First time buyer in need of help choosing a good 'un

UsefulG · Jan 23, 2015

Hi guys,
I'm looking to join that merry band of Range Rover fettlers but I'm not sure what I should be looking at. I'm after a V8 petrol or LPG but I'm not after a project or a rolling restoration but a known good starting point that I can keep running.

I've seen a couple of adverts which look good but I'm not sure if they are too much/ too little/ just right.

Used Land Rover Range Rover Suv 4.6 Vogue 5dr 4wd in Hayes, Middlesex | Sterling Autos Ltd

This one looks shiny with lots of toys and in a good colour combination but is it a bit too pricey?

Land Rover Range Rover P38 4.6 V8 HSE, LPG, new engine, restored | eBay

This one is LPG from a Land Rover specialist and the engine has been replaced and has 9k miles on it and the according to the description the usual faults (HVAC, blend motors etc) have been addressed but no warranty worries me.

Can you fine fellows tell me if I've found a couple of good 'uns or rotters?

Thanks
Gary

domino · Jan 23, 2015

The first one looks lovely, very clean. Not sure about the money though.

Second one is a bit weird. Not sure why a "specialist" would replace an engine and have 9k miles and then provide no warranty. Makes me think they know something's up with it. Also, fire extinguisher in the rear?

That first one does look exceptionally clean - very nice car that!

sassanach · Jan 23, 2015

2.0_hippo · Jan 23, 2015

All silly money !

josh00mac · Jan 23, 2015

I don't think you need to spend that much but there are a few retailers who seem to think smart late P38s are creeping up. My biggest worry would be engine and box. If you can find a private one with these issues sorted then the rest seems to be fixable with a decent Indy and not blow the bank.

Littelwill · Jan 23, 2015

If you've got that much money to spend surely you'd just go for the first one which is clearly cleaner a better spec...?

UsefulG · Jan 23, 2015

Thanks for the feedback, can I ask what sort of money would get me a mechanically sound one?

Littelwill · Jan 23, 2015

Anything from about £500 to what ever... if you blow 6k on one no matter how good itll need loving sooner or later.. go test drive some decent looking ones with good service history and you'll see.

UsefulG · Jan 23, 2015

If I can spend less then great but I don't really have the facilities for welding or a ramp so looking for a good one to start with and do the work from a good start.

Littelwill · Jan 23, 2015

Welding is something you'll not be doing on a p38!

UsefulG · Jan 23, 2015

Littelwill said:
Welding is something you'll not be doing on a p38!

Good to know, thanks.

Littelwill · Jan 23, 2015

'Im not sure why the don't rust the same as every other landy Ive had but i think the chassis were treated differently when being built???

tomcat59alan · Jan 23, 2015

Galvanised chassis. Then the realised that they will last too long so are dipped in brine now.

ukadamwest · Jan 23, 2015

the 2000 onwards has the Thor engine, previous is the GEMS engine.

Go for the Thor. Better car !

quavey · Jan 23, 2015

You are looking at the high end of the market, its not to say that expensive cars are not good but I would suspect that most cars will suffer from the same issues. Considering the age and complexity is often the same from a £1500 to £6000 example if you looked at a cheaper alternative you wouldn't feel to bad spending the balance on fixing it. Where as if you've spent 6k on something and it needs fixing you'll be even more out of pocket!

I suppose we could do with knowing your usage intentions, is this a daily drive for you or a toy/project/collectors item? On a personal note I wouldn't touch one that's on LPG or ever been on LPG due to the engine never being designed to run on LPG and that I don't believe there to be worthwhile cost saving with it.

Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 HSE 4dr Auto

Looks like a bonny girl

Land Rover Range Rover 4.6 HSE 5dr 4WD

Although I have to say I'm shocked at how much youve got to spend to get anything half decent!

A final note, I wouldn't entertain a GEMS engine as they are gutless compared to a Thor, a friend of mine at a 96 P 4.6 HSE and it was weird to drive compared to my 99 Thor, he since bought a 2001 Vogue and the torque at the bottom end of the Thor engine just makes it so much better to drive.

Datatek · Jan 23, 2015

Bad time of year to buy a 4 x 4 , winter premium and all that.

quavey · Jan 23, 2015

ukadamwest said:
the 2000 onwards has the Thor engine, previous is the GEMS engine.

Go for the Thor. Better car !

I agree... but some 99 cars were Thor, especially 4.6's, check the inlet manifold if it looks like a set of bananas then its a thor. It looks like an upturned loaf tin from Rovers onsite bakery its a Gems.

To add to that don't go for anything on springs, Air suspension is just better in every way, its not that complicated to fix if it does go wrong and its fairly reliable/robust if treated with some thought a respect.

tomcat59alan · Jan 23, 2015

Don't rule out a diesel, gutsy strong engine and if chipped will keep up with a 4.0

2.0_hippo · Jan 23, 2015

tomcat59alan said:
Don't rule out a diesel, gutsy strong engine and if chipped will keep up with a 4.0

really :lol:

tomcat59alan · Jan 23, 2015

2.0_hippo said:
really :lol:

Without a doubt, and you don't have to play with a 38 to make it look like something its not, ie. not so old.

First time buyer in need of help choosing a good 'un

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