Future LR4 Owner

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kman62

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Hello all, I'm Keith from Socal and my off-load background is a past Jeep owner and remembering the days offloading with my dad in his 72 Blazer as a teen. I've owned at one time or another 2 1994 & 2001 Grand Cherokee, 1 2006 Jeep Commander and my favorite of all A 2015 Wrangler Rubicon (JKUR). We leased the JKUR and traded it in for a $6K more that the lease turn it value; I then purchased a ... wait for it … 2017 Chey Volt. I needed a commuter car (OK the wife made me do it). Well the family misses our weekend adventures to the local mountains and deserts and the familty has grown, I have grandkids that I want to take out on my adventures.

So, I'm looking for a 7 seater Family adventure vechicle that's a great offroader and I always loved the idea of owning a Land Rover, like many of you I grew up dreaming of paticapaing in the Thophey Camel. So, I'm in the market for a 2013 or 2014 LR4 with a great servie history. I'm more electroniclly and computer inclined than mechanically inclined, although I have replaced water pumps, breakes, shocks and oil changes in the past. I’m also cross shopping the Toyota Land cruiser and LX-570 (2011-2013) but my heart says LR4 and my mind says LC200 for the so called reliability.

My concern is that I’ll invest ~35K into a LR4 and notwithstanding mods (Tires, Johnson Rods, IID tool, Sliders, and may be bumpers) I’ll have to invest another $3K a year in repairs (not maintenance) but my heart says you’’ll have fun fixing stuff and maintaining the car but my brain says something else. I’m sure many of you were in my perdicment in the past. Typically when I’m in the state of mind, a little voice says go for it ; make a decision. However, being a Systems Engineer (IT Type) by trade, my mind says get more information.. ha ha enough about me.

So, whats the best advice for the care and feeding of a 2013,2014 LR with less than 60K miles with a ok service history? My plans for purchasing a LR4 as follows:

Get an 2013 or 2014 LR that appears in good shape
Find one that has 1 or 2 owners and from a non-salt beat state
Find one with HD package if possible - condition trumps the HD package
Find one that is on a franchise dealer lot or trusted private party. Preferably a Land Rover dealer
It possible get a CPO or previous CPO vehicle with some time/miles left on the warranty
Find one that already had it’s water pump and LCA bushings or CA replaced.
If I’m really lucky find one that has had it’s Air Compressor replaced.


Wow this a tall order, But I found one that meets all of the above except HD Package and Air Compressor replaced and I still have cold feet.. Uhhhhhhhhh.
 

BikePilot

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Welcome! Note in 10 - '13 they had a 5.0L v8 and two speed transfer case on all models. HD package added a full size spare and locking rear diff. In '14 they switched to a somewhat lower output supercharged v6 and only the hd package models got the two speed transfer case. Traction control on all models is really good so it's pretty easy to live without the locker, but imo low range is a must if you off road in hilly or mountainous areas.

So I'd recommend a 10-13 model if you want the most powerful version and a two speed transfer case, or if you do get the v6 an HD package would be a must have for me.

I just bought an 11 model and it drives really nicely. Haven't done much off road work yet (working on getting suitable wheels and tires on it). I've done around 800 miles so far and have averages 20mpg so the v8 is pretty thrifty as well as quick (there's a 2k' altitude difference from my home to office as well so it's all up and dosn driving). I thought about the land cruiser but I like the LR4 better and it's a lot cheaper on the used market so even if repairs run higher than a lc total cost is still likely lower.
 

kman62

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Welcome! Note in 10 - '13 they had a 5.0L v8 and two speed transfer case on all models. HD package added a full size spare and locking rear diff. In '14 they switched to a somewhat lower output supercharged v6 and only the hd package models got the two speed transfer case. Traction control on all models is really good so it's pretty easy to live without the locker, but imo low range is a must if you off road in hilly or mountainous areas.

So I'd recommend a 10-13 model if you want the most powerful version and a two speed transfer case, or if you do get the v6 an HD package would be a must have for me.

I just bought an 11 model and it drives really nicely. Haven't done much off road work yet (working on getting suitable wheels and tires on it). I've done around 800 miles so far and have averages 20mpg so the v8 is pretty thrifty as well as quick (there's a 2k' altitude difference from my home to office as well so it's all up and dosn driving). I thought about the land cruiser but I like the LR4 better and it's a lot cheaper on the used market so even if repairs run higher than a lc total cost is still likely lower.

Thanks for the reply, you are correct about the price difference, a 2013 LC200 cost anywere from 8-12K more than a similar mileage and condition 2013 LR4. I also like the aesthetics and cargo space of the LR4 over a LC200. I need to run the actual number for TCO of both vechiles. According to Edmunds a 2013, 5 years of maintenance and repairs are 29K (LR4) vs $15K (LX570). Intresting the price differene almost makes up for a higher maintenance and repairs costs. I used the LX570 since it's the closer to an LR4 (Hydralic vs Air Supension) mechanically. However, I would say the the LR4 has better off road gadgetry than a LC or LX.
 
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