Thread: NEW - range rover addivce

If you are a competent home mechanic who can afford to spend time and money to keep things in order then go for it, it will most probably be no more expensive to run than most 4x4`s or luxury cars. If you are relying on your parents or others to fund the purchase and upkeep then be fair on them and buy something else. These cars might be relatively cheap to buy now but still could bankrupt you with garage bills and parts prices.
If you fit the 1st paragraph then they are a great bargain and are quite easy to maintain with parts from the UK and online
And there is nothing wrong with the good old Oldsmobile Yankie V8 in these cars. They have been going strong since the 60`s in dozens of models. They just need constant maintenance with a rock solid cooling system.

In your position don't do it. These vehicles need a lot of TLC and aren't for someone who doesn't want to get their hands dirty. You will regret it if you purchase one, but having said that they are also very good to drive etc

My advice is if you love these cars "the look, the feel " ect then maybe view things this way Look long and hard to find a good specimen. Do your home work and locate a Range Rover Mechanic/wrecker who you can trust and have a bit of knowledge re cost of parts ect i.e. so you "know your stuff " Learn how to do your own servicing and simple repairs if that can be your thing. Anyway, thats what I do and it works for me and it helps if you believe in some type of GOD
The sole reason a person owns this type of vehicle is because you love the look and feel!!! Buy one on lpg and reduce your costs that way. I bought mine a year ago and I still look at it like it was yesterday. Maybe pay cash for mechanical repairs and save there too!

Good luck to you

Kind Regs

Bruce p38

I agree with the lads. They are fantastic machines but you need a reasonable income - especially if you buy one with gremlins... Initial purchase price is one thing, but once you get it home I'd suggest replacing all fluids, greasing your grease nipples, flushing your cooling system properly, replacing any radiator hoses that look remotely suss, and making sure your suspension system is in top order. So add a few grand to your purchase price to budget for these things.

If you are young and only earning maccas wages I'd be looking elsewhere.

Cheers
Keithy

..... You know what ruby..... I was in the same boat as you are right now. If you've never own one in the past, you just have to have one for the experience.

I bought mine nearly 3 years ago and despite the slightly higher than usual maintenance and odd issues that I had with, I still love the vehicle. Quiet frankly, as a four wheel drive they are simply the best stock standard off roader full stop. Compare it to all the Japanese, Yankee & even European four wheel drives you'll see that for what you pay to what you get, they are unbeatable....

I bought mine specifically for on & off-road touring, I've so far done just to mention a few the entire Birdsville track & recently done the old telegraph track in Cape York and loved it ( with the exception of four damaged tyres ) it was an epic journey.

Sure you'll come across Landcruisers and Patrols that may slightly out do you off road, but when you ask them how much they've spent on all the aftermarket modifications, you can almost buy another 2 P38's.

You see the Range Rover is made by a company that just makes four wheel drives and up until more recently SUV, so in retrospect your saving money by not having to strongly modify the vehicle. I.e. you don't need a lift kit as you already have that standard with RR called the air suspension, and when finished you can return back to a lower ride height to improve the centre of gravity. Suspension flex is also superior too enhancing grip, a proper off road traction control system and off course all the bells an whistles you ever possibly want in a car. I'm telling you, that you won't find better ( starting to sound like a salesman aren't I ).

But as mention before, choose wisely and be prepared to spend a few dollars for maintenance up keep, and find a good service mechanic that specialises in land rovers, and I'm not talking about the dealers either. Though the Rangies are relatively easy to work on, a second eye from a qualified Land Rover mechanic during your service interval can point out things other mechanics including yourself won't pick up, a lesson learned early when I bought mine.

I'd say have a crack, but make sure your parents are in on all this.

Well said redandy!

Ill add to that - a P38 with one diff locker and a set of good tyres will go as far as any of the big boys with a lift, locker and tyres. So really you save over $1k in modifications plus the many other thousands on purchase price, plus the ability to carry all your camping gear on a trip without having the rear end sag like the others. And you don't drive around unloaded with the rear end 4" higher than the front to compensate.

Hi Ruby

I was looking for a 4x4 about 3 years ago and came across a P38 with a few air suspension problems. Other than that all was great. Asked a lot of questions on this forum. That gave me the confidence to buy my first RR. Something I probably would not have done without the advice from this forum , saved me thousands . As those on here have been there done that all before. Did all my own mechanical work as the P38 is pretty easy to work on.

Find yourself a good one as once you have driven one there is no going back. The only thing that will make you give up a P38 is an L322 which I have now. Do I miss my P38 YES but couldn't afford to have both.

Gary

We all need to know if you have bought one yet. There aren't many girl p38 owners as yet so let us all know whats going on . Ruby. Hello are you there ?

Bruce p38