Thread: Unrealistic Expectations

Im not sure about your costings per KM.... so far all my landies have been cheaper to maintain and repair than any other vehicle I've owned or been associated with and remember this is all parts only as I do my own mechanicing. If the cost for the swear jar was included... dearest vehicles Ive ever owned are landies. (cheapest too) my discos routinely return around the 10k/l mark compared to some modern cars that dont even make that from new.

tyres $300 a pop but they last more than 70K Km compared to $120-200 a pop for any sedan car thats got any hope of being able to tow or carry my tools easily and the sedan tyres last from 20-30K km.

A complete consumable suspension replacement (including the bushes) costs about $1k The last astra I did cost me (ok the owner) $700 for the front struts alone without the bushes for the arms and without touching the rear end. The bush kit was $200

Timing belt kit for a tdi300 costs me around $300 (you can get them cheaper from ebay) and takes about 4 hours the last subaru (flat 4 style) cost the owner about $800 and was met with "thanks for the offer but no, I've done one before" when I was asked if I'd do it.

The disclaimery bit... All my prices landrover related prices are ballparked off of prices I've paid with places I have dealings with and may not be the best price available or may include other parts I do routinely as part of the job. For landrover parts thats MR Automotive for parts prices on non landrover jobs where parts and prices were not supplied by the owner parts are sourced on an expedient quality then cost basis (think no more than 20 minutes of ringing around and speed of delivery on a quality product is more important than saving $20 for delivery next month)

Remember a Landrover Proper is NOT a Gen Y(ine) friendly product

I had unrealistic expectations when I was young and naive. I thought an Italian thoroughbred sports car would be a reliable daily driver. A 1952-53 Ferrari 212 Export. It was a daily worker and a one day a week driver. Cured me of Italian exotica for ever. Traded it on a '59 Corvette. A breath of fresh air. Service it every now and then only if one remembered, and at minimal cost. Easy starter and went like hell. Never broke down. Neither car had brakes to write home about. The fazazz was a real hoot when all the stars and moons were in alignment but the Chev. was quicker at everything and a sight more comfortable.