Thread: Tell me Im MAD or STUPID!!!

Andy your mad or stupid

Neither mad nor stupid.... if you are, then you are in good company here.

The P38A is wonderful vehicle for the price. For less than $20k, there are not too many vehicles (if any) that offer the same amount of on-road refinement, utility, presence, and off-road ability as a P38A.

The 99-on models have a better reputation for finish and electrical reliability, and the Thor/Motronic Engine Management is better regarded than the earlier GEMS system.

ALL P38A's should have Electonic Air Suspension (EAS). If not, it's a castrated P38A and one of the best features is missing. EAS is not as bad as it's reputation, from those who can't be bothered. If you can't be bothered, buy a Disco 2 instead and accept the compromise.

Go for the 4.6 HSE over the 4.0 S/SE if your missus wants to be spoilt by leather, memory seats, factory subwoofer and a sunroof.

Go for 18" rims and low profile tyres over 16" rims if you want to look cool in the parking lot rather than hit the mud.

Whatever model you get, invest in a diagnostics tool such as a FaultMate MSV2 to save yourself thousands on diagnostics by mechanics and clearing fault codes.

Other than that, just the usual Landie foibles... Rover V8's don't take well to overheathing, and if it ain't leaking fluids from somewhere there must be something wrong

Cheers, Paul.

Hi Andrew, after 7 years of owning a Rangie classic, I just got myself a 2001 HSE 4.6 P38
They are just awesome to drive, be warned, once you drive one, you are gone!
Paul is spot on with the year to go for, post 99 update, look for the clear front indicator lenses which came in 2000.
The HSE has all the extras, leather memory seats, sunroof etc.
As with any Rangie, a service history will let you know what has been done, some people suggest a new radiator is a good thing after purchase, as you don't want to overheat them.
I am very happy with mine, makes driving a pleasure I can tell you.
Cheers, Pete.

" Tell me Im MAD or STUPID!!! "

Your mad or Stupid !





OK . My work here is done

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

This is the first time Ive ever visited this area in AULRO.
The Mrs is up for a Rangie upgrade,L322 would be nice but too many $$$$.
I have read that plenty of early P38as had issues,how are the last of them,ie 2001/2002????
I think this is what we may be looking for in the lower KM range.
Seem to be about $20000.Alot more vehicle than a D2 obviously.
Any pitfalls to be looking for????
Thanks
Andrew

G'day Andy,

You'd be mad or stupid if you didn't look at a P38! As they say in the classics, you get a lot of bang for your buck with a P38. As Paul says, once you drive one you're hooked.

I have had mine - a 99 4.0 pov pack model - 12 months and 25 000 kms with no major problems at all. Some niggly bits with the EAS, which is getting pretty well sorted now, an oil leak which is now fixed, heater O rings replacement and a few more relatively minor things.

The car runs like a clock. I love driving it. I have put an LPG gas injection conversion on which runs faultlessly. I don't know what will happen in the future, but to date its been great. It has given me much less problems than the 95 VW Kombi Caravelle I had as a previous family car.

This is the best car I have ever owned. By a long shot.

Willem

Andy, you must be reading my mind.

I have just started looking at exactly the same thing for the wife. I would like an Ls22 but cant afford one as a 2nd car.

Thanks everyone for the info you have given so far.

Another question I had. I was told that they tend to overheat very quickly once the ambient temp goes over 30deg. Is this just exageration (I plan to tow with mine) and if not what causes the overheating and how can you fix it. ie. if it is radiator problems can you get a bigger one or is it gallery problems in the motor???

Originally Posted by walker

Andy, you must be reading my mind.

I have just started looking at exactly the same thing for the wife. I would like an Ls22 but cant afford one as a 2nd car.

Thanks everyone for the info you have given so far.

Another question I had. I was told that they tend to overheat very quickly once the ambient temp goes over 30deg. Is this just exageration (I plan to tow with mine) and if not what causes the overheating and how can you fix it. ie. if it is radiator problems can you get a bigger one or is it gallery problems in the motor???

I drove mine to Sydney and back in 40 degree plus heat and had no problems at all (Thanks Ron for fixing the aircon by replacing the relay. It made the return trip much more pleasant!). Coming out of Sydney on the way home to Geelong the radio was saying that it was 42C. I wasn't towing anything, tho I did have a roof box on the roof.

Willem

Was trolling the net today.
Saw a 1998 HSE with 200000k in Perth,$12000.Burgundy met,looks neat as.Too many ks for me to look at I think.The mrs likes the price and the pics.Going to try and hold out for a 01/02 Vouge.They were $130000new,$20000 should be good buying as long as its no lemon.
Andrew