yep, there are some really bad ones out there - but also plenty of good ones - it really is a case of ' keep looking & don't buy the first one you see' - I've had mine about 3 months now & started out like you - wanted one but a bit put off by the scare stories. I looked at about a dozen or so over a two week period , about 4 were OK , 6 not worth the time lookin & 2 were great examples.
don't know what budget you've got but if you after a 2000/2001 you're prob lookin at about £6,500 to £9,000 depending on spec, condition, mileage etc. If you are looking at the top end of this I would suggest you try & find an ES model - it has all the bells & whistles, Climate control, leather , great sound system, electric seats etc. basically it has all the great off road capabilities of a landrover with the luxury interior of a range rover or a Jag
to give you a rough idea mine is a 2001 TD5 ES 7 seater with 90,000 on the clock , it had full LR main dealer SH upto 72K then landrover specialist at 84K. I paid £8,500 inc. service, aircon re-gass, and 2 new sunroof seals. - I bought it from a specialist 4x4 & luxury car dealer - they only sell range rovers, discos, bmw's & mercs. - It had been previously sold by them
3 years ago & the guy who bought it just had a Disco 3 of them & put it in in part exchange (he paid 11K for it 3 years ago) See my pics below.
I bought the best I could afford because I intend to keep it for the next 20 odd years & now I've got it I couldn't think of any other vehicle I'd rather have.
spares are really cheap & easy to get - lots of good suppliers out there
I've had no problems with it since i've had it (apart from a cd getting stuck in the autochanger). the only thing I've done is blanked off the EGR (as advised by the guys on here)
I've had 2000 trouble free miles in it and loved every minute of driving it.
Don't be put off by the scare stories - most people only post on here when they've got a problem. make sure you check all the electrics work - seats, mirrors windows , air con etc. check both hi & low range through all the gears, have a good look underneath - don't be put off by a little rust on chassis - most off em have got it - soon sorted by a good clean & a coat of waxoyl, check sunroofs for leaks, if it has the air suspension - check it go's up & down ok.
think thats about it!
- good luck & hope you find a good one