Welcome to the RoversNorth forum. A Land Rover Discovery I is good choice for a first vehicle. Once you get this, what I would do is to go through the vehicle and make sure ALL the basics are functioning properly and ALL maintenance is up to snuff. This will get you familiar with the vehicle quickly and you'll realize that you may need to save a load more for the extra goodies later. If you intend to do all the work yourself, this will even more enhance your membership into the bloody knuckles club.
Safety First!
- Buy ALL the necessary manuals and read up.
- Brakes, pads, rotors, brake fluid flush, replace all as needed.
- Engine tune up, air filter, plugs, wires, cap/rotor (depending if you get an early 3.9 or later 4.0 liter)
- Change out all the gear oil, differential fluids, ZF trans filter, new ATF
- Electricals, all bulbs, lights functioning properly
- Any other safety driveability issues
Once it works as it should, and you've passed your driving test with flying colors, go out and get enrolled into a off-road driving school or find fellow Land Rover Owner's in your local area to learn from. Yes, learn how it drives bone stock. You will be amazed at the off-road capability it has.
Then later... you can start adjusting the attitude, look and accessorizing of your new Land Rover Discovery. Keep us posted on your progress.