Wife has authorized purchase of Range Rover - advice?

[laurenz]

Out of the blue, my wife who has been badgering me to get her a SMALL CAR, which means no BMW 5s, has suddenly said, "But I'd be fine with a Range Rover". It's high up, apparently.

• shakes head*

Anyway, I quite like them myself, so I'm thinking of finding her a cheapo 2002-2003 model that she can batter, around the 6-8K mark. There's a few around, but wondering whether old hands here would advise staying away from the year, and indeed model, or whether they'd be a safe enough bet.

Cheers all.

[Meeja]

Just remember that you would be buying a cheapo barge that still has the running costs of a £50k machine.

[grand cherokee]

Meeja said:

Just remember that you would be buying a cheapo barge that still has the running costs of a £50k machine.

never has a truer word been written - lol!

some people think you can run/maintain them on a Ford Focus budget!

[laurenz]

I expected running costs for anything of this type to be 3 to 6K a year, that's just life...

[grand cherokee]

if fuel costs are not a worry i'd suggest the 4.4 V8 petrol - gearbox is better/stronger than that used on the diesels

[Deva Link]

laurenz said:

I expected running costs for anything of this type to be 3 to 6K a year, that's just life...

That's just insane. You might as well PCP something new.

[grand cherokee]

laurenz said:

I expected running costs for anything of this type to be 3 to 6K a year, that's just life...

IF nothing goes wrong - running costs excluding fuel - should be no more than £500/year using main dealer

plenty will tell you to use an 'independent' - i've never yet found one as good as an 'average' main dealer - thats based on my findings in Notts

don't forget that nowadays main dealers offer two options on spares - OEM or OEM equivalent - still get the same warranty etc on the parts

[laurenz]

I would imagine 3 to 6K pretty reasonable for fuel, insurance, servicing, tyres, parking and tax? The petrol is definitely an option, and there's a good chance we might do a big road trip with it...

[laurenz]

Cheers all, going to have a wander around FFRR and see what the wifey now says...

[grand cherokee]

have a look at FFRR forum - members cars for sale - realistic prices and very honest sellers

think your cost expectations are still on the high side unless something goes wrong or you drive a hell of a lot of miles?

don't forget the car your looking at is in 'lower' road tax band

insurance will obviously depend on many factors - but if your over say '40' with no points/recent claims should be less than £500/pa with a reputable insurer for fully comp and say £500 excess

Edited by grand cherokee on Monday 25th February 11:24

[edc]

Check the airbags. I have an 02 V8 Vogue now on over 150k miles. It's had new front bags. The front diff just required a rebuild as it was leaking and gave up. Apart from that so far it's just the normal servicing. Everything apart from the analogue TV still works.

[camel_landy]

edc said:

Check the airbags. I have an 02 V8 Vogue now on over 150k miles. It's had new front bags. The front diff just required a rebuild as it was leaking and gave up. Apart from that so far it's just the normal servicing. Everything apart from the analogue TV still works.

IIRC - All airbags (on any car) should be replaced at 10yrs...

M

[Manks]

Meeja said:

Just remember that you would be buying a cheapo barge that still has the running costs of a £50k machine.

More accurately the running costs of a 10-year old £50k machine.

[laurenz]

Manks said:

More accurately the running costs of a 10-year old £50k machine.

Funny It's true, a friend gave me a delightful late 80s Alpina B11 a few years ago and as brilliant as it was, there were things going wrong with it I couldn't even fathom... Trouble.

[Meeja]

Manks said:

Meeja said:

Just remember that you would be buying a cheapo barge that still has the running costs of a £50k machine.

More accurately the running costs of a 10-year old £50k machine.

Yes. Precisely this.

As the owner of an eleven year old £50k machine, I can confirm that this is an incredibly accurate point.

[edc]

Personally I wouldn't overly worry as long as you do your homework. My first RR was 13 years old and 172k when purchased. The L322 is almost 11 years old and had over 140 or 150k when purchased. I've also got a 13 year old Pork. I must be doing this wrong lol

[miniman]

camel_landy said:

edc said:

Check the airbags. I have an 02 V8 Vogue now on over 150k miles. It's had new front bags. The front diff just required a rebuild as it was leaking and gave up. Apart from that so far it's just the normal servicing. Everything apart from the analogue TV still works.

IIRC - All airbags (on any car) should be replaced at 10yrs...

M

This is referring to the air suspension I think.

[edc]

miniman said:

camel_landy said:

edc said:

Check the airbags. I have an 02 V8 Vogue now on over 150k miles. It's had new front bags. The front diff just required a rebuild as it was leaking and gave up. Apart from that so far it's just the normal servicing. Everything apart from the analogue TV still works.

IIRC - All airbags (on any car) should be replaced at 10yrs...

M

This is referring to the air suspension I think.

Yes it was. I've never replaced an air bag in a wheel or seat. I can't imagine people would replace these.

[sunbeam alpine]

When I read the title, my first reaction to your request for advice was to suggest you ask her for a blow job as you're obviously on a roll!

Having read the detail in your post I stand by this advice, as the chance of you getting any kind of sex will completely disappear after she's been stood on the side of the road waiting for the AA/RAC/garage/you to come and sort it out.

As other posters have said, the potential for big bills on this kind of vehicle is quite high. When they're running well they're great, but when they give problems you start to hate them.

[g7jtk]

Get it quick before she changes her mind.