My experience is basically that on an early P38A (ie 4.0/4.6 RR), you'll have to expect approx 2k per year or so in dealer serivce costs, less if you're in an area that has a good privateer mechanic.
I can not emphasize the need for a good serivce history strongly enough. With a goot history (especially if the biggie 96k service was done on time), 100k+ miles on a Rangie is as good as new imo.
since you've got a Classic already, I'd say stick with the devil you know. Go for a '95 County LWB, they have a lot more parts availability 3rd-market than the P38A's and to my mind, being slightly simpler, have better reliability.
As far as the choice between a used P38A & Disco goes, I'd say go either with a 99-> Rangie (ie go with the Bosch electronics, not the Lucas random faultfinding), or a Disco II. Both made significant improvements in all sorts of areas. But for each of them servicing becomes costly - vastly more complicated cars - especially electrically - than the Classic.
My choice, '95 LWB for road use any day. And I'd keep (and pay to service) the air suspension. Some luxuries are worth the hassle / money. Just find a rich signifcant other, replace all the rubber / tubing after purchase together with the sensors, then you'll be good to go in pure comfort.
Oh, and I totally agree. Owning a Landie of any kind without the best extended warranty you can find is a recipe for financial insecurity. Bear in mind that most dealer mechanics will charge in excess of $100 / hour. There are warranties out there that will cover that however. Doesn't take long to make your money back, even if they can cost upwards of $2.5K for 2-3 years cover!
Whichever way you decide, good luck.
(And borrowing the flame suit)... then again, you might want to spend your college years in somehting equally as fun and Lucas exciting, say an early 70's MGB, just to keep in practice...
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Staffan Tj
'96 RR 4.6 HSE NAS
125k
Rioja Red, Walnut
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