Should I buy a Range Rover?

[R_Lefebvre]

I dunno, I got a quote of $700ish for the heated windshield in my D2. Any more than that, and you're probaby being taken advantage of.

Oh, and if you don't want to pay that much, just have an unheated one put in for $300 and then you're no worse off than if you had an older truck.

 

[Guinness44]

Personally I would get a classic Rangie. Probably hard to find a good one (low miles, and the usual) anymore. If its got airsprings, put in the coils. But I am not up to date in Roverland. I am thinking about the roundheadlight ones. My Landi friend has a twodoor, its been worked on (of course), but it can be a DD, go 100mph all day long and doesnt let you down any more than any other "not so usual" vehicle.

 

[david despain]

I dunno, I got a quote of $700ish for the heated windshield in my D2. Any more than that, and you're probaby being taken advantage of.

Oh, and if you don't want to pay that much, just have an unheated one put in for $300 and then you're no worse off than if you had an older truck.

older trucks had heated windscreens as well if i recall. http://www.roversnorth.com/store/p-1595-glass-heated-windscreen-series-iiiiaiii.aspx
those wacky brits!

 

[stevenmd]

Personally I would get a classic Rangie. Probably hard to find a good one (low miles, and the usual) anymore. If its got airsprings, put in the coils. But I am not up to date in Roverland. I am thinking about the roundheadlight ones. My Landi friend has a twodoor, its been worked on (of course), but it can be a DD, go 100mph all day long and doesnt let you down any more than any other "not so usual" vehicle.

A friend has one (1995 LWB) with less than 65K original miles on it. He wants $5500 for it. Bone stock. It is located about an hour east of SF (CA).

 

[Michael Slade]

A friend has one (1995 LWB) with less than 65K original miles on it. He wants $5500 for it. Bone stock. It is located about an hour east of SF (CA).

Perfect. I am biased though, I've had 3 RRC's...two of them have been LWB's. I like 'em. If it's white we can be twins!

 

[TeriAnn]

older trucks had heated windscreens as well if i recall.
those wacky brits!

I believe were an option an option starting with 1967. I retrofitted them to my 1960 Land Rover back in '96. Still VERY happy with them. Who said Series Land Rovers weren't plush?

 

[david despain]

I believe were an option an option starting with 1967. I retrofitted them to my 1960 Land Rover back in '96. Still VERY happy with them. Who said Series Land Rovers weren't plush?

and fancy and modern!!:victory:

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I believe were an option an option starting with 1967. I retrofitted them to my 1960 Land Rover back in '96. Still VERY happy with them. Who said Series Land Rovers weren't plush?

Wait, doesn't that make it unreliable and expensive to repair? :REOutArchery02:

 

[Alaska Mike]

Compared to most of their contempories, they are unreliable and expensive to repair. Compared to a newer rig, not so much.

Right back at ya.:sport_box

 

[superpowerdave]

RANT ON-

Well this turned into a bash festival really quick!

I must be missing something, but the P38 isn't the only vehicle ever built to have issues is it? Seems like a lot of hate here for a truck that was in production for nearly a decade that half of you have probably never owned or had to work on!

My wife drives one, I wrench on it, and it's no worse than any of my other rigs.

RANT OFF-

105K miles? My advice is to steer clear of this one. But don't give up on the P38. Air Suspension, even though it's taking a beating here, has its uses and performs pretty damn well off-road for being stock. I'm not sure you'd find a coiler with a smoother ride, on or off pavement. Maintain the EAS, and it'll last forever.

Haven't heard about any more engine problems in the P38 than in the Discoveries. Guess the adage is true though - you never hear from the folks whose cars are running perfect. Folks with trucks that run like Swiss clocks don't get on forums - most folks don't even know forums for enthusiasts exists until they have issues.

 

[Alaska Mike]

RANT ON-
Well this turned into a bash festival really quick!
RANT OFF-

105K miles? My advice is to steer clear of this one. But don't give up on the P38. Air Suspension, even though it's taking a beating here, has its uses and performs pretty damn well off-road for being stock. I'm not sure you'd find a coiler with a smoother ride, on or off pavement. Maintain the EAS, and it'll last forever.

I think that was the general consensus, rather than a platform bash. The OP stated that the vehicle already needed work, and given the mileage it really isn't much of a deal. By the way, that was 156000 miles, which puts it squarely in the nearing-end-of-lifecycle category for that vehicle. There are some known issues with the platform, but it does make a very capable/comfortable off-road vehicle in stock trim. The downside is that the newness/design makes engine/drivetrain swaps difficult, if not illegal in some areas. You're pretty much limited to stock components which, as has been stated, aren't cheap. Better to buy a P38 with lower miles and fewer issues or pick another model as your first Land Rover.

Platform "bashing" (illogical, unsupported attacks on a specific vehicle- all negative and no real positive) isn't allowed here. However, there needs to be a balance. There needs to be room for the negatives of a platform to be aired so that a potential buyer can make an informed decision. No vehicle is all bad, and no vehicle is all good. Some are better than others for an intended purpose, but that is really up to the user to decide.

 

[seriessearcher]

This post is not bashing

After the Discovery thread I vowed not to post up for advice to perspective owners as it seems we may have some thin skin in the LR forum.

I would not call any of this bashing as it is all basically the truth. The resale value of the 50 k to 60 k vehicle states the obvious. There is more to the truck though as far as history and brand image. I have bought and sold 4 LR vehicles) The folks who are posting either own one or work on them alot, so anyone asking advice needs to hear not only the good but the bad. A used LR will need a lot of love and attention in one form or another. With Gas getting to 4 to 5 bucks a gallon unexpected repairs could sour someone to offroading, overland travel, or this forum for not getting the full story.

I think we all need to sit back and realize we love our trucks, but they require more than the average vehicle as far as love and attention.

And when I say love and attention I really mean money.

 

[JeepN95YJ]

I certainly got exactly what I wanted from my original post. I saw a $60K vehicle for sale for $5000. Seemed like either someone wanted to move one quick or a more qualified opinion was needed.

If you ask me about Jeep vehicles, I am infinitely more familiar and can make an informed decision with a thorough understanding of their quirks and foilbles. I know what the primary problems are with each platform, what it takes to repair (or swap) and how much it will cost me.

With LRs I had none of that experience. This thread educated me on the P38. Again, I'd like to thank all those who replied. I'm certainly going to pass on this one. Maybe a different Rover will be in my future. Who knows.

 

[superpowerdave]

I may have acted out of pure emotion rather than thinking my response over, and if that was the case then I apologize.

I love these trucks though, and when I hear one get (in my opinion) beaten down when it's not the only vehicle with issues it upsets me. I personally think the P38 got a bad rap for reliability. I know of countless guys who have run the P38 on EAS and or converted to springs, and have done some amazing things offroad. They require thorough maintenance and wrenching like anything else.

In this thread you've had one poster who has nothing to contribute at all except for the price of parts are genuine and what the dealership fees are (and we all pay those right, because we all go to the dealership to get work done right?) and a handful of others who can only point the OP in the direction of RangeRovers.net.

That simply seemed out of place for this forum.

And it's not that we (meaning me) have thin skin - it's not that. I spend a lot of time on Dweb which toughens one up pretty quick. This site is the exception to that, which is why I responded so quickly and vehemently. Of all the forums I lurk and post on, I for some reason hold this one to a higher standard. This thread took me aback, and maybe it's simply my perception.

OP - good luck with your search, hope you find what you're looking for.

Again, my apologies for coming off like a jerk. It wasn't my intent. I'm a little protective of my Rovers (all four of them) just as I suspect we all our when it comes to our obsessions.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Keep looking, I'm sure you'll find one that meets your criteria. Don't disregard all Rovers based solely on price. There are plenty of good rigs out there that people are selling for one reason or another. I'm sure the cost of premium gas has hurt Rover prices, and V-8 SUV prices are pretty much in the dirt anyway. If you find a rig like Scott Brady's Disco I and are looking at the long-term (diesel or other engine swap?), this is a good time to be in the market.