Disco 4 buying advice

[TallMark]

Hi, my wife and I are strongly considering a Disco 4 HSE as our next purchase, to replace a new style Q7 she isn't getting on with (and is paranoid about the depreciation on it).

We've found a 2013 HSE with tonnes of toys (rear DVDs, surround cameras) in a colour scheme she loves from a local independent. It's up for £34k and they provide a years warranty.

We had a Freelander 2 a few years back and enjoyed it, but I know nothing about Discoveries. What should I be looking out for? Are there any must-have options? Are HSE Luxuries worth getting instead in terms of being better value/residuals? Should I spend a few thousand more for a main dealer car?

It will be used as family transport, not off road duties, and while its a step back in terms of the ultra-modern Q7 its a good deal cheaper and my thinking is its already had the big depreciation hit.

Any advice welcome!

[TallMark]

Thanks. I must admit I am slightly nervous about a non-dealer car, but there seems to be a 2-3k premium which is a lot in terms of "self insurance".

Any thoughts on any of these?

Good spec, main dealer, but higher miles than I'd like and I generally prefer the lighter interior:

http://www.usedvehicles.landrover.co.uk/search#/de...


Car we drove at the weekend. Independent dealer, tends to have good stock and shifts it quickly, may be able to add a tow bar if we wanted one as a deal. But only 12 months warranty:

http://ongarbridge.co.uk/lr62%20xkg.htm


Good spec, reasonable price but not sure on warranty and dealer reputation:

http://www.saxton4x4.co.uk/used/4x4/land-rover/dis...

[TallMark]

911wise said:

TallMark said:

to replace a new style Q7 she isn't getting on with (and is paranoid about the depreciation on it).

It will be used as family transport, not off road duties, and while its a step back in terms of the ultra-modern Q7 its a good deal cheaper and my thinking is its already had the big depreciation hit.

Any advice welcome!

Will you not get the big depreciation hit on the Q7 instead if you do this?

What's happened has happened, so yes I'll realise that loss now when I sell, but if I switch to something slower depreciating then I am better off from this point forward.

[TallMark]

sjc said:

Google the third garage...
Ongar Bridge been there for years, always top money but a decent rep. Bid on the top two and see what the bottom line cost to change is? If it's significant then I'd bag it, take my chances and put the difference in a repair fund after the warranty runs out in 12 months.
Great cars by the way, and good advice re www.disco3.co.uk

I visited the 3rd one 5 years ago (when we looked at Freelanders) and wasn't impressed, so whilst I had a "gut feel" I didn't have recent experience. Good to know I was thinking along the right lines!

I like the guys at Ongar, but there isn't much movement on the price. Could do a deal to add a tow bar too, which I find oddly appealing despite having nothing to tow...

[TallMark]

Well in the end we've just bought a 5dr Mini!

She decided that if we had another big car she still wouldn't want to drive it much, leaving it to me at weekends, so we got the small car she's always wanted instead and she's over the moon. In terms of "big car" duties we're considering a Citroen C4 Grand Picasso!!

So there you go, this originally simple search has taken a radical turn.

[TallMark]

Another update. The Mini is still here, but due to some UK based holidays coming up I decided we needed to add a big car to the fleet.

We are now the proud owners of a 2010 Range Rover! I drove the Discovery again and it just didn't feel right for me. I know that owners really rate them, but I didn't find the driving position as comfortable and something didn't gel for me, so I went for a well specced FFRR instead.

Very happy and already put it into service with a trip to the tip!