Range Rover Sport Best Year? 2013?

Hey guys I'm looking to get a new car and am wondering if there is a idea on which year of the range rover sport is the most reliable. I really want the old body style.

I already own a lr4 though and I'm thinking it's going to drive pretty similarly so I'm also thinking about a disco sport to have just as around the city car. I live in Seattle so parking in tight at times.

I'm just wondering if the reason that these range rovers are so cheap is because they are expensive to maintain or have they just deprecated how they did because people want the new body style.

I really like the first and old body style 06' - 09' best. I would avoid the 10' because that was the first model year of significant changes. The 10' onward you need to be aware of significant issues with the engine cam/timing chain. You want throughly documented records of oil changes religiously at every 3-4 k and with synthetic oil the better. Lots of these engines that need the new timing chain is a $5 k repair, if they caught it in time. Failure of the timing chain and new engine $20k. These timing chain issues have been noted as early as 30k miles. If you find one you like be sure to pay some $$$ and have it throughly inspected for this. Also any air suspension over 5 years old can be an issue and costly. The best thing is to ask if they regularly used it up/down for ease of getting in/out. If yes, reconsider that choice. The best thing to do with RR air suspension and leave it alone and don't use it except rarely and when really needed. The other major mechanical issue with RRs are the electrical parking brakes. These are meant to be used and if they haven't are prone to a pricey repair from the system not being used. It does not have to be used everytime but is good to apply when parking at least 1 out of every 4-5 rides. Also check forums for advice and educate yourself to avoid the high cost of RR parts. Like many of my 04' RR parts are sourced from the Top Line BMW 700 series. A supplier wanted $800+ for a headlight ballast unit (the headlight computer module). I got the same one new not a left over used one but new on Amazon for $54 !!!
Good luck in your search for the right one! It's worth the hunt and you just feel a certain special way when you climb into a RR driver seat that no other car gives you!

So to your original ?. The later model years before a major revision should be the best ones. The 08'-09' RRS and the 12-13' RRS. The first edition RRS 06'-09' , 300 hp engine did not have the timing change issues of the 10'-13'. Last thing avoid the SC models repairs are more often, complicated and additionally expensive.

I own an LR4 but have had a secret love affair with the RR Sport for some time - I agree the 2012/2013 model is my favorite. Recently saw a 2013 Sport Supercharged at a local Carmax in that dark red color with only 40K miles on it but without any documentation I didn't dare, but I wanted to so badly asking $26K, there was also a 2012 autobiography for $29K with low miles but damn that seems like a lot for those cars, no?

I own a 2011 RRS HSELux and have had very little issues with it! The only thing I must say is if I did it again I would most definitely go with a 2012-2013 just for the upgraded infotainment system. I change my oil around every 7k miles and have put 120,000miles with no engine issues. I did have the alternator go out at 102,000 and then the water pump and crossover were leaking coolant slowly so were replaced at 100,000 miles. The parking brake module failed and destroyed the rear parking brake shoes and warped the wheel hubs however I think this was more of a one off issue, and as long as you get the parking brake actuator checked every once and a while I believe this would be preventable. Interior has held up amazing with no seat tearing or headliner sag. Other than the alternator (Which was my fault for thinking I could drive home) the 2011 has never left me stranded and has never failed to start on the first push. at 129,000 miles the truck still rides smoothly and the air suspension operates like new.

Let me know if I can help answer any more questions about the 2011!


Adrien

Edit: Just wanted to add I have the non-SC 5.0L engine, and have heard the SC engines will have a higher running cost as said by others above, but cannot speak from experience.

Johnhanks1,

Did you end up pulling the trigger? And if so, what's been your experience?

Thanks in advance!