Hi there - I live in Victoria and am interested in buying a 1991 Range Rover - this would be my first of this kind to own.
I certainly would appreciate any reviews or comments on what to look for - are they that expensive to maintain? my car that I have owned is a VW Golf.... I know you can't compare carrots to apples but I sure would look forward to some real views..
Are there mechanics in Victoria that would maintain this vehicle for me or do I have to only go to the Land Rover/Jaguar dealer??
Thanks for reading this and again, look forward to some replies.
Thanks, Lee Stempski
P.S. Will be test driving this particular one this week..
It only has 150,000kms on it and he's asking around $4500 for it..no rust as comes from California...
Interested in buying a 1991 Range Rover - any comments?
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Sunshine
- Newbie
- Posts: 31
- Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:31 pm
- Location: Victoria
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Rob
- Greasy Fingers
- Posts: 762
- Joined: Wed Aug 25, 2004 12:37 am
- Location: Ladysmith
Hi Lee
I had a 1988 Range Rover that I loved... most of the time. When they run they are great, fantastic ride on the road, amazing off-road capability for a stock truck and lots of opportunity to make it even better. There are a lot of downsides though. The electrical system is complex and made by Lucas (AKA Prince of darkness) so be prepared to deal with electrical gremlins. The engine is an old design, nice and light, pretty good power but awful on gas, known to blow head gaskets and packed very tightly in the motor compartment. Be sure to pressure test the cooling system... leaky rads are common - expect to pay $1000 for a new rad and water pump, closer to 3000 if the heads need to be done. The cats are pricey, brakes can cost a fortune and parts for the older trucks are getting harder to find (The stupid Canadian Tire parts counter kid will not be able to help you and many of the autoparts places are no better). There are some very good suppliers who advertise on Roverlanders who can be a good source for parts if you need them. I live up island and do most of my own mechanical work so I can't suggest anyone in Victoria to service it... most places won't be able to do much beyond general maintenance without costing you a fortune. Purchasing a Range Rover is often the cheapest part of ownership, insurance is expensive considering the value of the vehicle, fuel consumption and maintenance can also be very expensive and these trucks don't seem to hold much resale value.
For $4500 it had better be very nice... I saw a very clean 1998 Land Rover Discovery on craigslist Victoria for $6000 and there is a 95 disco right now for 3500. Any of the V8 rovers are a tough sell with gas at 1.10 a litre these days... it is a buyer's market so don't be told otherwise by an anxious seller.
A good website for range rover info is http://www.rangerovers.net/
Hope this info helps... those older range rovers are a great vehicle but not necessarily good for someone who is faint of heart when it comes to turning a wrench. Hope it works out for you!
Regards, Rob
I had a 1988 Range Rover that I loved... most of the time. When they run they are great, fantastic ride on the road, amazing off-road capability for a stock truck and lots of opportunity to make it even better. There are a lot of downsides though. The electrical system is complex and made by Lucas (AKA Prince of darkness) so be prepared to deal with electrical gremlins. The engine is an old design, nice and light, pretty good power but awful on gas, known to blow head gaskets and packed very tightly in the motor compartment. Be sure to pressure test the cooling system... leaky rads are common - expect to pay $1000 for a new rad and water pump, closer to 3000 if the heads need to be done. The cats are pricey, brakes can cost a fortune and parts for the older trucks are getting harder to find (The stupid Canadian Tire parts counter kid will not be able to help you and many of the autoparts places are no better). There are some very good suppliers who advertise on Roverlanders who can be a good source for parts if you need them. I live up island and do most of my own mechanical work so I can't suggest anyone in Victoria to service it... most places won't be able to do much beyond general maintenance without costing you a fortune. Purchasing a Range Rover is often the cheapest part of ownership, insurance is expensive considering the value of the vehicle, fuel consumption and maintenance can also be very expensive and these trucks don't seem to hold much resale value.
For $4500 it had better be very nice... I saw a very clean 1998 Land Rover Discovery on craigslist Victoria for $6000 and there is a 95 disco right now for 3500. Any of the V8 rovers are a tough sell with gas at 1.10 a litre these days... it is a buyer's market so don't be told otherwise by an anxious seller.
A good website for range rover info is http://www.rangerovers.net/
Hope this info helps... those older range rovers are a great vehicle but not necessarily good for someone who is faint of heart when it comes to turning a wrench. Hope it works out for you!
Regards, Rob
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StuartL
- Horn Blower
- Posts: 573
- Joined: Sun Mar 07, 2004 8:16 pm
- Location: West Vancouver
Buying Advice....remember it's free...
Hi Lee,
The Range Rover Classic was voted the "Best 4-Wheel Drive of All Time" for a good reason.
I love my 1991 Range Rover Great Divide despite the poor fuel economy. If you look in our Gallery under 2006 and then under Moab you will see pictures of Chelsey in action. It was absolutely amazing.
RangeRovers.net was great advice. Also check autotrader.com for prices in the US. I bought mine in Washington State and imported it.
Buy one, drive it and then get carried away with what you want to do with it. People are putting the larger v8's from newer Rangies and also Land Rover Diesel engines which is my favorite.
If you look at a newer one and it has air suspension I would keep it. It is a very cool and great accessory. I just replaced the bags on my 1997 Rangie with Arnott Gen III's and love it.
There are getting to be more and more in the club which is a good thing as we trade parts around.
Hope this helps and please feel free to call me anytime.
Best regards,
The Range Rover Classic was voted the "Best 4-Wheel Drive of All Time" for a good reason.
I love my 1991 Range Rover Great Divide despite the poor fuel economy. If you look in our Gallery under 2006 and then under Moab you will see pictures of Chelsey in action. It was absolutely amazing.
RangeRovers.net was great advice. Also check autotrader.com for prices in the US. I bought mine in Washington State and imported it.
Buy one, drive it and then get carried away with what you want to do with it. People are putting the larger v8's from newer Rangies and also Land Rover Diesel engines which is my favorite.
If you look at a newer one and it has air suspension I would keep it. It is a very cool and great accessory. I just replaced the bags on my 1997 Rangie with Arnott Gen III's and love it.
There are getting to be more and more in the club which is a good thing as we trade parts around.
Hope this helps and please feel free to call me anytime.
Best regards,