Classic What's the going rate on a RRC? Are they nice to drive?

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mikerajjers

mikerajjers

Well-Known Member
Posts
1,467
Location
Bedford UK or Trnava SK
I didn't intend to buy a RRC but a nice one has come up and I'm undecided.

It's a LHD 1993 V8 auto in metallic grey with a cream leather interior. Looks top class judging by photos and apparently has little rust. Has done 198k kilometers. It's on coils.

I'm wary of going to take a look as I'll probably end up buying it as I've always wanted a V8.

My questions to you folk...
1, are V8 RRCs nice to drive? Is the auto box good? I have a defender TD5 manual and had a D2 TD5 manual. Compared to these, is an RRC lurvly?
2. Does 6500EUR sound about right? It spent most of its life in Spain hence minimal rust. Remember it's LHD
3. Were RRCs well built...it will I need to spend a fortune? Also considering its done 198k miles.

Cheers
 
Here are some pics of the one in question. Any comments are very welcome
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Looks very nice, as a comparison I bought an 88 2.4VM last xmas for €4600 euros which I thought was top dollar, seller was asking €5200.
After having it 6 months I have been all over it, under body panels, etc and there is NO rust, which is why I bought it, so they do exist. It had spent most of its time in the south of france.
Biggest problem I have had really was tracing and fixing a duff heater blower motor, plenty of other little niggles like central locking being lazy etc but nothing to make me regret buying it. Enjoying using it as a sunday car.
10 years ago I sold a mid 80's V8 which had a load of miles on it and was used really just for laning and RTV's, again nice car.
Don't expect any better performance from the V8 over a Td5, just nicer soundtrack.
 
I think if I went to look at this, I would also end up buying it. Looks like a really nice example
 
Nothing like as good as the P38. Very early RRC were horrendous to drive on anything other than a straight road. On a winding road they were like sitting in a rowing boat.
 
I've owned four RRC's, the first was the same year as your proposed purchase which slipped a liner at around 90k miles but if your PP has reached 123k the chances are that it will be ok, just don't be tempted to fit LPG. RRC's built at the time of the Disco 1 intro. (in '89) & beyond used a lower quality steel & tend to suffer more from corrosion, although the dry climate will hopefully have reduced the onset of rust, but look EVERYWHERE anyway. A good RRC is a delight to drive & does so with the style & charisma that is lacking in later models. Enjoy the 'original' :)
Downsides? Don't expect the A/C to be as efficient as modern cars in hot weather & heed the given advice (V8 vs TD5) about performance, on road these cars are more suited to gathering momentum than outright acceleration :rolleyes:
 
Thank you for your replies. I'll go and have a look and see whether I like it and whether there really is minimal rust. I definitely won't bother with LPG, it would only be a weekend car anyway so won't cost loads in fuel. The seller seems genuine enough on the phone, says he's selling it as he has a baby and needs extra time and money. He's also got a Merc w123 coupe which suggests he likes his classic cars and takes good care of them. I don't mind spending money fixing them up but need to watch my cash flow as I have stared building a house.
 
I had a very low mileage one before my current Ratbag. The interior felt really plush somehow. The tailgate rotted and so did the upper door pillars. As grrrrrr said it was like driving a boat. The sunroof drain holes get blocked and you don't want the resultant flood. Goodbye roof lining. It was great to tow with and it loved LPG. There's enough room in the basement for underslung tanks. As an investment the prices are going silly. It might be saying something but a P38 Thor is a much better all rounder.
 
supapete said:
I had a very low mileage one before my current Ratbag. The interior felt really plush somehow. As grrrrrr said it was like driving a boat. The sunroof drain holes get blocked and you don't want the resultant flood.
Click to expand...

My '87 had ben retrofitted with LR's own handling kit (which includes new standard rate rear springs to replace the heavy duty ones LR specified in an attempt to counter the 'boat' symptoms) & consequently is very stable, by 4x4 standards, when cornering. Sun-roof drains are blown through with an airline at service time.
 
Sorry, misread your 198k miles as kilometres, hence my 123k remark but my comment is still valid providing the car has a good service record.
 
For what its worth I've had my '91 RRC for about 9 years now. It has been abused but it keeps going. Rust is the biggest issue, look carefully inner wings, A post, B post and C post. Check rear cross member, boot floor, front footwells. Check the electrics work.

As for on road manners, never really been a problem as far as I have found. You can push on at really quite respectable rates but always remember it wasn't built for speed and although the brakes are O.K. it won't pull up like a modern motor will. If you're quite tall you might find it a bit tight inside, they are no what I would call a spacious motor especially compared to later Range Rovers.

Overall though, have to say I love my RRC, battered and abused as it is, these days it isn't used for laning like I used to (but I still could if I wanted!) but it does me for towing, fetching and carrying and if nothing else, I just like the noise.
 
mikerajjers said:
I didn't intend to buy a RRC but a nice one has come up and I'm undecided.

It's a LHD 1993 V8 auto in metallic grey with a cream leather interior. Looks top class judging by photos and apparently has little rust. Has done 198k kilometers. It's on coils.

I'm wary of going to take a look as I'll probably end up buying it as I've always wanted a V8.

My questions to you folk...
1, are V8 RRCs nice to drive? Is the auto box good? I have a defender TD5 manual and had a D2 TD5 manual. Compared to these, is an RRC lurvly?
2. Does 6500EUR sound about right? It spent most of its life in Spain hence minimal rust. Remember it's LHD
3. Were RRCs well built...it will I need to spend a fortune? Also considering its done 198k miles.

Cheers
Click to expand...
Gear box is ok, very dated now obviously bit not too bad in comparison to a td5. Same for ride, keep an eye on suspension components or it might get a bit wallowy. Remember it's not a caterham. Engine is nice, noise is orgasmic and it will keep up with modern traffic easily if in good nick. Petrol will disappear like it's leaking, I developed a very laid back motorway technique that meant I followed lorrys with me TC locked and achieved a solid 25mpg which I was happy with. Interior on yours looks in good nick. What model is it? Looks specced to a vogue se. Leather seats are lovely. Baby poo Brown ones are horrible to look at (that's what I had) but that don't matter when sitting on em. Steering is light enough for the size.
Brakes are good for the age but not the same as modern day good.
 
Thanks for your tips so far! I was supposed to see it last week but we couldn´t agree on a suitable date. Should be going to check it out tomorrow. I am thinking of offering 4500 or 5000 EUR if I like it.
 
I have owned 2 or 3 and now have a P38. I found the classic to be much more "luxurious" and a joy to drive. I still have one as a project and is still lovely to sit inside.
 
A classic should be a good investment, but iv never found the owner of one without a nervous twitch when he starts it up and finds his credit card falling out of his wallet at the same time, :p
 
Petrols are a delight to drive!!
diesels are ponderous except for the "peppy" 119hp vm 2.5. :D
look for rust as previously stated especially the sills, chassis, crossmembers and brake lines!!
 
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