P38 as a weekend toy

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M

MackP38

Member
Posts
19
Location
Scotland
Hello,

New to this group so slightly unsure on the customs.

I am thinking of buying a Range Rover P38 4.6. I dream of owning a defender but unfortunately funds don’t quite cover that! I want a Land Rover that I can just insure for 2000 miles a year and use it for generally trundling around locally (I live in rural Scottish Borders) and maybe take on some green lanes. I want to do some mods and just general tinkering at weekends. I am 21 and own a van and a VW Polo as well, but I want something challenging. Is a p38 a good option? It certainly won’t be my daily driver, just a weekend toy, my friends getting a defender for the same reasons.

Many thanks.
 
Welcome into the farm!!
The saying goes that whatever you spend on the '38 put at least half of the asking price aside for the repair you will no doubt have to do. If you are handy with spanners and don't mind getting dirty then take up the challenge.
If you rely on a garage to do the work then maybe think about it more seriously.
Looking around the search on this farm will reveal the kind of repairs you might have to do and some you will have to do depending on the age of your bus!
Good luck on your choice. I'd like to spend out on a nice S2a..
Them you can mod the nuts off it:cool: there mods around for the '38 but not as much for other LR products. You won't regret owning it and it's a very capable offroader. Just a little fussy sometimes;)
 
Hi welcome:)

Wrong area of the forum but hey ho it was at least an introduction so don’t worry:)

Not sure how handy you are with spanner’s and car things.
From what you describe you needs and wants you may do better to wait save a bit more and buy the defender/series you want.
Modin wise there is much more flexibility with the defender range. The P38 is great.... but you knew it was coming, it can be a lot more on top of the asking price when all the little things surface and sometimes the big things, and not always easy spanner fixes. That’s not to say a defender wouldn’t give problems but I think the older 1s if solid are easier fixed and abused.
The key thing is solid it’s got to be solid or it could get to be a lot of work.

Don’t rush in and just be ready when the right 1 appears. Let your mate buy first and see how he gets on and what buying mistakes show up.
Read around on here for the problems you could encounter.for either model.

Whatever do not let me put you off whatever you decide they are both fun in their own way:)

J
 
Mark Piercy said:
Welcome into the farm!!
The saying goes that whatever you spend on the '38 put at least half of the asking price aside for the repair you will no doubt have to do. If you are handy with spanners and don't mind getting dirty then take up the challenge.
If you rely on a garage to do the work then maybe think about it more seriously.
Looking around the search on this farm will reveal the kind of repairs you might have to do and some you will have to do depending on the age of your bus!
Good luck on your choice. I'd like to spend out on a nice S2a..
Them you can mod the nuts off it:cool: there mods around for the '38 but not as much for other LR products. You won't regret owning it and it's a very capable offroader. Just a little fussy sometimes;)
Click to expand...

Thanks for replying! I would hope to be able to tackle quite a few mechanical bits myself, I also have spanner happy uncles! I’ll keep looking around for as solid a vehicle as possible to minimise additional costs within a week of owning it.
 
marjon said:
Hi welcome:)

Wrong area of the forum but hey ho it was at least an introduction so don’t worry:)

Not sure how handy you are with spanner’s and car things.
From what you describe you needs and wants you may do better to wait save a bit more and buy the defender/series you want.
Modin wise there is much more flexibility with the defender range. The P38 is great.... but you knew it was coming, it can be a lot more on top of the asking price when all the little things surface and sometimes the big things, and not always easy spanner fixes. That’s not to say a defender wouldn’t give problems but I think the older 1s if solid are easier fixed and abused.
The key thing is solid it’s got to be solid or it could get to be a lot of work.

Don’t rush in and just be ready when the right 1 appears. Let your mate buy first and see how he gets on and what buying mistakes show up.
Read around on here for the problems you could encounter.for either model.

Whatever do not let me put you off whatever you decide they are both fun in their own way:)

J
Click to expand...
I know it would probably be wiser to be patient and save up for a defender but unfortunately I wasn’t born with the gift of patience! I feel that if I buy a P38 at the price I’m looking at then even if I hate it within a week I shouldn’t make a huge loss if I need to sell it.
At my age I do see things through rose tinted glasses, but having spent hours reading about the p38 i am fully prepared for disaster!
 
1988smithy said:
What about a disco 1 or 2? Disco 1 would be much simpler
Click to expand...
I have been looking equally at a Disco 2, seems to be around the same price and interior quality are equal, I just think a P38 has more presence and character. But with presence comes costs I’m sure...I’ll keep looking at both options!
 
MackP38 said:
I know it would probably be wiser to be patient and save up for a defender but unfortunately I wasn’t born with the gift of patience! I feel that if I buy a P38 at the price I’m looking at then even if I hate it within a week I shouldn’t make a huge loss if I need to sell it.
At my age I do see things through rose tinted glasses, but having spent hours reading about the p38 i am fully prepared for disaster!
Click to expand...

We men have that patience issue you are not alone:) as for the glasses, well some of us here are 2 or3 times your age and still wear them:oops::rolleyes:.
There is no doubt about the presence on the road and the extra comfort for trundling around. But off road if the going gets rough it could struggle against a defender.
You seem to be set on the P38 and I have no problem with that:) just take the glasses off when you go look at it and take a deep breath, go have a coffee before committing.

But the same rule don’t rush in, good luck:)

J
 
marjon said:
We men have that patience issue you are not alone:) as for the glasses, well some of us here are 2 or3 times your age and still wear them:oops::rolleyes:.
There is no doubt about the presence on the road and the extra comfort for trundling around. But off road if the going gets rough it could struggle against a defender.
You seem to be set on the P38 and I have no problem with that:) just take the glasses off when you go look at it and take a deep breath, go have a coffee before committing.

But the same rule don’t rush in, good luck:)

J
Click to expand...
Thanks, that’s sensible fair advice. I’ll definitely take my time in making the final decision
 
My take on land rovers
They are not for everyone
It takes a special person to
Appreciate them
Specially over here
Sounds like you
Want it
Go for it and just deal your way through ownership
And good luck
 
mikieman said:
My take on land rovers
They are not for everyone
It takes a special person to
Appreciate them
Specially over here
Sounds like you
Want it
Go for it and just deal your way through ownership
And good luck
Click to expand...
I appreciate your comment, it certainly does take a different mindset to see the attraction to land rovers, I’m not in the fortunate position to potentially own my own, and it’s a thrilling and privileged position to be!
 
MackP38 said:
I appreciate your comment, it certainly does take a different mindset to see the attraction to land rovers, I’m not in the fortunate position to potentially own my own, and it’s a thrilling and privileged position to be!
Click to expand...
*now in the fortunate position
 
They aren't cheap to run so lets get that straight, they don't rust at all unlike the d2 which you can hoover up after a few years ;)

Parts are cheap but as with al LR's they have an achilles heal which is certain electronic components, again not bank breaking expense but still to consider.

Engines are huge debate

many favour the 2.5 Diesel but it's slow not that economical and TBH V8's are better regardless ;)
Petrol has a torque and HP advantage and they're smooth and refined..

Downside is they can drop cylinder liners if overheated, and HG's can be a problem but with it being an OHV old V8 changing a headgasket is a 5min job.

And there is so much space under the bonnet that pulling an engine is easily achievable in a weekend if need be.

So to sum up..

Can have electrical issues.
Doesn't rust..
Good looking
MPG is hilariously bad..
etc etc.

It really depends on whether you want to live with a welder in your hand or a piece of diagnostic equipment.. ;)
 
4.6's also have a benefit of stronger 4 pin diffs.

They also have the stronger ZF4HP24 transmission.

If it's just a toy you're looking for, try and find a late model 4.6. :)

If you can find a good cheap one, they aren't going as cheap as they used to prices are climbing. :D
 
Henry_b said:
4.6's also have a benefit of stronger 4 pin diffs.

They also have the stronger ZF4HP24 transmission.

If it's just a toy you're looking for, try and find a late model 4.6. :)

If you can find a good cheap one, they aren't going as cheap as they used to prices are climbing. :D
Click to expand...

Reckon a 4.6 would be a viable alternative to a defender? Maintenance wise about the same but better for on tarmac

Asking for a mate
 
1988smithy said:
Reckon a 4.6 would be a viable alternative to a defender? Maintenance wise and better for on tarmac
Click to expand...

In terms of power and refinement yes the 4.6 is IMHO better.

Reliability, well depends it doesn't rust at all unlike the defender!! so its a trade off, Either tackle the occasional electrical gremlin or patch holes on a defender, depends on the person I guess.

the P38 is given a bad rep which it doesn't deserve the electrics while finiky are rather simple compared to what came after, and parts are readily available.

Offroad is mixed territory with its EAS and 4 wheel traction control the P38 is a very good offroader, probably equal to that of a defender. ;)

Oh and while the V8 is said to be Satan, you couldn't ask for an easier engine to work on, and if you look after it, they'll last.
 
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