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Thread: quick question - views and opinions wanted

  1. #1
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    quick question - views and opinions wanted

    Got a question about second hand range rovers

    If one has $15k-$20k to spend on a 2nd hand 4wd looking at something comfortable on and off road, good off road ability stock with a view to a few mods down the track, reasonable amount of luxury, fairly low kms (under 250,000km preferred), good engine and towing ability, reasonable fuel economy and hell why not through in some good looks as well. Not looking at climbing any rock faces but perhaps a trip to the beach and bush every now and again with a lot of highway in between

    How do range rovers stack up. Seems to be a fair few with low kms in SE and HSE spec for under $20K that are between 10 and 15 years old. Just wondering why they may be so cheap??

    Cheers

  2. #2
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    You are referring to the P38? If you want good fuel economy with some comfort you need a diesel Disco .

    The P38 has a reputation for soaking money up like a sponge Nice car but not for the faint hearted in my opinion To much to go wrong now they are getting some age on them.

    For the above reason I'm sticking with the classics for now as are simple,have comfort with style and are very cheap to replace
    :Strange Rovers Down Under 4BD1T 120" 110 /3 Rangies:/ 3 series 1's/ 2 series 2's/2 series 3 88's/2
    series 3 109's and a heap of rice burners

  3. #3
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    A few folk here have managed to get their P38's well sorted, but they can cause a lot of hair pulling. They are quite complicated, and in a lot of ways were the "beta" software tester for the next model, the L322. There was a lot of "bleeding edge" technology in them.

    You might take a look at the Discovery in the price range you're thinking of. A lot of car for the money, you can get a diesel, and overall proably more reliable and cheaper to fix than a P38.

    If you do a search here on P38 you'll turn up a lot of articles. Try searching on "Slipped Liner" too, although this is not exclusively a P38 issue.

    This site is worth a read: http://www.rangerovers.net/newrremedies.htm and perhaps this page as well: http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=196

    HTH
    David

  4. #4
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    Get an 88-91 Range Rover or D1 Disco.
    Price between $2000 & $4500.
    After doing things to get it reliable you will have plenty spare to do mods.
    Most of them will be in need of serious coin to make reliable. The ones that don't need serious coin are owned by us! And we have parted with sooo much money that we can't go back.

    If you are good on the tools buy 2 of them and keep one for parts.

  5. #5
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    thanks for the info, i have read a bit about some of the issues and i guess at this time I dont have that much spare change to play with so maybe an older rangie or diso could be the way to go.

    To be honest I'd prefer an old seriesIII as I like the look (the missus doesnt) and the luxury and comfort isnt as important to me (again is for the missus) so looking for a suitable alternative

    cheers

  6. #6
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    Rangie or Disco?
    I suppose it comes down to a matter of just how bad is the want and how serious is the need.

    And also what age your planned acquisition needs to be.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by markus_80 View Post
    thanks for the info, i have read a bit about some of the issues and i guess at this time I dont have that much spare change to play with so maybe an older rangie or diso could be the way to go.

    To be honest I'd prefer an old seriesIII as I like the look (the missus doesnt) and the luxury and comfort isnt as important to me (again is for the missus) so looking for a suitable alternative

    cheers
    A good Isuzu 4BD1 county and trick it out for around 15k. Best of both worlds Just get used to driving with the driver side window down and they are very comfortable
    :Strange Rovers Down Under 4BD1T 120" 110 /3 Rangies:/ 3 series 1's/ 2 series 2's/2 series 3 88's/2
    series 3 109's and a heap of rice burners

  8. #8
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    G'day Markus,

    Don't let all these stick in the muds prevent you from having a good look at a P38. You get an awful lot of brilliant motor car for your money!

    The reason they are so cheap is simply that they are a big and complex motor car and they do have their issues. But they are not any more than an RRC or a Disco, just different.

    My advice is that if you are prepared to give them a little thought and don't go to the dealer at the first sign of a problem, then you can do very well with a P38. They are at least as capable - and probably a lot more so - off road than a Disco or defender. As they get older and cheaper and more people start using them for serious off roading you will begin to see their superb capabilities in the bush displayed a bit more often.

    But if you are not prepared to do the work to understand the car then you should go for something different. I have had lots of RRCs and they are great - but they require thought and commitment and work too! And so do Discos and Defenders and series Land Rovers. There is no easy way out if you want a large 4WD! Toyotas and Nissans and Pajeros - they all require work and time and money! Just lie P38s. but if you drive a P38 you will have a level of comfort, efficiency and off road capability that is unmatched by any of the others.

    The choice is yours, depending on your preferences and interests and abilities.

    Willem

  9. #9
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    Well said Willem. Pretty much what I was thinking too but you put it in such a nice way

    If nothing else, it is sure to get some reactions from others who don't appreciate the P38A like you and I do

    We P38A drivers tend to be the pariahs of the Land Rover community in much the same way that Land Rover drivers are the pariahs of the Australian 4WD community. We "know" our vehicles are more capable than the others in most situations, but the popularity/commonaility numbers are against us. [I say "most situations" because I haven't yet fixed the deep water phobia due to lack of snorkel - but Andy and I will get this done soon.]

    You just gotta love the expressions of disbelief/shock/disappointment that non-P38A drivers give when the Rangie eases over/around/through obstacles that their fourbies barely/didn't

    Then we get back on the tarmac, set EAS to highway mode, and drive more like a car than a truck.

    Markus - If you are letting your missus have a say in the choice of vehicle and comfort is a factor, don't let her drive a P38A unless you are prepared to buy it for her.

    Cheers, Paul.
    My toys, projects and write-ups at PaulP38a.com

  10. #10
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    LOL, Mark, you can look for a disco with me, hopefully i'll be in the market soon as well.

    Mate, if I were you (knowing what you want to use it for) I'd go an older range rover. pretty much bulletproof, easy to work on, and great off and on road. Heck, if Andrew (my brother) can't seriously damage it, what hope do you have of breaking one!
    1994 Discovery TDi
    2004 Discovery 2 TD5
    2010 Discovery 4 TDV6
    1961, Series 2 Ambulance. 108-098 - Eden

    Registry of Ex Military Land Rovers Mem. 129
    Defence Transport Heritage Tasmania Member

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