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Classy SUV that Jeremy Clarkson described as ‘hugely comfortable and robustly built’ can be yours for less than £5k
It packs a mighty 4.2 litre Jaguar V8 engine
A VERY classy 4x4 that can now be picked up for a bargain price of less than £5,000 was once highly praised by Jeremy Clarkson.
Released between 2004 and 2009, the motor is known for its rugged build and surprisingly comfortable driveability.
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Reviewed by Jeremy Clarkson upon its release in 2004, the second generation Land Rover Discovery - confusingly known as the Discovery 3 - was described by the former Top Gear star as "hugely comfortable" as well as "robustly built."
He even praised its design, writing in The Sunday Times: "The raised rear roof line remains for those who have a pet giraffe, and the doors seem to have come from a different car, but overall, there's no doubt that it's a looker."
But perhaps the biggest selling point of the second-gen Discovery is its ruggedness, which Clarkson highlights by saying: "Underneath you get a separate chassis and a monocoque, so you have the toughness to deal with the green lanes."
It’s not a military-eque though, and even 20 years later the Disco 3 is a great SUV to drive.
Clarkson added: “It is a hugely comfortable car to drive: quiet, not too roly-poly in the bends and blessed with an extraordinarily delicate throttle pedal that makes parallel parking - even on a steep hill - a complete doddle.”
It packs a 4.4-litre version of Jaguar's 4.2 litre V8, boasting plenty of torque and power, while the diesel iteration uses the twin turbo from Jaguar's S-type.
On the motor’s space and luxurious interior - which includes seven seats - Clarkson said: “While you don't get the style or flair of a Range Rover, you do get a sense of utilitarian toughness.”
There are hundreds of examples to choose from on the UK marketplace, and can be quite the bargain.
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For example, we found a 2005 example currently up for sale on Autotrader for just £4,475 - and it isn't a battle-scarred farm hauler.
Mystery Land Rover Discovery worth £40,000 found submerged in a canal with the owner nowhere to be seen
This comes as it was recently revealed Land Rover will be reviving another iconic model some eight years after it was discontinued - but it won't be made here.
Meanwhile, rival 4x4 maker Ineos has delayed its upcoming EV 'indefinitely' - just months after they first unveiled it.
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