Thinking of a Range Rover, am I mad?
Discussion
I'm looking at buying a 4x4 for around the 10k mark and I've been drawn to the good old Range Rover.
I'm looking at petrol models since I will only be covering a couple of thousand miles per annum.
I know they have a reputation for being unreliable and that some major work can cost a lot. What would be the main things to look out for when looking at one?
The only other 4x4's that draw my attention are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Landcruiser, would either of these put a smile on my face compared to a RR?
I'm looking at petrol models since I will only be covering a couple of thousand miles per annum.
I know they have a reputation for being unreliable and that some major work can cost a lot. What would be the main things to look out for when looking at one?
The only other 4x4's that draw my attention are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Toyota Landcruiser, would either of these put a smile on my face compared to a RR?
For 10k I'd rather be rolling round in an old Grand Cherokee than a Range Rover, but purely from a 'being seen in public' perspective.
Edit: Actually I take that back slightly, I didn't realise 10k could get you an L322. But from a wallet standpoint, still no. But classic, yes. Basically not a P38...
Edit: Actually I take that back slightly, I didn't realise 10k could get you an L322. But from a wallet standpoint, still no. But classic, yes. Basically not a P38...
Edited by mike-r on Monday 2nd June 19:50
Here are a couple of links to the sort of vehicles I'm looking at.
Jeep Grand Cherokee slightly above budget but could stretch to it:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Range Rover 4.4 V8 Vogue:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Jeep Grand Cherokee slightly above budget but could stretch to it:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Range Rover 4.4 V8 Vogue:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...
Your budget will buy you an early BMW petrol 4.4 V8 L322.
These are rather lovely things to drive and own. They're quick off the mark but not especially rapid mid-range.
The ZF gearbox is a lot more reliable than the GM Td6 item. Fuel economy isn't so bad and they're well built. The seats are especially good.
Look on fullfatrr.com for a detailed buyers guide.
Yes, they have weak points as all cars do. But buy well and the bills can be managed easily enough.
I'm on my second L322, so am somewhat biased.
These are rather lovely things to drive and own. They're quick off the mark but not especially rapid mid-range.
The ZF gearbox is a lot more reliable than the GM Td6 item. Fuel economy isn't so bad and they're well built. The seats are especially good.
Look on fullfatrr.com for a detailed buyers guide.
Yes, they have weak points as all cars do. But buy well and the bills can be managed easily enough.
I'm on my second L322, so am somewhat biased.
skyrover said:
Erm no... unless your looking at classic mk1 range rovers than just no...
Buy the jeep
I find it sad that the modern Range Rover (P38 onwards) has such a bad reputation, yet they still hold their value. Buy the jeep
On paper though the Jeep is the better option, newer, less mileage, more reliable.
Only recently px'ed my 4.4 L322 for a newer Sport after owning it for around ten years. Apart from the usual service items such as tyres/discs/balljoints and whatnot, it needed a few extra things in my time with it. A radiator, an alternator, a water pump, a battery and a handful of various hoses. So nothing particularly worrisome.
Obviously those who rely on pub talk will tell you to buy a bicycle instead, but by buying a car which has a sympathetic owner shouldn't cause you too many headaches.
Obviously those who rely on pub talk will tell you to buy a bicycle instead, but by buying a car which has a sympathetic owner shouldn't cause you too many headaches.
Impasse said:
Only recently px'ed my 4.4 L322 for a newer Sport after owning it for around ten years. Apart from the usual service items such as tyres/discs/balljoints and whatnot, it needed a few extra things in my time with it. A radiator, an alternator, a water pump, a battery and a handful of various hoses. So nothing particularly worrisome.
Obviously those who rely on pub talk will tell you to buy a bicycle instead, but by buying a car which has a sympathetic owner shouldn't cause you too many headaches.
Mate... i'm a big fan of some of land rover products and have plenty of experience with the majority of their models.Obviously those who rely on pub talk will tell you to buy a bicycle instead, but by buying a car which has a sympathetic owner shouldn't cause you too many headaches.
Build quality is just horrendous... there is no if's or but's about it.
Have a good gander at this website before you jump in OP
http://www.rangerovers.net/rrmkiiiremedies.html
Replacing tyres, brakes etc is par for the course and replacing a starter motor, radiator and the like is not too troublesome.
The things that I hear about are the horror stories of suspension malfunctions and jobs that need the body off to complete and can cost a decent wedge of what the car is worth. Am I being sensible or worrying too much?
Edit to add: skyrover just having a look at that page and it does mention many of the things I've heard about over the years. Hmm.
The things that I hear about are the horror stories of suspension malfunctions and jobs that need the body off to complete and can cost a decent wedge of what the car is worth. Am I being sensible or worrying too much?
Edit to add: skyrover just having a look at that page and it does mention many of the things I've heard about over the years. Hmm.
Edited by Thin White Duke on Monday 2nd June 20:29
Thin White Duke said:
Replacing tyres, brakes etc is par for the course and replacing a starter motor, radiator and the like is not too troublesome.
The things that I hear about are the horror stories of suspension malfunctions and jobs that need the body off to complete and can cost a decent wedge of what the car is worth. Am I being sensible or worrying too much?
L322 and onward Range Rover's are unibody/monocoque... there is no separate chassis... but yes there are plenty of very expensive things that can go wrongThe things that I hear about are the horror stories of suspension malfunctions and jobs that need the body off to complete and can cost a decent wedge of what the car is worth. Am I being sensible or worrying too much?
skyrover said:
Mate... i'm a big fan of some of land rover products and have plenty of experience with the majority of their models.
Build quality is just horrendous... there is no if's or but's about it.
Filled for life gearbox?
I've had a Range Rover of some description on the driveway for over 25 years, so have some experience too. Oddly, the majority of failed parts on my car had a BMW logo embossed on them.Build quality is just horrendous... there is no if's or but's about it.
Filled for life gearbox?
You do realise that they don't make gearboxes and ZF offer a similar component to many other manufacturers with the same Sealed for Life ideology. A couple of hours on the ramp with a service/filter kit and a few gallons of fresh oil every 70k miles really isn't much of a hardship.
Thin White Duke said:
skyrover said:
L322 and onward Range Rover's are unibody/monocoque... there is no separate chassis... but yes there are plenty of very expensive things that can go wrong
Which Landrovers am I thinking of that need the body off for certain work?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff