We may be looking to buy a lr3 how are they on gas and maintenance? Better engine v6 vs. V8?
Hoping they are better on fuel then my d1
Not looking to off road it got the d1 for that just a nice sub for the wife to drive

Is there a certain year to avoid or something specific to look for?

Thanks

 

Hi Tom R

I personally do not think there is a whole lot of difference between years. There are going to be the same general maintenance issues with most of them. Of course the http://www.chenessinc.com/30inch.htmnewer ones will have had upgraded bits and pieces along the way.

I would certainly shoot for a locker if you can, if you plan to off road. Notably the locker vehicle has a full size spare. If the one you pick up was a mall crawler, or well maintained, you probably can't go wrong, buy the most / newest you can for the money.

NAV is awesome to have for multiple reasons, like the 4x4 screen, etc. though they have not updated maps since 2012. After having it, I would not have a vehicle without it.

V6 = NO Way they do have more problems are are not more fuel efficient.

Maintenance records, will help you determine what you might need to plan for, the vehicle is notorious for wearing out suspension bushings, wheel bearings, and eventually you will end up upgrading the dampers, compressor, cowl, brake light switch, tail light bulbs, diffs, and so on. In less regular intervals transfer boxes, and transmission problems pop up, but nothing is a deal stopper. I'm figuring these things should be considered. Two times on the bushings for me at 133k, diffs once, brake light switch, done, dampers, were "getting there" so I did those, but did not have to.

There have been many discussions on mileage and peoples mileage reports vary wildly, but in general I don't think you can expect anything better than 13 city (Mine Varies between 13-14.2) and Highway 14-16, the best I ever saw was 18 before I loaded a lot of crap on it. As it has aged, the mileage has deteriorated, but the weight has also increased. All in all not bad for a 6000 lb vehicle though. The comfort and capabilities make up for it.

All in all, a very capable vehicle, and you will enjoy it I am sure.

I hope this helps.

 

I've only had mine three weeks but for what its worth i get about 18.1-18.5 mpg. That's about 75 miles highway and 25 dirt road miles a day. It's a 2005 SE with gas V8. 113,000 miles.

 

The mpg difference between the V6 and the V8 is negligible. I think the cost new may have been a reason to go with the V6 (if you wanted to save dough), but if you're buying a used one, I don't think there is any reason that you would want a V6. As far as model years, there are some minor differences, but a good maintenance history is far and away more important than anything else IMHO.

 

Todd what are the "dampers" you mention?

Tom....the LR3 will kick the $hit out of your D1 off-road, then you'll think twice...and want to trade your wife!

 

Thanks all, yeah wtf are dampers, shocks?

 

In town, I usually got about the same or maybe 1 or 2 mpg better in my LR3 than the D2, 14 or sometimes 15 mpg.

On the highway, depending on wind which seems to affect the LR3 a LOT, I've gotten as high as 20 mpg:

 

Sorry, yes, Dampers are Shocks without springs... I rebuilt my air springs as they are called when I thought the original was getting a bit wishy washy. I fitted Koni FSD Dampers on at that time.

 

If anyone's looking my brother works for a car dealer said there's an 05 lr3 se at the dealer auction in Trenton n.j.

Pa salvage title says runs drives, seller is another dealer says scratches/dents he does not see them in the pics, but said the front is down and rear is jacked way up, bid is in low 3k range, he advised against buying it

 

Tom R did you catch the question about fabrication. I think it was you on another thread with pictures of a winch tray you fabricated or had done.