In my search for a SUV to do some light towing, I've come across a ton of used 01 Range Rovers. They are all over the place down here. Mileage ranges from 60K-75K.
I could get a killer deal on one.
Now I know about reliability problems as well as electrical problems, & maintenance costs. I've posted on more then 1 occasion telling someone to not get a Land Rover product.

I borrowed a 01 HSE from someone back in 02 for a few months. I always liked the way it looked & how comfortable it was.
It would not be a daily driver. I'd rotate driving it with my CLS, & use it to tow what I need once per week 5 miles(round trip). Hence why I'm thinking it would be too bad to own it.

I looked at 2 today & will look at a few more Sunday.

I've looked for weeks at different used SUV's. I need to pull the trigger soon on something.

 

Yes!!!
like a mofo before you do something retarded, like buying a 6+year old Range/Land Rover!

 

Umm...yep.



Sorry, your title caught my eye right away. Now I must go and actually read the post.

 

Still yes.

 

One of my friends from high school always had a thing for range rovers. When he was old enough to finally be able to get a decent one he got a high mileage range rover from the late 90's, I've never seen anyone have more problems with a vehicle. Since it was a range rover you need a very good specialist to fix them properly or a lot of money and a near by dealership. After a few years of none stop headaches he traded up to a 2002(or 03 I can't say for sure) with lower miles, this one was possibly even a bigger heap of shit then the first one. It was literally like joint custody between him and the dealer, after a few short years of that BS he traded it in on a toyota tacoma and couldn't be happier.

For him owning a Rover was like meeting his childhood hero, he always dreamed of owning one and I think if he could go back he would not have become a Rover owner, not because of the problems but because it ruined the vehicle he admired most.

 

I SAY YES. I have a cousin with a 03 Range sitting in his drive way. Water pump needs to be replace and the two of the bags on the air suspension needs to be replace too. He just told me it's going to cost too much just to replace those parts. Car just been sitting in his driveway for a yr.

 

From my research I can convert the air setup to springs for $800 if need be. If things did go I wouldn't need to only bring it to a stealership. An engine is an engine & with a repair manual I can fix most things. There are also shops that will fix land rovers for way less then a dealer. I know shops as well. And yes I do have a dealer a few miles from me.

 

Well, in that case, get it!


This sounds like a case of you're-going-to-talk-yourself-into-thinking-a-hugely-problematic-vehicle-is-okay-and-will-refute-anything-we-say-in-order-for-you-to-feel-better-
about-your-possible-purchase.

Enjoy.

 

Range Rovers are so troublesome, I would have to say "yes", you are crazy for considering one. I know of two of my colleagues who had recent-vintage (last few years) Range Rovers and got rid of them because of various quality control problems.

 

Not at all, I listen. I wasn't sure Range Rovers were all THAT bad. But from what I'm hearing....... I don't understand how it could cost over $60K new & have problems like that.

 

Just get another explorer...

 

I would say a KIA, a daewoo, or a Suzuki would be of better quality.

 

I would say a KIA, a daewoo, or a Suzuki would be of better quality.

 

I can't walk 20 feet without seeing one...

 

I have a Land Rover and the engine and transmissions are bulletproof, it's everything else that's the problem with them. All the electronics and switches stop working and give you problems, you have to run Premium gas in them as the English engine is old technology and regular gas will screw it up. If you can get a good deal one their nice... and the 4-wheel drive system will do you great in South FL!

 

I bought my wife a new RR HSE for xmas, and it has been perfect. Of course, it only has 2K miles on it so far!

It's a wonderful vehicle...luxurious, beautiful, and go-anywhere. But no way would I buy one that isn't under full factory warranty. When the warranty period is up on this one, I'm either going to purchase an expensive extended warranty or just buy her another one.

 

Pass.

 

i agree 100%. lol It sounds like you have already sold one to yourself, so no matter what we say, i thinks you're going to get one.

 

You're asking for troublllllle....

 

Not an issue. There's a dealership not too far from him. And besides, he also knows other mechanics, who aren't dealers, who can work on Range Rovers! Plus, he can convert the air setup for ~$800. Problem: solved.

 

That's the way to buy/own a Range Rover

 

They also depreciate quickly- that's why you found a bunch of '01s for cheap. And check parts prices if you're predisposed to getting one.
Notice that no one here has yet to say getting one out of warranty is a good idea?
Get a nice used Explorer, Blazer, Forerunner, Cherokee, whatever to tow that one day per week instead of a Range Rover. Or add a trailer hitch if one of your current cars can be used for light towing (my 3G TL can't per owner's manual).

 

what do you need to tow?

you'd be fine with a used Grand Cherokee with a V8 or maybe even a V6 Liberty depending on how much weight you're pulling. What about a used 4Runner?

Don't let the aesthetic appeal of a Range Rover cause you to make a dumb decision that will most likely come back to bite you in the ass in the not too distant future. Everyone likes Range Rovers but unless you can get a new or VERY lightly used one, don't bother. There are ton's of good looking SUV's that can tow that are much more reliable.

 

That Range Rover look faded fast back in the 90s ... IMO don't get stuck in one as there are tons of other SUV out there to choose from ...

 

I'd say go for it.

You sound like having a thing for Range Rovers. I feel the same way about them with all those romanticized stories of their exploits. The best way to experience one is to own one, I guess, as you can find cheap used Rovers with depreciation already factored in and are capable to fixing most problems on your own.

Drive it for couple years and you'll figure out what to do with it after that without much financial risk.

 

Used RR? You must have $$$ to burn.

 

Damn you guys crack me up! LOL!!

I'll keep an open mind, but yeah it's fading. I am looking at used jeeps as well. I'll likely pull the trigger on one of them.

As for getting another explorer. I don't like them. Not enough power, & the AC systems suck.
I need that down here.
What I'm towing isn't a big deal & it's not heavy either & all Local streets no HW. However it's a chore to me so I'd rather be in something I like to drive & is nice to use rather then get a well used POS.

 

My dad wanted a Range Rover... he still thinks the horror stories about range rovers are fake still..

 

people who drive range rovers are mostly drug dealers.

 

If you get a Jeep get a basic one. I have a Grand Cherokee Limited and it has been a real love hate relationship with it. The V8 engine and 5-speed auto are great but lot's of other irritating issues. Remember, if you get a Jeep think basic - no auto climate, heated seats, power everything and you will love it, like a Wrangler or Cherokee Classic.

 

I'm looking at v8 limited's. 01's. I want a V8. No V6's for this SUV. I also like the look of the limited's.

 

Land Rover to Jeep?? I know you know that there are more reliable used SUVs than those two manufacturers.

If you're not trying to tow is not that heavy (Jet skis, small boat, small camper, etc) then mostly any midsized SUV can do the job, maybe a cross-over vehicle.

here are some suggestions:

Honda Pilot (2003) ~$12K
Toyota 4Runner (2003) ~$12,500
Ford Escape / Mazda Tribute (2005) ~$9,500

there are tons more, but....

 

 

You have to be the right kind of person to own a Range Rover. You have to be patient and understanding and not want to shoot the damn thing. Trust me I almost bought one and the owners on the forums for them were great. Oil leaks are common and electrical gremlins are the nature of the beast.

Check out this site. It's an awesome site that covers the RR from 1970 to now, including common gremlins for all three generations and how to resolve some issues yourself for substantially less coin.

Good luck.

 

 

I was on that range rover site, A lot of the problems are easy DIY fixes if you have a service manual. Also they are very similar to problems I have a ton of experience fixing on Fords. Like coolant temp sensors, ABS sensors, AC drain blockage, AC Blend doors, AC pressure switches, cabin air filters.....
I'd like feedback from actual owners. Because my researching has come up with a SUV that does have problems, but they are not so bad & so expensive to fix for a DIY kind of person. It looks to me a Range rover just has a bad rep.
I'm not saying I'm still getting one, but I don't see how anyone can really base an accurate opinion on reliability if they only "hear" bad things.
Kinda the way the CLS auto tranny gets it's bad rep.

 

If something has that many issues then it's not worth it. DIY fixes on an SUV thats already more expensive than other options will add up. I would look at something more reliable. I have an 03 Pathfinder. Haven't had any real issues with it. I'm not sure what kind of power you are looking for, but they are pretty good trucks.

 

If its owner feedback you're looking for, its best found on Range Rover sites, not here I'd figure.

Past that, the rep is there for a reason...plus the dismal JD Power rankings year in and year out are more evidence. Here's 2006 for example.

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2...09/017897.html

Hey, we're not saying you can't DIY a lot of these things, but parts aren't exactly cheap and do you really want to constantly be fixing something on that vehicle? Just something to ponder, that's all.

Best,
-Mirror

 

It's a shame though, the HSE/Vogue look attractive.

 

Ok folks I've been talked out of the Range rover.