Late L320 RRS buying (not buying!) advice
Discussion
Hi Folks,
I have decided to admit defeat and give up on having a high performance car for the time being. This is mainly because we live down a 3/4 mile dirt track and short of resurfacing it, getting a low slung sports car up and down it is tiresome, particularity in winter.
Accordingly thoughts have turned to adding a second 4x4 to the stable. Currently have a 2006 Landcruiser which is great, but v dull. A few months ago I flirted with getting the full fat RR but for some reason they did not overwhelm me on test drives.
Having ignored the RRS back then I now find myself wondering if it might be a better buy. Unfortunately I know very little about them, save for their poor reputation for reliability (unjust or rightly attributed?). Also I am not a footballer - is this an impediment to ownership?
If I did go down this route I'd be looking at the latest L320 possible. The new model certainly appeals but the price is comical, even for one with 60k miles on it. So the old one it is - if at all.
I'm also flirting with the idea of a Cayenne GTS (2009 ish) but think the RRS may be a better compromise.
Would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what to look for and what to run away from. For instance is the newer SDV6 engine a much better option than the TDV8, or is it simply that because the SDV6 cars are newer they benefit from upgrades that the TDV8 cars won't have.
Reliability is important - are the later cars significantly better than the early ones or is something of a lottery with these cars?
Thanks in advance,
TD
I have decided to admit defeat and give up on having a high performance car for the time being. This is mainly because we live down a 3/4 mile dirt track and short of resurfacing it, getting a low slung sports car up and down it is tiresome, particularity in winter.
Accordingly thoughts have turned to adding a second 4x4 to the stable. Currently have a 2006 Landcruiser which is great, but v dull. A few months ago I flirted with getting the full fat RR but for some reason they did not overwhelm me on test drives.
Having ignored the RRS back then I now find myself wondering if it might be a better buy. Unfortunately I know very little about them, save for their poor reputation for reliability (unjust or rightly attributed?). Also I am not a footballer - is this an impediment to ownership?
If I did go down this route I'd be looking at the latest L320 possible. The new model certainly appeals but the price is comical, even for one with 60k miles on it. So the old one it is - if at all.
I'm also flirting with the idea of a Cayenne GTS (2009 ish) but think the RRS may be a better compromise.
Would greatly appreciate any suggestions on what to look for and what to run away from. For instance is the newer SDV6 engine a much better option than the TDV8, or is it simply that because the SDV6 cars are newer they benefit from upgrades that the TDV8 cars won't have.
Reliability is important - are the later cars significantly better than the early ones or is something of a lottery with these cars?
Thanks in advance,
TD
Thanks for the input guys.
To answer some questions - I did the rally rep thing a few years ago and whilst it was fun (350bhp switchable map Bugeye Scooby) I'm really after something more refined now. I don't do that many miles at the moment but when I do it is usually a 2 or 3 hour during which time I need / want most of the mod cons (decent sound system, bluetooth, up to date sat nav etc).
As for the petrol option this is interesting. The outgoing car will be a 2009 510bhp 5.0l XKR and if I am right the supercharged RRS has basically the same engine. Not sure if I want to change car and end up with the same engine. Mind you it is a great engine but in a 4x4 I don't think I'd feel the need to mash the right peddle that often. Fun every now and then but for the rest of the time I'd rather make reasonably rapid yet calm progress. Suspect (sadly) that the oil burner options might be better suited to my needs. Also there aren't many petrol ones about in my price range and none locally, but I won't discount them until I have had a go.
Not easy to find ones without the tinted windows either, which is a shame as I prefer to look I think - less......well you know!
To answer some questions - I did the rally rep thing a few years ago and whilst it was fun (350bhp switchable map Bugeye Scooby) I'm really after something more refined now. I don't do that many miles at the moment but when I do it is usually a 2 or 3 hour during which time I need / want most of the mod cons (decent sound system, bluetooth, up to date sat nav etc).
As for the petrol option this is interesting. The outgoing car will be a 2009 510bhp 5.0l XKR and if I am right the supercharged RRS has basically the same engine. Not sure if I want to change car and end up with the same engine. Mind you it is a great engine but in a 4x4 I don't think I'd feel the need to mash the right peddle that often. Fun every now and then but for the rest of the time I'd rather make reasonably rapid yet calm progress. Suspect (sadly) that the oil burner options might be better suited to my needs. Also there aren't many petrol ones about in my price range and none locally, but I won't discount them until I have had a go.
Not easy to find ones without the tinted windows either, which is a shame as I prefer to look I think - less......well you know!
Thanks Guys,
I think the D4 is probably not on the cards because we don't really need the extra space. Let's face it, we don't need another huge 4x4 at all, but that said we are looking to get down to 2 cars so a couple of go anywhere do anything trucks would seem to be a reasonable(ish) option.
Don't suppose any of you have any experience of the Cayenne GTS do you. Silly car I suppose but there is an appeal of having a thumping growly V8 combined with what I understand is passable handling. It would need to be the older model. There are a couple of 2009 cars that look OK - if a bloody long way away from us.
Also is it absolutely imperative to have a tiny member and a huge ego in order to drive one of these, or can you just get away with being childishly irresponsible and largely disinterested in what other people think?
TD
I think the D4 is probably not on the cards because we don't really need the extra space. Let's face it, we don't need another huge 4x4 at all, but that said we are looking to get down to 2 cars so a couple of go anywhere do anything trucks would seem to be a reasonable(ish) option.
Don't suppose any of you have any experience of the Cayenne GTS do you. Silly car I suppose but there is an appeal of having a thumping growly V8 combined with what I understand is passable handling. It would need to be the older model. There are a couple of 2009 cars that look OK - if a bloody long way away from us.
Also is it absolutely imperative to have a tiny member and a huge ego in order to drive one of these, or can you just get away with being childishly irresponsible and largely disinterested in what other people think?
TD
Well I finally got round to test driving the RRS (2013 HSE Black edition) and I have to say that it was a little underwhelming. Very good car with lots of toys, a good interior (although not amazing) and a capable engine (SDV6) but the overall driving experience was one of great competence rather than excellence.
Can't really put my finger on it but I was certainly not hooked on the first drive. It did not exactly thrill but then I guess it is not designed to really. Looking back to my 4.4 TDV8 FFRR test drive I think I actually preferred that car. No doubt it is a car that grows on you over time.
One thing is for sure - the idea of trading in my beautiful 5.0l XKR plus handing over another 10k does not feel like a complete no-brainer.
Did have a poke around in the new RRS whilst I was there and that really did look the part - and so it bloody should given what it costs!
Think I will wait until I win the lottery and look again. The odds must be heavily in my favour by now as I have already tried it at least 25 times over the years.
TD
Can't really put my finger on it but I was certainly not hooked on the first drive. It did not exactly thrill but then I guess it is not designed to really. Looking back to my 4.4 TDV8 FFRR test drive I think I actually preferred that car. No doubt it is a car that grows on you over time.
One thing is for sure - the idea of trading in my beautiful 5.0l XKR plus handing over another 10k does not feel like a complete no-brainer.
Did have a poke around in the new RRS whilst I was there and that really did look the part - and so it bloody should given what it costs!
Think I will wait until I win the lottery and look again. The odds must be heavily in my favour by now as I have already tried it at least 25 times over the years.
TD
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