Ok guys, need your help. 97HSE for 11k?

[scot]

I have an offer for a 97HSE in decent condition for 11k. Tires will be brand new and the truck has 111kmiles.

For the good stuff, externally it is in decent condition, all the doors and windows work. Heated seats are good, as are the other electronic bits. EAS works fine, and has had the airbags replaced.

Bad: With the current tires the steering is screwed up. I posted about this one before, but only had a few responses and was hoping for additional help. Basically under braking the truck becomes eratic, the steering center is off and hitting bumps unsettles the truck. The thing that makes me most nervous right now is the guy selling wants me to guarantee purchase if he gets a new set of tires, because his mechanic claims everything will be fixed with the tires and an alignment.

So, what would you do? Would you offer to buy it? Demand a guarantee? Is the cost too high in the first place? Am I an idiot for even considering this vehicle?

(no this is not the only truck on the list. there are a few others I am considering, but nothing is blowing my skirt up)

Scot

 

[AlanB]

Run away fast, find another truck. Take your time and find one that has been well maintained and with documentation/service history, RR's that are poorly maintained will be money pits.

 

[p m]

Scot,

I would think adjusting front swivel preload (is there such adjustment on a P38?), tightening the slack in the steering box, and new steering damper, should take care of that. It may not even have anything to do with tires. Cheaper than buying a new set of tires and running into the same problem.

 

[RangeRoverHP]

Upper and lower ball joints are pretty common (no swivel, no adjustment in P38A). Steering dampener, track rod and drag link ball joints, hub bearings, all pretty common.
Steering box...less common but a possibility.

I would have your own mechanic, preferably one Rover savvy, check it out. At least he will have your best interests at heart not the sellers.

If it is the tires you have to ask yourself how they got that way. If they are way worn it's neglect. If they are cupped or worn unevenly than you have one of the issues I mentioned above.

 

[RVRSRVC]

I would agree with running away! Not just this one, but any pre-2000, second gen RaRo. I see them all the time at my shop, and they just seem to be really disappointing to own. Everybody says they like it when it's right, but not the bills when there wrong.
My 2 cents.
Trevor

 

[Ron]

You need to be able to fix them. I am willing to be $100 that all it needs are new steering links and tires.

11k is too much. I would pay 7 or 8.

They are really cheap to buy and if you can fix them tolerable to own.

 

[Best4x4]

There is nothing wrong with a 95 to 99 Range Rover! If you find one that someone has cared about and taken it to the dealer all of the serious P38 bugs should be fixed. I have a 97 Vitesse 4.6L HSE that had 92K on it when I bought it and it has 108K on it now. I bought it from the original owner who had all the service records from 12 miles on the odometer and the only issues I've had with the truck was a leaking RF air spring, a few interior parts, and I just ordered a waterpump. Other then that my Rover has been excellent and I wouldn't hesitate on buying another one, but AA Yellow Vitesse's are kinda hard to find

Tad

P.S. 11K is a lot cheaper than 60K

 

[hanchung]

check if the rotors are warped or cracked...
if you want the car... tell the guy selling that you'll guarantee purchase if the problem is fixed. not if tires are changed. the mechanic is trying to dump some tires and the seller is trying to dump the car.

 

[scot]

The seller is offering to buy new tires from atlantic brittish, but no guarantee on fixing the steering problem. Rotors could cause part of the shake, but it is too violent to JUST be the rotors, and they cannot cause the steering to jerk through a bump. He also claimed the rotors were just replaced, but I dont think all four were.

I tend to agree with the walk away posters at this point. If I am going to get a range rover it should start out perfect. Here is my question though, where do you all keep finding the range rovers in the 7-9k arena in good condition? I have seen a few perfect trucks but they are all astronimcally priced at around 16k.

If anyone knows of a truck they think is in the right price range, and is decently close to VA, please let me know cause I just cant seem to find it.

I found another seller with a 97 SE going for 11k and he claims it is in perfect condition, around 80k miles if I remember correctly. How much would you offer? It will be a highway vehicle, towing a 1.5k lb trailer. Wont be using it as a daily driver.

For anyone in the NOVA area, I am planning on having Curry's auto check it out. Has anyone used them before for rovers? I (and many of my friends) have had them do my race vehicles in the past and they have always done good work, so they should be able to do a purchase check on a rangerover no problem. I will remind them to not lift from he body, only the axels. Compression test, leakdown, exhaust gas in coolant, drive test, and the electricals. Can anyone think of any other tests I should ask them to go through?

 

[Best4x4]

If I am going to get a range rover it should start out perfect

I don't think any Land Rover product ever starts out perfect hehe...

Tad

 

[NVRover]

Here is my question though, where do you all keep finding the range rovers in the 7-9k arena in good condition?

Certainly not at any stealership. Look for private sellers (newspaper, internet etc.), even eBay. I let my 97 4.6HSE with 90k miles go on eBay for 12,100 on eBay.

 

[scot]

What do you guys think a fair price for a 96 HSE with fair paint, nice interior, and shot tires should go for? EAS works, steering feels fine except for what is obviously the tires, no exhaust leaks etc. 110k miles.

Lets assume it is mechanically ok otherwise.