Hi all, new here.

I'm looking for opinions, which it looks like you get quite a bit of here, but I just have a few specifics that I'm hoping you guys could provide me some direction on. Ultimately, this will come down to my wife's decision, but I always want to be prepared.

My wife and I own a photography business, and I also work full time outside of the home. Currently, we have two sedans, and are looking to replace one of them with an SUV.

I've always been obsessed with Land Rover. The reason why we are now considering it is for the following reasons:

1) Wife gets car sick pretty badly, except in larger SUVs. The smoother the ride, the better she handles it. She despises my Fusion because it's low and doesn't ride that well.
2) We need something big enough to carry around all of our gear for weddings. Currently, we stuff it all in my car, which sucks to say the least.
3) This will be primarily her car, and will maybe get 5k miles each year max.
4) We live just outside Chicago, so we get cold and snowy winters, and right now we don't have a good vehicle to get around in the inclement weather.
5) The only downside, we are 50 miles from an LR dealer so servicing might be an issue. I'm definitely more than average when it comes to wrenching on my own vehicles, but for in depth reports requiring a shop, it will be extra having to tow the thing around.

Now, that all being said, I'm curious what you guys have to say about the ride quality differences between the LR3 and an RR in the 07-08 range. We will be paying cash, and I've seen some pretty decent mileage (~60k miles) asking $16-17k prices.

We haven't tested anything, and we will test both. I must say the interior of the RR looks more comfortable, but it may be no different at all. The supercharged RR is also of interest, just for the bit of extra power. From what I've read, a bit of care and preventative maintenance can go a long way with these vehicles. And at 5-7k miles a year, we would probably keep it for quite a while.

Any thoughts or considerations that come up when deciding between the two? I will do some mild off roading, but nothing too serious.

I look forward to your replies!

Thanks
Cole

 

If you have the opportunity to own a Range Rover, I say do it. The LR3 is more of a workhorse...but the LR3 is definitely more luxurious while still capable. So based on what you said above, I say go Rangie.

 

If you are considering a sport, the LR3 is bigger.

 

Not really considering sport. Either the LR3 or the regular RR. I've heard the sport is a little smaller and a little stiffer of a ride, but we may test one. They seem to be everywhere.

 

if she has that much of an issue, i would suggest renting each for a few days to try them out.
i would vote the RR

 

This is a good idea. Hadn't even thought about renting for a weekend.

Should I be concerned about the lack of a local dealer? Also, is there a way to find reputable mechanics for LR? Like a database or something?

EDIT:
I should also add that we had an ML500 7-8 years ago that she was perfectly fine in. We've considered going that route again, buuuttttt I want an LR.

 

Hello Whoathere, I live a couple hours northwest of you, Madison Wisconsin. So I know what these winters can do to a car... I am also 'kind of' in the photo business, by the way. I currently have an 08 LR3 HSE, and I previously had a full sized Range Rover HSE. My Range Rover was an 03 - in other words, one of the BMW-engined 03-05 models. When I sold it, it had about 180,000 miles, and a TON of Engine issues - I really am not a fan of the 4.4l BMW V8 engines, especially in cold climates - Very common issues with 'oil' and 'coolant' systems. Good news - If you get an 06 onwards Range Rover, you won't have to deal with any of that nonsense. 06 onwards had the Jag 4.4l V8. But same crap quality vehicle interior. My vote for you would be an 08 Range Rover, with less than 70,000 miles, with a full Service History, ideally one owner, and ideally all work done at same Land Rover Dealership. By the 08 model year, the 'bugs' had been fixed. Yes, the full sized Range Rover is a little more 'luxurious' than the same model year LR3. But you will sacrifice some interior 'cargo' choices. And 3rd row seats, if that's something that you need. Either vehicle will definitely have more than enough 'off-road' ability (you mentioned "mild" off-roading), even if you don't have hugely chunky and aggressive Tires. Yeah, you could get stuck easier, but that's one of the reasons we go off-road, right? One thing I've noticed, the prices of these used 07-08 Range Rover models have really held their value during the past 2 years or so - Perhaps due to cheaper gas? If I were in your situation, with the ability to see and drive quite a few different cars before making a choice (because you're in Chicago - always tons for sale), I would wait to try to find an 08 Supercharged. I drove one a while ago, and much more 'fun' than the normal one. A complete service history and a complete and proper inspection should be table stakes. Also, recommend getting one with the 'cold climate' Package (not sure if that's the right name for it) - Comes standard on Supercharged. Optional on HSE. Basically, Heated / Cooled Seats I think. You can easily jump online and see what Package Options were available. When looking at photos of cars for sale, checkout photos of all the buttons and controls on center of dash - Use a photo of a Supercharged model as a reference, and make sure the HSE has exactly the same buttons. If the photo of the HSE has less buttons, it doesn't have these Options. Supercharged also has Locking Rear Diff as standard, although for "mild" off-roading, this is not really 'necessary' for you. Feel free to PM me if you want to chat! I do all my own work, so I'm pretty familiar with these vehicles. Cheers, Simon.

 

Simon, thanks! I appreciate the time and thought you put into that. Madison is a great town, my first UW football game was a few years ago and it was a great time. And the farmers market is tough to beat!

Funny you say that about prices. I haven't been looking that long, but I've always been a lurker and I thought for sure they would be cheaper by now. Cheaper gas has probably done wonders for the resale values on these. 13/18. Yeesh.

 

No matter what biggest thing is maintenace records, next pay the rover dealer for a pre purchase inspection

Lr3 are prone to bad rears, bad suspension bushings , electrical issues from clogged sunroof drains

These are things that add up to huge bills if you cannot fix it yourself

Example my wife's 2005 lr3 we bought with 50k miles

Bad back rear( noisy) bad gas tank assembly, 3 bad lower suspension bushings , bad park brake shoes on one side, bad rear drive shaft, broken trans mount, broken suspension compressor mount bracket

Then there's the electrical nitemare I had with fixing factory harness splices that were badly corroded from clogged sunroof drains soaking the floor for years

And the electrical issues disable the truck from being drive able, suspension drops, speedo dies and trans is stuck in first gear, beware

 

Couldn't agree more. We have an '04 RR with the BMW engine. I've owned it for a year now and have been left on the side of the road three times already from coolant issues. Two burst coolant hoses and just the other day I'm pretty certain the water pump gasket went. These things are a rat's nest of coolant hoses. If I had been smarter, I would have waited a little bit and saved up to buy an '06 instead.

That being said, these two cars are completely different beasts.

My LR3:
1. Feels like a truck... sitting posture, the way the engine is geared, etc.
2. Despite this, it feel surprisingly nimble and agile for such a heavy vehicle
3. Has fantastic visibility and thus feels smaller than it really is
4. Has great useful features including a lay flat cargo area (2nd row seats lay flat) and of course, it has the 3rd row seating

The Range Rover:
1. Is very luxurious... the seats, the controls, the trim, etc.
2. Rides very very nicely, though it has too much power steering for my likes
3. Has an amazing combination of engine and transmission... it always feels like it's in the right power band unlike the LR3
4. Feels like a whale and has the visibility to match. Simple things like the headrests, while they are large and comfortable, they make it impossible to turn your head and look behind you. Thus, it feel like a huge car and surprise... it is.

For my style and my driving, I would choose the LR3 (which is why it's my car) and for my wife's driving, I would choose the Range Rover (which is why it's hers). Although, if the RR leaves her on the side of the road one more time, I think we'll be done with it. :P