!
After some quick research, one candidate emerged hands down - a Land Rover Discovery. So, two hours were spent on search and two more - at a dealer (Pioneer Centres in San Diego), and off we took in a Snow-White
'96. Do away with all electronic and mechanical gizmos - Hill Descent Control, sway control, jump seats, moon rooves, etc. - and get your "basic" Discovery!
The unexpected outcome was a common perception that Land Rovers are VERY expensive - in fact, they are just as expensive as more common Grand Cherokees, and by far cheaper than leather-clad Suburbans or other Urban Assault Vehicles. A sight of a Disco sitting on a parking lot (other than the mall) soon causes remarks like "check this one out, dude, some SOB's gettin' paid wa-ay too much!" Well, we gotta live with that. Plus, in a nice neighborhood where we live we can smuggle it rather unnoticed. Another defeat - it wouldn't fit in the garage! This thing is nearly 2 meters tall.
In a few short months that we have the Disco we've put quite a few highway and off-road miles on her. Overall - very nice and friendly vehicle, not too powerful but quite capable in the fast lane, not a monster off-road machine but will match or beat most competition in the rough (see the Land Rover - Grand Cherokee - FullSize Cherokee comparison). Sure enough, there's plenty of "Welcome to LUCAS realm" surprises - red lights come on and off on the instrument panel, windows cease to operate, etc. So far, dealer would help us out in no time, but (as with a jeep) - get an extended warranty!
Since we bought the Disco, it has grown a bit. In went Old Man Emu heavy-duty springs, Bilstein shocks, K&N engine air filter (to keep water out), Atlantic British half-roof rack, Cobra CB, RoverAcessories supplied 16x7 steel wheels which get wrapped in Futura Enforcer 245/75R16 mudders, and SafariGard rock sliders.
This made the Disco more capable off road, without much loss of its highway abilities. Well, mud tires do spend more time stacked in the garage than on the truck, but they incurred some noticeable wear!
Check the TRJ SoCal Outdoors pages for off-road adventures, including some video clips.
No more vehicles are planned to buy ... except, maybe... there are few nice Land Cruisers out there... A couple of Series-II Land Rovers... Quite a few Grand Wagoneers... Or an M-715...
