I know very little about the land rovers. I'm really a land cruiser guy, there is a 97 for sale 98k loaded with lockers for $8500. It's about 1/2 the price of a land cruiser. So my questions are is 97 a good year to buy? Besides everything working what else should I look for? Engine issues? Tranny issues? I heard of water leakage problems? I'm using it as dd and camping mobile for trips to Moab area. Really don't intend to wheel it, but It should be able to run golden spike (4 1/2), you know just in case I had to. thanks in advance.

I just cut up a 96 that I rolled and found tonns of rust, if it is in an area that uses salt it will have the same issues. 'A' pillar to foot box both sides, and where the windshiels frame joins the 'A' pillar. 'C' pillar to wheel well can also be nasty, mine was 80% gone. Rear floor pan is an issue since Land ROver uses a large sponge for sound deadening it holds the water in place to rot the floor pan, check the front foot well as well.
hope this helps...

Kevin "Dances with Trees" Willey