Going over to the dark side...

[colorado]

Thinking seriously about buying a used Ranger Rover ...

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Do you mean a used Land Rover Defender or an actual Range Rover? Is it for Africa?

 

[colorado]

Used Range Rover, 2004, 74,000 miles $2800 Something has to be seriously wrong with it.

 

[AfricaHunting.com]

Sounds too good to be true at that price!

 

[accipiter]

Are you a mechanic? If not, you will become one if you but it.

Have you ever owned a Land Cruiser? I owned many vehicles and the best of all was a Land Cruiser. They are built so well and nothing breaks - that is why they are so omnipresent in southern Africa.

 

[colorado]

I haven't owned a Land Cruiser, but I know they're wonderful vehicles. I'll keep my eyes out for one of those too. My 2001 diesel Excursion has seen it's day, I no longer trust it, so I'm looking for different problems. It was a great vehicle for what I needed at the time. With two son's in college I have no desire for a new vehicle.

 

[accipiter]

The Land Cruisers are amazing, they only downside is they are not very fuel efficient.

The price for the Range Rover may be in the ballpark because those vehicles depreciate rapidly.

This brings up a funny anecdote. On my recent South African safari, my PH had a Land Cruiser and considered himself a Land Cruiser fanatic. He has a twin brother who is also a PH, and he was a Land Rover owner and fanatic! Very funny!

 

[TOM]

Steer clear my friend! I bought a beautiful black Range Rover in 2010. It was an 08 and had 22,000 miles on it. In the three months I had it the front air shock went out, alternator needed replaced and door handles fell off the passenger side. They are beautiful vehicles and are extremely comfortable to drive and ride in....but they are awful.

 

[tarbe]

I have owned 5 Land Cruisers (currently own 2) and zero Rovers. There is a reason.

I like working on my vehicles, but to maintain or improve them...not to fix them.

No such thing as a cheap Rover. They get you one way or the other!

My $0.02 as always!

Tim

 

[colorado]

Well I got lucky it was sold lol! Thanks for the warnings.

 

[PeteG]

You did get lucky...
there is no such thing as a cheap range rover!
i have a 78 2door that has been in my workshop for the past 3 years... its nearly there though! it was given to me as a gift when an old family friend left the country. i now know why it sat on blocks in his garage for 15 years
all i need is a complete engine rebuild kit, interior, paint, windscreen and suspension overhaul!!!
That's all!

if you get one and if it runs well and if it does not break down for long enough to take it for some serious off roading, you will enjoy it, the old ones are pretty good off road, the little v8 works very well with their low range 4wd system.
a friend has just bought a brand new 14range rover sport diesel, will be taking it for a ride today probably, certainly looks good!

 

[spike.t]

pete that must have been a very nice price your mate forked out for his sport!!!

 

[PeteG]

yep, i think its still quite a bit less than the VX, about $50k less i think and better kitted out than the VX

 

[spike.t]

yup better kitted and luxurious and faster, allround better dynamically, but i wonder how long before he hits a pothole and pops a tyre or bends a rim with those low profile tyres? and i bet pilatus charge a very nice price for a new rim...............

 

[greyfox]

RangeRovers had the LOWEST customer satisfaction rating a few years ago. I alomost bought one for my wife but steered clear when I talked ot people that owned them.
I had a '68 Land Cruiser when I was in AK, that thing would run on Peanut Butter!! Great vehicle, ugly, slow, and uncomforatable, but dependable. It was MY run to work car.

 

[PeteG]

RangeRovers had the LOWEST customer satisfaction rating a few years ago. I alomost bought one for my wife but steered clear when I talked ot people that owned them.
I had a '68 Land Cruiser when I was in AK, that thing would run on Peanut Butter!! Great vehicle, ugly, slow, and uncomforatable, but dependable. It was MY run to work car.

That hits the land cruiser spot on... dependable. i honestly dont think they can be beaten in africa. there are a lot of competitors, but so far none that have held up to the harsh conditions of remote africa like the cruiser has.

 

[PeteG]

yup better kitted and luxurious and faster, allround better dynamically, but i wonder how long before he hits a pothole and pops a tyre or bends a rim with those low profile tyres? and i bet pilatus charge a very nice price for a new rim...............

yeah, i asked him the same question about the tyres as the demo version he was driving till they delivered his had the 21" low profiles on it, he went with a smaller rim and more meat on the tyre.... clever choice i think.

 

[spike.t]

yup but still not as nice as having some bf goodrich AT or KM2s on it. trouble is i dont think anyof them are rated for the speed a RR sport can get up to.....

 

[colorado]

Been awhile but I found a really nice 2000 Lexus LX470 for just under $10,000. Had it inspected by Lexus, clean CarFax no accidents. Pick it up on Monday. A Land Cruiser in Lexus clothing. Wish me luck

 

[spike.t]

Been awhile but I found a really nice 2000 Lexus LX470 for just under $10,000. Had it inspected by Lexus, clean CarFax no accidents. Pick it up on Monday. A Land Cruiser in Lexus clothing. Wish me luck

enjoy