04' GX470 vs 07' Supercharged Range Rover Sport?

[Longtallsally]

We recently got a '11 RRS SC for my wife. I love that it has a warranty. I love that it acts like a Rover: quirky and at times annoying (radio won't work or the current no signal bug that the dealer needs to do a software update on).

This is our first Rover. I totally get it. Stomping on the throttle of a 500+ hp tank does NOT get old. Ever. I'm terrified for the second mortgage we'll need when the warranty expires (and I'm a darn decent mechanic). In the mean time, she is enjoying th heck out of it and I like stealing it when I can.

For the record, I think the Lexus is WAY more Jersy shore than the Rover.

Oh yeah, it will get a legitimate 20 mpg on the freeway at 70. Damn thing barely gets worse economy than my Jeep.

 

[MrWesson]

So i'm meeting a guy to buy his 06 LR3 with 127k miles curve ball!

I finally got to drive a good example of one and liked the way it drove.

They look the part off road.

I love the extra interior space.

A bit more reliable.

Much cheaper.

I went this direction because after looking at many range rover sports/l322 the budget kept getting pushed up and up. I found myself looking at $30,000 examples which was far from my original goal. Why the increase? Because they did a good job of making the next model slightly better than the year before with this car. Start looking at an 06' and you'll find yourself looking at the 11' before you know it.

The LR3 is take it or leave it and the LR4 is pretty similar and I like that.

I plan on adding a small lift, all terrains and maybe a front bumper/winch combo to start.

 

[DiscoDavis]

So i'm meeting a guy to buy his 06 LR3 with 127k miles curve ball!

I finally got to drive a good example of one and liked the way it drove.

They look the part off road.

I love the extra interior space.

A bit more reliable.

Much cheaper.

I went this direction because after looking at many range rover sports/l322 the budget kept getting pushed up and up. I found myself looking at $30,000 examples which was far from my original goal. Why the increase? Because they did a good job of making the next model slightly better than the year before with this car. Start looking at an 06' and you'll find yourself looking at the 11' before you know it.

The LR3 is take it or leave it and the LR4 is pretty similar and I like that.

I plan on adding a small lift, all terrains and maybe a front bumper/winch combo to start.

Are those 19"'s? You may want to hunt a little more and find one that already has the 18"'s and avoid having to later search for another set of (18") wheels to replace the 19"'s. Otherwise its just more work on the back-end when you go to set it up for overland travel/whatever.

 

[codemunky]

That's funny, the vehicle I park next to everyday at work is a 470GX. I always look at it and look at its potential, just like seeing a fat girl with a pretty face and imagining her after 6 months or so of working out. Well, you get the idea.

I have an LR3 '06. Coincidentally, my parents have a RR '07 I believe. I guess they like British cars. While their RR is definitely quicker than my LR3, I don't like it. Tailgate is cumbersome for one. I just don't like it.

My LR3 has unpainted fender extensions, which is useful if it happens to slide on a rock or tree in a tight section. I've set up the seats for work when I had to load cargo, like a van. My friend, ex-LR mechanic said that LR3s are better suited off-road than LR4s. It also has a stronger, more robust engine than the LR4. You can usually find sellers on craigslist selling their 18" stock rims. You can find some for $300-400 a set. The only drawback, maintenance is expensive. Some of the costly repairs included replacing compressor, heater core...

That said, I'm looking for a Europa G-wagen. I want something different.

The 470GX is good if you can find parts for it. I'm getting tired of the air suspension on my LR3. Good luck!

 

[codemunky]

LR3s are phenomenal. I've gone off-roading with 33"+ Jeeps, Broncos into rock gardens. Mine were 31.5+" They just looked at me like, "who invited the soft-roader?" At the end of difficult trails, I was asked, "How much damage did you get?" I turned some people into believers when I said, "None!"

The first thing you should get are rock sliders. It's not cheap either. $1k+. Parts for it aren't cheap.

 

[PhyrraM]

LR3s are phenomenal. I've gone off-roading with 33"+ Jeeps, Broncos into rock gardens. Mine were 31.5+" They just looked at me like, "who invited the soft-roader?" At the end of difficult trails, I was asked, "How much damage did you get?" I turned some people into believers when I said, "None!"

The first thing you should get are rock sliders. It's not cheap either. $1k+. Parts for it aren't cheap.

This is the group I go out with occasionally. It will go much further than any non-locked Jeep and keeps up with the locked ones. The only real disadvantage is watching out for high centering compared to the SWB trucks.



I run 33" Duratracks (275/65R18) and have been happy with them. I even fit a deflated full size spare in the stock location and carry a pump to get it back up if needed. I can still drive the truck in access height too. It does very slightly rub the right rear liner on full compression.

Nice choice. I believe that right now the LR3 is the best overall (price, performance, on road, off road, comfort, features, etc) Land Rover in the last 20 years. Prices are right and virtually all the problem areas have been identified and have available solutions (parts and knowledge).

 

[zimm]

Some of the costly repairs included replacing compressor, heater core...

That said, I'm looking for a Europa G-wagen. I want something different.

LOL. wait until you price old gwagon parts. if your budget doesnt include the words "**** it, buy it" dont do the merc.

 

[codemunky]

LOL. wait until you price old gwagon parts. if your budget doesnt include the words "**** it, buy it" dont do the merc.

I assume it would similar to Land Rover. Or am I wrong?

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

 

[Longtallsally]

LOL. wait until you price old gwagon parts. if your budget doesnt include the words "**** it, buy it" dont do the merc.

So we must be total masochists with an '85 300GD we brought back from Europe as well...

 

[zimm]

i have a europa, had a 110nas.

the 110 was like fixing a chevy in comparison. if its a europa with drum rears, you dont buy new shoes, you make them. new shoes are 600 bucks. the hvac blower? 750. thats after you remove the entire dash because after paint, the blower was the first part installed. in the mid and early 90's, merc decided to use wire with a biodegradable sheathing. when odd glitches start to occur, figure on swapping that. 35's? new press fit bearings every 30000 miles. the lockers are a sleeve over the axle with dog teeth that wear when engaged. if you use the lockers, and the PO did also, they will need at least ground square again at some point. disassemble entire axle. speaking of lockers, the arm that sicks out of the housing to slave cylinder will bend at some point. if its not a 461 model, the electric buttons on the dash, work pneumatic valves that run to hydro amplifiers on the frame under the drivers seat. its a spaghetti bowl of 10 (20?) year old hoses. unfortunately, there isnt enough engine vacuum at idle to keep the system running so theres an aux vacuum motor. the tcase is vacuum. now, if you lose vacuum, the t case will come out of lock, and since the electric button, is actually a computer that only permits a particular sequence (center,rear,front) of locking, if the tcase comes out due to low idle while sitting on a steep hill, and older hose connections, it will release front and rear diffs also. which is really fun off camber on a hill, down to one wheel drive.

yea.

old G's are awesome for the 4 banana mechanic, not the guy that wants to look cool.

i break ****. its what i do. i planned for the worst in a G, you should too.

 

[brickpaul65]

So 275/65 18 will fit deflated in the stock spare location? I have the curt hitch installed and figured I have no hope for the stock spare location. I have cooper st's. Might have to give that a try. Unless anyone chimes in with it not fitting.

 

[DiscoDavis]

with the hitch installed I doubt it but it might. Having a deflated tire is not the best way to keep a spare. Rack mount or a swingout, but both involve more $$$. Take the hitch off, besides they tend to seize and are a pain to remove when you need to. Unless you're towing a trailer weekly?

 

[brickpaul65]

The hitch is the aftermarket mount (think your basic hideaway hitch. Not removeable. I have a compressor to inflate it. I think I will keep working towards a swing away.

 

[DiscoDavis]

The hitch is the aftermarket mount (think your basic hideaway hitch. Not removeable. I have a compressor to inflate it. I think I will keep working towards a swing away.

ahh. Yes do that then.