should I take the plunge of a range rover classic???

[Emsman]

All, some help needed please.
In the past I have owned a series 2 2.25 diesel, and a range rover P38

Now, I have a saab which I'm none too keen on, although it's in superb nick, well specced and low miles.

Money is tight- very tight.

I have found a rangecrover classic in good nick, and thinking daily driver- due to an injury I can't drive for another 3 weeks anyway (at least) but it would liberate some cash.

Is it a feasible daily driver?
What realistically can I expect MPG wise- 3.9 v8
What's likely to fall off/ go wrong and is it easily fixable- I have a reasonable degree of ability with a spanner, but I'm a magnet for catastrophe!!

Any thoughts much appreciated

[Rollcage]

Emsman said:

All, some help needed please.
In the past I have owned a series 2 2.25 diesel, and a range rover P38

Now, I have a saab which I'm none too keen on, although it's in superb nick, well specced and low miles.

Money is tight- very tight.

I have found a rangecrover classic in good nick, and thinking daily driver- due to an injury I can't drive for another 3 weeks anyway (at least) but it would liberate some cash.

Is it a feasible daily driver?
What realistically can I expect MPG wise- 3.9 v8
What's likely to fall off/ go wrong and is it easily fixable- I have a reasonable degree of ability with a spanner, but I'm a magnet for catastrophe!!

Any thoughts much appreciated

The MPG will not be great - 12-15 round town, maybe 20 on a run?

I once spent £320 on petrol in a day in my old 3.9 Rangey!

Not too bad to work on though, so even you should be ok!

I think its generally electrics that can play up - injection systems,etc. And rust, headlinings and tailgates.

Other than that, everyone whould have a Rangey Classic - I wish i still had mine!

[Emsman]

Petrol isn't a worry- I shan't be going far for the forseeable future.

Really interested in if it will start each morning though !!!

[LD1Racing]

One of my biggest (motoring) regrets is selling my '79 2-door RR. Always looking for another good one. Great cars, stylish, comfortable, practical, and surprisingly not hated by most like other big 4x4's

[Emsman]

LD1Racing said:

One of my biggest (motoring) regrets is selling my '79 2-door RR. Always looking for another good one. Great cars, stylish, comfortable, practical, and surprisingly not hated by most like other big 4x4's

What, like this..........

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... 2 Door Range Rover Classic

Good luck!!!!!!

[Rotaree]

I had one - some time ago now so obviously the one you get would be older but it was a great car, the only problems I had with it were, as already mentioned, sagging headlining and a rusty tailgate. Apart from that it was terrific - still miss it now.

[Emsman]

The headlining is superb, as is the condition of the bodywork.

Its sorely tempting to be honest.

Are they fairly reliable in everyday use though- only about 10 miles a day if it is every day (which it wont be for some time yet)

[krusty]

I've got one and it's superb. Gets more attention than the modern RR (much to the annoyance of Mrs.K as she wants a RR Sport)

[ruaricoles]

My dad used to have a 3.5 V8 one (as an only car) which used to start fine and that was even with SU carbs. Lovely it was too, and while it did need a fair bit of attention from time to time it was always worth it. (Until the gearbox started playing up while on holiday in Scotland and he decided he wanted something cheaper). I remember single figure mpg on short runs round town though! Get a nice one and enjoy it - if you're not doing many miles it sounds perfect.

[Liszt]

Used to have a J reg on and it was great. Used to offroad it too. Cheap and easy to maintain, can be expensive to fix but usually cheap. Only problem I had starting was when starte died but that was an easy fix. Leaving the lights on was my biggest problem but kept jump leads in the car.

Loved it.

[LD1Racing]

Emsman said:

LD1Racing said:

One of my biggest (motoring) regrets is selling my '79 2-door RR. Always looking for another good one. Great cars, stylish, comfortable, practical, and surprisingly not hated by most like other big 4x4's

What, like this..........

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... 2 Door Range Rover Classic

Good luck!!!!!!

ha ha, nice, must have missed that one but it really needs to be a '78 (year of my birth) this time, in white or green, maybe blue (or even sahara gold). but not brown.

Apologies for the slight hijack.

[Rollcage]

This was my old one - very much missed.

[cpas]

Thinking of the same thing myself - got a Mondeo at the moment but just bought a caravan (aaargh!!) and need someething to pull it. Considering a diseasle though as it'll do about 10k mikeas a year.

[richardxjr]

Yep will tow a caravan alright.

I must say though I prefer my 4.6 P38 in every way. Including fuel consumption.

[wiffmaster]

I got one as my first car (still have it) and it's been remarkably trouble free. Fuel consumption not great - average around 15mpg with a high of 22mpg and low of 8mpg.

Mine is a '92 and has all the nice toys such as leather, heated electric seats, air-con, etc. However, it doesn't have a Cat and is on coil springs instead of air suspension. Parents owned a later '94 with air suspension and it was a load of hassle - really recommend you find one with coil springs.

Rust and the subsequent welding is the only thing to have cost me any money. Watch the rear tailgates and pretty much all of the chassis. Aside from a new dizzy cap and ignition amplifier, nothing mechanical has needed replacement. The vehicle has been used on the road as well as around the farm, so although it is very well cared for, it gets used as intended!

I used one as my daily driver for around 3 years and still get a craving to take it out sometimes. No more tiring to drive on a long journey than my current daily drive - 328i Sport. I don't think I've ever spoken to anyone who's said "I really regret buying my Range Rover"...

Edited by wiffmaster on Friday 13th November 18:11

[ClaphamGT3]

Di it!
Do it!
Do it!

Here's mine

[CraigW]

I'm loving mine

Edited by CraigW on Friday 13th November 22:45

Edited by CraigW on Friday 13th November 22:46

[wiffmaster]

Since we're doing pictures...






Few cars can pull off both the classy and disgusting looks quite so well!

[Emsman]

Well well well.
Now the proud owner of a '93 3.9
Full history-87.5k 2 owners
Leather, air con, full leccy windows, mirrors, sunroof
Air suspension
Cruise

Love it!!!!!

Drinks a little more than olly reed, but hey- I don't go far!


Superb car (given the fact I have had it less than a day!)

Piccies to follow......

[mister.t]

Great news!

I almost bought a 1991 Range Rover Vogue Manual instead of my Ninety, and sometimes I do wish I had gone through with it!