New Daily for the wife. Suggestions?

[slowfiveo]

The wife and I have been doing some minimalism with our bills. During this process I have been holding on to my beloved 06 Mustang Gt like a kid to a security blanket. I still currently owe on it and with having our 3rd child in January, I could almost hear the footsteps of someone coming to take it away. Lol. Although it isn't very practical to own, neither is my Discovery, but at least the disco can hold us all. Just to be clear, I'm not saying I value my car over my family's needs.

The wife currently drives our 2004 Explorer that surprisingly has been very reliable for years despite having a poor reputation in some circles. Over the weekend I took my son hiking in the Explorer and while we were entering the highway the transmission slipped pretty badly. It continued to give us fits the rest of the trip. I have had suspicions that the trans was getting weak for about a year. This particular model has a terrible reputation for trans failure. Also, it isn't really worth enough to me to replace the trans so, I've decided to abandon ship and trade it in. In order to get my wife a decent vehicle with a respectable payment, the Mustang will have to go with it.

I took her out yesterday and looked at a couple of cars locally, one was a Hummer H3 (Not totally interested in an H3 but, I've never driven one and wanted to try it), and the other was an 07 LR3. She disliked the H3, but she loved the LR3. To be honest I wouldn't mind owning one. The idea of me and the wife both having Rovers is pretty exciting.
The LR3 has 110k miles and they are asking 14k. I'm not so sure about financing a vehicle with that high of miles but, if the maintenance records check out, I would consider it. We are really looking to stay under 20k. I'm going to be patient. I want the replacement for my Mustang to be a good one. I also want my wife and kids to have a good vehicle for commuting.

Sorry about the book I wrote but, I felt the back story was important when asking for suggestions.
So, should I investigate further on the Lr3? Or wait awhile and find a better deal? Do I need to stay away from LR3s?

 

[mjbrox]

I have a 2003 MDX and my brother has a 2006 honda pilot.

We have both towed with it and now we live in CO.

Unless you are trying to go off road, I cant recommend that platform more. My MDX has 230k miles with original tie rods, cvs, control arms, bearing etc. Its unreal how reliable its been.

Just last summer we had 5 adults, 4 bikes and a long weekends worth of gear and food in/on the pilot. We easily drove over major mountain passes, and comfortable passed people along the way.

 

[slowfiveo]

I have a 2003 MDX and my brother has a 2006 honda pilot.

We have both towed with it and now we live in CO.

Unless you are trying to go off road, I cant recommend that platform more. My MDX has 230k miles with original tie rods, cvs, control arms, bearing etc. Its unreal how reliable its been.

Just last summer we had 5 adults, 4 bikes and a long weekends worth of gear and food in/on the pilot. We easily drove over major mountain passes, and comfortable passed people along the way.

I'll definitely check into them. I mountain bike and hike alot. Anything with room for that is good. Thanks!

 

[slowfiveo]

Just to specify the LR3 is an SE V8 with the cold weather package (block heater etc.)

 

[Tugela]

If you are looking to economize and want reliability then I second the recommendation for the Honda. The LR3 is a great vehicle in many regards, but if you don't have spare cash to burn on maintenance then it will cause you more anxiety in the long term.

 

[jhmover]

Our 2007 RX350 has over 200k miles on it. Only non maintenance items it's needed are the sunroof fixed, 1 cat + 2 O2 sensors and 1 coil. Front end, rear end, engine, trans, transfer case are all original. I drove it in quite a bit of snow in Scottsdale awhile back and it did fine with the TC on. Gets around 19-20 around town, averages about 24-25 going down I-5 at 75. Still uses no oil between changes.

She got rear-ended Friday. Here's a shot of her car and the VW Golf that rear-ended her (PD estimated he was going 55, she was stopped for a light - there were no skidmarks from his car). It held up pretty well.

 

[slowfiveo]

If you are looking to economize and want reliability then I second the recommendation for the Honda. The LR3 is a great vehicle in many regards, but if you don't have spare cash to burn on maintenance then it will cause you more anxiety in the long term.

Maintenance would bother me much. I like to turn wrenches myself and I'm not too awful worried about parts bills. But, I get what your saying. Those big repair bills will eventually come. We are willing to sacrifice a bit of cash for personality though.

 

[slowfiveo]

Our 2007 RX350 has over 200k miles on it. Only non maintenance items it's needed are the sunroof fixed, 1 cat + 2 O2 sensors and 1 coil. Front end, rear end, engine, trans, transfer case are all original. I drove it in quite a bit of snow in Scottsdale awhile back and it did fine with the TC on. Gets around 19-20 around town, averages about 24-25 going down I-5 at 75. Still uses no oil between changes.

She got rear-ended Friday. Here's a shot of her car and the VW Golf that rear-ended her (PD estimated he was going 55, she was stopped for a light - there were no skidmarks from his car). It held up pretty well.

Holy cow! Glad everyone was ok!

 

[jhmover]

Holy cow! Glad everyone was ok!

Amazingly neither her nor the moron that hit her needed an ambulance. I guess the VW was totaled but folded up like it should to absorb the impact. Thanks for your concern.

 

[Blue]

$14K for a Land Rover with 110K miles? Am I reading that right?

 

[Drillbit]

$14K for a Land Rover with 110K miles? Am I reading that right?

That's about right

 

[KyleT]

land cruiser.

its weird to think tires, brakes and oil changes through 200k plus miles.

or for cheaper a 2001-2006 montero full size.

or a L322 range rover with a Jag motor. should be able to find one under 20k easy. heck i have seen 07-08 SC with under 100k for under 20k.. much better than a Lr3.

 

[slowfiveo]

land cruiser.

its weird to think tires, brakes and oil changes through 200k plus miles.

or for cheaper a 2001-2006 montero full size.

or a L322 range rover with a Jag motor. should be able to find one under 20k easy. heck i have seen 07-08 SC with under 100k for under 20k.. much better than a Lr3.

It's funny you mentioned L322. Just found one north of me for 19k with only 64k miles with maintenance history. I think I'll back off of that LR3 for sure.

 

[ERover82]

How's the ownership experience of a Jag L322 different than an LR3?

 

[Roverlady]

I stopped driving my DI daily when we were 7 months pregnant and bought a new 2013 Honda Pilot EX-L 4wd. It's not the most glamorous vehicle on earth but it was a good price loaded compared to others, gets relatively good gas mileage on regular fuel, has plenty of space and flexibility, and has been utterly flawless for 20K miles. I plan to keep it until it's paid off and then decide if I want to get something a little more luxurious or fun. Honestly, it was the best decision though and I'd recommend it in a heartbeat. We have taken numerous 1800+mile trips in it and it's very comfortable. And the 4wd system really impressed me in the snow.

Used ones are sometimes close to new price minus discounts though. They are changing the body style next year to an uglier van shape (IMO) so you might get a good deal on the boxier one like I have. Good luck!

 

[KyleT]

How's the ownership experience of a Jag L322 different than an LR3?

Way better. Interior doesn't fall apart. Never needs bushings and ballpoints... Diffs don't go out...

 

[No Pvmt]

I would take a look at a MB GL 450 or 500 for that price point. Most likely it wiould have been dealer maintained, and they're built well.

 

[ChrismonDA]

land cruiser.

its weird to think tires, brakes and oil changes through 200k plus miles.

or for cheaper a 2001-2006 montero full size.

or a L322 range rover with a Jag motor. should be able to find one under 20k easy. heck i have seen 07-08 SC with under 100k for under 20k.. much better than a Lr3.

Just make sure that Land Cruiser does not have that crappy 4.7 or 5.7 V8 stick with the inline 6. Trust me. The Toyota 5.7's are total garbage.

 

[garrett]

Just make sure that Land Cruiser does not have that crappy 4.7 or 5.7 V8 stick with the inline 6. Trust me. The Toyota 5.7's are total garbage.

I have two local friends with the 4.7. One tows a horse trailer regularly and the other is a DD. Both around 130K miles + and both have had no issues with the motor. The one towing the horse trailer had a new transmission installed recently. I've driven them a few times - super comfy truck.

 

[mgreenspan]

Just make sure that Land Cruiser does not have that crappy 4.7 or 5.7 V8 stick with the inline 6. Trust me. The Toyota 5.7's are total garbage.

I'll translate what he really meant. Get a solid front axle Land Cruiser. There is no logic in avoiding the 4.7 or 5.7. If they were shitty engines nobody would drive LCs, GX, LX, or tundras. Clearly it is not a crappy motor. They outperform all Rover engines. just follow the required maintenance and you won't have problems.