My desire to own a Land Rover began recently, around a campfire at the Exploring Overland Field Camp in Southern Arizona in early 2025. Surrounded by Land Rover enthusiasts like Graham Jackson and Marcus Whitacker, it is easy to get swept up in the romance and nostalgia that surround Land Rovers. Even though most of the stories were about the Land Rovers somehow not running or not retaining oil, I was still enamored. After returning from that trip, I passively kept an eye open for a clean-enough Land Rover that I could potentially own someday.
For the sake of clarity, at the same event, I was completely captivated by the extremely clean Land Cruisers as well, like Jonathan Hanson’s ridiculously mint forty series. Unfortunately, my budget was limited and I was trying to own something for less than $5,000 USD (a tough proposition these days). Even the most ratty and clapped-out Land Cruisers around me had over 300,000 miles, were asking three times my budget, or both. My shopping list included a couple of Land Rover models, several old Jeeps, and even a Subaru or two. The vehicle only really needed to be interesting, be capable of navigating Colorado winters around our house at 9,000 feet, and be under the aforementioned budget.
After months of passive Facebook Marketplace searches and stopping at far too many used car lots, I was becoming fatigued by the constant runaround from owners who believed their vehicles were worth thousands of dollars more than they should; some were asking above market value, and the vehicle didn’t even run or drive. Then I found a reasonably priced Land Rover Discovery II in my preferred color, with a clean interior, and minor problems within a day’s drive from our home. We packed up the GX and took off to the Western Slope in hopes that the owner was honest and forthcoming with problems.
The drive to Parachute, CO, from our home in Teller County is a beautiful one. The drive passes through mountain towns of Breckenridge and Vail, just starting to prepare for the winter season that is fast approaching. We arrived in Parachute with enough time to inspect and drive the vehicle before it got dark; hopefully, the headlights work. The vehicle checked out. Thankfully, the owner was honest and the only real issue is some rust and the notorious “three amigos” dash lights. The vehicle had been in the same family since 15,000 miles and had been a third or fourth car for the last several years. The Discovery is bone stock, relatively low miles, and even includes the original manual, floor mats, and key chain. There wasn’t even a puddle or stain under the parking spot, which is a win.
The deal was done. We handed the man $2,200 USD for our running and driving Land Rover Discovery II and pointed it west for the return trip.
We opted to turn at Glenwood Springs and try to find camping on the other side of Independence Pass. This was a mistake, only because the temperature dropped significantly, and we were facing temps in the teens overnight. As it was still early, we decided to simply grab dinner in Buena Vista and make for the house. We found tacos in BV, and the rest of the trip was uneventful. The Land Rover drove marvelously. No sounds, massive leaks, or new warning lights. The driving position was fantastic, and even the seat heaters worked in each of the front seats.
I felt silly for the bag of tools and jugs of fluid that I brought with me. Even worse, I felt silly bringing the tow-ball and for having looked up U-haul rentals near Parachute before leaving, just in case our new project needed a tow. But despite our successful purchase, it’s still a Land Rover. I will continue to carry too many tools and a tote of fluids and oil in the back with a PDF copy of the repair manual on my phone.
The fact that we will most certainly replace the headgaskets before our ownership is complete, and I had to immediately fix the warning lights when I got home, does not make me regret this vehicle in the least. Working on it is simple, the engine isn’t complicated, and there are plenty of other Land Rover enthusiasts out there to commiserate with around the fire.