Well lots of "hear say" on this thread but no actual experience.
Personally I have never heard of a Disco NE1 - perhaps you mean Disco LE or LSE. I am assuming you are referring to the Disco 1's which were built from early 90's until 98. The series II disco appeared in 99.
If it is a Disco I would try to get the latest model possible, 97 or 98. They are the most reliable and are OBD2. The 94's were probably the worst of the model years. The 96's onward had the more powerful 4.0 motor rather than the 3.9. Not a lot of difference in HP but a definite improvement in useable torque. I think the 96's and later are only available with an auto.
The Disco will easily outrun a XJ or TJ, probably equal to the 4.0 ZJ, but gets beat by the V8 ZJ. Personally I prefer the Disco's handling to the XJ and TJ, but don't expect it to handle like a sportscar - it isn't. If it handles like a school bus chances are the shocks need replacing, a possibilty on any Disco with more than 50K miles. Avoid the Series II's with the automated anti-roll, they are somewhat problematic and can be $$$ if they need repair.
The comments about them being top heavy smack of ignorance on the poster's part. Stock Disco vs stock XJ, the Disco has a lower center of gravity - the aluminum roof, doors and hood help - downside is it takes an experienced body shop to make repairs.
I have a 98 Disco with over 100K miles on it and the maintenance has been no better or worse than any other SUV and probably better than most domestics. But parts are $$$ compared to Ford, Chevy or Dodge, and the Land Rover service centers are likely more $$$ than domestic dealers if major repair is needed. Repairs I have needed so far include - new alternator ($$$ at $400), holed radiator (hardly LR's fault but new they run $700, repair cost $25), vacuum lines for cruise control. LR replaced the exhaust manifold under warranty/recall - similar to the XJ problem except Jeep won't replace the manifolds. I've also replaced a fuel pump (about $200) and a wiring harness that got battery acid on, and was shorting out the alarm.
Without a doubt the dealer experience has been the best I have had with any brand. No pressure to buy, sales people who drive and love the product, excellent after sales service, superb service staff, reasonable to spendy on parts and labor. If I was in the market for a replacement the new LR3 (basically the Disco series 3) would be at the top of my list. Or a new Range Rover if the budget allowed.
Have you looked at discoweb.com?
Buying used, some words of caution. Find a LR mechanic in your area to conduct an inspection. Not any mechanic, make sure he has LR experience. As with any used vehicle it is likely to need maintenance and parts replaced. Be careful some parts are $$$, brake rotors cannot be turned and must be replaced, used parts are available but not as easily as domestic SUV's. Avoid any LR's with known electrical gremlins, have you heard the Lucas jokes?
I have never treated our Disco gently. Towed an XJ on a trailer from CO to the Rubicon, drive it on 5 miles of bad unpaved road every day, lots of winter driving, occasional snow bashing, trail duty on easier to medium trails (basically still stock, hardly mod'd). The interior is still solid and rattle free, not like the crappy interiors most other mall crawlers come with.
Aftermarket equipment is going to be $$$ if you are used to XJ prices. Much smaller market, and a more upmarket ownership group, compared to Jeep stuff.
Over 3/4 of all LR owners use their vehicles offroad, almost triple the rate Jeep owners do. I don't know recent stats but in 1985 LR claimed that 38% of the world's population saw a LR first ( the first vehicle they ever saw). Given the huge amount of LR's and Toyota Land Cruisers in African and Asian third world countries I am hardly surprised. don't see many Jeeps in the rest of the world, regardless of what Daimler Chrysler PR wants you to believe.
With the exception of the Rubicon, the LR is probably the most capable stock SUV marketed. It will get places a stock XJ could only dream about.
My criticsm's (sp?) would be poor ergonomics for tall people. I understand vehicles are designed to fit the 85th percentile, so I know I am taller than normal. But at 6'2" the top of the steering wheel covers the top of the speedo, a minor inconvenience at interstate speeds. It also covers the "bright" headlight indicator - a major inconvenience for motorists coming towards you. The header above the windshield covers most stop lights - in Europe and most of the rest of the world all stop lights are mounted at 10 to 12 feet above road level, whereas in the states there are many mounted over the intersection only not on poles at the corner. I just watch the reflection in the hood - again a minor inconvenience due to poor ergonomics, not a problem at all for my wife who is 5'5".
Any other questions?
HTH