Sorry for the thread resurrection.....

Been weighing up, looking at all the options.

SWMBO has an old micra, which is perfect as a cheap run-about-town.

So the considered opinion we've settled on is a 7 seat discovery. We'll technically only need six seats, so still have some space for luggage, and roof box can be borrowed. Might end up buying a roof box anyway for long term plans.

Doing the math, givIng the running costs, makes sense to go for a late 2000, as road tax is fixed rather than emissions based.

Aiming for a Td5, because initially it will have to do bit of m'way work.

Given that this time next year we're due to be in South Africa, the disco is the only thing that makes sense (defenders are more expensive)

Any thoughts? ( yes, I've already browsed common problems and things to look for, but that's the joy of a mechanic mate)

Apart from being a bad time to buy one...

If you get a good one, I'll buy it off you when you're done .

If you get an Auto td5 you won't get much more than 23mpg round town or 31mpg on a run,

But wait a few months before you buy as prices will go down after winter, but a pre2000 will always cost more due to road tax being cheaper.

Have a long read on here,

http://www.lro.com/forum3/

and here,

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/

As much as i loved both of mine, they will cost alot to run, fuel tank is 95ltrs and at £1.26ltr ouch and that will be good for just over 300miles

They also have lots of little niggles, which is part of the land rover ownership expireance.

Just go into it with your eyes wide open.

I know that all sounds doom and gloom but i enjoyed the 12,000 miles i did in both of mine, just don't look at the fuel bill each month

Oh, I've been looking at landyzone and another few LR forums... Reading the td5 vs 300tdi arguments with fun getting a bit nervous about the niggles....

Fuel consumption - bit of a come down from 45-55mpg, but I am aware of it.

Realistically, SWMBO is a student nurse, and will be on placement ten minutes from home when I'm looking to buy - around march, early April.

Has to be bought by April 18th as that's when the family arrive.

I could conceivably buy a train ticket from home to work - stations are five mins walk from both, and she could use it if needed.

I've got one eye on the south Africa move hence the disco fitting the competent workhorse/load lugger bill- cars are quite expensive, even older ones - buying one here, is cheaper, even if it means staying in the UK for another 3 months to avoid the import tax scam in SA.

I'll re-read the recommended threads and start preparing to sell a kidney and my sanity!