My wife & I bought a 2006 BMW X3 about 1.5 months ago. Got the vehicle for $23,800 w/a bluebook on it for about $31K. Thing is, we are not massive fans of it. I think the vehicle is a bit too small for my wife, who is now pregnant, & it's pretty bare bones in regards to lushness (in comparison with Land Rover). She had a LR2 for a couple years on a lease before the X3.

So now we are looking into getting a Range Rover. We are going to stay below $30K for it & as such are looking at a 2005 with 51K miles on it. This is from a dealer in our area & has a certified warranty from the dealer for another 12K miles or one year (whichever comes first). I fully understand that cost/price is in the eye of the beholder & comes down to what you will pay but, in the opinion of other owners, is $29K, $30K for a Range Rover fair or a rip? The dealer has it marked right up at the top of the KBB, of course. I just want to stay realistic with the dealer when we talk about this (as a condition; they will have to buy our X3 for what we owe, which is ok, they own a BMW dealership down the street as well -- they sell the X3s for soooo much cash). We live in MI, Rovers are not really moving all that much these days.

Safety, reliability & luxury are what we looking for. I know Rovers are not, um, known for reliability. This would be my wife's primary vehicle & I would drive it a fair amount of course. Safety information? Any issues I'm unaware of for the 2005 year model? I checked up on recalls, of course, this one is clear.

Thanks...

 

The 2005 model has the updated electronics system but still has the X5 4.4L V8 engine built by BMW. Safety is amazing in these vehicles, they get 5 star euroncap on all sides (euroncap has higher standards than IIHS or NHTSA). Reliability, on the 05 differs. Some have had a great vehicle for many years with little issues. Others have had bad luck. From other posts, and other experiences, any of the BMW versions of the RR are very quirky. They do not fail to extent of leaving you on the side of the road, but have many weird issues regarding the electronics. I would steer more towards an 06 model with the jaguar V8, and try to get one under warranty.