Thread: Advice for a noob

Originally Posted by T34

What would you do with this budget?

IMHO I'd buy the best older HSE I could find and spend/save the rest of the money on the usual suspects - airbags, bypass kit, cooling system, fuse block, faultmate maybe etc

About the only thing I'd like on my (older) HSE that newer ones have is four wheel traction control instead of just rear wheel

Hi T34, I purchased my 2001 HSE for 15k six months ago, it has been fantastic so far.
The guy was going overseas and needed to sell, he wanted more but I talked him down in price.
I have had a Range Rover classic for seven years prior to that and do all my own maintenance, which is where you will save big $$ if you have the time to do it.
The trick is to be ready to buy when a good one comes up for a good price...and they do come up, you just have to be patient and ready to pounce!
Check CarPoint on a regular basis, I have found both my Rangies there.
Of course get it checked over (unless you know what you are doing) and service history is important.
The 2000 model (identifiable with clear indicator lenses) was the update with Thor engine and bosch electrics, I think BMW were running the show then.
Alot of the bugs from the earlier models were worked out by that stage, they are also a bit nicer inside as well, all those reasons made the 2000+ model feel like the right one for me.
They are great to drive, I must warn you, don't take one for a test drive unless you are ready to buy it, they are very addictive!
They have lots of electronics which means complicated systems.
If I were you and considering a Range Rover, I would have read on rangerovers.net and have a look at the P38 section (4.0/4.6), you can see the different model years which will answer alot of your questions, also have a look through the problems and fixes area there, invaluable reading.
At the end of the day you can weigh up all the pros and cons, you might get a few differing opinions here, it really comes down to if it feels right do it! I did alot of research before buying and decided on a 2000 and later P38, like anything you will learn as you go.
The RAVE cd manual is a must, you an pick them up pretty cheap.
This forum is a great help with most issues you may have, chances are someone else has already solved most problems you may encounter.
Good luck with the Rangie hunting, hope this is of some help.

What junosi said!

Apparently, I have a 97 HSE and it was great from what I can remember. (I haven't driven her since easter.)

If the budget 15K then I would get a pre 99 HSE. Do a search and you will find there is not necessarily anything wrong with them, apart from the very early 95's which had a few design issues, and post 99 would be better but you can only get what you can afford. Remember that whatever you buy, I would allow an extra 2K on repairs in the first 12 months.

Stu

Most people here have summed it up! Buy the Rangie that you can afford! And as mentioned earlier, be ready to pounce at moments notice! I was watching Carsales.com.au for about 2 months before I started enquiring. You can also see how long someone has had theirs online for and use that in your favour!

Don't think that the advertised price is what you have to pay! My 2000 HSE was advertised for $19k at a dealer, I ended up paying $15k! The amount of kilometres on the odometer is also a bargaining point - I got mine at 160 000k's, now has 175 000k's, only real problem i've had so far is a busted hose clamp and a few relays to replace. You will need a few grand in the first year or so to fix up the bugs, but in the end you'll know what's new and what you've got to look forward to replacing!

Cheers
Keithy

Thanks for the replies guys.

@Peter - I have had a good look through rangerovers.net, that's where I ended up deciding on a post 1999 model. There is a wealth of good info over there.

I will confess, I prefer the look of the later ('round' headlights / clear repeaters) models, if I had another 5k wouldn't hesitate to go this way. I guess that my main concern is buying towards the apparent lower end of the price range - generally it's sound advice with most cars a good old model is better then a bad new one. That said - I'm under no illusion that any +10 year old car is not going to need at least something done to it.

Biding my time is going to be something forced on me, as there seems to be relatively few for sale here in SA. From this perspective, I will try to hold out until I get lucky with a nice low miles FSH later model (wishful thinking - lol), as I've got at least a few months until it starts to become an absolute necessity to get a bigger car.

One thing I've noticed is that the 4.0ltr (HS) models are a bit more reasonably priced, are there any pro's cons between the 4.0 and the 4.6 models?

Also, how much of an issue is the overheating problem reported?

Mick.

You can retro-fit the headlights and clear indicators - my old HSE ('95) has the new style lights and indicators care of PO. You can even retro-fit the 'shark' fins vent thingos from the L322 if you like, few kits around for that - I don't like em myself. 4.6 are HSE's and fully optioned - engine, diffs, sunroof etc - HSE is better and Autobiography is best

Originally Posted by T34

Also, how much of an issue is the overheating problem reported?

Avoid any P38 that has overheated or be prepared to replace/rebuild the engine. To that end it's well worth spending time and money to do all you can to prevent it from happening once you own one

A few weeks ago i bought a '97 Autobiography. 140k klms and logs for just under $10k. Happy with that. I knew it needed work, shocks, some bushes, HEVAC work, paint faded on bonnet and basically a good detail. The basics where all good though. Had an HSE bout 5 years ago. First thing when you go to check it out, get it to operating temp and check the coolant hoses, make sure they arent so tight they feel like theyre about to burst. They arent frightening, not even the GEMS, just a bit of work to keep them happy. Bit like....

Thanks for all of the replies, some good insights here.

Thought I might throw a curveball into the ring

I noticed a few for sale ads where owners were getting rid of Range Rovers in favour of Discos.

If I said P38 versus Disco 2, what would you say?

(ducks ready to take flack)

TIA

Mick.