Disco,RR purchase advice sought £12-kish...
Discussion
I currently have the itch to get a 4x4 out of my system. I've never owned one, so am just trying to pick the bones out of all the reports, reviews etc of different models and just looking for some informed advice from the knowledgable folks on PH to help make me make a sensible decision.
It will be a third car and initially I was thinking of getting something cheap and cheerful like an old disco, shogun, jeep etc just to have some off road ability, not heavy duty off road, but muddy, hilly fields and snow covered country lanes. Will most probably will do no more than 4k annual milage with it. 7 Seats may be useful but not that important.
For something cheap, well made, more reliable, shoguns, land cruisers, patrols etc sound like a more sensible choice. However, I'm not necessarily that sensible and although they may be better vehicles, there is something about most of them that doesn't really appeal, whereas there is something about Land Rovers that do. They somehow look right in the English landscape and for the snob in me, will make me feel at home with the Country Life set I aspire to. Shallow I know, but doubt I'm the only one
.
So, I fancy a Land Rover, of some sort.
Although I like the rugged looks and history of the Defender, I've ruled it out as I don't need ultimate ability, the premium for a nice one is quite high and I like my creature comforts too much.
A cheaper, older Disco looks the most sensible, something around £5k looks like it will buy a very useable, albeit frayed around the edges and tatty. But, I'm thinking I'd rather have a nicer one and have upped my budget to £12k, which opens up other possibilities. I could get a really nice, late Disco II or maybe an early Disco III? Which kinda appeals being a newer model, better built, probably more reliable? etc.
I'm not really that keen on the interior though, which brings me on to the third possibility of a much more aesthetically desirable (to me) Range Rover III onwards, which start around 11k for anything between 80-150+k on the clock.
I'm pretty aware of the many stories of unreliability, expensive maintenance etc, but are they really 'that' bad? I mean, there seem to be plenty out there with high miles, long out of warranty and just one or two owners, which makes me think if they were really that bad, why would people keep them for so long? Maybe they are just stupid with money to burn? I'm fairly stupid, but don't have that much to burn.
So if anyone can tell me why an older design (rust prone?), Disco II would be a better and more enjoyable buy than a Disco III, or the more stylish and luxurious RR, for the same money, I would be interested to hear. I guess I can answer that one with much cheaper maintenance and running costs? Which would be an issue if it was my only car, so bear in mind it's a third car, doing low miles, so possibly not such a big issue?
Also, if I was to pursue the folly of the RR, what to look out for, why Td6 is better than 4.4v8 (bearing in mind I'm not going to be doing high milage) or anything else to look out for with high milers, engine, gearbox, suspension likely to disintegrate, even with full service history? etc.
Anything I did think of buying would be thoroughly checked over anyway, but just looking for someone to make me come to my senses re potential model choice.
Cheers for any thoughts.
It will be a third car and initially I was thinking of getting something cheap and cheerful like an old disco, shogun, jeep etc just to have some off road ability, not heavy duty off road, but muddy, hilly fields and snow covered country lanes. Will most probably will do no more than 4k annual milage with it. 7 Seats may be useful but not that important.
For something cheap, well made, more reliable, shoguns, land cruisers, patrols etc sound like a more sensible choice. However, I'm not necessarily that sensible and although they may be better vehicles, there is something about most of them that doesn't really appeal, whereas there is something about Land Rovers that do. They somehow look right in the English landscape and for the snob in me, will make me feel at home with the Country Life set I aspire to. Shallow I know, but doubt I'm the only one
.So, I fancy a Land Rover, of some sort.
Although I like the rugged looks and history of the Defender, I've ruled it out as I don't need ultimate ability, the premium for a nice one is quite high and I like my creature comforts too much.
A cheaper, older Disco looks the most sensible, something around £5k looks like it will buy a very useable, albeit frayed around the edges and tatty. But, I'm thinking I'd rather have a nicer one and have upped my budget to £12k, which opens up other possibilities. I could get a really nice, late Disco II or maybe an early Disco III? Which kinda appeals being a newer model, better built, probably more reliable? etc.
I'm not really that keen on the interior though, which brings me on to the third possibility of a much more aesthetically desirable (to me) Range Rover III onwards, which start around 11k for anything between 80-150+k on the clock.
I'm pretty aware of the many stories of unreliability, expensive maintenance etc, but are they really 'that' bad? I mean, there seem to be plenty out there with high miles, long out of warranty and just one or two owners, which makes me think if they were really that bad, why would people keep them for so long? Maybe they are just stupid with money to burn? I'm fairly stupid, but don't have that much to burn.
So if anyone can tell me why an older design (rust prone?), Disco II would be a better and more enjoyable buy than a Disco III, or the more stylish and luxurious RR, for the same money, I would be interested to hear. I guess I can answer that one with much cheaper maintenance and running costs? Which would be an issue if it was my only car, so bear in mind it's a third car, doing low miles, so possibly not such a big issue?
Also, if I was to pursue the folly of the RR, what to look out for, why Td6 is better than 4.4v8 (bearing in mind I'm not going to be doing high milage) or anything else to look out for with high milers, engine, gearbox, suspension likely to disintegrate, even with full service history? etc.
Anything I did think of buying would be thoroughly checked over anyway, but just looking for someone to make me come to my senses re potential model choice.
Cheers for any thoughts.
Thanks for the reply and thoughts Nappler, much appreciated. I noticed you had sold your RR over on the FFRR forums, but it looks like you weren't put off by the experience. I'm thinking about upping the budget a bit more, as the RR is looking more appealing to me than the other options. I'll risk any problems... but then again, if was scared of all the horror stories, I'd never have bought a TVR, which in 8 years of ownership has been a joy. Here's hoping for the same luck with a RR!
I have just progressed from a P38 4.6 vogue,a lovely car,but forever in the filling stn,quite frightening.
So after lots of research decided to buy a TD6 Vogue. I looked at loads,both dealer and private,and found a private one owner Vogue with 80,000 and full RR service history. Its a real peach,absolutely mint with loads and loads of receipts. i cant fault the car, the engine is quiet,has a lot more poke then my p38,and is a real pleasure to drive. Servicing costs will be cheaper on a diesel.and sensible mph.
The pixcels are just starting to fade ( a common thing),thats the only thing i can fault,and i knew about it before i bought so no problem.
I gaurantee if you test drive a TD6 your mind will be made up.
I recon i stole mine for 12,000 . So go on and indulge.
So after lots of research decided to buy a TD6 Vogue. I looked at loads,both dealer and private,and found a private one owner Vogue with 80,000 and full RR service history. Its a real peach,absolutely mint with loads and loads of receipts. i cant fault the car, the engine is quiet,has a lot more poke then my p38,and is a real pleasure to drive. Servicing costs will be cheaper on a diesel.and sensible mph.
The pixcels are just starting to fade ( a common thing),thats the only thing i can fault,and i knew about it before i bought so no problem.
I gaurantee if you test drive a TD6 your mind will be made up.
I recon i stole mine for 12,000 . So go on and indulge.
I got a 2003 V8 with 85,000miles and an LPG conversion a few months back.
Wasn't too sure about getting it as I had heard many horror stories and running costs are supposed to be horrendous. My other choice was a BMW 5 series. So I compromised and got a 2003 which is basically an X5.
So far, I've had the altrenator go which as a previous poster has said, costs £££'s to fix.
However, my only regret is not buying one earlier as they are an absolute dream to drive, although i won't be driving it out in the snow today.
Wasn't too sure about getting it as I had heard many horror stories and running costs are supposed to be horrendous. My other choice was a BMW 5 series. So I compromised and got a 2003 which is basically an X5.
So far, I've had the altrenator go which as a previous poster has said, costs £££'s to fix.
However, my only regret is not buying one earlier as they are an absolute dream to drive, although i won't be driving it out in the snow today.
Edited by Angelis on Saturday 18th December 15:19
Angelis said:
Wasn't too sure about getting it as I had heard many horror stories and running costs are supposed to be horrendous. My other choice was a BMW 5 series. So I compromised and got a 2003 which is basically an X5.
Barring the bog standard basics of the engines, and some of the dash instrumentation, there's VERY little in common between an L322 Rangie and an X5. One is a hiked up 5-series with a few 7-series addons, the other is a proper offroader, with a proper unique chassis and much higher spec engine tolerances and requirements. Not to mention far more capable suspension. And it's actually comfy too.Wash your mouth out sir!
(Oh, and be glad you bought the Rangie - ace cars!)
Angelis said:
However, my only regret is not buying one earlier as they are an absolute dream to drive, although i won't be driving it out in the snow today.
Going to bash you for that one too! Coward! It's ace out there at the moment.Can looks lovely too. Pretty colour and great photo.
Many thanks for the replies. I think my mind is made up. I'm surprised how poor the diesel is for mpg compared to the petrol. I suspect I'd rather have the extra grunt anyway and as I'm going to be doing low miles, it's not really an issue. I have seen a few with LGP conversions, but searching a few threads, this doesn't appeal at all. For someone doing long haul and high miles, then I guess their milage may vary .
So on the look out for a well cared for straight V8 vogue
.So on the look out for a well cared for straight V8 vogue
Angelis said:
although i won't be driving it out in the snow today.
As I had to dig myself out yesterday, that's exactly one reason why I want one! Although I may well buy some autosocks for emergencies as well, rather than buying winter tyres, but that's another thread.Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff