: 1x radiator hose ($100), 1xradiatior ($400), 1xdrivers door electric window panel ($350), and the oil pressure sender on the block ($cant remember price...). The reverse switch on the gearbox is a bit faulty but usually works (90% of time), we will probably replace it one day. The car is nearing 200000km.

So to everyone who wants to claim they are unreliable etc, :finger: . Just service them like you should any car.

The 4.0L inline six as ample go in a stock vehicle, the exhausts are carp, and take about 900 bends to get to the back of the vehicle, and most seem to have developed a rattle by the age they are now.

The 4spd auto all seem pretty tardy in all XJ ive seen (not that many), but take them to a good automatic specialist, get them serviced, and they are really fantastic, change back very aggresivly if you floor it, and hold back when towing too; and if you drive calmly they are also quite smooth.

This all said, my father was looking at buying a 2nd one to replace his Sierra about 2 years back, but ended up buying a Hilux instead (after trying about 6 or 7 different 4wd types). All the cheap XJs I've seen are garbage, under about $7000 seems to be about the mark. The other reason he went with a Hilux is because he wanted the vehicle to tow his boat, and whilst the XJ will tow it easily, it kills the fuel economy (about 5km/L with 3 or 4 in car and boat~800kg). Also the Hilux is easier and cheaper to modify. He is still driving his Sierra, its just that the Hilux isnt finished yet :roll: .

Dont know much about Landrovers. Aparantly the shock mounts like to break on the early discos though....
Also I thought you should be able to get a cheapish early 90's Pajero V6 petrol for about $5000. Not sure if thats an NL or not, but I do mean the early 2nd gen ones.

What about a ute, maybe dual cab? I know someone who is thinking of trading there Pajero in on a dual cab ute.

Just some thoughts.
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Post by Dexter »

Couldent find any Gen 2 Pajs that didnt have 300,xxx kms on them.

The Gen2.5 Paj has a fairly tough driveline, pretty sure it has bigger diffs in both ends than both the Disco and the Jeep along with larger axles. Just for some info ;)

Gonzo - Any particular reason for you claim?

Edit: RE The 60's, GQ and such, I have been having trouble finding ones below 5k.
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Post by neil_se »

Don't get a cheap Cherokee, mine cost a fortune in repairs. I'd go for a GQ, there's plenty around 5k and they'll be much stronger and more reliable than your other options.
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Post by RRV839 »

IM going to offer my opinion, which i think i have enough backround to the above mentioned to offer a reasonably knowledable opinion, and i know people arnt going to agree with me but I DON'T CARE....

First im going to say get a discovery v8 auto, why i say this is becasue i drive a 94 range rover daily, ive had a 95 disco and 79 and 84 rangie aswell as a 91 vouge...why becasue i think they are the best out of the box package you can get for the price. I'm a mechanic, i work on a lot of jeep's they commonly have overhaeating problems and are not the most spacious of 4wd either. They are also very expensive for parts. But if well maintained are an excellent car. If you do some reaserch land rover parts dont have to be expensive, and as for LR having electrical problems, i'd like to see the ones that have ALL these problems becasue out of my 3 later models ive had (which actually had electrics) i've never had a problem with, the tacho flickering is the ignition module, a $90 part, try getting an ignition module for even a commodre for that much. I work on alot of LR's aswell, the worst thing ive seen go wrong is the fuel distribution block on a TD5, but they are way out of the 5k bracket anyway, and D2's also have ABS hill decent and TC faults aswell as oil in harness' on TD%'s but again we're not even talking about them. Why auto, mainly casue im biased towards autos becasue that is what i find better. why i say v8 is becasue a) im not a diesel person and b) MOST tdi's ive driven are not the fastest 4wd around.

I just don't really like pajero's much, there is nothing wrong with them i just dont like them. Put it this way, you will get a better disco for 5k than you will a cherokee.

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Post by alien »

Dexter wrote:Yeah I thought about the sierra but having been involved on a rollover once before the thought about a raised sierra scares me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCC2bTANUiQ

my zuk passed the lane change test (thats 110km/hr through a zig zag of traffic cones)... Proof that a lifted sierra (its 190mm over stock) is not tippy if its built right.

That said though, a sierra's go anywhereness does lure you into a false sense of security as to where you think you can go... and its those times that you might tip it over, but on the flip side (hehe) the other 4x4's you're out with are all watching cos they couldnt get to the section you're attempting anyway....
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Post by Loanrangie »

Struth wrote:
Loanrangie wrote:
Struth wrote:The 60 is primitive and will rattle your bones.

The Disco will have that many electrical issues it wont be funny.

The jeep I don't know but I wouldn't go for a jeep under 5K.

An early Paj is probably best suited to your requirements.

Cheers
And you know about disco elctrical problems beacause ?................. what a lot of crap, never heard of one that had any major problems that werent related to being submerged in mud - jeeps are much more likely to catch fire and Paj's well he has already been there. There are a lot of myths about landy's out there and yet its the nissans and toyo's that drop their guts everywhere.
No need to get your knickers twisted.

Every disco that I test drove 2 years ago in the 7 to 8k range had major electrical issues.

ie: turn the indicator on the horn goes off, or the tacho flickers, weird stuff like that.

And you know because why, you own "one".

They are worthless and devalue by 50% as soon as purchased.

Cheers
Yes because i own one , my mates own them and i have owned 2 previous rangies before that since 94, none have ever had electrical problems that werent attributed to poor maintenance or bodgy diy wiring before i got them. My old man has had them since 74 and none of his had electrical problems either - its always those who have never owned them that come up with these 3rd hand stories, a 2nd hand vehicle of 10 plus years will always have problems regardless of make unless its been regularly and properly maintained.

I do beleive thats my quote in your sig line too :finger:
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Post by Gonzo »

Dexter wrote:Gonzo - Any particular reason for you claim?
Yep, plenty.

Most have to do with the Jeep having 5-link live axle suspension front and rear :rofl:
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Post by rut rat »

I would say get a Land Rover Discovery! I just took mine out to Levuka and it went unreal. Hubby drives a GQ and after seeing my car in action he now wants to buy a Landie. You will hear good and bad stories about any car but I reckon it comes down to your own personal choice. Good luck with your choice. :)

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Post by GRIMACE »

GRIMACE wrote:Discovery is the best hands down don't listen to any one else on here unless they agree with me!
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Post by Dexter »

At the moment its boiling down to the GQ, Disco, going off the Jeep due to the parts prices that you have all been mentioning.
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Post by TRobbo »

I always love these threads and how people want to defend their brand of car. :popcorn:

Some disco's do have electrical problems. I had an electrical problem in my disco the other week. I was driving along and then all of a sudden



nothing



I bounced over the rocks too hard and a wire fell off the coil. Damm that cost me nearly $30008.52 in repairs at the local mechanics. If I had of known that I think I would have just bought a ......
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Post by Dexter »

Just had some more of a read, the rear diffs of the Jeeps seem to have a very bad rep.
That said I am not a hard core 4wd'er so I think it might suffice.
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Post by Guy »

The interior fit and finish on earlier disco's is not great, lots of stuff falls off ( well most of it will have fallen of by now)
The two stock as a the day the left the production line disco's my mum owned were worked on alot by competant mechanics (was not the same issue twice) Alternators, oli leaks, minor (but annoying) electrical gremilins. The worlds most uncomfortable front seats .. (opinion) and was forever replacing light globes in them, every few months another one would blow

I did like the way it rode and didnt mind the little v8 either, moved it reasonably well.

Now having owned several suzukis, nissans and yota's as well ..
I would take any one of them for offroading. I hammered the wee out of my fairly stock GU and it wore it well .. In 6 years of owning it, I replaced a starter motor, a few globes and the cruise control switch (it still worked, but the litte light in it didnt light up anymore).
I broke my Zuk alot, but I did really stupid things to it as well. I can attribute every breakage to going way beyond suzukis design spec's.
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Post by TRobbo »

Dexter wrote:At the moment its boiling down to the GQ, Disco, going off the Jeep due to the parts prices that you have all been mentioning.
If you are after a GQ there is a wagon sitting on the side of Victoria Road in lilydale for 5K. Has a set of muddies on it.

I know nothing about the car or the owner.
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Post by stuee »

love_mud wrote:worked on alot by competant mechanics
This is the main thing for getting Land Rovers serviced. Not enough mechanics know much about them. I had one mechanic who kept telling me every time that my rear windscreen wiper was stuffed and they didn't know what was wrong with it. Doesn't work while the doors open is all and they had the door open the whole time while testing it. But then this is the same mechanic who said my spottie bulb was blown when it was simply unplugged...

I had my fuel pump go right outside a land rover specialist after I popped in to get a new steering damper. I didn't have a clue what was wrong but within 5 minutes they found the problem ordered the part and even replaced it for me. You just have to know the car.

I now do my own servicing. Its very basic to work on. You've just gotta get familiar with the car in order to diagnose problems easily.

My advice if you buy a disco take it to a specialist for servicing or do it yourself and invest in a Haynes workshop manual.
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