Newbie--- which would you buy ? Sorry

[jcarter524]

Hi all,

I have been drooling over LR3s for many years and am finally in a position to buy one. This will be my daily driver and future overland style travel rig. I think I am a bit spoiled for choice at the moment. I am looking seriously @ two '06s HSE and would love some help selecting which to take to the negotiation step.

1) 47k, 2 owner, no records, carfax gives the very basics (which are fine). A crack in the door side of the driver's seat, and some other wear inside. An odd dent in the rear most pillar (no scratches just some chips. Subaru dealer took it in on trade so no good way to search back records. Dealer is fixing the dent. Asking price $10,995--advantage I can take it into my local LR independent shop for a thorough PPI

2) 60k, 1 owner, full service records, I have even spoke with the dealer who sold and serviced it a few odd ball issues (popping out of gear, linkages cleaned and refitted=resolved), everything fixed under warranty. None of the major issues that are feared. All scheduled maintenance performed early. Car is immaculate, has the HD package (rear locker ). Only issue is dealer showed recommending replacing compressor 2 years ago and not completed with them (assume it was completed with an independent shop). Asking price: $13,995--disadvantage too far from any LR specialist for PPI.

I am leaning towards #2--the cream puff, but I am super nervous about not being able to have some one who knows these rigs. Am I just being crazy?

Thanks in advance for your input and sorry for the "purchasing advice" thread.

John

 

[Houm_WA]

The popping out of gear would worry me....no parts were replaced so how do we know it's fixed for sure? The compressor is not a big deal. An upgrade to the AMK would be good anyway.

You really can't go wrong with either option. Amazing how few miles they have! I'd go with #2 as well.

 

[jcarter524]

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback. I think I am going to make a run at that one.

 

[Ian Morrison]

Hi all,

I have been drooling over LR3s for many years and am finally in a position to buy one. This will be my daily driver and future overland style travel rig. I think I am a bit spoiled for choice at the moment. I am looking seriously @ two '06s HSE and would love some help selecting which to take to the negotiation step.

1) 47k, 2 owner, no records, carfax gives the very basics (which are fine). A crack in the door side of the driver's seat, and some other wear inside. An odd dent in the rear most pillar (no scratches just some chips. Subaru dealer took it in on trade so no good way to search back records. Dealer is fixing the dent. Asking price $10,995--advantage I can take it into my local LR independent shop for a thorough PPI

2) 60k, 1 owner, full service records, I have even spoke with the dealer who sold and serviced it a few odd ball issues (popping out of gear, linkages cleaned and refitted=resolved), everything fixed under warranty. None of the major issues that are feared. All scheduled maintenance performed early. Car is immaculate, has the HD package (rear locker ). Only issue is dealer showed recommending replacing compressor 2 years ago and not completed with them (assume it was completed with an independent shop). Asking price: $13,995--disadvantage too far from any LR specialist for PPI.

I am leaning towards #2--the cream puff, but I am super nervous about not being able to have some one who knows these rigs. Am I just being crazy?

Thanks in advance for your input and sorry for the "purchasing advice" thread.

John

Quite Honestly a Discovery with only 47000 miles would not have a split in the seats Leather. Or I’d be very surprised to see wear inside. My Discovery 3 has 132000 miles on clock and only has slight wear on drivers seat. My choice would be the 60k Discovery. Make sure you get some kind of warranty with the sale.

 

[macbright]

And the winner is.... #2! I have owned 2 LR3’s. And experienced several repair issues along the ownership trail. The seat issue with #1, in my area is a $375. repair. I had it done to my Range Rover HSE (bought it used 165,000 miles it was a “Mall Rover” the rear seat had never been put down to increase luggage space, for my girlfriend it is still going strong with no issues). I am a dedicated fan of the LR3/LR4, it is experiencing a popularity surge in the aftermarket. Be prepared in your ownership planning that this is not a Ford Explorer, regular service ( oil changes, etc. and, this is important, transmission service at 90,000 miles AND READ THE SERVICE MANUAL!!! (This will save you money in the long run) and FIND A LOCAL LAND ROVER ONLY MECHANIC!!! The Defener...ish. LR3 is the best and most capable vehicle I have ever owned if I had found an HSE with HD options (which my current SE does) with under 70,000 miles I would do it too. Just remember it costs more than a Chevy to repair.

 

[BikePilot]

I'd do #2. The clear ownership history makes up for the mileage in my view. The split seat and dings would make me think the owner of #1 was none too careful with it. Or the mileage is wrong. My LR4 with 100k miles has seats that still look new. The HD package is cool too.