P38really so good?

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Rangeroo

New Member
Posts
25
Often ask myself "do we really like the P38 so much".
...or who are we kidding, it's just a cheap way of running a luxury brand. Yes cheap even allowing for problems. If I had 70k burning a hole in my pocket would I waste so much time and effort keeping the 12 yr old P38 going... NO.
I don't so it's back to the spammers for me.
Keep looking at 09 MY RR but still looking at £30 then I think how long I can keep the p38 going for less then the depreciation...
It's not love, it's cash!
 
P38 arnt gona depresiate much more as good ones are getting rare
Give id say another 5years and i think it will come into classic car market
Ive already told the wife ill not sell mine ,stop using maybe! but put into storage (ive got space) and pull it out in 10years
 
Often ask myself "do we really like the P38 so much".
...or who are we kidding, it's just a cheap way of running a luxury brand. Yes cheap even allowing for problems. If I had 70k burning a hole in my pocket would I waste so much time and effort keeping the 12 yr old P38 going... NO.
I don't so it's back to the spammers for me.
Keep looking at 09 MY RR but still looking at £30 then I think how long I can keep the p38 going for less then the depreciation...
It's not love, it's cash!

I'm lucky enough to (within reason - no Veyrons!) be able to afford any car I like, I have a P38 through choice, it has been reliable (I drive 20-30K miles per year), sure if it gives me hassle I'll demote it to weekend play thing - until then I'll carry on enjoying it.
 
P38's are cheap as chips I like cars that have space around the engine bay (diesel) one of best like a 200tdi or series you can get in there without Friggin about take a look under a td5 td6 v8 tdv8 300tdi no room to swing a cat !!!
 
I am indifferent to my P38. I got one because I first saw one scream past us on the motorway back in the mid 90s and I knew I wanted one. It has taken me a long time to get into the position where I can afford to run such a vehicle and part of me thinks never meet your heroes but the other part (the child in me) is glad I got to own a dream car.

I wish I'd got a 4.6 as it was a Vee that tore the doors off my dads Granada all those years ago. But what can you do? I plan on retaining this vehicle for as long as finances allow, even after I get a company car (next month or so) I'll keep this in the garage and fix it up in my spare time until she is perfect (as perfect as RRs get).

I'd like a L322 or ideally a Jag XK8 (I should be in the position to get one or t'other in November), but I'll never get rid of the P38. Not if I can help it anyway.
 
For me there are less vehicles that fit my requirements and Land Rovers tick all the boxes. I am constrained by budget, but mostly because I want to do other things/hobbies and can't afford to throw say £10K at transportation.

Mine is used for:

  • Commute/family transport. I'm on a bus route, but drop son at school which would result in 3 buses and over an hour and a half for a 20 minute trip by car.
  • Mobile disco's - more gear than would comfortably fit in average estate.
  • Off-road use (mostly grass/mud) either carrying tools, towing trailer with wood, feeds or hay/straw - perhaps once a month.
  • Towing & launching boats etc.
Yes, there are other 4x4's and and a runabout/van combination could work, but then there's 2 x RFL, MoT, insurance etc and I don't have the space to keep. Half the so called 4x4's out there either won't tow the weight, get bogged down with anything more than a half-inch of mud or they cost a small mortgage to buy. I can also maintain the Land Rovers myself and parts aren't going to break the bank.


Finally, I actually really do like my P38 - it has character, looks and supports British jobs! What more could I ask? :cool:
 
I'd like a L322 or ideally a Jag XK8 (I should be in the position to get one or t'other in November), but I'll never get rid of the P38. Not if I can help it anyway.

That era of Jags are pretty reliable - though buy a 2000 onwards car (last 6 digits if vin at least A24196 for XK8) to avoid the early cam chain tensioner problems, not to mention the earlier nikasil issues - although to be fair if one of those engines escaped the sulphur wear issues the bores will probably outlast you. A set of wishbones (wheel wobble at motorway speeds) every 70K miles aside, if you buy a good one it will last years. They are pretty frugal too - my XJ8 used to regularly return 30mpg on the motorway.
 
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I got mine through choice
I had a perfectly good mondeo and vectra which were sold yo make way for the rr
Ive had 2 p38s before and fell in love with them (warts and all)
Sure there unreliable and expencive but look at it!! Were else can you get so much road presance ?
And if i had 30k id buy another although it would be younger and better equiped+£20K to do a nuts and bolts restore
Eather that or a DB9 :behindsofa:
 
My P38 is through choice. It's a top spec model in extremely good condition for almost 11 years old & so for me worth keeping. My aim is to keep everything working as it should & if i find i want a newer model (still not convinced with the L322 though) i will keep the P38, not because i think it will increase in value at some point but to me the value of the car is not monetary.
 
That era of Jags are pretty reliable - though buy a 2000 onwards car (last 6 digits if vin at least A24196 for XK8) to avoid the early cam chain tensioner problems, not to mention the earlier nikasil issues - although to be fair if one of those engines escaped the sulphur wear issues the bores will probably outlast you. A set of wishbones (wheel wobble at motorway speeds) every 70K miles aside, if you buy a good one it will last years. They are pretty frugal too - my XJ8 used to regularly return 30mpg on the motorway.

The boss used to have an XK8 before replacing it with an Audi and then getting an XK again (07 this time) and it was a lovely motor, but it did suffer nikasil, then the new engine got ruined because Jag dropped the new engine on the cross member which cut the oil feed, that failed while doing 80MPH. Was such a sad end to a lovely vehicle.

I'm looking around late 99 to early 01 (to get inside the good side of road tax). So I'll shifted my goals to 00 to 01. Thanks for the info though. Makes it sound like a nicer option. :D
 
I would love to get a newer RR in pursuit of reliability. Thing is would an 08/09 MY be more reliable? I would be gutted to spend all that cash and end up with trouble.
The later models have grown about a foot which will be real tight in my garage. Other option would be a RR sport..
I do love my P38 but would love a newer one even more...
 
Is it a matter of newer ones been more reliable or is it they havent worn out yet?

Indeed, the P38 for all its faults is a simple car compared to a L322 - it's certainly vastly more rust resistant. Come 2030 I reckon there will be more P38s on the road than L322s.
 
My P38 has to work for its fuel, however when its working I like to be comfortable. Also it has to be fixable by my own hands and cheap for parts. I can't think of another vehicle which fits these requirments
 
My P38 has to work for its fuel, however when its working I like to be comfortable. Also it has to be fixable by my own hands and cheap for parts. I can't think of another vehicle which fits these requirments

freelander 1 of course, and cheaper running costs, looks better aswell, and can remove the roof of the 3 door.
 
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