Thread: P38a, or not to P38a...

Originally Posted by adm333

I guess that makes me the world's biggest idiot.......

I have a P38 and a Freelander.

I keep a running total of what it has cost me in repairs. I have had it for 2 and a half years and done around 45,000 km's, so I'm almost qualified to comment ! So far around 7K in repairs, most of which I believe are necessary maintenance items due on every one of these cars at around 8 - 10 years of age. There are lots of rubber bits - orings, airbags etc that perish over time. They will need to be replaced in order to maintain the excellent ride.

I bought mine for around 20K and it is in VERY good condition.

I look at this way. I am driving a car, originally costing 120K, in good working order for 27K , even if that gets up another 5K I would still prefer to be driving my Range Rover than a falcon or commodore.

Folks, at today's prices and with even 10 - 15 k repairs / overhaul that is still very cheap luxury motoring / 4WD ing.

It also helps if you learn to do a few things yourself.

Good luck with your decision. Once you have bought it and start driving it, you will start to rationalise everything you do as well, because quite simply its difficult to find a nicer ride !!!

And in closing.... Camo.... If its so bad why do you (your Dad) still have it ????? I'm guessing because of what I just said.

Dave

hehe thats it..sorry dave for paying out the freebie and P38.. they are worth nothing these days.. spent too much on it to sell. He gave it to me last year but told him I wouldn't take it even if he paid me

I reckon he should just trade it in on something else and be done with it as its hardly driven anymore. Just plain unreliable. Shame though as the engine is only 50 000k's old.

Don't get me wrong..they are nice to drive and some people actually get a good run out of them.

PS Ive got an M90 Eaton supercharger fully setup for the 4.6 if anyone wants it for 1k..I bought it for 3.5k a few years ago to give the HSE some sort of power but not gaim enough to throw it on now.

Originally Posted by adm333

I guess that makes me the world's biggest idiot.......

I have a P38 and a Freelander.

I keep a running total of what it has cost me in repairs. I have had it for 2 and a half years and done around 45,000 km's, so I'm almost qualified to comment ! So far around 7K in repairs, most of which I believe are necessary maintenance items due on every one of these cars at around 8 - 10 years of age. There are lots of rubber bits - orings, airbags etc that perish over time. They will need to be replaced in order to maintain the excellent ride.

I bought mine for around 20K and it is in VERY good condition.

I look at this way. I am driving a car, originally costing 120K, in good working order for 27K , even if that gets up another 5K I would still prefer to be driving my Range Rover than a falcon or commodore.

Folks, at today's prices and with even 10 - 15 k repairs / overhaul that is still very cheap luxury motoring / 4WD ing.

It also helps if you learn to do a few things yourself.

Good luck with your decision. Once you have bought it and start driving it, you will start to rationalise everything you do as well, because quite simply its difficult to find a nicer ride !!!

And in closing.... Camo.... If its so bad why do you (your Dad) still have it ????? I'm guessing because of what I just said.

Dave

Dave,

No you are NOT an idiot, I was making some personal observations based on the vehicles and cutomers I come into contact with. I really love the whole package of the P38a, it was and still is a world beating vehicle on all levels. I would probably have bought this '97 and repaired/ kept it, and may still, if the LSE is finished before it gets sold to someone else as it is a fantastically well kept vehicle. BUT I wouldn't use it like I use my RRC.

But the Freelander.... Sorry there is no words...

JC

Just to be clear, the Freelander is an 04/05 model TD4 and was a dealer demo, so has very low K's.

I know earlier models were plagued with issues, but by this model most of the problems were sorted out.

It goes really well, is great to drive and so far we love it.

I think also, that P38 ownership requires commitment. I understand exactly how you feel Camo. You need to know and be prepared for what its like or my advice would be don't go near it.

I "pity da fool" who picks up an $8K P38 thinking they got a bargain, without knowing exactly what they are in for.

Perhaps there should be a warning ... " A P38 is for life, not just for Christmas"

Just as well we Rover folk are fanatical! But still ive heard of many stories of other vehicles (eg Alfas, BMW's etc) that also cost the owner a bomb.. but if its their baby, its their baby

Would it be possible to put a 300tdi, rip all unecessary electricals etc and then have a 'reliable' P38?

Originally Posted by stooge

Just as well we Rover folk are fanatical! But still ive heard of many stories of other vehicles (eg Alfas, BMW's etc) that also cost the owner a bomb.. but if its their baby, its their baby

Would it be possible to put a 300tdi, rip all unecessary electricals etc and then have a 'reliable' P38?

Yep .... you sure can...... Its called "Discovery"

Originally Posted by adm333

Yep .... you sure can...... Its called "Discovery"

Originally Posted by adm333

Yep .... you sure can...... Its called "Discovery"

Yes....with heaps of defects after the cosmetic surgery done my an specialist drinking litres of coffee to be awake

i thought about buying a P38A some time back but in the end decided not to, i had the cash to buy it but didnt have the cash to repair stuff if i ended up with a lemon. Maybe one day, as mentioned above they look great, especially some of the newer models with the larger alloys.