Another newbie

[CBRrider]

Hi guys. I'm new to the forums, Just found ya off google. So, i got some questions for ya. I've got a 92 Jeep cherokee, which you can check out in my profile, but anyays, i'm selling that and wanting to go to a rover. I'm looking at a 97 HSE. It's got 79k miles with auto tranny. The airbag suspension has been swapped for a coil setup. It has been maintained at the rover dealership in Dallas for all the maintance. Question is, is it worth it? They're asking $11,181.

Afew other questions, how much more work is involved in keeping a rover running? I don't plan on wheeling it too much, occasional trails, but nothing hardcore like i do with my Jeep. Also, i know parts are more, but, how much more? I talked with the local dealer and the sales guys knows less about the trucks than I do. Anyways, thanks in advance for any help! I really do appreciate it!

Tylor

[hamrendan]

Sounds like a deal to me... The HSE comes with 18" wheels a 4.6L stroked engine, and a chrome tip. Thats the only difference between 4.0 HS. There are those who say the 4.0 and 4.6 tend to be a vastly superior engine to the 3.5 3.9 and 4.2, but lack the longevity of the previous versions of this engine. My 3.5 litre went 250k ( when i sold it) with nothing but upgradded 3.9 cams ( more power )..

I think that one you are looking at is a good deal.. the price seems right on, but you should get experiences from other P38 (technical Designation for the Mark II Range Rover) owners. Find out what other kinds of problems they have had.. There are shortcuts and cross parts for these cars that can make maintaining them less costly, but be ware that an expensive repair can cost you $4 grand... i am not saying that will happen but it COULD happen..

The spring conversion is a big plus... Try and work out a warrantee and extended service contract with your dealer...

Good luck

[CBRrider]

I live in FL and the Rover is TX. Is it possible to buy from TX and get a warranty through the dealer? I am going to be the third owner of the vehichle. It is not going through a rover dealer. It's a small car lot that the guy is selling the rig for friend who got a pickup instead. Less expensive to fix. So, i am taking it P38 is the vehichle number? I know with Jeeps, they called XJ's, YJ's TJ's. cherokee, and two diff types of wranglers. Is the same true with the rovers? Thanks again for any info.

Tylor

[hamrendan]

Originally Posted by CBRrider

I live in FL and the Rover is TX. Is it possible to buy from TX and get a warranty through the dealer? I am going to be the third owner of the vehichle. It is not going through a rover dealer. It's a small car lot that the guy is selling the rig for friend who got a pickup instead. Less expensive to fix. So, i am taking it P38 is the vehichle number? I know with Jeeps, they called XJ's, YJ's TJ's. cherokee, and two diff types of wranglers. Is the same true with the rovers? Thanks again for any info.

Tylor

Yes P38 is its designation.
http://www.rangerovers.net/
There are extended warrantee guys on this site, as well as what to look for and what to ask when buying a new rover.
Good luck

[lonestarrover]

Tyler, I own a 97 also, mine has also been converted to coil springs because of the faulty air suspension. I would suggest that if you buy the RR get a extended warranty like the guy's suggest. There are several computers on the car which requires a textbook or program which only the dealer has to diagnose problems and reset engine lights and dash lights, ABS, SRS, etc. I would have this car checked out by a rover mechanic before buying it. Parts are expensive, although you can buy some generics for the RR.

[troverman]

You are pretty much guaranteed to have more maintenance and money spent on a P38 than any Jeep. Of course, a Range Rover is like 10 times the vehicle any Jeep is, too. It won't have as much power, but way more quality, strength, comfort, luxury, and better off road than many modified Jeeps. Mine has air suspension converted too. Some loss of off-road advantage, here, but not too much. You will like the vehicle, though. But watch out-mine just had to be towed 100 miles so dealer could reset the 1,000 dollar computer which was not allowing the vehicle to start. THis is not all that uncommon. Keep the (or a ) Jeep as a back-up!

[CoachDitka]

First things first, about the warranty. I also live in FL (Tallahassee), and I looked into about 4 different warranty companies (since my car was out of dealer warranty, the dealer extended warraty was not an option), and only one would sell a warranty in FL. Just my luck it was the most expensive one, at like $4,000 for a 3-year deal. Not worth it in my book, so I said screw it I will take my chances. Good luck trying to get a decently priced warranty here in FL.

I also purchased a 97 4.6 HSE, and it has been a great car so far. I have had it for 7 months now, and aside from a few minor things I have not yet worked out, it is great. My previous car was also a Jeep, a 86 Grand Wagoneer, which was also a great car. Anyone that says a Rover is 10times one of those has never driven one. That being said, a Wagoneer is many times what a Cherokee is. Too bad they don't make them anymore! That thing was an incredibly solid and well-mannered vehicle, and cost almost nothing to maintain, and never gave me a single problem.

Anyway, good luck with your purchase, it sounds like a great deal to me! I looked at a number of cars in TX (mostly Houston) via Ebay before I ended up finding a nice one here in FL. I also thought about coil versus spring, but now having lived with the airbags, I have to say I love the airbags. It is a very simple system if you make sure its not leaking, and with a cheap manual bypass installed, I have never been worried about reliability.

-Coach