Old Land Rover of some sort...

[omegadirective]

Hey Folks,

My car is starting to dislike the bumpy roads full of potholes going to the local stables. Poor thing is getting battered all the time.

I was just wondering if anyone has any idea about buying an old Range Rover/Discovery/Freelander?

Would it be possible to buy a good one require NO WORK with an acceptable high mileage for a very cheap price? I've had a look around the usual sites, Autotrader, Pistonheads, but needless to say they're mostly looked after cars so still hold a very high price even for the old ones.

Just a query as I'd rather not have to keep forking out repairs!

Cheers,

Odie.

[hagis]

Hereketty might be best to advise, hasn't he had a couple of them?

[omegadirective]

Anyone with experience -both good and bad- would be great! :) I don't have a lot of money to spend on something like that. I'm just hoping it may be worth a small short term investment rather than try to repair damage to my A3 in the long run.


I would get a Q7 but thats a little out of my price range!

:biglaugh:

[Sam]

I have the perfect veeeee-hickle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lada_Niva

We all know just how rugged the Lada is, in Soviet Russia a Lada is a man's best friend.

You're welcome :D

[omegadirective]

I have the perfect veeeee-hickle.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lada_Niva

We all know just how rugged the Lada is, in Soviet Russia a Lada is a man's best friend.

You're welcome :D

Lol! Nice one! :p

[Captain Answer]

Hey Folks,

My car is starting to dislike the bumpy roads full of potholes going to the local stables. Poor thing is getting battered all the time.

I was just wondering if anyone has any idea about buying an old Range Rover/Discovery/Freelander?

Would it be possible to buy a good one require NO WORK with an acceptable high mileage for a very cheap price? I've had a look around the usual sites, Autotrader, Pistonheads, but needless to say they're mostly looked after cars so still hold a very high price even for the old ones.

Just a query as I'd rather not have to keep forking out repairs!

Cheers,

Odie.

The long and the short of it is errrrrrrr maybe. What's your budget? Basically if you're thinking of something for a few hundred quid then the chances are it'll need some work doing to it along the way, just like any car of any suitable age

[omegadirective]

It would depend largely on the model and year I'd think as I'd have to factor in the insurance. £1500 would be the max INCLUDING insurance, so yeah, I'm looking for a needle in a haystack really if I want one with no work doing to it.

Unfortunately I didn't win the Euro Millions so I can't buy myself a new one! :(

[Captain Answer]

It would depend largely on the model and year I'd think as I'd have to factor in the insurance. £1500 would be the max INCLUDING insurance, so yeah, I'm looking for a needle in a haystack really if I want one with no work doing to it.

Unfortunately I didn't win the Euro Millions so I can't buy myself a new one! :(

For that price you could pick up a petrol freelander, an 80's Range Rover, Discovery or Defender OR if you're feeling braver a Series II or III.

Anything older qualifies you for classic insurance which is dirt cheap (my range rover is £100 for a year, My series about half that), you can pick up parts at quite a large number of Land Rover specialists for good prices and they generally don't fall apart but you need to look at what your buying carefully and expect that at some point it'll want some money spent on it (much like any older vehicle)

My thoughts are a Freelander might be better for you, they're quite good on the old bumpy stuff

[omegadirective]

For that price you could pick up a petrol freelander, an 80's Range Rover, Discovery or Defender OR if you're feeling braver a Series II or III.

Anything older qualifies you for classic insurance which is dirt cheap (my range rover is £100 for a year, My series about half that), you can pick up parts at quite a large number of Land Rover specialists for good prices and they generally don't fall apart but you need to look at what your buying carefully and expect that at some point it'll want some money spent on it (much like any older vehicle)

My thoughts are a Freelander might be better for you, they're quite good on the old bumpy stuff


Thanks! :) I'll have a good nosey at them today. I find that on the online sites it tends to be more of the newer cars for sale, so I might have a nose around the local garages this weekend. :)

I was looking at a 1999 Range Rover, unfortunately it had 4.0L engine and had covered moon miles. Nice looking specimen but I think it must have covered some significant wear and tear.

[omegadirective]

Hmmm.... What do you guys make of this Discovery?

http://pistonheads.com/sales/705059.htm

[bora(ing) nick]

looks tidy to me... noy sure about an auto though.... mind you, it's not as if you are going to tow with it anyway...

[Captain Answer]

That does look very well looked after, but if you're considering buying it I'd get yourself on a Land Rover forum and ask if one of the local members might look it over with you for some beer tokens. Chassis rot is not a fun thing to overlook unless you're handy with a welder.

The auto's are lovely to drive and I still wish i hadn't gone over to a manual RR

[smokey0123]

Avoid there freelander, there always blowing head gaskets (petrol 1s), scrubbing tyres out and needing new propshafts (About £800 ive fitted loads of them). My advise is go for an old diesel defender 90.

[omegadirective]

Good ideas and advice all round! I think I'll join a LR forum after lunch and scout about! :)

I don't like the Freelander as much, looks a bit weird to me. I'd be looking at an old good condition Discovery or Range Rover.

If I did get one I'd have to get a good one as I might keep it for towing a horse box in a couple of years time. Don't really want to get rid of my A3 though. :( Hate paying for repairs to it though... :(

[paul b]

Odie, does it have to be a 4x4? Or could you not get away with maybe a 4WD estate?

My boss at work had a 'Devil' X5 3.0D, and sold it as he needed to release some funds. He bought a J reg Land Rover Discovery (whatever that is) and it was awful. Mind you, he should never have bought it, he has no experience in the car industry and could have at least got someone like myself to look over it for him.

In the end it needed 2 front shocks, the auto box was for some reason jumpy, and his electric windows wouldn't work. They are not hugely expensive (well the Auto box could have been) but nevertheless he got annoyed by it and sold it to buy a an Audi Allroad 2.7T Tiptronic, his first Audi.

Paul

[BDT]

My boss at work had a 'Devil' X5 3.0D, and sold it as he needed to release some funds. He bought a J reg Land Rover Discovery (whatever that is) and it was awful.

To be honest Paul, after driving the X5, the others would be a poor drive , as its a real hard act to follow. While I've not had the pleasure of the Q7 yet, if you compare a land rover or range rover against the X5 (on the road) they are a bit lacking, (new range rovers are fine) especially the older ones that are like like ships when it comes to corners.

Don't get me wrong the Range rover is a great vehicle and used to be the king of the road, and the old land rover defenders are king in the mud, but as most luxury 4x4 spend 99% of the time on the public road, unless your going to be conquering mountains the X5 should be on your shopping list if your in the market for a luxury off roader.

Obviously price is a factor, which puts it out of omegadirective (http://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/member.php?u=9257)'s quoted budget.

I'm sure I've seen Range rover V8's with LPG conversions around the 1500 mark (obviously that leaves you with nothing for insurance)

I did find a few rangy's below the 1500, but this caught my eye (http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/LAND+ROVER+RANGE+ROVER/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-240-4294967209-4294967210/advert.action?R=200827313610063&distance=140&postcode=l3+7bg&channel=CARS&make=LAND+ROVER&model=RANGE+ROVER&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=)

It's on a dealers forecourt and in today's financial climate, I just know there's a good deal to be had.

No one has mentioned a land cruiser (http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/TOYOTA+LANDCRUISER/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-240-4294966561-4294967173/advert.action?R=200836111360030&distance=65&postcode=l3+7bg&channel=CARS&make=TOYOTA&model=LANDCRUISER&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=)

[paul b]

BDT, I mentioned this is in another thread somewhere (I think in the thread where I got burned by a TVR) that I have indeed driven that X5 and was distinctly unimpressed.

The ride was stiff (even compared to my Audi's standards!), the interior isn't half like the quality of an Audi or Mercedes and the space in the boot was abysmal.

I'm not a 4x4 man anyway I like my saloons but the X5 didn't exactly encourage me to change my ways and buy a 4x4.

Paul

[BDT]

I agree with you about the boot space, most estates have far more room, but i dont agree with with the build quality of the interior, but i do suppose that depends on the model and trim level in the one that you have driven.

The one i drove was the 4.6is which comes fully loaded with nearly all the toys, and was fitted with some of the nicest cream leather seats, that i've ever had the privilege of sitting upon.

As the 4.6is is a sport model, the suspension was firm,and given it had 20in wheels it was going to be firm, but i do think this is something down to individual driver preference, and as my last car rolled on 19's with lowered suspension, I'm quite used to feeling every bump in the road. :biglaugh:

[omegadirective]

Hey!

Well funny you should mention an Audi Allroader. I found an immaculate one for £4k, so was thinking of trading my A3 in for it. Best of both worlds and would still leave me with a little for insurance. It had £140,000 miles on the clock though, which was my only concern.

The main issue here is my age, I'm finding every decent RR/LR/Allroader I find has too big an engine for me to insure decently. Downside of being 20.

On a seperate note, my insurance company was adamant I had third party insurance. I had requested a confirmation via paper copy which I still have not received. It turns out after MUCH perusing on the t'internet that I have NO third party insurance. I am VERY unhappy with my insurance company now as one of the conditions were that I would be covered third party for other vehicles.

Thanks for having a look though guys, I'm going to keep looking until I find something with a small enough engine. It doesn't have to be a 4x4, it's just they seem like the cheaper option. A really decently specced Allroader would be good though!

I think I'm going to have a problem when I finally start using my S3 properly though. It's going to take me AGES to get up that half a mile road without damaging my S3. Another fella from the riding school has a brand new S3 though and manages it, so I'm sure it can be done! :)

Odie

[BDT]

Allroader - £3500 (http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/AUDI+ALLROAD/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146-236,N-240-4294964860-4294966997/advert.action?R=200814307224563&distance=159&postcode=l20+3hh&channel=CARS&make=AUDI&model=ALLROAD&min_pr=&max_pr=&max_mileage=)

Only 109k on the clock :beerchug:

[Bora me Golf]

If its just for bouncin up n down bumpy roads get an old trooper... with the old 3.1td in it... cheap to buy, just about bullet proof, easy to work on and bags of fun off road.....

proofs in the pudding.... have two troops two rodeos at out workin 24/7 all over the place.

[paul b]

I agree with you about the boot space, most estates have far more room, but i dont agree with with the build quality of the interior, but i do suppose that depends on the model and trim level in the one that you have driven.

The one i drove was the 4.6is which comes fully loaded with nearly all the toys, and was fitted with some of the nicest cream leather seats, that i've ever had the privilege of sitting upon.

As the 4.6is is a sport model, the suspension was firm,and given it had 20in wheels it was going to be firm, but i do think this is something down to individual driver preference, and as my last car rolled on 19's with lowered suspension, I'm quite used to feeling every bump in the road. :biglaugh:

If you've driven an Audi with a Sport suspension then you know it's stiff.

My boss' X5 was the top notch of the diesels, black leather with sat-nav, multi-function steering wheel, xenons etc etc. In fact the seats were good, nice and comfy, but it was the dashboard and things that felt sturdy enough, but the chrome look trims just didn't look nice, I much prefer the aluminium trims in my A6.

My A6 doesn't have all of that kit, but I wouldn't swap it nevertheless.

Give me the chance of an Allroad, then I will swap it. :p


Hey!

Well funny you should mention an Audi Allroader. I found an immaculate one for £4k, so was thinking of trading my A3 in for it. Best of both worlds and would still leave me with a little for insurance. It had £140,000 miles on the clock though, which was my only concern.

The main issue here is my age, I'm finding every decent RR/LR/Allroader I find has too big an engine for me to insure decently. Downside of being 20.

On a seperate note, my insurance company was adamant I had third party insurance. I had requested a confirmation via paper copy which I still have not received. It turns out after MUCH perusing on the t'internet that I have NO third party insurance. I am VERY unhappy with my insurance company now as one of the conditions were that I would be covered third party for other vehicles.

Thanks for having a look though guys, I'm going to keep looking until I find something with a small enough engine. It doesn't have to be a 4x4, it's just they seem like the cheaper option. A really decently specced Allroader would be good though!

I think I'm going to have a problem when I finally start using my S3 properly though. It's going to take me AGES to get up that half a mile road without damaging my S3. Another fella from the riding school has a brand new S3 though and manages it, so I'm sure it can be done! :)

Odie

Odie (you donkey dunce :p;)) it's an Allroad, not an 'Allroader'.

You might want to take a look in the A6 section if you're considering an Allroad, so you know what troublespots to look for such as plenum chamber, CV joints, alternator pulley (on the diesels) etc.

My boss jacked his X5 in for a 2.7T Allroad, and it's very nice. He had a bit more to spend than yourself though, he spent £7.5k but had a bit of trouble with it and got ripped off by Audi, when he could quite easily have asked me to go over it with VAG-COM.

Paul