Its a '92 Starlet 1.3 and (probably one of the first) EFI. Originally a Japanese car, came to NZ in 95 when my cousin bought it. He sold it to us in 2003 for $3K (about £1K then). In our ownership its always been the '2nd car' and at times it doesn't accumulate may miles, but others its seen lots of use. We lived out in the country for a year and it would ferry the kids into and home from school in town, for 3 years our daughter used it to go to and from Uni each day (probably a 40 mile journey) and its currently our son's car used for work and what ever he wishes. It hasn't had 100% reliability - 1 morning the battery was flat
Other than servicing, pads, tyres - I've swapped out wheel bearings and starter motor - can't recall much other than that - but its had a knocking CV for a couple of years, front passenger window is broke, drivers window only works when its warm and its generally pretty tatty these days - up to about 250k kms IIRC. Still starts on the button, drives great and passes its WOFs without hassles. I don't have much interest in it though - which is why its become tatty.
As for Discos - been there with a 300TDI in the UK for a few years and a V8 over here for 7 years. I know how much effort they can take to keep on the road and money it costs to run them.... its why I don't have one now! I do have a bit of a hankering for another one - but it would have to be a TD5 as its based on the good old L Series I have in the Freelander
There again the D2 transfer box is pants - I couldn't entertain a Disco without a locking diff as it simply wouldn't work well on the beach and I wouldn't trust it in other places. The late Classic/P38 transfer box setup of 'traditional' LR permanent 4WD with Freelanderesque viscous coupling is probably my ideal. So my ideal LR would be a Freelander with a Disco's TD5 engine and a transfer box from a RR
I'm probably an ideal candidate for a D-Lander - only problem is I hate the things
You should seriously consider one for Mrs Weldy. If you want one that's got the best chance of not going wrong and with oodles of British engineering character, get an L Series. If she likes her creature comforts, a more refiined ride and an auto box, go for a TD4. If you don't mind the prospect of a HG change and want to save a few quid, go for the 1.8, available throughout the trim range but only in manual. The only problem you'll have is that you're likely to be quite impressed by it! You could get into a position where you're throwing eggs at yourself
If you do go for one, read up on how the VCU works - its a completely different animal to other Landies and can/will destroy the transmission if not looked after (much more so than the RR), and definitely have a read of this...
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/tests-new-freelander-owners-should-do-on-their-car.312863/
There endeth the sermon from the Freelander and Rover diesel engine evangelist