J
john65b
Guest
I just bought a 2002 LR SD with 54K miles about a montha ago. Heard many a horror story about the reliability of these trucks, but at $14.5K, I jumped on it. Whipped out my checkbook, paid her off and drove home. It looks good, rides well and even smells new...happy, happy, joy, joy.
Well, after the first day, a lightbulb burned out on Drivers side tail light. No problem. Removed the lens to find the bulb completly missing...oh well. Went to NAPA and replaced the bulb - $6. Within 24 more hours, the passenger seat would not move up/down/etc (not sure if it ever did work or if it was a recent failure). Looked under the seat where all the fuses are, took them out and verified they were not blown. None were, so I put them back in. Somehow, the seat started working again. Wow, no problem. The next day, the driver side turn signal light blew. Removed the directional lens to discover about a cupfull of water in the lens cavity from a smal crack on the front lens. I had to replace the bulb socket since it was rusted away ($5 at roverconnection.com) and then used some 2" wide cellophane packing tape to keep water from collecting in the lens. No one can see the tape, not even your humble storyteller.
Now had I gone to the dealer, I am positive I would have been billed at least $400 - $500 for these minor issues, whilst I corrected these issues myself for a mere $12 tops. The key here is avoid taking your LR to the shop unless absolutley required. It will save you tons of $$.
I can see why these have a reputatuion as being maintenance hogs, but they do NOT have to be expensive, IF you know how to use a screwdriver and know what to look for..
So far, so good.
Well, after the first day, a lightbulb burned out on Drivers side tail light. No problem. Removed the lens to find the bulb completly missing...oh well. Went to NAPA and replaced the bulb - $6. Within 24 more hours, the passenger seat would not move up/down/etc (not sure if it ever did work or if it was a recent failure). Looked under the seat where all the fuses are, took them out and verified they were not blown. None were, so I put them back in. Somehow, the seat started working again. Wow, no problem. The next day, the driver side turn signal light blew. Removed the directional lens to discover about a cupfull of water in the lens cavity from a smal crack on the front lens. I had to replace the bulb socket since it was rusted away ($5 at roverconnection.com) and then used some 2" wide cellophane packing tape to keep water from collecting in the lens. No one can see the tape, not even your humble storyteller.
Now had I gone to the dealer, I am positive I would have been billed at least $400 - $500 for these minor issues, whilst I corrected these issues myself for a mere $12 tops. The key here is avoid taking your LR to the shop unless absolutley required. It will save you tons of $$.
I can see why these have a reputatuion as being maintenance hogs, but they do NOT have to be expensive, IF you know how to use a screwdriver and know what to look for..
So far, so good.
