Buyers guide for classic range rovers?

Hi and this is my first post on the site.

I'm looking to buy a Range Rover Classic. Basically I'm happy enough to buy a car needing a bit of work, or with no tax/test, and take a little bit of a risk on it. I currently have a Mercedes 300TE (1988) and use it for towing occasionally (car trailer + race car) so that's part of the reason. But I also have always liked the idea of off roading and at least once in my life, owning a V8.

From what I've found, 1988 seems to be a changeover year where they came with more stuff, ie 4 litre engine instead of 3.5? And some other stuff too? I'd want an auto as well, basically for comfort reasons. Eventually, it would need to be my daily driver too.

I don't mind doing a bit of work but don't want to end up spending hundreds, or thousands, trying to fix something which is never going to be quite right. I've heard that common issues are rust on the chassis/bonnet/tailgate, possible head gasket issues, and worn bushes. I can weld, which would help, but for example if the bushes all needed replacing, how much approx would this cost and is it possible in the DIY environment or would you need a press, or a garage to do the whole job?

thanks in anticipation...

Very good motor for what your after!Wots your budget for the motor AND repairs? They are not cheap to get fixed but you can do most if not all your self. Check EVERYWHERE for rust, go to look at em in overalls.Get under it with a screwdriever and poke the hole of the chassis, body mountings, everywhere.Youll not get a rust free example but less is better.Also if its been used as a chelsea tractor it wont look like a tractor underneath. Play with all the buttons see if they work if not decide if you need em and knock off money accordingly.Ive got heated seats, cruise control electric mirrors none of that works but i aint bothered.You might be.Autos are more common and yeah thats the one you want, mines done 115k but gear change is still smooth n quick.Engine should be plenty powerful enough-quite brisk for a big motor.Obviously thirsty- 3.9 v8.Looking at 15-18 mpg around town, 25 on steady run, less if youve got a heavy foot.Ive spent less than a grand in a year and ive had a lot of probblems and its used and abused, if i can keep one running you defo can!Let us know how you got on!

oh bushes cost sround 55 quid for a set

Cheers, I went to see my first one tonight. I know what everyone says about looking at cars in the dark! But there was rhyme to my reason. It was a diesel and I'd thought initially that it would be too slow and I should be focusing on petrol ones. So I wanted to go have a look at a diesel anyway, just to check. I had a little run in it and it confirmed my suspicions - petrol for me.

I have another couple lined up to look at, in the next few days.

Am I right in thinking that the only model with cruise control as standard is a Vogue SE?

mines a vogue se and its got cruise, dunno if its standard.Is that something you really want?Im personally not keen, but each to their own. Werent keen on the diesel?Was it a VM diesel (italian engine) or a TDi(landrover engine on the later models-and the better of the 2 dezuls)? Once you've had a drive in one of the v8s you'll notice a big difference, I know what i prefer! Have as many test drives and looks round as you like, they dont cost you anything and it is a buyers market.

Goonarmy is talking sense. I got a '91 Vogue SE. Heated screen, heated electric mirrors, ABS, cruise control, electric sunroof, electric seats etc etc. The Classic is a cracking motor but sometimes living with one is hard.

Check for rust then check the electrics. Mine has only just reached 84k, when I bought it it only had 72.5k, low mileage can mean it has not been used much or it has spent a lot of time off the road coz it don't work! If you find a good one and spend a bit of time and trouble maintaining it, you'll not really want anything else. They are good off road although not quite as capable as a Defender, but if you do quite long motorway drives, the Classic is great. Apart from that, I just like the noise of a V8, which is why I bought one.

best tip ever .....spend no more than £1250.

Went to see another today, which isn't even a Range Rover - it was a Discovery. These seem more plentiful and kinda do the same job, I guess. Anyway, didn't quite like the Disco in general, but its there as a reserve in the back of my mind if needs be. Not quite the same luxury image as I'm used to (coming from a Mercedes) so I'll stick out for a Range Rover. At least I've also seen a disco close up so I'm now not left wondering "what if...".

I do use the cruise control a lot, its one of those things you'd not miss if you didn't have it....but since I have it, I'd now miss it. Having said that, are all Vogue SEs leather (cos I don't want leather really!). I guess in an ideal world I want:

3.9 litre V8
LPG
cruise control
not leather
Range Rover classic
not green colour (unlucky)


Does this combination of equipment exist?

you can get the "fuzzy bear"seats, just as comfy but they look like a fuzzy bear.If you look at discos try an es model,some are just as spec'd up as a range. Just as an example 1993 LAND ROVER RANGEROVER VOGUE EFI A BLUE on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 10-Feb-09 17:16:16 GMT)

or here 1991 Land Rover Range Rover Vogue EFi 3.9 AUTOMATIC on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 11-Feb-09 03:45:48 GMT)

goonarmy said:

you can get the "fuzzy bear"seats, just as comfy but they look like a fuzzy bear.If you look at discos try an es model,some are just as spec'd up as a range. Just as an example 1993 LAND ROVER RANGEROVER VOGUE EFI A BLUE on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 10-Feb-09 17:16:16 GMT)

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Cheers, but that's a Vogue, not Vogue SE so it doesn't have cruise control. I guess the non-leather seats option was available on Vogue SE; or a cruise control as an option on a Vogue???

ive got a 91 vogue se on LPG, no leather no cruise no electrics anywhere just windows. , no sunroof....
i paid 450 for mine and spent 400 straight away on welding and mot, the exhaust was ropey so renewed the manifolds with really good second hand ones, new down pipes and y pipe, 100 , apart from back box, new dizzy cap/arm/leads 90, box was struggling to hit 4th and sticky in gears so low sourced a low mileage autobox that went in today 350 so all in all it owes me around 1500 there or there abouts, but everything works and it runs on pennies with the LPG, also its on ebay as ive seen a nice disco locally that i fancy
1991 Range Rover Vogue SE - 3.9 V8 LPG - Superb Example on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 12-Feb-09 15:48:42 GMT)

disco52 said:

ive got a 91 vogue se on LPG, no leather no cruise no electrics anywhere just windows. , no sunroof....
i paid 450 for mine and spent 400 straight away on welding and mot, the exhaust was ropey so renewed the manifolds with really good second hand ones, new down pipes and y pipe, 100 , apart from back box, new dizzy cap/arm/leads 90, box was struggling to hit 4th and sticky in gears so low sourced a low mileage autobox that went in today 350 so all in all it owes me around 1500 there or there abouts, but everything works and it runs on pennies with the LPG, also its on ebay as ive seen a nice disco locally that i fancy
1991 Range Rover Vogue SE - 3.9 V8 LPG - Superb Example on eBay, also, Land Rover Range Rover, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 12-Feb-09 15:48:42 GMT)

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Cheers, unfortunately its a little too far away and I'm taking a cautious approach by looking in the flesh, rather than buying from pics this time. I went to see an LPG one today and its a bit of a 'project' rather than able to be pressed immediately into use, but to be honest I kinda like that kind of thing.

I'll let you guys know how it goes.....

Well I've seen a few more and I saw a really nice one last night. Unfortunately I've now hit upon a massive stumbling block. I phoned my insurance company and they won't cover an LPG-converted car. So, I'd be obliged to cancel my insurance (approx £230/year) and take some out which costs £470/year. This is despite the Range Rover falling into a lower group than the Merc, basically so few insurers cover LPG converted cars that the much less choice/competition out there means the price is always going to be more.

So I'm forced to choose:

LPG - higher insurance
Petrol - higher fuel costs
Diesel - too slow.

And at that point, keeping my existing car looks quite an attractive proposition...... anyone with suggestions which can get round the insurance issue?

UPDATE/EDIT

After having looked around at different insurance etc, it is possible but its always going to be a little higher, so it closes up the cost advantage of LPG quite a bit. Its still worthwhile but will take 2 years to recover any saving on it.

go third party on insurance cos if its a write off you are only going to get 800 quids so **** it.

adrian flux do 3rd party f&t for lpg.

Beast o Bodmin said:

go third party on insurance cos if its a write off you are only going to get 800 quids so **** it.

adrian flux do 3rd party f&t for lpg.

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The £470/year (Swinton) and £300/year (cheapest elsewhere) is based on TPFT. This compares to around £230/year (Mercedes) and £220/year (Petrol, standard Range Rover). For comparison I put in a small Ford Fiesta and that came out at £170. Strangely, diesel Range Rovers came out higher than petrol, too. Possibly based on repair costs?

ffok.i pay £300 for a modded range so ya should be £150 or so.

Beast o Bodmin said:

ffok.i pay £300 for a modded range so ya should be £150 or so.

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I don't think you can just compare insurance like that though, it depends on other factors such as postcode, garaged, occupation, etc. £300/year isn't that much compared to some insurance costs I've heard, eg young people in hot hatches. I'm all ears, if there's owners clubs discounts or another way to get costs down though!!!

try the post office on money supermarket.com.I had a range standard quote of £127 i fink or so

Yep, cheers for the advice. If I 'win' this one (why does eBay call it win - I still have to pay for it!!!) I'll get it transported home, so I don't need to get insurance sorted, or transferred from the other car, straight away. Then I can take my time searching around the comparison websites and other providers (I already have multi car with Footman James) and see if I can get a good deal.