Like it.....
I'm saving up for me next "hit".
Got mine coming up....new gearbox....yippee
Ouch. Serious ouch. Mind you, one day I'm going to have that clutch out again and when I do I might take out the DMF too, possibly the VCU while I've got the whole lot out. That is going to hurt!
Thanks for all the advice so far everybody. I'v given the X5 some consideration and although I could live with the looks of the e70, that one's unfortunately above budget (and I really don't think the e53 is a pretty car I'm afraid). I'll give the P38 some more consideration as well - in retrospect my budget would probably allow a nice example including the additional year 1 upkeep budget.
spud101
Member
Afternoon gents. Here's my experience. I got my 'old girl' in April. I spent a fair bit on her after I'd got the keys as it were. Had the bodywork minted up and took it to a garage that deals exclusively with these battle buses. (LRR in Greenwich, great bunch of guys.) I paid not that much for her, she's an 03 4.4 v8 petrol with a good 06 external facelift and her interior was as new but the (idiot) who had her previously had turned her into an underpigeon and vinyl wrapped her flourescent yellow with fake 'overfinch' badges. I had her returned to all original including badges and to be honest she's a real head turner. I spent a few grand on her bodywork and around £1500 in the garage getting her serviced and everything they said she needed she had done. I've also had a new set tyres on her and they also serviced the transmission.
In my eyes I've got a lovely motor (I've done well over 7 thousand miles in her since I got her, not that she does much more than 17 mpg mind you lol) she looks beautiful and she'll be going into the shop every 6 to 8 thousand miles for an oil service etc. The chaps at LRR said any of the cars they look after that are regularly maintained never have any problems.
They're a nosebleedingly expensive car to buy new and the maintenance needs to be kept on top at all times. If you want Astra prices buy an Astra. Yes, they may be cheap second hand but that's because you're going to be paying to keep her on the road. I reckon I'll probably have to spend a couple of grand a year on her to keep her in tip top condition and I'm fine with that. If I was good with a set of spanners I'd do it myself but I'm not.
All of that may be offputting but I think they look gorgeous and there's no better feeling when driving one whilst sat in that lovely armchair. Even with the big maintenance costs it's still a damnsight less than what a brand new one loses in its first 5 years!
If you're after something that you just put fuel in and drive get something Japanese.
In my eyes I've got a lovely motor (I've done well over 7 thousand miles in her since I got her, not that she does much more than 17 mpg mind you lol) she looks beautiful and she'll be going into the shop every 6 to 8 thousand miles for an oil service etc. The chaps at LRR said any of the cars they look after that are regularly maintained never have any problems.
They're a nosebleedingly expensive car to buy new and the maintenance needs to be kept on top at all times. If you want Astra prices buy an Astra. Yes, they may be cheap second hand but that's because you're going to be paying to keep her on the road. I reckon I'll probably have to spend a couple of grand a year on her to keep her in tip top condition and I'm fine with that. If I was good with a set of spanners I'd do it myself but I'm not.
All of that may be offputting but I think they look gorgeous and there's no better feeling when driving one whilst sat in that lovely armchair. Even with the big maintenance costs it's still a damnsight less than what a brand new one loses in its first 5 years!
If you're after something that you just put fuel in and drive get something Japanese.
Hi spud101 thanks for sharing your experience. Just out of curiosity- where you able to acquire that particular RR very cheaply? Given the money you spend on bodywork and bringing it back to original, and it sounds like an idiots car before (given the vinyl wrap and fake badges), it doesn't sound like a very likely car one would want to buy second hand?
spud101
Member
I just kept my eye open for what I wanted. (Dark Blue Vogue with blue carpets & leather with ivory piping and full service history.) Wrapping can often be a way to hide an issue on the car and there was a a few marks and scratches etc. Nobody had looked at the car until I did so I got it for a really good price. I could have gone out and spent 10 or 12 k on a car but it would still have wanted / needed things to mint it up. Personally I'd expect to shell out around 3 to 5 k if I bought bought something cheap.
Just think about it, the new ones lose that every month!!
Just think about it, the new ones lose that every month!!
Hi guys. Just to keep you updated on my search, I've diverged from the RR route as frankly, the car I'd ideally want would most probably be off budget when including catch-up maintenance and setting aside money for common issues. I've managed to sell the Jaguar well and have bought a 1983 Land Rover 110 last week. Car has been put to the test on a holiday to Wales as well as driving through London a few times and it has been a lot of fun. Car is way more comfortable than expected and is a great experience to drive around
Hi guys. Just to keep you updated on my search, I've diverged from the RR route as frankly, the car I'd ideally want would most probably be off budget when including catch-up maintenance and setting aside money for common issues. I've managed to sell the Jaguar well and have bought a 1983 Land Rover 110 last week. Car has been put to the test on a holiday to Wales as well as driving through London a few times and it has been a lot of fun. Car is way more comfortable than expected and is a great experience to drive around
Well FMS. A 110. Bit light on luxury and not a car to drive long distances if you're over 6' but easy to fix and if it is anything like my old Defender then bullet-proof. Used to roll like f*ck on the corners, IIRC.
It's indeed different to the Jag, but after a 2x 5hrs drive to Wales and a few more 1-2 hour trips, we still think it's quite comfortable. Mind you: the other rides are a tuned 5.0L TVR Chimaera (loud, warm) and a 1961 Triumph Herald so it is really not that bad when you keep the Landy to 60mph on the motorway The car also has it engine replaced by a 200tdi unit so will keep up with traffic, just
The car also has it engine replaced by a 200tdi unit so will keep up with traffic, justtomcat59alan
Well-Known Member
tomcat59alan
Well-Known Member
depends if you maintain it.
holidaychicken
Well-Known Member
I paid £6k for my 04 4.4 2 years ago and I bet I wouldn't have to look too hard to find the same again in receipts !
