Newbie - Thinking about getting an '05 LR3 for family hauler

[BobC]

Total newbie to the brand...test drove an '05 LR3 yesterday. Wife totally loves it. Kids too. I have four kids, one brought along a pal so we had a legit load of 7. Worked out pretty well actually. They were pleased with the leg room in 3-row seating, as compared to the '99 Suburban we have. Fit and finish is fine. Wife likes the tight,heavy feel. The turn radius is outstanding for tedious grocery store lots.

I have few concerns - of course fuel mileage being top-of-mind now.

I have read that the used prices on this brand are constrained a bit because of fuel prices and general anti-SUV sentiments, so I am trying to rationalize that we get a 'premium' vehicle for a discount and that mitigates (somewhat) the price at the pump. ANYWAY..that's just me rationalizing perhaps.

Also another concern is general maintenance. Are the '05 LR3s problematic in any specific area?

We live in the south and we absolutely HAVE to get a vehicle with a VERY good A/C system. Is there any truth to the rumor that this brand has notoriously under-engineered air conditioning systems? (It was about 55 degrees yesterday when we test drove so couldn't determine the effectivness of the A/C.) Even if the A/C is super effective, I am probably not going to buy a vehicle that has a dark exterior OR interior. I can't stress enough how bad it sucks to get into a sun-drenched dark vehicle and have the kids burn their legs on dark interior, then only to remain sweltering because of a poorly design A/C system.

Any words of wisdom are much appreciated in advance.

Thx!!

Bob

[stolenheron]

my dad just bought an 06 LR3 in december. we live in south florida, and our a/c is quite sufficient for out temps into the high 90s/low 100s with 100% humidity lol. the car hasn't had any problems other than our bluetooth connection computer needed to be updated and out transmissions shift times needed a patch file to correct a clunking noise....both of those corrections only took 1 day in the dealership to fix. no big deal. i love the LR3 too. what color were you looking at?

[BobC]

Probably looking at white w/ tan interior. Maybe we shoujld get 06? I have read some scary threads on the 05..??

[stolenheron]

from what i've heard 06/07s have had less problems. but i can't really confirm that. new car usually means less miles and the option for more time on a warranty. w/e you choose, i would DEFINETLY buy an extended warranty, unless its already a certified used rover, then you have time to decide whether or not you want to extend the warranty later...

[ArmyRover]

As a rule of thumb with any make of vehicle I try to avoid the first model year of a new style. It generally has more teething issues than the follow on years. I would go for the 06 unless the 05 is a screaming deal.

[iluvmylandrovers]

Hi. Welcome to the forum.

I just bought an 05 LR3 almost a month ago. It has 34K on it. So far no issue is a pleasure to drive. Some people have had a lot of problems with 05's so you might just want to check all the records and what the SUV has been in for at the dealership.

91 octane or higher is recommend. I only put prem. BP/Shell in my Land Rovers...find that they run the best just my opinion. Get about 14-15 mpg in the city on the LR3 (costs about $65-75 to fill up on emplty), 12 on the Disco...(costs about $75-80 to fill up on empty) not to be offensive but if you want to buy a land rover gas priceses should not have to be a main concern in the pocket book area b/c it is just that kinda of car. Like if you have to ask the price of a Hermes Birken Bag you can't afford it type of atmosphere. It also depends on how much you drive too. If they are then you might want to wait in line for the Tahoe hybrid or a Yukon hybrid. Buying a Land Rover is in a whole other class then a Surburban. Take a while to get used to but you'll wonder why you never bought one sooner. If my parents would have gotten Land Rover's earlier instead of Lincon's and GM's I am sure my childhood would have been a lot more fun.

Land Rover techs and fellow Land Rover drivers are some of the nicest people you will meet. It is a great community and fellowship being a Land Rover owner. It is just a SUV that if you are good to it, in return it will be good to you.

Have a nice day.

[jimbiram]

I have had my '05 LR3 since January '05. Yes, there were some issues that first year, but LR has been good at taking care of most of them. I now have 66k miles. If you are buying for mileage, get something else. But if you want the finest off the shelf offroad vehicle that has great manners on the road, you can't do better than the LR3.

However, don't get one without an extended warranty. LR repair costs are quite high, due to the technology, and that fact that they can charge so much. The community of LR owners, both old and new, is very strong, and we do tend to nod at each other when driving by.

If you are just looking for a hauler around town, there are probably some better values in other brands, but you won't have what the LR3 has. I am one of the few that actually goes offroad, and yet I have no qualms about driving up to a valet that evening...after washing the vehicle, of course.

For fun, check out the video from our trip last year to the Great Divide in Colorado.

Video of Black Bear Pass in Normal Ride Height - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting