First Time Range Rover Buyer - Advice Please!

Hi there,

I have my eye on a 2002 4.0 HSE with 70K for £11,900, what I really need to know is if this is a reasonable price, also whether it would be worth going for the 4.6 - does the extra BHP make any real difference during town / motorway driving?
As it has 70k on the clock, what sort of things should I be looking out for when I test drive it?
Basically any ownership/buying advice really welcomed - I am a girl so please give an idiot's guide with any instructions!

Regards

Caroline

Caroline it sounds nice,
Get an AA inspection or get a bloody good mechanic to go with you because loads of things can go wrong with these cars.
1. check green internal temp and climate gauge is not showing a little unfolded book in the bottom corner, if it is it could cost you hundreds to fix.
2. air suspension should go all the way up and all the way down when you push the lift and lower button , watch the lights go up and down as you press the suspention button.
3.head gaskets go on these models so look for milky oil around and in oil filler cap.
4.check every single electrical switch does what it should do.
5. get some one who has owned one of these cars to go with you because they will now what faults to look for as most things that go wrong with them are common.
6. the 4 litre is underpowered compared to the 4.6 and the mpg is VERY SIMULAR.

FINALLY IF IT WAS MY MONEY.
I would buy the dhse model( 2.5 turbo diesel).
now people who drive the petrol ones will tell you that the 2.5 turbo diesel is sluggish, And they may think that they are right. However if you invest 350 pounds after you have bought the diesel with a company called TUNIT they will sell you a little box that has two cables with plugs on the end and this will make your diesel as fast and as powerfull as the 4.0 ltr petrol.
Oh and it would take you 15 mins to fit or a qualified mechanic would do it for 20 quid as it does not require tools to fit.
Also once fitted the diesel will easily return you 30 miles to the gallon as the box not only gives you more power but it tells the brain on the ecu to alter the way diesel is burnet by the engine giving you 5 to 6 miles per gallon more than a standard diesel.
Ps you can even go to your asda and buy vegitable oil at 37 pence per ltr and run this in the tank with no mods to the car . just mix it in the tank 50 percent diesel to 50 percent veg oil.

Type standard veg oil into google and it will explain it on there web site.

That sounds like a pretty average price for the model/age. It's not cheap, but it's not expensive either - sounds about right.

The best advice is to find a specialist / (as bd said - an 'enthusiast' owner who knows these vehicles) to be honest a standard AA mechanic (or even a good local mechanic) are not generally knowledgeable enough on these specific vehicles to know what is right and wrong with them - they have some specialist electronics & other systems in them. If you fancy some reading, check www.rangerovers.net for loads of information - the model you are looking at is referred to as the P38A Range Rover.

In short - if you don't want to take a mechanic - check EVERYTHING - every switch does what it should, and if you are buying from a garage get a warranty that covers all aspects of the 4x4 system, including the air suspension.

4.0/4.6 - just depends on how you drive!! Yes it does make a difference, but you would need to drive the two yourself back-to-back to see if you felt the extra power was necessary for you.

Regards,

Matt

Hi,
Thanks for the advice you two, been down to see it today and managed to get a very good deal on it. We took our friend who is a LR mechanic(!) with us which was good, although to be fair the car is in very good nick.
So, as of next weekend I will be a RR owner!!

Now, with the money I saved on the deal is there anything I should invest in/ upgrade to or should I just save it for a rainy day?

Thanks again,
Caroline

Congrats on your RR.

Save the money you have left cause you may find a nigly problem sooner or later.

Does RR have a tow bar?. Do you plan on towing?.
if you need a tow bar then get a proper one from landrover and not a naf after market one cause they dont look wright.

Once again congratulations on becoming the owner of the best luxury 4x4 in the world.