Talk me out of a 5.0 SC FFRR

Talk me out of a 5.0 SC FFRR

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Discussion

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,582 posts

203 months

Friday 21st December 2018
quotequote all
A few months ago I sold my AJ-V8 FFRR after 7 years of ownership. It was starting to get a little long in the tooth and I thought it was time for a change, but we loved that car.

I need a car large enough for 2 GSDs in the back, and I didn't (and don't) want a diesel. I ended up buying a Touareg Hybrid, which was a decent-enough car, but it kept throwing repeated software errors which even the main dealer couldn't resolve, so I rejected it and returned it for a full refund.

I have been round and round the houses - E63 Merc, a big Jeep of some sort, a V6 Superb, and a few others which have helpfully been suggested on here, but I end up thinking that they're not quite what I want. I ended up trying to talk myself into a TDV8 FFRR but apropos that fact that in 40 years of car buying, I've yet to own one powered by diseasel, and the overwhelming feeling in my "would you buy a £20k diesel" thread, I've spent today shortlisting a bunch of SCs.

My budget of £20k doesn't go as far as I'd like, so all the ones I can find are c. 2009/2010 with 50k-70k miles showing, but that's just the way it is. My FFRR ownership has been pretty much hassle-free and not punishingly expensive, and I have the services of a very decent indy near to home. Annual mileage is not huge - in the two months I owned the Touareg I did <1000 miles, although the usual level would be slightly above that. Let's say 6k pa.

I know what I'm getting into with a FFRR with the exception of the (apparently fabulous) engine. I don't know whether the 'box is the same on the SC as my NA, and I know about the 12mpg stories.

Life's too short to drive boring cars. So. If I'm happy with the above, any reasons I shouldn't go for it?


Hashtaggggg

1,770 posts

69 months

Friday 21st December 2018
quotequote all
Nope

get it bought

Piersman2

6,597 posts

199 months

Friday 21st December 2018
quotequote all
I've had mine for getting on for 3 years now. 2010 5.0 S/C, It's done about 105K miles. Love it! smile

If you can stomach the petrol (average about 18mpg) then I can see no reason not to. I had the 3.6 TDV8 before and although I also loved that car the diesel turbo lag irritated me which was all the excuse I needed to go to the 5.0 S/C.

So glad I did, the extra few quid in petrol is worth it, and now that diesel is 10% more than petrol there's not much in the running costs anyways.

SGirl

7,918 posts

261 months

Friday 21st December 2018
quotequote all
My 2009 FFRR 5.0 has 74,000 miles on the clock and comfortably accommodates a GSD and a large lurcher in the back. You have no excuse, just buy one. smile

Seriously - make sure you get a well sorted one and you won’t look back. I love mine.


NotBenny

3,917 posts

180 months

Friday 21st December 2018
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You’ve tried umpteen other cars. None were right.

Buy the SC FFRR, be happy.

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,582 posts

203 months

Friday 21st December 2018
quotequote all
Thanks all - I think I was there anyway, just wondered what the collective view was!

The previous FFRR was a great car.

18mpg I can live with, the 4.4 AJV8 averaged a steady 20 across the whole time I had it so it's not a lot different, and I tend to do less miles these days anyway.

Now to find the right one.

CSK1

1,603 posts

124 months

Friday 21st December 2018
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I owned a 2011 MY 5.0 Supercharged Autobiography. Very nice car, very reliable, engine is a peach. I owned a TDV8 too but couldn't stand the turbolag, especially picking up from low speed. Get it bought.

trowelhead

1,867 posts

121 months

Sunday 23rd December 2018
quotequote all
Hashtaggggg said:
Nope

get it bought
+ 1

Have a read

https://www.pistonheads.com/regulars/ph-fleet/rang...

I'd personally love one of these at some point (probably not as main car as i do 15k+ a year), the spec on the one i linked to is a dream.

shentodj

401 posts

228 months

Wednesday 26th December 2018
quotequote all
I bought a 2009, 138K miles with full dealer history.
At 140K miles it snapped it's crankshaft. No warning, no rough running or funny noises.
Approx £10k repair,
Still love it, but my wallet's a lot lighter.

Turn7

23,606 posts

221 months

Wednesday 26th December 2018
quotequote all
shentodj said:
I bought a 2009, 138K miles with full dealer history.
At 140K miles it snapped it's crankshaft. No warning, no rough running or funny noises.
Approx £10k repair,
Still love it, but my wallet's a lot lighter.
Wow.And ouch,,,I hope you bought it right ?

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,582 posts

203 months

Monday 7th January 2019
quotequote all
Well these are proving decidedly difficult to buy! 90% of the ones in my age/mileage/price bracket* seem to be for sale in or around Manchester or other northern parts, and I'm in Kent. I'd travel if I knew someone had what I'm looking for but not to browse. There's a nice-looking one west of London but it has two-tone leather and I don't think I could stomach that daily!

* I'm looking for a 2010-ish, <70k miles, £20k-ish budget. Prefer it not to be black or silver, (had a black one) and I'd like a light interior (had a dark grey interior previously).

Budget could creep for the right car but you have to start somewhere!

akirk

5,389 posts

114 months

Monday 7th January 2019
quotequote all
go onto the full fat rr forum, there are folks on there in touch with what is available

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,582 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
akirk said:
go onto the full fat rr forum, there are folks on there in touch with what is available
Thanks, I was previously a member on there with the last car and have posted a Wanted ad.

akirk

5,389 posts

114 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
also one posted on a RR group on facebook yesterday...
https://www.facebook.com/mdbone/posts/102122575385...

no idea if any good - not really the age / miles you want...
but worth keeping an eye on facebook groups

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,582 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
Thanks, that's a good tip.

That's a really good price for that one, notwithstanding the miles on it. From what I have seen the prices do appear to be very mileage-sensitive, ie lower miles pushes the prices up by a good few £000.

akirk

5,389 posts

114 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
there are a few facebook groups - and a lot of cars seem to go through there... plus it gives an opportunity to see a bit about the seller!

xjsracer44

69 posts

198 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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Hi M, hope all's well, HNY!

Don't dismiss the 07-09MY 4.2SC, as so far mine has been bulletproof, I've just had it MOT'd at 153k and all it needed were lower wishbone arms. I've decided to hang on for it as long as I can.

You should be able to get a really good one for a lot less than your budget - drive both and compare.

Best,

Cliff

CAPP0

Original Poster:

19,582 posts

203 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
Hi Cliff, HNY to you too, thanks for dropping by, good to hear from you! I ended up selling both the L322 and the Classic last year; not sure what came over me!

I'll certainly bear that in mind. I've read that the 4.2 is possibly the better drive, and some say more reliable. But the later one has better toys I believe - although of course that's just something else to go wrong. I'll have another look around at what's out there.

Hope the rest of your fleet is flourishing!

Cheers,

Mark

trowelhead

1,867 posts

121 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
quotequote all
akirk said:
also one posted on a RR group on facebook yesterday...
https://www.facebook.com/mdbone/posts/102122575385...

no idea if any good - not really the age / miles you want...
but worth keeping an eye on facebook groups
That's amazing value! If only i had the space for another car... haha

xjsracer44

69 posts

198 months

Tuesday 8th January 2019
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Mark,

Sorry to hear you sold both, I sold my classic but can’t see me ever selling my L322. Also, I saw a Cypress green 1988 3.5 Vogue with grey cloth seats & A/C at Bicester Sunday Scramble, exactly the same as I had at the time, so am on the hunt again....

The rest of the fleet are good thanks, how’s the Defener?

I prefer the 4.2 over the 5.0 as it has a better sound & I prefer the dash & interior with proper clocks on the dash. I’ve driven 5.0 a lot & there’s just something about the 4.2 that I prefer. Also, it is supposed to be bulletproof & mine hs been so far, even though I use it everyday.

Good luck with your hunt I’m sure the right one will come along.

Best,

Cliff