Which RR to buy??

[Blackretreat]

I have always wanted a Range Rover though unfortunately I don't have the budget to buy a new or even nearly new one.
I have a 25k maximum budget and would like others opinions, based upon their experience, whether to purchase the Range Rover which will have higher mileage or a Sport.
I have 3 children and a dog so this has to be a consideration in any equation.
Please could the forum also give me an indication of true mechanical problems and cost implications rather than hearsay regarding this. I generally only do a maximum of 5,000 miles per year and would most likely buy an approved land rover vehicle for the warranty.
I would be grateful for any constructive input.
Thanks.

[JW911]

Blackretreat said:

I have 3 children and a dog so this has to be a consideration in any equation.

If your dog is a proper one, coupled with the kids you would most likely find a Sport to be too small. If your kids are of an age which requires child seats, pretty much the only car on the market which can do three car seats together across the back is the Full Fat.

Edited by JW911 on Saturday 29th December 23:10

[Nick1point9]

Personally I'd always take a FF over a sport, your budget will still get you a pretty decent FF!

[krusty]

3 kids and a dog, I'd consider a D3/4 as the 7 seat option may be a better way forward.

[anonymous-user]

Go retro and seek out one of the increasing number of restored early Classic V8s out there.

[vjj]

having owned a couple here are my thoughts

if you are only doing 5000 miles per year then get yourself a supercharged Range Rover - great fun and your 25k will get one with much lower mileage than if you went for a TDV8

Beware alternator problems - main dealer wants 1500 quid to replace one - they are water-cooled - and they can pack up without warning leaving you stranded.

Do not buy a car with 22-inch wheels - they get buckled and ruin the ride

the sat nav is a bit old-school on pre-2010 cars.

Try to get one with a pre-heater - they are fantastic in the winter - no ice, warm cabin etc.

[0llie]

vjj said:

if you are only doing 5000 miles per year then get yourself a supercharged Range Rover - great fun and your 25k will get one with much lower mileage than if you went for a TDV8

This. Or even a very late Jaguar 4.4 V8

http://classifieds.pistonheads.com/classifieds/use... - Pre '07MY facelift, but great value

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012... - Incredibly rare facelifted N/A V8 in the best colour combo (IMHO), and great spec.

As brilliant as the TDV8 is, your criteria would seem to be better suited to petrol.

[HowMuchLonger]

krusty said:

3 kids and a dog, I'd consider a D3/4 as the 7 seat option may be a better way forward.

Agreed.

Disco has more space for the dog, + more flexibility for ferrying kids and their friends.

[Phil.]

The question was 'which RR to buy?' So I'm guessing the D3/4 option has already been decided.

I'm on my 3rd FFRR now. Had a 2005 plate 4.2 Supercharged (converted it to LPG - a disaster!), a 2007 3.6 TDV8 (JE re-mapped) and now have a 2011 4.4 TDV8.

If as you say, your annual mileage is 5000 and you don't mind 15-18 mpg (at petrol prices) then go for the 4.2 Supercharged. You'll get a nice one for £25k. Alternatively if you want 20-24 mpg (at higher diesel prices) go for the 3.6 TDV8 but it'll probably be slightly older/higher mileage than the Supercharged. The Supercharged also come with all the toys. Most come with the rear-screen dual DVD as standard but this became an option for the Supercharged from around 2007.

And with 3 kids + dog make sure you get a full set of rubber mats

[HowMuchLonger]

Phil. said:

The question was 'which RR to buy?' So I'm guessing the D3/4 option has already been decided.

I am sure you are probably right, but no harm in bringing them back into the options.

[Blackretreat]

I'm delighted no one has said - 'don't get one!'

Thanks guys for your opinions.

I have excluded the discovery because I don't like the look of it as much as the RR or sport. Being a girly this is more important than practicalities......

Thanks for the links to specific vehicles - I regularly look at Saxton though it is a trek from the North so slightly off putting.

Please continue to give me more info!! Although I love cars I'm not too great with regards to the mechanical aspects.

Oh and by the way I hope my dog is a proper one - a red setter(irish setter)....so he takes up some space.

Great to read your input...thanks.

[JW911]

Blackretreat said:

Oh and by the way I hope my dog is a proper one - a red setter(irish setter)....

Yep, that's a proper one.

[HowMuchLonger]

With a proper dog it is best not get the reclining rear seats as the dog guard sits further back than normal, thereby reducing boot space.

2.7 sport will be too slow, and you will always wish you had more oomf.

My thought is if you are short get a sport, if you are normal/tall get a full fat.

[Blackretreat]

Well. I like to think I'm normal though others might not agree!!

I will take a look at as you call them FFRR petrol and see what's available.

Thanks.

[Davel]

Had an 08 Vogue a couple of years back - best car I've ever had.

Took it to France for a couple of weeks touring and used it daily with no issues whatsoever for the entire length of ownership.

Traded if for a new Disco 4 HSE which had more space for the family but nowhere near as nice a drive.

Would buy a newer RR like a shot.

[jgs82]

Phil. said:

If as you say, your annual mileage is 5000 and you don't mind 15-18 mpg (at petrol prices) then go for the 4.2 Supercharged. You'll get a nice one for £25k. Alternatively if you want 20-24 mpg (at higher diesel prices) go for the 3.6 TDV8 but it'll probably be slightly older/higher mileage than the Supercharged. The Supercharged also come with all the toys. Most come with the rear-screen dual DVD as standard but this became an option for the Supercharged from around 2007.

This is the exact reason I ended up with an 07 Supercharged. It had 70k miles when I got it and I've put on 14k miles in 8 months and it's still amazing. I got it for a lot less than 25k too and it did need a service, suspension bushing (more expensive than it sounds) and a gearbox fluid change.

I can't recommend the FFRR enough, same performance as a Sport but more space and more refinement. I've had cars that I can drive 200+ miles in one sitting before, but never have I had one where I can drive to Le Mans where my only break was the ferry trip and then be awake and relaxed enough to get completely bladdered afterwards without falling asleep the instant I sat down.

[Niiige]

I'd suggest that you base your decision upon your preferred driving style and the feel of the interior environment.

With Sport you sit within the car and enjoy a more "car like" driving experience. The controls are arranged more around you. And the Sport is a dynamic driving experience. Size is down to you - remember that RR Sport is about the same size as P38 model Rangie.

For Range Rover the controls are positioned, like a luxury yatch slightly below so that you reach down to them. And the dynamics of the vehicle are about giving an effortless feel to the ride. Remember the advertising line for Range Rover was " above it all" which sums the driving experience up.

[bogie]

Have had both, and I do a lot of miles...usually 200-400 mile round trips every couple of weeks. Sometimes with 4 people and luggage. I Live in the sticks on farm road so 4 x 4 very useful if you want to go anywhere in winter

With no budget contstraints - Id go Range Rover every time. Inside is as good as it gets, truly relaxing, effortless, every toy you can want

With a strict budget id get newest/lowest miles car I could get..which is a 3-4 year old Range Rover Sport

The Range Rover handles like a big 4 x 4 ..thats pretty much the only downside I can think of and not really an issue for wafting around, so long as you realise you are not in a sportscar

The Range Rover Sport is more big car like on the road - it really is the best Range Rover variant to drive as a road car, that can also tow and go off road no probs

Downsides on the Sport, its just smaller luggage space, less leg room in back, feels smaller to the driver as dash layout different

Basically the RRS is a Discovery interior with some posh trim inside. Latest RRS have new style interior and more like Range Rover rather than Discovery, but they are £££

For £25K the best Range Rover derivative I would buy is the latest RRS 3.6TDV8 HSE Sport you can find or if you dont pay for your own fuel, try to find a 4.2 Supercharged

...a £25K Range Rover is not a bad buy, so long as you are not expecting to put big miles on it, but just bear in mind you are going to be getting into a couple of year older, more leggy car....basically a Sport will give you more value for money and offer 90% of the experience

Edited by bogie on Wednesday 2nd January 13:56

[Phil.]

GALLARDOGUY said:

Is that so?

Any links?

Unsure if this is a genuine question but try Googling 'Saxton Complaints' for your answer. This is a genuine response.

[GALLARDOGUY]

Absolutely genuine. They've got an Overfinch I like the look of...