10-grand Rangeys...

[Windymiller]

So I've been smoking around in an old Freelander for the winter months, and I'm thinking I'd like to get a 'better' 4x4 as a runaround and for the daily commute. I don't want to sink silly money into yet another car, so I've been looking at early (02/03) Diesel Range Rovers, usually Vogues for unto £10k. I've seen a few dogs, and seen a few surprisingly good ones, however the dogs have all had the same common faults like steering columns knackered, air-suspension failures, etc.

I saw one this morning with a broken (floppy) steering column and the air-suspension fault, both not listed in the advert, then the dealer mentioned that because of the car's age it couldn't be given a warranty but he would give me 6 months tax.... didn't really hear the last bit as I'd already started running...

Am I venturing into buy-cheap buy-twice territory? I'm not really interested in BMW or Merc 4x4's of similar vintage.

[ukzz4iroc]

I started to look at this and soon did a retreat when I looked at some of the bills they can throw up. Perfect age of complex vehicle for a wallet rape.

[Impasse]

The steering column failed on mine four or five years ago. A replacement was a couple of hundred quid from our favourite online auction site and took me about two hours to fit. It's all plug and play, no biggie.

[Windymiller]

Yeah, that's what I've been wondering... the Vogue seems loaded with toys which I'm sure will cost big bucks! Saw receipts for £550 air-shocks and the like earlier today...

[Benbay001]

And the reason your budget 4x4 needs a snazzy badge is?
What i am getting at, is you can get a LandCruiser for £10k that wont cost you a penny more than fuel.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

[Windymiller]

It has nothing to do with the badge at all - I also own a Ford, and I've had BMW's ffs!

Honestly though, it's just a much nicer place to be (inside) that anything of similar vintage. Plus, I have a classic policy running for Land Rovers only which allows me to insure one for buttons...

[Benbay001]

Windymiller said:

It has nothing to do with the badge at all - I also own a Ford, and I've had BMW's ffs!

Honestly though, it's just a much nicer place to be (inside) that anything of similar vintage. Plus, I have a classic policy running for Land Rovers only which allows me to insure one for buttons...

Get a rangey and swap the electronics and mechanics from the landcruiser into it? Job jobbed.

[750turbo]

Why do these (and their ilk) seem to attract such a massive following?

I know bugger all about them, but anything I ever read is always negative and going to cost £££££s to repair.

[jfdi]

ukzz4iroc said:

I started to look at this and soon did a retreat when I looked at some of the bills they can throw up. Perfect age of complex vehicle for a wallet rape.

+1 then end up with a Merc ML. it's been great and I don't feel I'm listening out for impending doom every time I drive it.

[Gandahar]

Benbay001 said:

Windymiller said:

It has nothing to do with the badge at all - I also own a Ford, and I've had BMW's ffs!

Honestly though, it's just a much nicer place to be (inside) that anything of similar vintage. Plus, I have a classic policy running for Land Rovers only which allows me to insure one for buttons...

Get a rangey and swap the electronics and mechanics from the landcruiser into it? Job jobbed.

Number of Range Rovers over 200 000 miles on Autotrader - 2
Landcruiser - 10

[crostonian]

We've retailed quite a few RRs around the £10k mark, TD6 Vogues on 03 to 04 plates with around 100k on the clock. So long as they've not had loads of owners and have a full service history, ideally main dealer or specialist then they can be quite a sound buy with low depreciation. Most of them at this age have had their mid life crisis so most of the common faults have been and gone hence the wodge of bills they usually come with. One of the best features of the RR is that there are that many warning lights and fault messages so the car will tell you if there's anything major wrong with it.

Yes the Landcruiser is more durable but in a functional way, they're bloody horrible on the motorway though. The Rangey does the luxury bit and feelgood factor far better. And as they say at least they're a comfortable place to sit while you wait for the breakdown truck!

Buy one but keep your eyes wide open!

[Benbay001]

Gandahar said:

Number of Range Rovers over 200 000 miles on Autotrader - 2
Landcruiser - 10

Yep.
My dads old one was a '99 GX manual
Bought for £10000 in 2009 (i think) with 210000 otc
Sold 3 years later with 290000 for £8000
Sold to a guy who was exporting it to Mongolia for his Dad to stick another couple hundred thousand on it

[Fleckers]

some other views etc here

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[jdw1234]

Go onto fullfatrr.com and buy an enthusiasts car.

The gearbox is a weak point on the diesels.

[SamPet]

My parents went through 3 front diffs on their 04 Range

[xuy]

SamPet said:

My parents went through 3 front diffs on their 04 Range

Mine went through 9! (all under warranty)

[Guyr]

Old saying from Australia:

"If you want to see the Outback take a LandRover, if you want to come back take a Toyota"

[TLandCruiser]

The land cruiser is king, it's just not as nice inside. Get the amazon you will not be disappointed.

[TLandCruiser]

The land cruiser is king, it's just not as nice inside. Get the amazon you will not be disappointed.

[POORCARDEALER]

I bought one the other week 2003/53 Vogue TD6 135K FSH £7K...there was a reciept for a recon box at £3K fitted 22K miles ago...this car is very straight on body and interior....things wrong with it

Drivers heated seat not working

Steering column wont move electrically (not floppy though)

Just put a bottom arm on it

Thats it, drives well, wont deprciate, but gearbox could go anytime...(part of owning a RR)


Edited to add: Having owned virtually every 4 x4 out there, i enjoy owning a RR more than the rest