Hi all.
This is my first post and I've joined specifically for some help with buying a Land Rover.
I've owned one previously, it was a petrol Freelander. T-Reg 50th anniversary thing and it was the biggest heap of garbage I've ever owned. I swore 'never again'.
However, I am in the market for a new-ish car, and I am being drawn back to the brand. I think this is partly because I still like their persona, and partly because they seem to make vehicles that nobody else does. Does that sound stupid? I have to say I kind of agree with "Why buy a car when you can buy a Land Rover?"
So, I'm looking for some buying advice and clearly this is THE place to ask. If you lot are as enthusiastic about these vehicles as I think you probably are, then I'm sure there will be plenty of help. For that I thank you all in advance.
So what do I want? Firstly, my budget is £15k, ideally a bit less and first and foremost, I want a reliable vehicle. Probably a diesel Freelander, maybe a diesel Disco. I'm sure it has to be diesel doesn't it? I can't cope with horrific MPG and so 30MPG is a must really.
Seriously, reliability is the big one though. My Freelander was abysmal.
I think I'd like to buy private from an enthusiast. Those Land Rover dealers have expensive showrooms so they must be putting a massive markup on the vehicles they sell.
Anyway, that's a summary of what I'm after, but I would like to know of any other considerations. For example, tax brackets. Is there a cut-off date for road tax cost making some models cheaper to tax than others? Is there an engine or engines to avoid? What about manual/auto. I think I'd want a manual box but there might be a good reason to buy an auto?
Finally, I am sad to say that this thing won't be going off-road. It will get onto Taunton Racecourse where I work, and maybe down some mud-caked country lanes, but that's as 'rural' as it gets.
So some words of advice, caution, encouragement and general natter would be most appreciated. You can even offer me a vehciel for sale if you wish
Thanks
Steve
This is my first post and I've joined specifically for some help with buying a Land Rover.
I've owned one previously, it was a petrol Freelander. T-Reg 50th anniversary thing and it was the biggest heap of garbage I've ever owned. I swore 'never again'.
However, I am in the market for a new-ish car, and I am being drawn back to the brand. I think this is partly because I still like their persona, and partly because they seem to make vehicles that nobody else does. Does that sound stupid? I have to say I kind of agree with "Why buy a car when you can buy a Land Rover?"
So, I'm looking for some buying advice and clearly this is THE place to ask. If you lot are as enthusiastic about these vehicles as I think you probably are, then I'm sure there will be plenty of help. For that I thank you all in advance.
So what do I want? Firstly, my budget is £15k, ideally a bit less and first and foremost, I want a reliable vehicle. Probably a diesel Freelander, maybe a diesel Disco. I'm sure it has to be diesel doesn't it? I can't cope with horrific MPG and so 30MPG is a must really.
Seriously, reliability is the big one though. My Freelander was abysmal.
I think I'd like to buy private from an enthusiast. Those Land Rover dealers have expensive showrooms so they must be putting a massive markup on the vehicles they sell.
Anyway, that's a summary of what I'm after, but I would like to know of any other considerations. For example, tax brackets. Is there a cut-off date for road tax cost making some models cheaper to tax than others? Is there an engine or engines to avoid? What about manual/auto. I think I'd want a manual box but there might be a good reason to buy an auto?
Finally, I am sad to say that this thing won't be going off-road. It will get onto Taunton Racecourse where I work, and maybe down some mud-caked country lanes, but that's as 'rural' as it gets.
So some words of advice, caution, encouragement and general natter would be most appreciated. You can even offer me a vehciel for sale if you wish
Thanks
Steve
