I took the leap...

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NoleAnimal22

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Following up on the thread where I asked for advice on evaluating an LR4, I wanted to thank everyone who responded- especially @txfromwi . The information he and others provided in that thread definitely helped me evaluate the one I had planned to look at and another one that popped up even closer to me while I waited to see the first one.

So- I bought a 2014 LR4 XXV (25th anniversary) with 118,500 miles out of Orlando (I live in New Smyrna Beach) for $10,900. I've bought and sold a TON of cars in my life (mostly Porsches and Mercedes) and I believe this is, easily, the best deal I've ever gotten on a car. This thing is IMMACULATE. I am the third owner and it appears the first owner had it up to ~107,000 miles. And that owner appears to have taken exceptionally good care of it. The only historical records I have on it are from the CarFax, but it appears to have been serviced regularly at the dealer. But- just based on the condition of the interior- this person took incredibly good and detailed care of the car. It shows almost no wear at all. This is the highest mileage car I've ever bought and it feels practically brand new.

If your not familiar, the XXV basically got every possible option plus a special interior. So, yep- it has the HD package.

Also- let me sing the praises of the selling dealer for a second (Mullinax Ford in Apopka and my salesman- Juan). I've been in the car business all my life and this was one of the best experiences I've ever had. We all know the well known stereotype the car business has earned. Well, everything Juan told me he was going to do, he did (and quickly) and all the information he gave me was true and eventually backed up by documentation. For example, when I first set up an appointment to go look at the car he later called me back and told me they were "sending it out to a local LR specialist." I didn't believe him. I was pretty sure this was the start of the games or worse. But it was totally true. I asked for a cop of the service record and he said he'd get it to me. I figured there was no way I'd ever get it- if it actually even went out for service. But, once again, I was wrong and Juan and Mullinax came through.

They gave me the copy of the service record, complete with the name of the shop. They replaced the water pump and coolant pipes, did an oil change, and replaced a wheel bearing. They noted that motor mounts needed to be done, but I suppose the dealer elected to not have those done (which considering everything else- I have no problem with). During my test drive, I definitely could tell they need to be replaced as the motor transmits a fair amount of vibration at idle. Other than that, it's not an issue.

So... for $11k- I got an LR4 in fantastic shape, with a recent service history. I keep waiting for the other show to drop (and if it does- I'm sure you'll see me talk about it here). But as I drove this thing home last night, I couldn't help but feel like this is the best $11k car that has ever existed. it's the only car I've ever bought that I didn't negotiate the price on.

Posting some of the dealer photos now (I'll have some of my own soon)-


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2014-land-rover-lr4-base-santorini-black-metallic-3.jpg
2014-land-rover-lr4-base-santorini-black-metallic-15.jpg
2014-land-rover-lr4-base-santorini-black-metallic-6.jpg
 
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txfromwi

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Congratulations and welcome to the group!
Very attractive price - wayyyy better than just a couple of years ago....


The very first things I would do:

Change the oil - use the unicorn blood oil as recommended by Rover (yes, yes, everyone... I know the discussion - I do what I want - you do what you want :).)
Get some Weathertech floor mats - everywhere.
Get some Rover brand seat covers - crazy expensive if you can find them - they are nylon and super slick, we love ours - look on store . landrover . com - it's a good place for parts for classics.
 

NoleAnimal22

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Change the oil - use the unicorn blood oil as recommended by Rover (yes, yes, everyone... I know the discussion - I do what I want - you do what you want :).)
I saw just a brief reference to this in another thread- but I'm not really aware of the discussion. School me, please.
Get some Weathertech floor mats - everywhere.
Yep- working on it.
Get some Rover brand seat covers - crazy expensive if you can find them - they are nylon and super slick, we love ours - look on store . landrover . com - it's a good place for parts for classics.
You are not lying. Wow. I'm seeing $350 per cover.
 

txfromwi

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You will have mixed success with the various Rover parts vendors, including on-line Rover dealerships, always be cautious.
It's very easy to accidentally purchase after market rather than OEM if you click too fast - read the description closely - twice.


Others may add opinions, but you could start here:

Land Rover Palm Beach on-line parts - more expensive than some, but excellent customer service.

FCP Euro - excellent

Atlantic British - mixed results especially lately, but good selection.

Groves Batteries in the UK for the ECO battery - excellent

Powerfulukltd in the UK - excellent

That place in Arizona - nope, not again.
 

CRYA

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LOL, ongoing discussions regarding Rover brand fluids vs other brand fluids.

Lots of friendly back and forth here on that topic, I go all OEM, other disagree.
Bottom line is really just to change fluids often and that brand is, shudder..., not important, as long as you are using a good brand.
Many people are saying Kirkland Synthetic is just repackaged Rover oil...or maybe that's just what I tell myself at checkout. You decide which is true! :laugh:
 

NoleAnimal22

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LOL, ongoing discussions regarding Rover brand fluids vs other brand fluids.

Lots of friendly back and forth here on that topic, I go all OEM, other disagree.
Bottom line is really just to change fluids often and that brand is, shudder..., not important, as long as you are using a good brand.
Specialist service immediately prior to purchase (12/17) included an oil change of 5w-20 Mobil 1 FULL synthetic. So I should be good to go for about 5000 miles, right?
 

CRYA

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Yes yes, stick to 5k going forward. Motor mounts, and if I were you I'd study up on trans fluid change at that mileage and get ready to tackle that asap.
 

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