V8 disco or range rover as daily driver?
Discussion
With the demise of my freelander almost certain, im now turning my attension to a new landrover to replace it with.
Ive always had a liking for the latest discovery and the range rover and with the current car market being a state im having ideas of finding a nice example and being able to get a reasonable discount on one. Budget being 12k max so brings a few models into range with a bit of haggling.
Now am i living in a dream land and being silly or is there a good chance that a private dealer will welcome a large deposit and finance on a v8 engined example of the above cars and be willing to talk about discounts?
What are they like to live with and treat as daily drivers? Will doing 60-70% town driving ruin me in petrol costs? I do roughly 8000 miles a year which is'nt alot and im thinking of a lpg conversion next summer if i do buy one. I can have a heavy right foot at times but i can also be very frugal.
Anyone have either and any good or bad experiences with them?
Ive always had a liking for the latest discovery and the range rover and with the current car market being a state im having ideas of finding a nice example and being able to get a reasonable discount on one. Budget being 12k max so brings a few models into range with a bit of haggling.
Now am i living in a dream land and being silly or is there a good chance that a private dealer will welcome a large deposit and finance on a v8 engined example of the above cars and be willing to talk about discounts?
What are they like to live with and treat as daily drivers? Will doing 60-70% town driving ruin me in petrol costs? I do roughly 8000 miles a year which is'nt alot and im thinking of a lpg conversion next summer if i do buy one. I can have a heavy right foot at times but i can also be very frugal.
Anyone have either and any good or bad experiences with them?
I have a v8 L322. With good long motorway runs, I get around 420 miles out of a full tank (c.£86 at today's prices). Around town, this drops to around 340 / 350 miles. If I just use it to nip to the local shop, this drops again to around 280 miles.
They are an incredible car for everyday driving. Yes, there are a few weak spots, such as the front diff & the electric steering column but to be honest, most of the noise about these is internet exaggeration. LR have recently issued a recall for the Front Diff, so make sure that any car you buy has had this done, or get it done yourself. It is about half a morning's job & your local LR dealer will give you a courtesy car if you need one.
On the Motorway, there is a vast difference in fuel consumption between doing 75 & 85mph - at the end of the day, you are trying to push a 2.5T brick through the air!!
I was always warned off the the very early 02 & 52 plates, as apparently there were a few teething troubles, which they smoothed out for MY 03, but having said that, I know a few people running early 322's & they have had no problems whatsoever.
If you can, go for the Vogue - there is a big difference in spec between that & the HSE and you should see a better residual from the Vogue.
They are an incredible car for everyday driving. Yes, there are a few weak spots, such as the front diff & the electric steering column but to be honest, most of the noise about these is internet exaggeration. LR have recently issued a recall for the Front Diff, so make sure that any car you buy has had this done, or get it done yourself. It is about half a morning's job & your local LR dealer will give you a courtesy car if you need one.
On the Motorway, there is a vast difference in fuel consumption between doing 75 & 85mph - at the end of the day, you are trying to push a 2.5T brick through the air!!
I was always warned off the the very early 02 & 52 plates, as apparently there were a few teething troubles, which they smoothed out for MY 03, but having said that, I know a few people running early 322's & they have had no problems whatsoever.
If you can, go for the Vogue - there is a big difference in spec between that & the HSE and you should see a better residual from the Vogue.
schmalex. Thanks for the reply.
How do you find the handling of the car, i know its no sports car but its not terrible in the corners right?
Also, for town driving is the turning circle of the car an issue, how easy is it to park both in marked bays and reverse parking?
The fuel economy figures you mentioned seem reasonable for a v8 auto 2.5 ton brick
with fuel prices dropping maybe it could be manageable to fund its appitite.
Has anything gone wrong on your example?
Sadly my budget seems to bring 02,52,03 and the odd spaceship mileage 53. mileage seems to vary with price and the colour. Finding a few reasonable cars that are under consideration. Mostly seem to be silver but they are all vogues so happy with the spec and i really like them in silver.
How do you find the handling of the car, i know its no sports car but its not terrible in the corners right?
Also, for town driving is the turning circle of the car an issue, how easy is it to park both in marked bays and reverse parking?
The fuel economy figures you mentioned seem reasonable for a v8 auto 2.5 ton brick
with fuel prices dropping maybe it could be manageable to fund its appitite.Has anything gone wrong on your example?
Sadly my budget seems to bring 02,52,03 and the odd spaceship mileage 53. mileage seems to vary with price and the colour. Finding a few reasonable cars that are under consideration. Mostly seem to be silver but they are all vogues so happy with the spec and i really like them in silver.
You are right, they are no sports car but handle fairly well. They do get a little upset through flowing corners, but nothing major - you just adjust your driving style appropriately. This, however, is more than compensated for by truly stunning ride on Motorways & A roads, where you can munch the miles off with absolute ease.
THe turning circle has never been an issue with me - you can do a "u-ey" round a mini roundabout with no probs at all. Also, no-one is going to argue with you if you decide to do a 3 point turn
Parking bays can be tight. I do find that I always end up driving past a few at Tesco's etc to try & find the largest space I can. Mainly because the doors open so wide - again, it is just a matter of getting used to the size of it (I had a Boxster before the RR, so went from the sublime to the ridiculous!!). Reverse parking a cinch with the parking meters, but you do get used to reversing with your mirrors as opposed to looking over your shoulder (the NS wing mirror dips when you select reverse, making it easier to see kerbs, children, sky-scrapers etc!!!
The only things I have had go wrong on mine a re squeeky electric steering column (which cost me £35 at the LR dealer for them to take apart & re-grease) and last week, my Catalytic converter cracked, so now it sounds like a Nascar
. Hopefully, I'll get this fixed under warranty though.
THe turning circle has never been an issue with me - you can do a "u-ey" round a mini roundabout with no probs at all. Also, no-one is going to argue with you if you decide to do a 3 point turn
Parking bays can be tight. I do find that I always end up driving past a few at Tesco's etc to try & find the largest space I can. Mainly because the doors open so wide - again, it is just a matter of getting used to the size of it (I had a Boxster before the RR, so went from the sublime to the ridiculous!!). Reverse parking a cinch with the parking meters, but you do get used to reversing with your mirrors as opposed to looking over your shoulder (the NS wing mirror dips when you select reverse, making it easier to see kerbs, children, sky-scrapers etc!!!
The only things I have had go wrong on mine a re squeeky electric steering column (which cost me £35 at the LR dealer for them to take apart & re-grease) and last week, my Catalytic converter cracked, so now it sounds like a Nascar
. Hopefully, I'll get this fixed under warranty though.Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff