Range Rover Sport 07-08 Buying Advice

Range Rover Sport 07-08 Buying Advice

Author
Discussion

MrSparks

Original Poster:

648 posts

120 months

Tuesday 11th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm not 100% set on this just yet but thought I'd ask for some advice from those in the know whilst I'm making up my mind.

I'm contemplating a Range Rover Sport for around £20k second hand. There are quite a few 3.6 TDV RR Sport around the 08 mark available for the £20k mark. Including an 08, 65k miler very local at a dealer inc. 3 month warranty.

The question is, will I regret it? Am I going to have no end of expensive problems that'll see me walking to work?!

The RR running costs don't appear too bad compared to the Nissan Navara that I'll be going for if I decide against the RR, aside from the £500 p.a tax. I notice the 09 RR Sport seems to have had a big upgrade inside, but the price steps up, is it worth waiting a bit longer and going for an 09 onwards?

The car is used for general road/work/family use. No off roading, no high mileage. (about 250 a week I guess). The sensible side of me says buy a Nissan Navara on my company and wait until I can finance a new one, but the only vehicle I really want is a RR (albeit a brand new Evoque or Sport!) hence considering an older Sport for a couple of years.



gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Tuesday 11th November 2014
quotequote all
You are nearly into 59 plate facelift cars at that price, I would rather a slightly higher mileage one of those for the interior alone.

Burba

1,868 posts

257 months

Wednesday 12th November 2014
quotequote all
I've had one for the last year so far, (08 TDV8 with 34k).

Happy to answer any questions?
Mine has a 3rd party warranty and I've claimed twice (compressor and altenator).
Also done a service and brakes at a local specialist.
Hopefully no more big costs for a while!

MrSparks

Original Poster:

648 posts

120 months

Wednesday 12th November 2014
quotequote all
I was mostly curious as to whether they are as unreliable as I've heard... and if I should be worried about having no warranty.

I was originally looking at the 07-08 for around £20k as the idea was to buy something a bit "cheaper" than a new one, but it does seem that the newer models are significantly nicer.

To be honest we're looking at £25k for the facelift model in good condition/lowish mileage etc, by the time that's financed it works out about the same as the deal I've got on a new Evoque (£480p.m) so I am contemplating just getting the new Evoque despite having to wait until March.

So I guess the decision now is more do I spend circa £480 p.m on a new Evoque or do I consider the 07-08 older model for about £20k (financing at least 60% of that) and hope it doesn't break!?

Trailhead

2,628 posts

147 months

Wednesday 12th November 2014
quotequote all
If it's the same price I would go with the Evoque personally.

We ran a FFRR a couple of years ago that would be the equivalent of an 08 plate now. It was no end of trouble/big bills.

I wouldn't want a LR without warranty.

MrSparks

Original Poster:

648 posts

120 months

Wednesday 12th November 2014
quotequote all
Trailhead said:
If it's the same price I would go with the Evoque personally.

We ran a FFRR a couple of years ago that would be the equivalent of an 08 plate now. It was no end of trouble/big bills.

I wouldn't want a LR without warranty.
Having looked at a finance calculator, and assuming £5k deposit... £15k over 36 months is £480 p.m for the £20k 07/08 model. or £641 p.m for financing £20k towards an 09 plate £25k model.

The Evoque Dynamic Auto is £480p.m with £4k deposit (albeit over 4 years not 3, dealer is trying to get it down to £450p.m, I can overpay the finance too if I come into some money and want to reduce the monthly cost) brand new, warranty, service pack, lots of gadgets, just need to insure, tax and put fuel in it. All of which are cheaper than the Sport.

I guess I've just answered my own question? Sometimes it's best to write things down!

Trailhead

2,628 posts

147 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
I prefer to look at the total amount repayable, but presumably the Evoque will be better VFM as risiduals seem to be quite high.

I've never driven one, but been in a friends several times. It's a nice place to be - nice leather seats, auto gearbox is smooth, one thing to note is the boot only fits two flight cases in. It's quite small!

Oh and they look lovely in maroon with a black roof IMO :-)

MrSparks

Original Poster:

648 posts

120 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
Trailhead said:
I prefer to look at the total amount repayable, but presumably the Evoque will be better VFM as risiduals seem to be quite high.

I've never driven one, but been in a friends several times. It's a nice place to be - nice leather seats, auto gearbox is smooth, one thing to note is the boot only fits two flight cases in. It's quite small!

Oh and they look lovely in maroon with a black roof IMO :-)
I've always struggled with new cars, I've never bought one and I never used to want to but I think it makes more and more sense now. I'm always going to have a car, I want to pay X amount per month and hopefully have no unexpected costs in between cars. I'm not a car dealer so I'm unlikely to make any money on second hand cars and I think if you choose the right new car you won't lose "as much". The way I see it is the RR will cost me £480 p.m to own nothing more nothing less.

Evoque residuals have been really high with 3 year old cars still selling for not far off list price. So in theory it's a fairly safe bet, it should cost me £480 p.m over 3-4 years, the final payment is about £18k but the car should be worth more like £30k, however I'm guessing a "new" model may be on the horizon before long so it may affect future residuals on the Evoque.

I have test driven it and found it extremely nice to drive and to be in. I thought the boot was really big to be honest. The auto gearbox is amazing, I can save loads off the monthlys by going manual but I can't bring myself to do it!!!

Colour wise will probably be corris grey with red/black interior, I will get the roof wrapped black and the wheels sprayed black in the future when money allows. I do like the red as well, but not sure it's what I'd want.

I'll post up here if I do order it, but I think it's looking the safer bet compared to the other options.

Burba

1,868 posts

257 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
The Evoque will always be a safer bet, as it is newer, newer tech, better engine (in terms of refinement and economy), more modern, under warranty and cheaper to run - all at the same monthly price from the face of it.

My engine hasn't been unreliable for the 11k I've done so far; though I forgot to add that I'm on a new battery too which is a known weakness as there are a number of electrical systems under the skin of the 1st gen RRS which eat leccy!

Only questions to consider:
- Do you require the space as I assume the E is smaller inside? (sounds unlikely)
- What is the ground clearance like? Do you need it? (Does the E have adjustable ride height?)
- Servicing costs (specialist vs dealer for your duration of ownership)
- You would own the RRS at the end, whereas the Evoque you would still have the baloon?
- Ongoing supply of Evoques surely means there is an inevitable drop in values coming perhaps?
- Establish how early you can come out of both agreements financially, as then you define the minimum time you need to stay in the agreement before changing cars - important for all PHers!

I'm locked into my Sport for a few years still as otherwise I will lose my shirt (again!), but I'm considering the new Sport after, though I've heard its a little smaller inside due to the roofline which may put me off as we're quite tall as a family so need the extra space! Else, I'm thinking Cayenne.

ps. If I buy LR again, I would get a warranty again!

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
MrSparks said:
I was mostly curious as to whether they are as unreliable as I've heard... and if I should be worried about having no warranty.

I was originally looking at the 07-08 for around £20k as the idea was to buy something a bit "cheaper" than a new one, but it does seem that the newer models are significantly nicer.

To be honest we're looking at £25k for the facelift model in good condition/lowish mileage etc, by the time that's financed it works out about the same as the deal I've got on a new Evoque (£480p.m) so I am contemplating just getting the new Evoque despite having to wait until March.

So I guess the decision now is more do I spend circa £480 p.m on a new Evoque or do I consider the 07-08 older model for about £20k (financing at least 60% of that) and hope it doesn't break!?
What about a Disco Sport?

The Evoque is so small, the boot is ridiculous, which matters to us, plus I think the Disco Sport doesn't look like it is 'trying hard' like the Evoque can.

I have even considered a late Freelander Dynamic, seems you can get one for around £25k a year old, that could do for 12-18 months until Disco Sports are discounted or nearly new.

I didn't realise the last facelift for MY14 made them look so funky and sorted the interior out too...









I do 25k miles a year +, so going from 25mpg in a RRS to nearer 40mpg in an Evoque or FL2 is appealing.

I was quoted £300 a month with £3k down on a 63 plate FL2 Dynamic or HSE Lux.

I was also surprised just how nice it was to drive.


MrSparks

Original Poster:

648 posts

120 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm not worried about ground clearance etc. Road only really.

The boot is plenty big enough for me, I'm surprised that people think it's small. I have a baby and it's plenty big enough for the pram, shopping etc. I could fit quite a lot of stock in it too if needed and I assume the seats fold down etc. I'm actually looking at a trailer for a go-kart and for some summer shows (retail) so storage shouldn't be an issue. I have access to vans and a pick up truck also.

I'm not looking to change my car in the next 3 years if I'm perfectly honest, that's why I'm not so bothered about tieing up to something that's lets say, more expensive than I need... I own my home (mortgaged, but fairly low monthly and overpaying regularly), bills are quite low, lots of equity in house, good job, good sideline business and I just want to have a few years of "family fun" I guess with the nice car, days out etc. At the end of the term I'd likely swap it for another RR or a Sport and will no doubt have more money/some equity to reduce future payments.

Service pack is included in the deal so I won't have to pay for ANY servicing in the time I own it.

He's come back today with the deal at £481 p.m £4k down. Having looked at the finance on second hand cars earlier I'm probably going to go new. I claim circa £350-400 a month mileage anyway so it covers most of the finance and I shouldn't have any hidden surprises with repair bills.

I know that I will own the Sport at the end of it, but we're already looking at a 5/6 year old car now, by the time I'd own it the car would be 10 years old and I'll be looking at a new RR anyway so the payments would continue at that level. So seems kind of pointless?

Trailhead

2,628 posts

147 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
It certainly sounds like new is the most appropriate solution for your needs and requirements at this present time.

As well as the PCP you're looking at you should also consider a straight lease.

http://www.gateway2lease.com/z_landrover_rangerove...

The above deal is less than half of the deposit required by PCP (£1600 inc VAT) and the monthly is less too (£323).

Burba

1,868 posts

257 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
I'm not so certain of the DSport, as it just feels like its a model to fill a gap so to speak - but that's just my opinion.

However, I wasn't aware that they had improved the FL2 so much! That interior looks really comfortable actually, though the nav screen looks a little dimensionally challenged.

You sound like the extra space wouldn't be a requirement with access to other vehicles that can do that already.
On the E, if servicing is included in that price then its a no brainer!

Agree on the lease deals though, as that reduces costs even further. There may also be some ability to off set against your business that could be another benefit, but obviously other implications on tax etc.

MrSparks

Original Poster:

648 posts

120 months

Thursday 13th November 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies.

I've just ordered and placed deposit on an Evoque Dynamic Automatic smile

I'm hoping to come up with more deposit to get the monthly cost down some more, but despite the whole purchase being completely un-sensible, the new Evoque seems more sensible than buying an older Sport on finance.

I've gone Evoque Dynamic, Corris Grey, Red/Black Interior, Privacy Glass, Service Pack and when the build comes in Feb time I MIGHT add a panoramic sunroof. I think it's good value for money (£950) but I don't want to go mad on the cost!!!

I did look at lease deals, that one linked is cheaper but it's the basic model. I've bought the Dynamic, the lease deals on the dynamic work out at around £450p.m albeit with a lower deposit.

The missus says that we HAVE to get married next seeing as I bought a RR before the wedding (oops!) so we're setting a date for next year!

Need to keep the orders coming in though so if anyone wants a kitchen radio solution or an iPad TV remote then I have an over-priced car to pay for so please come my way laugh

camel_landy

4,906 posts

183 months

Friday 14th November 2014
quotequote all
FWIW - The panoramic sun roof does make a massive difference to the feeling of space in the car.

M

Craigwww

853 posts

169 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
Men just don't suit an Evoque, too much of a girls car. Should have bought a RRS.

bluenosewrx

391 posts

115 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
I bought a brand new Evouque mate, you get a free LR experience day thrown in, that opened my eyes to its capabilities on crap day's weather, this last week has proven me right, comfy, fast enough, pano roof great, son loves it, fits nicely in a normal parking space, boot space it fine, had 2 dogs in it last week,

5 year service pack and warranty, cannot beat it imo.

gizlaroc

17,251 posts

224 months

Sunday 14th December 2014
quotequote all
bluenosewrx said:
.... had 2 dogs in it last week,
Shhhh! What if you're missus reads this, you'll be in the st!! wink

55palfers

5,910 posts

164 months

Monday 15th December 2014
quotequote all
MrSparks said:
.....so if anyone wants a kitchen radio solution :
OK, I'm intrigued.

What is a "kitchen radio solution"

We have a portable radio in our kitchen already, so what are we missing?

PS Enjoy the new car.

Incognegro

1,560 posts

133 months

Tuesday 20th January 2015
quotequote all
Sod's law I may be too late. I plan on buying an evoque and am selling/part ex my 07 RR Sport HSE (customised black on black with 22" black stormers and black grills and door handles etc) 67k miles. Had many RR over the years loved the sport but think the evoque will suit as an alternative to TVR Cerbera and wife's lexus. Anyone interested may only have 20hrs as Land Rover have a right car for me so better cut me a good trade off lol