Looking for my 1st Range Rover want to find the best balance of value/reliability/performance. Also will likely be a high millage as my budget is somewhat low.
Mostly will be used for bad winter weather days here in Chicago.
Look forward to your recommended years & models and why.
Thanks
TL

 

What is you budget and are you locked into Classic's or are you open ti Disco1's also?

 

You can pick up a Classic for cheap. Problem is they stopped making them for North American market in model year 1995. They are getting a little old, and finding one that isn't trashed inside or starting to rot away outside is becoming harder... but not impossible. Personally I'd stay away from the P38, even though it is a good looking truck. Lots of weird electrical issues are reported on them. If you like the big L322 Range Rover, a lot of people think the Jaguar engine is less troublesome than the BMW engine, so that means 2006 or newer.

 

I'd say my budget is high teens low $20's max.
Trouble free and reliable are top of the list.

 

Translux - I just got a VERY nice '06 HSE LUX in your budget. 83K on the clock. Spent the weekend kind of going over it then packed my daughter up for a 6 hour drive back to school. I can give you the website for the guys that sold it to me - they were great to work with! Downside is that they are here in Atlanta, but we don't have salt on our roads... so that is something to consider.

JD

 

You should be able to find a 03,04 or 05 in that range in the Chicago area with right around 100k on it. There are a couple of good looking 04's right now on Craigslist for under $20k with 70-80k miles

 

If you're looking for a reliable bad weather car, then get a later model. In your price range you could afford a very nice for offroading Classic or Disco 1 (my favorites) but that doesn't seem to be what you're looking for at all. Definitely avoid Disco II's if you want a reliable, trouble-free car. I would avoid the P38's and look in the 3rd generation range rovers. I'm not familiar with them myself and I don't know whether the BMW, Ford, or Jaguar versions are better.

 

If this is a car strictly for bad weather days, I would check out the 1999 Range Rover model. I know some of the p38 years had issues, but the 99' only had an issue with the air suspension bags going bad after 130k+ miles I bought mine with the air springs already switched out. If you are interested in buying private party and saving some money you can pick up a p38 in great condition for 5k-10k depending on the year. Not to mention I think the P38 looks better as long as you have the nerf bar.

 

There is one near me....I've seen it and it is close to mint. But it is in California.