Almost bought a RRC Great Divide

[Trigger]

I've been looking on and off for the last year for a Classic to compliment my Defender. Both as a possible tow vehicle and as a wheeling truck for the wife.

Yesterday I dropped by a dealership where I knew they had a RRC sitting in back. It looked from the outside like a GDE but I wasn't too sure. The poor truck had been relegated to the back of the lot under a tree. It was covered in sap and very dirty. God knows how long it had been sitting. It had a few dents and dings from years of service. There was no Great Divide sticker on the back but it did have what appeared to be an aluminum brush guard, no fog lights, etc. It was locked but I found the tailgate open and crawled in and unlocked the truck. I looked in the driver's door jamb. Sure enough Great Divide Edition #101. I asked what they wanted for it and the sales guy quoted $5K. I literally laughed at him and asked "Seriously, How much?" He showed me the sheet. I told him that's way high but I'll still look it over. Low-ish miles for a '91. 97K miles. Lived its whole life in Texas according to receipts in console. No rust, even on the tailgate becuase of that. Last emissions test was last July and it passed. So engine should be fine.

Interior was in very decent shape once you pulled the crappy floor mats. The original carpet was nearly spotless. No cuts in the leather. Found a couple Happy Meal toys under the seats. I offered $2K before I even test drove it. He came back with a $3K counter-offer. Ok, we should have some working room I thought. He said they were getting ready to send it off to auction. Not smart as I know they'll not get near my offer there.

I asked if they had the keys. They spent 1/2 hour locating them. It started right up in a cloud of blue smoke and I took it for a ride. Steering damper was shot which made for a fun cruise. ABS light went on and off. Bad sensor I assume. Electric seat motors were dead. Seat was all the way back making reaching pedals fun. All electric windows and sunroof were fine. It pulled up to 85MPH on the freeway without problem. Cruise control was dead. (Bad vacuum hose?) Shifted right into Low and crawled along happily in the parking lot. Missing rear lamp guards and a few other nitpicks. Not a perfect example but it was quite workable as a project.

I went in and talked to the 21 year old manager, told him all the problems I found, and re-iterated my $2K offer. I told him I know it's about to go to auction and you'll never get that there. I'll write you a check right now. He gave me the old sales standby "I've got a guy coming by in an hour to look at it." I said "Guy, I used to be in sales. I know as well as you that no one's coming in. That truck's been sitting for at least 6 months. You've got my number, call me if you change your mind." I then walked out. It was, of course, still sitting on the lot this morning.

I'm still hoping they call me back today. I'd hate to see a very restorable GDE go to the scrap yard.

[-MOSES-]

LOL good find , Hope the guy calls !

[rmuller]

There's a great divide for sale in NJ for 2500, I've been seeing it on craigslist for the past few months.. looks like its in good shape, I just don't need another hard-topped truck

[JungleRR]

Sales people drive me crazy sometimes!

[daway]

i hope u get her! it's alway a good feeling when u find one like that. i found my RRC last yr. in a small town in wisc. the small time dealer got it in lowa, because he could not sell it down their and same in wisc. everyone wants a usa SUV or pick up. i got her for around $ 5,000 w/ 54,000 miles, no rust, i had to put a about $4,000 in the past yr. the person who owned her did not keep up w/ her. i had to recoil the rad., some gasket work, brake/trans. fuild was bad, ect the norm. RRC problems, but w/ the low mile (58,000 now) it is worth the money and time. good luck!!!

[TerryS]

The Great Divide Edition is a pretty rare bird, Don't loose track of it if you're serious. That, and the Hunter edition (Way less to go wrong) are pretty nice finds if they are in good shape, and from what yopu're sayin, this one is nice.

[Trigger]

A buddy drove past the dealer today and said the poor girl is tucked under the same tree in the mud in the back corner of the lot. They've had a few days to think about it. I may drop by tomorrow and see if we can work something out. I really don't want to see her go to scrap.

[daway]

Originally Posted by Trigger

A buddy drove past the dealer today and said the poor girl is tucked under the same tree in the mud in the back corner of the lot. They've had a few days to think about it. I may drop by tomorrow and see if we can work something out. I really don't want to see her go to scrap.

so did you get the RRC!

[Muddy Oval]

If you want a VIN checked to see if it's a real GD, I have the VIN list. There's a lot of 'em... They aren't really rare yet, but long term they may carry slightly more value.

[Trigger]

Well, I was sitting at our club meeting tonite going over business when a new guy shows up. We introduce ourselves and continue club business. After the meeting I was talking to a member when one of the club officers taps me on the shoulder and asked if Classics came with brush guards stamped 'Range Rover'. I told him I knew that GDEs did. He said he thinks the guy is driving one. He just bought it yesterday. I go over to look and notice a very familiar truck missing the exact same rear light guard. I told myself 'no way'. I asked 'do you mind?' and opened the driver's door. Yep, Great Divide Edition #101. 'You bought my truck. How much did you pay?' He told me he paid exactly what I was willing to. Son of a Bitch.
The lot had sent it off to auction the day after I looked at it. It didn't sell and they got it back. They sat on it for a few weeks then finally caved and sold it to our new club member. Everytime I drove by the lot it wasn't there. I don't know where they were hiding it but he found it.
I'm not happy that I didn't get it but am glad to see it go to someone who'll treat it well and use it appropriately.

[daway]

i was wonder'n if u ever got the RRC! i'm glad that someone that joined the club got the RRC. u know he will have fun and keep up w/ her if he joined the club a day after he got the RRC. another good find will come around soon, it always does.

[Eraser-X]

as the posts list I have had the GDE for about a year now and I have been driving on and off so it now as 99K miles on it.

I have done the following updates to the GDE

Polk Speakers in the front doors
Steering upgraded Rovertym with Stainless Steel Drag Link and Tie Rod Assemblies
New steering damper
A/C updated to R-134a
Bilstein shocks
EBC green stuff brake pads on the rear axle
Updated head lights to Hella H4 units with 80/100w bulbs and relays
New ABS accumulator
Pictures are posted here

http://gallery.bcwolff.com/main.php?g2_itemId=34

The Rover is located in NW Austin, TX

and I can be reached by email eraser-x@bcwolff.com
or by phone at 512.751.9653

$4500 or OBO

Eraser-X