Test drove it today, it is a 06 LR3 SE with 68k miles, its a small used car lot and the guy helping me was new and knew nothing about the vehicle so I tuned him out while I looked and drove.
First thing, engine coolant low warning came up probably not a big deal. The light that said brake was lit up as well so I assumed it needed new brakes.
It drove pretty dang good i like how quiet was, went to slow down and got a moderate wobble in the steering wheel. After the test drive I got out and opened the back door to look inside, after I had opened the back door and was looking in I felt the car lower itself. Is it normal for it to take that long? I then looked at and felt the rotors. Rotors are shot with close to 1/4" lip at the top. It has a set of toyo tires on it with probably 75% tread left.
Guy helping me called his boss and they are asking 20,999.
I'd much rather prefer an HSE plus I'd like one under 50k miles but I'm thinking of making an offer of 17500 and seeing what response I get back. I can change the brakes and rotors myself but they don't know that. They are also supposed to call me back with a price on an extended warranty.
That sounds a little steep to me! I've seen PLENTY of LR3s around here for ~20k with 50k miles on them, this bumps up to 22-24k if they've got lots of options (HSE, or SE with nav/xenon, PDC, etc) I'd keep looking if I were you! If there's one thing I've learned, it's that driving around your old vehicle for a FEW MORE WEEKS is totally worth it once you're driving your PERFECT vehicle for many years down the road (write it down on paper; the interior/exterior colors you want, int. trim type, options, etc.. and don't settle for less) And same goes for travel - most dealerships will pick you up from airports as well. Negotiate first, get some high-res pictures, tell them you have a ROUND TRIP ticket (even though this may not be required in all honesty) and fly out to get one. What's $150 to get the perfect car when you've got $20,000 on the line?
Good luck! I hope to find myself behind the seat of my dream LR3 soon!
I really think I'm going to pass, one thing is the owner was supposed get some extended warranty info for me and call but I haven't heard anything. I know its only been a day but I just get a bad feeling from them.
Others things are the shifter knob was off of a range rover (it auctually said range rover), one of the seat belt receivers had the plastic cover broken off of it. Plus I'm not sure but it looks like the handles to pull up the seats in the 3rd where missing some plastic or something, I don't think they would just have to metal rods. The plastic cover where the hitch goes on the bumper was also missing.
EstorilM you are right, I really wanted an HSE. Interior and exterior colors are what I wanted, but I didn't like the wheels.
Another reason, is right now I don't have a vehicle payment and I don't want that monkey on my back.
I will have my LR3 HSE one day though, maybe after the LR4 comes out the LR3's will be a little cheaper.
I picked up my 2006 LR3 SE earlier this year for $24,400 with only 27k miles and even had a few extras... upgraded xenon headlamps, aux port for back seat, 3rd row seating...
KEEP LOOKING!!! That sounds like a rip to me.
But ALSO, if you've never owned an LR3 before, please be advised that the sunroof drains need to be cleaned out by the dealer regularly or they will clog and leak a mess of water in your car. Mine's in the shop right now. It's a common problem with them all... be advised. I don't know what kind of financing you're looking at either, maybe you're not financing at all. LR dealers were offering 1.9 apr for 2 year loan/2.9 apr for 3 year loan/4.9 apr for 4 and 5 year loans on pre-owned LR3's about two months ago, perhaps they still are... that's WAY better than any other used car loan out there...
I looked at the HSE and did not see any difference except the stereo, nav sustem and a stupid cooler in the console. BTW the nav system on these are often problematic. You would be better off to go aftermarket and just stick it on the hole in the top of the dash.
The SE audio system is a Harmon Kardon and sounds just fine.
It is normal for the LR3 to lower it self when stopped. This is called "the access mode".
Don't offer anything until you see the carfax and have it put on a lift and throughouly checked out by a trusted shop.
Generally I avoid these small car lots as they buy their cars at auctions and they have lots of repos and salvage cars.
The price of $21,000 is about on par but low for a perfect car. The one I bought had brand new tires, brakes and looked like a new vehicle. I test drove an '05 that had a front end shake, so I would be a little supicious on yours. You might need brakes and rotors.
Just my guess, but I don't think that one was well maintained and if the tires are bad, you easily have several thousands to pour into this one. Maybe it is better to spend more for a better one.
I just bought an 05 HSE with 78,000 mi. for $16,750 and probably over paid by about $500 or so. They were asking $22,000 but that means nothing! Check edmunds.com for the year model, a break down of options, mileage, etc. and shoot for the lower recommended trade-in value if you can.
Do plenty of research though, think about everything that may have immediate costs: brakes, tires, trans fluid change (don't look for a trans dip stick, it ain't there...you'll have to take it to the dealer for a trans fluid change more than likely), definatly check to make sure all electronics work before you finalize everything on paper (refer to previous comment about clogging sunroof drains!)
I can inform you of some things though, I call this part of the reply the, TOP TEN REASONS WHY YOU DON'T REALLY NEED AN HSE PACKAGE
10. Seriously, the garman works better....anything probably works better!
9. Don't have the cooler option, but trust me, unless your transporting
seman for sperm donors, a regular console is fine!
8. I often stare at my nav and wish that there was a giant hole there
for putting things....like my garman (available on non-HSE models.)
7. 18 inch wheels have a much better selection of tires!
6. 18 inch diameter rimed tires are much less expensive!
5. When you have to buy 18" wheels to get the tires you really want, it
will set you back around $100/rim if your lucky (txtakeoffking, ebay
store...check him out...if he has them!)
4. The center caps are also not the same color from 19"s to 18"s, so
add another $ 50 if you can't live with it, assuming you buy stock
rims.
3. Nobody will want to buy your newly freed 19"s! BOO!
2. You can buy much more appealing trim online than what you'll get
from a rover with 5 years of sun damage and over exposure to
cleaning products or armoral.
1. An HSE badge bought on line price-$50 (if you just have to have
one,).......not having to mess with all the above....PRICELESS!
By the way, I flew to north carolina from here in louisiana to pick mine up in august. I had only seen pics, never even driven one before! I did a good bit of research on em....everything in my being told me not to buy one, but I did it anyway. I fell in love with that truck on the 20hr drive home, no regrets! I can't explain it, that truck is a part of me now......I know.....it's creepy.
Good Luck, you'll know you've got yours...it'll just feel right.
I am not a fan of extended warranties, but for the LR3, I would recommend it. To get any kind of real warranty, you will likely need to go to a dealer. You will always pay a bit more to buy from a dealer, but IMO this is worth it with this particular vehicle
Look at the total price of the LR3 and the Warranty. They vary hugely and some are not worth the paper they ar printed on. I ended up buying from CarMax. This was the first time I ever bought from them, but the combination of clean car, decent price and great warranty ended up being surprsingly competitive. I normally buy vehicles on Craigs list or privatley, but I was surprised at what I got for my money.
To give you an idea, Hendrick Pre-owned (part of the huge Rick Hendrick auto empire here in NC) would only offer me a 2 year 24Mo warranty and they wanted $5,000!!!! for that. Hendrick also did not have a great price after lots of hagling with the manager. CarMax was about 2K for a 5 year 60K warranty.
These are complex vehicles that develop bugs. Sure odds are with the warranty company or they would not make money, but it is a huge aggravation to deal with a sudden problem on the road. Given that this is my Wife's ride, it is worth it to me to tell he call the shop rather than call me.
I would go for a 2007 HSE with the luxury package. I just bought one last December from a dealer. It was a demo with around 6,000 miles...paid $32,000. Since I was technically the first owner... the factory warranty started when I titled it...as so they said. Also... many of the problems experienced by the 05's and 06's (leaks / alignment problems) were worked out when they came out with the 07's. Once you get and drive one though... you'll be a Land Rover lover for life. One last piece of advice... read the owner's manual cover to cover once you get it. Most people don't take full advantage of all that an LR3 has to offer. Good luck!
I agree about reading the manual in great detail. The LR3 is very different than most 4WD vehicles, for that matter from just about any average vehicle. You can likely avoid some of the repair problems if you follow the advice in this manual.
Let me help you with this, bought an lr3 last month 33k miles 05 within a month drivers side door work cost $1000 new key $350 maintenence $350 sounds like a lot? Your car has 68k? I would consider this if you really love the brand however if not do not buy it, I however, love my car they are just very expensive, i would have it inspected first
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Really thinking about an 06 LR3 SE, need advice
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