Hi all, I'm brand new to the forum and I'm looking for advice on buying an LR3.
2005 LAND ROVER LR3 HSE
odometer: 120K
Budget before tax:8K
Location: CA

I was attracted by the good looks, low price and fancy name.
But the more I read, the more I question.
What I care about is that the costs and repair may occur after 120k miles.

any thoughts, suggestions?

 

If you want reliability, buy a Toyota. While the LR3 are leagues ahead of the D2s in reliability in my opinion, they are still a labor of love. When they are in working order, they are amazing. When they're not... they're a different kind of amazing...

I do love mine, but I would hunt for the nicest one you can find that's been clearly taken care of.

I have an 05, picked it up just over a year ago with 42k mi. Payed a premium, but it was worth it!

Dave aka Ghan

 

Read the buyer sticky then ask questions

 

This should be a LR3 bumper sticker....

 

Agree...there are better options out there if you aren't going to use it for off-roading.

 

Good luck in your hunt. I just picked up an 05 hse, one owner, 70,000 miles and all service records for a decent price. Keep your eye out there. this forum was a life saver. i love my lr3! alot better then my disco 2.

 

Good luck, don't go for something just because of looks or name. Gotta love it. I decided I wanted one the day a dealer let me borrow one they were selling for the weekend, so I drove it around for a few days and it was fantastic. Been in love ever since.

 

Oh man are we telling Rover love-genesis stories now?

I fell in love with Land Rover on a trip to the middle east in 1986. I couldn't afford one until 2005. I liked the driving feel of the P38 but didn't want a P38...then the LR3 came out and once I drove it and saw it; it was game over. I ordered one, paid my (refundable) deposit and waited for it. It was mine before it was done being built! In the meantime I test drove just about every SUV under the sun. NOTHING came close.

Eleven years later it's still my baby and brings me joy every time I'm in it, despite it being a high maintenance biaaatch. It's been to the Yukon Territory, Hell's Canyon, Crater Lake, and uh...Corvallis, OR. On road, off-road, mud, snow, ice, mountains, whatever.

I love it because I can do anything in it, any time....not because of the looks or name.