Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 4:52 pm
Hi Frank
If you haven't already found it, I suggest you check out this site about Range Rovers as it has excellent resources regarding the type of information that you seek: http://www.rangerovers.net/ .
As far as things to look for, Rangies are like most vehicles, stuff wears out so the condition of the wear parts is important - tires aren't too expensive but if you have to redo the brake system you could be looking at $2000 or more and ABS problems (cha-ching) will just add to the bill! Look at the warning lights (AKA the "Christmas tree) - everything should come on when you turn on the key (showing the sensors are working) and everything should turn-off shortly after you have it started (think of blinking warning lights as dollar signs... lots of dollar signs).
Range Rovers are also prone to... oil and fluid leaks, leaky sunroofs and leaky power steering boxes. Do not buy the line that because the body is aluminum that corrosion is not a problem… Range Rover rust, and in all the worst places… check for rust problems in the tail gate, lift gate, inner fender wells, floors, sills and rocker panels, steel brake lines... none are an easy fix so unless you like chopping rust and welding panels don’t buy a rotted rangie.
The electrical system is rife with miles of wire, finicky sensors and switches that get dirty and quit... electrical is by Lucas so consider yourself warned... monkeys with haywire and sticks could probably build a better system. :munky2:
Fuel pumps sometimes quit (big bucks to replace) and under the hood is a myriad of hoses, clamps, sensors and other bits all ready to break down. Radiators and heater cores are known to fail as are head gaskets (figure $2500 as a budget to get a shop to fix it… more if they don’t know anything about rovers), water pumps and the fan clutch also tend to “goâ€
If you haven't already found it, I suggest you check out this site about Range Rovers as it has excellent resources regarding the type of information that you seek: http://www.rangerovers.net/ .
As far as things to look for, Rangies are like most vehicles, stuff wears out so the condition of the wear parts is important - tires aren't too expensive but if you have to redo the brake system you could be looking at $2000 or more and ABS problems (cha-ching) will just add to the bill! Look at the warning lights (AKA the "Christmas tree) - everything should come on when you turn on the key (showing the sensors are working) and everything should turn-off shortly after you have it started (think of blinking warning lights as dollar signs... lots of dollar signs).
Range Rovers are also prone to... oil and fluid leaks, leaky sunroofs and leaky power steering boxes. Do not buy the line that because the body is aluminum that corrosion is not a problem… Range Rover rust, and in all the worst places… check for rust problems in the tail gate, lift gate, inner fender wells, floors, sills and rocker panels, steel brake lines... none are an easy fix so unless you like chopping rust and welding panels don’t buy a rotted rangie.
The electrical system is rife with miles of wire, finicky sensors and switches that get dirty and quit... electrical is by Lucas so consider yourself warned... monkeys with haywire and sticks could probably build a better system. :munky2:
Fuel pumps sometimes quit (big bucks to replace) and under the hood is a myriad of hoses, clamps, sensors and other bits all ready to break down. Radiators and heater cores are known to fail as are head gaskets (figure $2500 as a budget to get a shop to fix it… more if they don’t know anything about rovers), water pumps and the fan clutch also tend to “goâ€