Range Rovers

[Remax]

Does anyone here have any experience with Range Rovers? We've always liked the look of them, and now thinking of a bigger wagon for things to come in life as they do..

What are the things to look out for? How are they for reliability and costs?

Type we like is this: http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-107998663.htm

[DrRubber]

honestly aaron I wouldnt touch one with a pole.......you can look on paper at service costs compared to a corolla and it wont look too different but when (not if but when) it gives greif, pull out your wallet brother

actually id kinda liken it to the guy asking about rotarys in the other thread........use heaps of gas and cost a fortune to maintain at times.

the difference of course is the rota would be enjoyable to drive :wink:

If you do get one tho I cant wait till you need tyres, if you get the right model the tyres range from around $4-900.......(some of them even more)
Id try and cut ya some sort of deal tho

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

*edit* actually on that model the tyres arnt so dear.....i didnt look at the link ops:

[Disinfo]

Reliability and running costs are not Range Rover strong point.

They are, however, a lot of wagon for the money. You see how little far $20k goes on a Land Cruiser and you'll understand you can afford to keep a bit aside to run the beast.

[vtecd]

umm my dad works for Land Rover, if you wanted some good free advice? let me know..

[NAspirated]

ive got a wealth of knowledge of the land rover brand, the boss builds up old Series II's for swamping and his best mate runs 3 Rangies.

honestly, they older they are the better. the newer ones are too much technology for what you need. there is a hell of a lot of vehicle in the old Rangies, and they are a damn sight cheaper too. also repairs are cheaper/easier on the older ones. Rust is a problem like on any vehicle, but i feel the newer ones (disco and onward) rover put too many designers and engineers on the payroll rather than builders and drivers.

The old rangies are an experience. The new ones do have their strong points, but your not getting the full driving pleasure of owning a real land rover. your buying a 7 foot tall shopping cart.


if it was me, id be looking at a mid 80's SE. Best of the bunch with the Rover V8, throw out the SU's for a 4 barrel Holley and they fly.

but if your buying it and dont plan on actually going into the mud, go get a corolla.

[CRX_VTiR]

Wonderful cars. Like someone else said, go for a high-spec 1980s model, they're the best looking. There is also an ultra-rare Turbo Diesel model out there that isn't half bad, and costs half as much to run as a V8. The 1990s and new ones are a bit nouveau-riche, whereas the original is a lot more understated. Also the 1990s ones were even less reliable than the 80s ones.

They're made in Britain by trade-unionists, though, which means build quality is usually a bit poor. Definitely buy NZ new only, or a UK import that was imported here before salt roads ate it.

If you don't care about luxury, get a Land Rover Defender!

[Remax]

Thanks for the replies; its only the 90's shape we like; its for Mrs T, so I think its more the image she wants rather than off road ability. She currenly drives an 03 Corolla, and thats what will go to make way for this next vehicle.

[Macros]

I wouldn't touch one with a pole either.

Usually have one in every month with blown head gaskets.

[vtecd]

Originally Posted by Macros

I wouldn't touch one with a pole either.

Usually have one in every month with blown head gaskets.

Probably one of the most common engine issues with rangerovers..
they can be very expensive to repair etc etc
I use you would need to way up if spending good money on a rover is really worth it? You would almost need to keep some money as back up for the repair cost's.. it can be expensive!

Hmm..

[PSYKO]

have a 91 V8 version at work. it spends more time in the workshop than on the road. Its also like driving a boat.

[flat_0ut]

Originally Posted by PSYKO

Its also like driving a boat.

X2

[eg9gurl]

nice and tough, althuogh they seem to have their fair share of common problems. mechanically, overheating/bad cooling systems, headgaskets, and then there are the faulty electricals, and it daily running and maintenance isn't cheap.

if you have a good run with luck with one, then they are fairly good vehicles, can make them look good, and they're fairly priced for what you get, just sucks when you have the bad strike of luck and end up having small problems arise here and there.

[Matty]

Range Rover's reliability is why we're looking at Adventras. People in Rangies/Landcruisers etc will snob us for driving a jacked-up Commodore but at least it'll still be running next month and they can fair lift their skirts and fly when you're up them for the rent.

Congrats. :wink:

[Remax]

ohhh no no no ops: we are not having babies for another two years; just getting ducks in a row so we are ready for when it does happen.

[Remax]

omg *does a little happy dance* she's seen a current Odyssey and said "we could look for one of them* weeeeeeee

[NAspirated]

Originally Posted by Matty

Range Rover's reliability is why we're looking at Adventras. People in Rangies/Landcruisers etc will snob us for driving a jacked-up Commodore but at least it'll still be running next month and they can fair lift their skirts and fly when you're up them for the rent.

Congrats. :wink:

i hope you will be happy with your isuzu engine, i wouldnt be.

[92Coupe]

go for the oddy, best thing we did :thumbsup:

[SK1TZ- EF]

Unless you go 4WDing, dont buy one.

they dont drive like a car, and while may feel light in the steering, the wight is still there and is still dangerous as hell if that weight shifts suddenly.

if you want a classy, safe, stylish family vehicle, the new Oddy would be awesome

Rovers are a cunt to fix and have way to many electrical issues

sam

[Baxter]

As many have said some RRs are junk; but some are not. If you are keen on a RR, go to a couple of specialist RR forums and find out what years/models were junk and which weren't.

But yeah unless you go 4WDing an Oddy is probably far more sensible.

[Matty]

Originally Posted by NAspirated

i hope you will be happy with your isuzu engine, i wouldnt be.

You mean the Adventra? I didn't know Isuzu made LS1 Chev engines.

[CRX_VTiR]

Originally Posted by Matty

You mean the Adventra? I didn't know Isuzu made LS1 Chev engines.

He probably thinks you mean a Holden Jackaroo? (terrible name!)
I'd hazard a guess and say that a Toyota Landcruiser is probably going to be more reliable and economical than a Holden Adventra, surely?

[Matty]

Possibly, but the performance of a Landcruiser can be kindly described as "majestic", or accurately described as "glacial", take your pick.

It's gotta be a big V8. Screw the planet, I'm taking it down with me.

[CRX_VTiR]

Originally Posted by Matty

Possibly, but the performance of a Landcruiser can be kindly described as "majestic", or accurately described as "glacial", take your pick.

It's gotta be a big V8. Screw the planet, I'm taking it down with me.

I'd highly recommend the Volvo XC90 V8, then. I believe Yamaha make the engine for them.

[TakeiTeg]

Originally Posted by Remax

Thanks for the replies; its only the 90's shape we like; its for Mrs T, so I think its more the image she wants rather than off road ability. She currenly drives an 03 Corolla, and thats what will go to make way for this next vehicle.

*cough*
Honda Lease
*cough*
CRV
*cough*

ehehe

[Tec' Wingz]

The mrs has one to tow her horses around. As others have said it's not the greatest handling car on the road and I think the brakes have serious issues. The weight and high CG on these makes them extremely slow to stop which is probably not what you want from a daily driven road car. They ARE fairly comfy and you do FEEL a bit safer being in such a large car (how often you get to look DOWN at people on the bus in the next lane?) and perhaps you would be safer in the event of one of these things flipping. But ironically the same thing that gives you that sense of security would probably cause the accident itself. Running costs can be a killer especially for city driving. Haven't had too much trouble with maintenance but maybe we're just lucky although the electrics do crap out from time to time.

These are great for towing boats, caravans, horse floats and maybe houses. But isn't so great for city driving. I would say the Oddy would be a much greater option if it's just going to be a shopping trolley.