Thread: Newbie buying a classic RR

Hay kizz just saw your post, you might want to drop by and check out my 94 classic, it's on gumtree regrettably I have to move it ASAP as I've no space to keep it. Any how I'll leave it with you. What ever you get you'll love the ride, guaranteed. Bruce

It's been quite a while, and I thought I'd drag this thread up to provide some extra feedback from the perspective of another new owner.

I'm also completely new to RRC ownership. Only had mine since 19th December. Never owned any LR/RR before. Only had jap 4x4's.

I bought the RRC for one purpose (towing a boat) and found it to be a much better purchase than my alternative thinking (another nissan patrol - the gwagen was simply not a viable option - none available at the right price).

While I only intended it to be a towtruck, it has turned into an almost daily-driver.

The main reason for this happening is the supremely comfortable ride, and the awesome license-preserving qualities it has (read: SLOW). I have a tendency to really like corners, and all my other cars love corners. the RRC is fun around corners too.... but not much fun over about 50....

I bought a vehicle with an excellent service history, at a very reputable sydney independent LR specialist (you can probably guess who).

Mechanically, the vehicle is quite sound. Sure, it has a few km on it, but the overall package is great.

Since purchasing, I have had to remove a bunch of dodgy wiring from the (suspected) original owner (I am the 3rd) as well as essentially rewire the entire main feeds to the cabin. Add to that a fix for the reversing lamp circuit (faulty trans switch), adding trailer connections, an auxillary battery & isolator, fixing the stereo wiring, and rewiring the headlamps, as well as adding driving and fog light circuits and additional reversing lights.

What it essentially meant was in addition to some necessary fixes, the customization process started on the car as soon as it was purchased. Not optimal, but it gave me a chance to get stuck in and really understand the car. I believe it is probably the best introduction to an unfamiliar brand I have had to date. Certainly much better than my first experience with Mercedes, and definitely miles better than any italian or british bike I've ever owned.

I guess in that respect, if you intended to mechanically modify a vehicle, then mechanicals may not be a high priority, as you may be replacing a fair bit of the drivetrain if modifying. Conversely if you wanted to change interior bits out - maybe new seats or a retrim etc - then the interior may not need to be perfect.

but when taken in context, the best thing to do is obviously to purchase the best one for the money.

After all, whatever you spend on the purchase of the car, you can almost be certain you'll spend the same amount on it within the first 12 months of ownership - just on maintenance, not on modifications.