Buying a used Land Rover.

[caspur]

Relative is looking to get a used Land Rover Defender here in the US. Maybe one of the early 90's short wheel base models. However, in the US, perhaps because they were discontinued the Defenders seem to keep their resale value well.

There are some concerns over parts availability and reliability. The ones in excellent condition (no rust, dents, good interior/paint, etc.) are commanding outrageous prices. The lower priced ones look like the 15 year old cars that they are, ie. lots of problems.

It would seem, however, that with the strong resale value it might make make sense to spend a bit more for a Defender, over say, a new Jeep Wrangler unlimited, which plummets in value after the first 3 years. Plus, the Defender does have a bit of exclusivity over its competitors.


*note* The import costs from Britain and LHD conversion, particularly with the weak dollar, is very high. Also, I don't think the new Defenders (current ones for sale in the UK) can be imported due to DOT rules, etc.

 

[Pliablemoose]

If they're a close relative, steer them away from a Land Rover, they're miserable to keep on the road.

A lightly used Wrangler is a much better vehicle.

 

[getbush]

Semantics wise it's not an investment at all.

Realistically they would be better off with a used Wrangler. Anything above that is paying more for a less reliable and more expensive to maintain vehicle for vanity purposes. To each his own.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Horrible vehicle and will not have strong resale value.

 

[Q]

Don't they cost a ton to upkeep?

 

[Dr. Detroit]

Jeep Wrangler Rubicon
or
Jeep Wrangler Unlimted Rubicon

And since he is looking at buying used, why not buy a used Rubicon from some city slicker who never took his off road?

Hummer H3 Alpha also would not be a bad choice, spendy but they depreciate like rocks too, so a used one may be a good value.

For serious off-roading the H3 or Rubicon is the only way to go.

 

[JulesMaximus]

That will be a money pit like no other.

 

[halik]

Investment? What's your expected ROI?

I've had a 96 Range Rover for a while - not a bad car and parts are pretty common, but it will cost you arm and a leg to have work done to it. Not recommended unless you're handy and DIY

 

[krunchykrome]

a car is not an investment; that includes collector's cars

with that said, Land Rover builds some of the most unreliable vehicles.

 

[caspur]

Originally posted by: halik
Investment? What's your expected ROI?

I've had a 96 Range Rover for a while - not a bad car and parts are pretty common, but it will cost you arm and a leg to have work done to it. Not recommended unless you're handy and DIY

We would be expecting to roughly break even after 5 years. So not really an investment per se, but rather a "no-cost" ownership minus any applicable maintenance.

Its strange that for such an unreliable vehicle, collectible or not, the Defenders don't seem to depreciate as one would expect them to. For example, a 10 year old one (in excellent condition) costs roughly the same as a new one. Not many modern day cars, aside from maybe the MINI, can match that sort of resale value. Seems like a good vehicle to drive around without taking a depreciation hit as seen in domestic SUVs like the Jeep.

So ideally, would buy a 1997 Defender, approx $30k, drive it 5 years, and trade it for around $25-26k including any repairs. Seems doable no? I suppose if we would have bought one in 1997 for 40k, we would have been able to drive it 10 years and only take a 10k hit on it. But, I don't have a time machine.

 

[PricklyPete]

You are going to really be up the sh!tter trying to keep that thing running here in the states. I would definitely steer clear. That is, unless it is a secondary car and money is not a concern.

 

[Demo24]

umm, defenders are generally the more reliable Land Rovers. Simply because it's been in production for ~40 years and is built to be an off-road machine. Their pretty legendary vehicles actually.

However if your wanting to daily drive it, then hell no! Only buy one if your going to use it off-road.

 

[DivideBYZero]

1) No car is an investment bar a very few
2) Land Rover. lol
3) The Defender is the better of the bunch as it is the most basic, and the body won't show rust as it's Aluminium, but check the frame.
4) Land Rover. lol

 

[halik]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
umm, defenders are generally the more reliable Land Rovers. Simply because it's been in production for ~40 years and is built to be an off-road machine. Their pretty legendary vehicles actually.

However if your wanting to daily drive it, then hell no! Only buy one if your going to use it off-road.

Definitely not a DD, but good weekend toy. My range got 12 miles to the gallon on a good day...

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: caspur

Originally posted by: halik
Investment? What's your expected ROI?

I've had a 96 Range Rover for a while - not a bad car and parts are pretty common, but it will cost you arm and a leg to have work done to it. Not recommended unless you're handy and DIY

We would be expecting to roughly break even after 5 years. So not really an investment per se, but rather a "no-cost" ownership minus any applicable maintenance.

Its strange that for such an unreliable vehicle, collectible or not, the Defenders don't seem to depreciate as one would expect them to. For example, a 10 year old one (in excellent condition) costs roughly the same as a new one. Not many modern day cars, aside from maybe the MINI, can match that sort of resale value. Seems like a good vehicle to drive around without taking a depreciation hit as seen in domestic SUVs like the Jeep.

So ideally, would buy a 1997 Defender, approx $30k, drive it 5 years, and trade it for around $25-26k including any repairs. Seems doable no? I suppose if we would have bought one in 1997 for 40k, we would have been able to drive it 10 years and only take a 10k hit on it. But, I don't have a time machine.

Sorry to burst your bubble but a 1997 Defender is more in the $15k-17k range - http://www.edmunds.com/landrov...fender/1997/index.html

 

[Nyati13]

Real Land Rovers ( the Defender series ) are good strong vehicles and great offroaders. The Jeep would still be more reliable, and Jeep parts are a lot easier to get in the US than LR parts.


Personally, I'd get the Jeep.

 

[thomsbrain]

I would get a used Jeep and put the difference in a high-yield savings account or other investment. You'd probably make more in the long run.

 

[caspur]

Originally posted by: thomsbrain
I would get a used Jeep and put the difference in a high-yield savings account or other investment. You'd probably make more in the long run.

I think this is the safest, and probably correct, strategy.

Perhaps I was being a little too nostalgic in recommending the Defender. For a family vehicle, I don't think this would be a practical choice. It does have tons of character but a Jeep really would be the logical decision. Or to really mix it up, a previous generation Mercedes G wagon 🙂

(in response to the previous post, yes the edmunds TMV is 15-17k. See what the "excellent" ones sell for certified pre-owned at Land Rover. Most are in the 30k range on up. )

 

[Riverhound777]

I've never understood why people buy Land Rovers. I have always thought they were hideous and overpriced garbage. I have never heard anything good about them, yet people still buy them. Makes no sense to me.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
I've never understood why people buy Land Rovers. I have always thought they were hideous and overpriced garbage. I have never heard anything good about them, yet people still buy them. Makes no sense to me.

(1)- Land Rover vehicles are excellent off-road vehicles, performing competitively with the world's best.

(2)- They are expensive, and make little sense to rationally recommend in the face of cheaper alternatives.

(3)- The morons who slavishly buy SUVs (to carry groceries, roll around the urban jungle, and to be used as fashion statements) pay plenty for crap like H2s and Escalades, so LR seems to be able to command the $$$ from these double-digit IQ losers.High Demand = higher $$$.

OP : Buying a LR as an investment is a horrible idea. The Defender 90 and 110 are outstanding vehicles, but in the real world are not superior to a decent Wrangler. If you really want something that you can seriously take off road, and then sell in a few years for good money, then :

Don't buy : New SUV/Jeep/Land Rover, Used Land Rover.

Buy : Original FJ40, CJ5, CJ7. Find a good example, maintain it well, and it'll serve you nicely. These are off-road masters, so don't try to drive them like a Vette on the road. Respect them and they will respect you.

 

[alkemyst]

Investment? I am hoping you are 16 or 17.

lolz.

 

[theblackbox]

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: Riverhound777
I've never understood why people buy Land Rovers. I have always thought they were hideous and overpriced garbage. I have never heard anything good about them, yet people still buy them. Makes no sense to me.

(1)- Land Rover vehicles are excellent off-road vehicles, performing competitively with the world's best.

(2)- They are expensive, and make little sense to rationally recommend in the face of cheaper alternatives.

(3)- The morons who slavishly buy SUVs (to carry groceries, roll around the urban jungle, and to be used as fashion statements) pay plenty for crap like H2s and Escalades, so LR seems to be able to command the $$$ from these double-digit IQ losers.High Demand = higher $$$.

OP : Buying a LR as an investment is a horrible idea. The Defender 90 and 110 are outstanding vehicles, but in the real world are not superior to a decent Wrangler. If you really want something that you can seriously take off road, and then sell in a few years for good money, then :

Don't buy : New SUV/Jeep/Land Rover, Used Land Rover.

Buy : Original FJ40, CJ5, CJ7. Find a good example, maintain it well, and it'll serve you nicely. These are off-road masters, so don't try to drive them like a Vette on the road. Respect them and they will respect you.

if you buy a jeep, get a tj. these days, there is no point to the cj7 and the cj5 when you can get a tj with better articulation, fuel injection, and an all around better jeep (if you have to get a jeep)

oh, get an FJ. what a great idea. it's like owning a defender 90 but without the brit flair. when you aren't fighting rust, you'll be dealing with replacing 20-40 year old parts. don't get an fj unless you like to wrench and don't mind that gas mileage is incredibly bad.

you want a thrill, find a 65-69 datsun/nissan patrol. you want to have a heck of a time finding parts and keeping it running?

the defender 90, the SIIa, the FJ40 and the patrol are offroad masters. the cj family are a bunch of pretenders when it comes to real use. i'm not just talking about moab. look all over the world and you'll see what people depend on when they really need an offroad truck.

and before you ask, what do i know.... i have a 78 cj7 (best year, for what it's worth) a 74 fj40(not the best year but it's all original), and a 2002 TJ. i live in the mountains at 9500ft and i use 4wd at least 7 months out of the year.

 

[StageLeft]

Great investment if you're looking to get good with a wrench and use it as a project car or your goal is to see how quickly you can drain your bank account on repairs.

So ideally, would buy a 1997 Defender, approx $30k, drive it 5 years, and trade it for around $25-26k including any repairs. Seems doable no? I suppose if we would have bought one in 1997 for 40k, we would have been able to drive it 10 years and only take a 10k hit on it. But, I don't have a time machine.

Please say you are joking.