The Range Rover Classic thread
Discussion
I’ve been looking at Classics online for a while now and am contemplating actually buying one. I’ve read different forums and am aware they can be costly to run. I’ve set a budget of 6k, don’t need leather etc. will this get me something solid and fairly reliable, or am I being unrealistic?
Robmack said:
I’ve been looking at Classics online for a while now and am contemplating actually buying one. I’ve read different forums and am aware they can be costly to run. I’ve set a budget of 6k, don’t need leather etc. will this get me something solid and fairly reliable, or am I being unrealistic?
I would say that would get you a usable Classic and leave you some money for bits and pieces. A 3.9i with velour seats tends to not have air con, electric seats and air suspension, which avoid a lot of complications. It's the SE models which have all the trimmings.Randomly plucked Ebay adverts:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1994-Range-Rover-Classi...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1990-RANGE-ROVER-CLASSI...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Land-Rover-Range-Rover-...
In all cases have a good poke about underneath, especially rear seat belt mounts, body mounts, boot floor and so on. Most parts are readily available so don't worry about the odd bit of missing trim for instance. You won't find perfection, you are after usability. Don't be afraid to ask questions on here! Good luck.
I’m not sure that I would consider them costly to run outside of fuel. Personally, I find them very cheap to run. I don’t do many miles and almost any work can be done using parts from eBay on your own drive. Plus, buy a solid one and as you fix the niggles you’re likely to be increasing its value way above any costs.
I think it’s still possible to buy a solid one with sub 70/- miles for around £10k (the majority at this level will be polished £2k cars though) and spend a few thousand over a few years and end up with something worth a lot more.
The one thing I can’t fix is rust so that is the core element I avoid. With the next concern being the engine as that is generally expensive to rebuild but pretty much anything else can be remedied at home for modest expense and adds considerable value.
I think it’s still possible to buy a solid one with sub 70/- miles for around £10k (the majority at this level will be polished £2k cars though) and spend a few thousand over a few years and end up with something worth a lot more.
The one thing I can’t fix is rust so that is the core element I avoid. With the next concern being the engine as that is generally expensive to rebuild but pretty much anything else can be remedied at home for modest expense and adds considerable value.
DonkeyApple said:
I’m not sure that I would consider them costly to run outside of fuel. Personally, I find them very cheap to run. I don’t do many miles and almost any work can be done using parts from eBay on your own drive. Plus, buy a solid one and as you fix the niggles you’re likely to be increasing its value way above any costs.
I think it’s still possible to buy a solid one with sub 70/- miles for around £10k (the majority at this level will be polished £2k cars though) and spend a few thousand over a few years and end up with something worth a lot more.
The one thing I can’t fix is rust so that is the core element I avoid. With the next concern being the engine as that is generally expensive to rebuild but pretty much anything else can be remedied at home for modest expense and adds considerable value.
I would tend to agree with this and add that, the earlier the car, the easier it is to adopt this approachI think it’s still possible to buy a solid one with sub 70/- miles for around £10k (the majority at this level will be polished £2k cars though) and spend a few thousand over a few years and end up with something worth a lot more.
The one thing I can’t fix is rust so that is the core element I avoid. With the next concern being the engine as that is generally expensive to rebuild but pretty much anything else can be remedied at home for modest expense and adds considerable value.
I tend to agree with Clapham that from both an investment perspective and also ease of work an early/mid 80s 4 door is a great starting point.
Far fewer gadgets to keep working. A lot of the little trim bits are still available and more practical and cheaper to buy than a comparable 2 door.
Rot will be the big issue though.
Far fewer gadgets to keep working. A lot of the little trim bits are still available and more practical and cheaper to buy than a comparable 2 door.
Rot will be the big issue though.
Another in general agreeance. The engines can be fettled by most competant mechanics and the rest is ok until you get to air suspension. Odd bits are more than you might think. I'm waiting for a recon rear diff from Ashworths and that's about 350.
The vast majority of the niggles I have fixed have been electrical. Some I have done, others I've farmed out. It is very satisfying when things spring back into life.
Avoid rust, its expensive.
There are cars out there for your budget but be prepared to look at plenty that are just basket cases gone over with an oily rag and yes keep it simple.
The older cars are more sort after currently but the newer ones were largely less well built ergo there are fewer of them maybe. Ideally look at one of the special editions if you go that way, westminster, csk and the LSEs have a certain following, well I like them!
The vast majority of the niggles I have fixed have been electrical. Some I have done, others I've farmed out. It is very satisfying when things spring back into life.
Avoid rust, its expensive.
There are cars out there for your budget but be prepared to look at plenty that are just basket cases gone over with an oily rag and yes keep it simple.
The older cars are more sort after currently but the newer ones were largely less well built ergo there are fewer of them maybe. Ideally look at one of the special editions if you go that way, westminster, csk and the LSEs have a certain following, well I like them!
Robmack said:
Are there better places to browse than car & classic and eBay?
For rusty Range Rovers or general entertainment?
I would stick Range Rover Classic for sale into Google and see what you get.
Many sites pull in adverts from elsewhere, but you might find one that other people have missed.
e.g.
https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/cars-for-sale/se...
https://forsale.lro.com/land+rover/range+rover
https://www.gumtree.com/cars/uk/land-rover/range+r...
https://www.classic-trader.com/uk/cars/search/land...
https://www.newsnow.co.uk/classifieds/cars-vans-fo...
You joke but Car and Classic takes up plenty of my time. Thanks for the links though, it flushed out a few new ones.
These two have tickled my fancy;
http://www.kingsleycars.co.uk/for-sale/project-rrc...
https://www.autosportsandclassics.co.uk/used-cars/...
The second with the hope that I can negotiate a healthy amount off. The thinking behind going to a specialist is that i’d expect an honest report on rust. Honestly.
Has anyone had dealings with either garage?
These two have tickled my fancy;
http://www.kingsleycars.co.uk/for-sale/project-rrc...
https://www.autosportsandclassics.co.uk/used-cars/...
The second with the hope that I can negotiate a healthy amount off. The thinking behind going to a specialist is that i’d expect an honest report on rust. Honestly.
Has anyone had dealings with either garage?
Dealers are always difficult to gauge.
A really good little trick is to check out th company accounts and see what their capital is like, whether the people who run the business are the same people listed as directors.
Sometimes you see some businesses where they have no money and get their wife to front as a director.
Looking at the tangible assets and seeing if there is a clear path to how they were built up can all help give an impression.
A really good little trick is to check out th company accounts and see what their capital is like, whether the people who run the business are the same people listed as directors.
Sometimes you see some businesses where they have no money and get their wife to front as a director.
Looking at the tangible assets and seeing if there is a clear path to how they were built up can all help give an impression.
Ideally look at one of the special editions if you go that way, westminster, csk and the LSEs have a certain following, well I like them!
[/quote]
Sorry for interrupting but the Westminster edition classic. Was a classic available in that colour anyway or just as that as the Westminster edition.
Reason I ask is my old 92 j reg is Westminster grey but no chrome bumpers and regular 3 spoke wheels. Is it a just a regular vogue se a?
[/quote]
Sorry for interrupting but the Westminster edition classic. Was a classic available in that colour anyway or just as that as the Westminster edition.
Reason I ask is my old 92 j reg is Westminster grey but no chrome bumpers and regular 3 spoke wheels. Is it a just a regular vogue se a?
Robmack said:
You joke but Car and Classic takes up plenty of my time. Thanks for the links though, it flushed out a few new ones.
These two have tickled my fancy;
http://www.kingsleycars.co.uk/for-sale/project-rrc...
https://www.autosportsandclassics.co.uk/used-cars/...
The second with the hope that I can negotiate a healthy amount off. The thinking behind going to a specialist is that i’d expect an honest report on rust. Honestly.
Has anyone had dealings with either garage?
It’s not near you, but neither of the ones above are too, so I assume you’re ok to travel, so this LSE may be worth a look....These two have tickled my fancy;
http://www.kingsleycars.co.uk/for-sale/project-rrc...
https://www.autosportsandclassics.co.uk/used-cars/...
The second with the hope that I can negotiate a healthy amount off. The thinking behind going to a specialist is that i’d expect an honest report on rust. Honestly.
Has anyone had dealings with either garage?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
It looks ok, but even if the chassis and body need work, at that price you’ve got a lot of legroom to do the work and not lose money. LSE’s appear to be sought after and have a premium when in good condition.
Cheers, Steve
ClaphamGT3 said:
A Plymouth blue LSE, registered in Berks, 185k Miles on the clock and well used back seats - I would hazard a guess that it started life as one of the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class limo fleet.
I have had dealings with WHM - check it out carefully would be my advice.
I saw the wear on the rear seat bolster and thought that’s weird, but now thanks to your explanation that makes sense. I have had dealings with WHM - check it out carefully would be my advice.
Looking at the MOT history, it’s safe to say it’s going to need chassis and body frame work, as expected.
Don’t think this sold, looked a lot better than most:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
ClaphamGT3 said:
A Plymouth blue LSE, registered in Berks, 185k Miles on the clock and well used back seats - I would hazard a guess that it started life as one of the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class limo fleet.
I have had dealings with WHM - check it out carefully would be my advice.
From the ad they clearly know nothing about the model or that car in particular. But I imagine they've had a nose around (and under) and have decided against doing anything themselves, which speaks volumes. I'd look elsewhere.I have had dealings with WHM - check it out carefully would be my advice.
NomduJour said:
Don’t think this sold, looked a lot better than most:
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
I agree, looks better than most. I think I thought that to myself when my ebay search popped it up. Fairly sure it was that one. The back doors look ok and as they are LSE specific they can be silly money to replace. Check the welds underneath as they simply let 8" into a stock door and reskinned so they are very vulnerable to rot there. Check the door cards too.https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
But well worth a look but a very long way from Perth!
DKL said:
ClaphamGT3 said:
A Plymouth blue LSE, registered in Berks, 185k Miles on the clock and well used back seats - I would hazard a guess that it started life as one of the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class limo fleet.
I have had dealings with WHM - check it out carefully would be my advice.
From the ad they clearly know nothing about the model or that car in particular. But I imagine they've had a nose around (and under) and have decided against doing anything themselves, which speaks volumes. I'd look elsewhere.I have had dealings with WHM - check it out carefully would be my advice.
The MOT history points to the chassis and sills being like triggers broom with years of patch repairs that will be anything from rubbish to adequate. On that basis, God only knows what state the body tub will be in.
The £3,500 'buy it now' price also suggests that they know perfectly well that, under a reasonable set of panels, the whole thing is a bag of spanners
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