Ever taken a bad girl out?? lots of fun but can cost!
Best kind.. and always the ones that stick in your memory.
In all seriousness, the P38 isn't really that bad at all. Like anything mechanical, things wear and fail. Preventative maintenance is the best kind, if you know its on the way out then deal with it.
In the 3 years i have had the blue P38, i've changed all the airbags (one started to fail so all 4 done together), overhauled the EAS valve block, and compressor, replaced the fuse box all of which were on the way out so changed them prior to failure as well as few niggly things, here and there.
The only unexpected failures were a waterpump and a center silencer on the exhaust.
The silver P38 in the 4 years had a new gearbox shortly after purchase, new wheel bearing and that has been the only failures, one airbag started to fail so changed all 4.
Both get routine maintenance and i keep on top of anything that needs doing as with all the cars.
The P38 is very easy to work on, the big scare story is the EAS, which is not as problematic as is made out. generally one airbag leaks, the compressor works overtime to compensate, owner changes one air bag, for another to go, compreesor works overtime again, by the time all 4 have been done the compressor is shot. The airbags deteriorate at the the same rate so if one goes, you know all four will around the same time so deal with it.
Like anything mechanical, you look after it, it will look after you and just put some thought into routine maintenance and keep an eye on things if it looks like its going to go, it will probably will so deal with it in your time.
Its also a very capable off road vehicle, its not an SUV so dont expect sporty performance, It can tow a house. What more could you want.. leather electric seats A/C, good audio system, some with built in sat nav.. it's got it as standard.
Just remember that when you buy, consider what you are going to have to spend to get it where *you* want it.
Right now, they are a lot of car for the money and P38 values are starting to firm up.
