Please help with my next purchase!

[as-of-now]

I need a new vehicle. We already have owned two Touaregs and one is still in the family.

While I love them, I can't justify getting another. It would be too boring at this point!

I've loved Rovers for a while, and I was sold after having the pleasure to drive a friend's 2012 RRS Supercharged for a week.

While my budget doesn't allow for that kind of a purchase, it seems the 2004/5 RR Classics and 2005-2006 LR3's are in my range.

(Although I've never actually driven an LR3).

Reliability is my major concern, as seems to be the case with most people that have never owned this marque.

My question is whether or not these two cars (sharing different drivetrains and all) have varying running costs. If so, how different?

I don't have a problem getting my hands a bit dirty, picking up a wrench, or doing preventative maintenance. But, I have to watch how much I'm spending overall.

The vehicle I will buy will be an example with about 100k on it.

Any thoughts between these two Rovers?

 

[as-of-now]

I should also mention, I like the Range Rover more. The shape of the car and the interior are much more to my liking. However, thats not enough for me to pull the trigger over the LR3, which seems to be a very nice car in its own right.

I'm familiar (through using the search function) about the problems with the LR3 that has around 100k. Diffs, compressors, bushings, ball joints, tie rods, etc., battery, alt, and so forth.

I'm a bit less familiar with the Range Rovers nuances at the same mileage. The Range Rovers also seem to be a bit more all over the place in terms of what can go wrong and when, and because of that I'm having a harder time sizing up the potential ownership experience...

Maybe that's just my limited knowledge speaking, though...?

 

[calicamper]

A two time towrag owner who has some concern about reliability?

Isn't that like shoot whats that word? Ironic? One thing is for sure reliability and interesting typically do not go hand in hand. You want interesting get a really old beat up Land Rover it will be both Interesting and non reliable. If you valued Reliability you would just get a Toyota and be done with it. The way you make a Reliable vehicle interesting is going to interesting places with it ;-)

 

[as-of-now]

Haha. Calicamper, you have a point. Touaregs have a track record for poor reliability, relative to other vw's.

We've owned a v8 (still with us) and a v10 (sold), but both (outside of regular maintenance, fluids, brakes, etc.) have been reliable. There are no shortage of problems that can arise, but we aren't hard on our cars, and whenever we buy used, it's always a one-two owner example with a stack of records and receipts.

I also owned a 2001 4runner sr5 4x4, with a manual. That was my dd for years, and I drove it hard (being the exception to my typical rule because it was a Toyota). It too, had its share of problems. Wear items went bad and contrary to the stigma, it was a relatively expensive car to maintain for a Toyota; albeit reliable.

People talk. That's why the Land Rovers, in general get a negative reputation regardless of the fact that there are many high milage examples in good working order and with satisfied owners. I should add that I expect to have a similar experience with a Land Rover.

What I'm trying to pinpoint, though, is outside of the expected (maint. + known problem issues with the model) are the range rovers really that much more unreliable and costly to maintain than the LR3? Are parts a considerable amount more? Is there a greater potential for the RR to fail because of the older BMW platform on the RR's that I'm considering, compared to the Ford LR3?

Know what I mean?

 

[Ray_G]

The years of the RR you are looking at (04/05) were the last of the BMW compared to the 06 when it switched over to Jag. There is no hard and fast rule here but my understanding from talking to mech's that the BMW's have more issues by and large. The LR3 started out with the Jag and, compared to previous generations of Rover, is significantly more reliable (as is the 06 and beyond L322 Rangie)

Something to keep in mind when folks say Range Rover Classic they are talking about the original Rangie that ceased production in 1994.

If you maintain your vehicle, it will take care of you. Try to find one with the most maintenance history you can.
r-
Ray

 

[as-of-now]

Thanks Ray_G!

 

[Blueboy]

Something to keep in mind when folks say Range Rover Classic they are talking about the original Rangie that ceased production in 1994

good point, however, last RRC model year was 1995.

 

[Ray_G]

good point, however, last RRC model year was 1995.

Fat fingers on my end!

 

[as-of-now]

Is there anyone here that's owned both cars and can comment? I wonder if there is a significant difference in on road handling between the two? Or maybe the build quality or 6spd gearbox makes the LR3 an obvious winner? What do you all think?

 

[SDLR3]

I was in a similar position of buying a used LR. I ended up going with the LR3 for the extra jump seats in the back. With kids and their friends being able to haul them when needed was the key.

 

[Rovertrader]

This is always a tough debate. I am an old fart that has loved vehicles and traveled far and wide- drove from Belize to Guatemala to NC last year with spouse and 2 kids in a Defender. Did it make it, absolutely.

Add in I had a '06 V-10 Touareg, and my wife drives an '07 V-6 currently with 60k miles. Great vehicles!!

To the question at hand- you must drive both to see which suits you best, as they are different. I have had a couple of each, for different duties. The LR3 is much more accessory friendly- bumpers, lift, etc. Minimal options for a big body or RRS.
After you determine which 'feels' right for you, the rest is schematics. Skip to '07 and get the Jag drivetrain and Terrain Response from the LR3 for a big body RR. If LR3 is your flavor, '06 is 'good' but '07 on is better. Cost to keep is very similar, as is reliability- both are as good or better than the Touareg IMHO.

Hope this helps, and happy trails- the advice above is quite good: get a solid example of what you like, and get out there and use it!!
Cheers