LR3 Purchase

[riseforms]

Hi, This is my first post, so excuse this newb if this is a common question. My wife is in need of a SUV and we both like the LR3 alot. I've always been a fan of the LR3 and like it off roading prowess. However, we're very worried about the maintenance involved. She also likes the X5 and the thought of a 4runner has come up every now and then, but the LR3 is in a class of its own. I'm hesitant to go for the X5 as it's a pretty much a city vehicle and the 4runner just isn't in the same class for comfort, though it'll do for the amount of off roading we'd do. The LR3 we're comtemplating is either a 2007 with no factory warranty or little left or a 2008 with about a year left. The thing that scares me about the LR3 is the air suspension and the costs associated with repairs to it. Other stuff that worries us is the cost of maintenance and upkeep. One seller I spoke to says the car is $500-$600 per service twice a year and he thinks it's worth paying $9500 to extend the warranty for another 5 years / 160,000kms (Canada). This sounds a little absurd to me, so I'd like to seek the opinions of others here to assess common things that could go wrong and the costs of repairs / ownership. I've never been a fan of third party extended warranties as they have a lot of gaps in stuff they actually cover. I know this is very general question, but we'd just like to assess the true cost of ownership before jumping in. Thanks, Riseforms.

[CTRover]

I bought my 05 LR3 brand new and the warranty expired in Dec 2010. I haven't looked back at my decision to purchase. I know there are some bad quality stories out there but I couldn't be happier. Not sure if I'll get the extended warranty or just buy a LR4 or RR Sport. It's tough to give up my vehicle since it's been so problem free. (I'm at 61k miles). It's just a great ride both on and off road.