I am curious to see what people think of the Range Rover Sport. I personally think it is a magnificently beautiful sport utility vehicle. However, buying it seems to be a whole different story. The reliability ratings on Land Rovers is terrible according to consumer reports. The wost brand reliability BY FAR. Whats up with their reliability?

Also, hows the depreciation on these vehicles? I know luxury vehicles dive hugely in price when they are driven off the showroom floor but how does the Range Rover compare to Lexus and other sport utility vehicles? Can I pick up a used one in a couple years for a bargain or will the RR Sports hold their values like BMWs do?

=Nauticalx;2430556]However, buying it seems to be a whole different story. The reliability ratings on Land Rovers is terrible according to consumer reports. The wost brand reliability BY FAR. Whats up with their reliability?


Land Rover, for the most part, and depending on specific, model, is pretty much tied with Mercedes as the worst overall nameplate for reliablity. However, the worst specific vehicle is probably the Infiniti QX56.


Also, hows the depreciation on these vehicles? I know luxury vehicles dive hugely in price when they are driven off the showroom floor but how does the Range Rover compare to Lexus and other sport utility vehicles? Can I pick up a used one in a couple years for a bargain or will the RR Sports hold their values like BMWs do?

I don't want to sound biased here, being that this a Lexus forum, even though this specific site is for general car chat, but I honestly believe, based on many things, that you would be better off in the long run with a Lexus SUV than with either a Land Rover or BMW SUV. Land Rover products and the BMW X3/X5 have all been far below average in reliability. BMW SUV's, in the American market, have traditionally been lower-depreciating then Land Rovers, but, IMO, that does not cancel out the headaches of owing them.....and while not all BMW dealerships act this way, many of them tend to be snobbish, aristocratic, and quite highly-priced in parts and service when the service is not free. Both the X3 and X5 have received a number of owner complaints, too, for the harshness of their on-pavement rides.....BMW has softened the suspensions a little in the latest models.
Granted, the Land Rovers and Range Rovers are quite attractive in some areas. They have comfortable, plush, interiors, richly done in the British tradition, ride and handle on-pavement very well for an off-road-capable machine, and of course, their off-road capabilities in the Third World are legendary. But their electronics, at times, can be a nightmare, and they suffer a lot of little but annoying things like fluid leaks, loose trim parts, and defective hardware.
For what a Range Rover costs, the Lexus LX470, IMO, would be a far better choice. It blows the Range Rover away in reliability, has an interior that is just as plush in some areas, rides and handles well on pavement, and is almost ( but not quite ) the equal of the Range Rover off-road. In addition, the LX470 is likely, in the American market, to depreciate less as well.

Now, of course, part of this is assuming you actually GO off-road in the first place. With the exception of those with Jeep Wranglers, most SUV owners actually DON'T....the average is only about 5% or so.

Personally I love them. If I was in the market for an SUV it would be on my list. That being said about reliability, a friend of mine has a Freelander that has been on twice annual visits to the dealer for work for years. Not great, but friends I know with Range Rovers have never had a problem. One is an 04 and the other is a late 90s. As long as its under warranty I would have no hesitation buying one.

Problem is that IMO, the LX470 has nothing as far as the looks when compared to a Range Rover. The LX470 might be reliable but it has an antiquated design in production for numerous years. Given the RR Sport is so new (debuted in 2006) I wonder if it has already begun to follow Land Rover's reliability or proven to be more reliable than its sister vehicles. I checked on a Land Rover forum and theres mention of random warning lights that come on in the instrument cluster. Maybe that was the electronic problems you were mentioning?

I checked on a Land Rover forum and theres mention of random warning lights that come on in the instrument cluster. Maybe that was the electronic problems you were mentioning?

That's part of it. Other problems are computer-related or with things like power windows, door locks, etc.....

Still, modern Land Rovers, even low-rated for reliability, have much better electronics than the notorious Lucas systems used years ago. They were a joke if ever there was one.

And what about after the warranty is up?

Yes the LX has been in production for a while. How about the original range rover? They've been making that car for 30+ years and still can't get it right?

with the new lx570 coming up, I would just wait a little while...

When is the GX getting a makeover? As far as warranty, if I were to buy the RR Sport I would buy used (which is why I am particular interested in whether or not they drop in value steeply) and what I could do there is simply use the remainder of the factory warranty on a used one and purchase an extended warranty from Land Rover with the money I saved not buying new.

When is the GX getting a makeover? As far as warranty, if I were to buy the RR Sport I would buy used (which is why I am particular interested in whether or not they drop in value steeply) and what I could do there is simply use the remainder of the factory warranty on a used one and purchase an extended warranty from Land Rover with the money I saved not buying new.

Here are a couple of web sites that may help you...Kelly Blue Book and NADA.
They can give you a pretty good idea of what used ones are worth...and how much their values drop.

http://www.kbb.com/

http://www.nadaguides.com/home.aspx?l=1&w=28&p=0&f=5000

Copy and paste these and save them in your "favorites" list. I use them quite often in helping others shop for new cars and getting trade-ins for their old ones. The two organizations don't agree completely on used-car values but are generally in the same ballpark.

The main difference between the two is that KB generally gives three figures for a specific vehicle in a specific condition....trade-in, private party, and retail. NADA generally just gives one.

I don't know about the sport, but my co-worker has an 05 Range Rover HSE, and he constantly has to take it in for warranty repair. I love the Rage Rover Sport though.. I see so many in NYC and i just love the stance and the power. Shoot, I would get it and roll the dice:p

I love the Rage Rover Sport though.. I see so many in NYC and i just love the stance and the power. Shoot, I would get it and roll the dice:p

It's not surprising that you see them in NYC. The condition of the streets there, like in D.C. and the Snow Belt states, pretty much dictates an off-road capable vehicle.

I am curious to see what people think of the Range Rover Sport. I personally think it is a magnificently beautiful sport utility vehicle. However, buying it seems to be a whole different story. The reliability ratings on Land Rovers is terrible according to consumer reports. The wost brand reliability BY FAR. Whats up with their reliability?

Also, hows the depreciation on these vehicles? I know luxury vehicles dive hugely in price when they are driven off the showroom floor but how does the Range Rover compare to Lexus and other sport utility vehicles? Can I pick up a used one in a couple years for a bargain or will the RR Sports hold their values like BMWs do?


I have a buddy in the business and he does alot of Range Rovers, its funny you ask this because the other day he was telling me that he has not seen the sport in such a long time he forgot what it looks like!! lol (its been in the shop that much).

I like the regular range (the bigger one) and he was basically telling me that they are great cars, excellent luxury appointments, good power, TERRIBLE reliability. I would tend to trust his judgement because he works with them on a day to day basis. (I've done wheels for a few and lowering modules, but we do way more MB, BMW, Lexus than Range)

I hope this helps somewhat.

yeah i would stay far away from them
if u are looking for a big hunky power crazy SUV, maybe try Cayenne Turbo or S?

or the Audi Q7 V12 TDI?

yeah i would stay far away from them
if u are looking for a big hunky power crazy SUV, maybe try Cayenne Turbo or S?

or the Audi Q7 V12 TDI?

We just got a Cayenne Turbo S Project in 2 weeks ago. My guy that picked it up is pretty happy with it so far. Mods coming soon! :thumbup: :D

I test drove the Range Rover Sport a few months ago. One thing I remember the most from that test drive was the driverside door handle was a different color from the other 3 doors. Yes, I was told it was a factory error. That pretty much sums up its reliability.:D

my friend has one, not many miles on it. I love everything about it. It definately turns heads and looks nice but he hates it because its in the shop too much. Just from his experiences I would never own a Range Rover

i've owned a RRS HSE and it's a great vehicle but i wouldnt own one beyond it's warranty period.

Also, the depreciation is sickening absolutely abysmal :(

Also, the depreciation is sickening absolutely abysmal :(

Wow, thats excellent to hear from my perspective...obviously sucked for you but for me looking to buy used it would be great. The vehicle is what 70k list on the showroom? outrageous

However, the worst specific vehicle is probably the Infiniti QX56.

I agree w/this statement but only regarding the first model year (04') & halfway through the 05' model year. Towards the end of the 05's & newer, that's where quality control & reliability went up noticeably. I forgot what survey company said this recently but I heard Nissan was so po'ed that they sent over Japanese engineers to contain the problem (since it's built in the U.S.). I've only had one problem w/mine (the notorious brake judder) but it was resolved w/the TSB. :)

A buddy of mine has an RR Sport & loves it...but he's been in a handful of times for minor crap such as rattles here & there, shifter peeling & loud windshield wiper sounds. He says everytime he goes in, they treat him right though so can't complain about that. It's so hot!...He's got a set of 20" HRE 647's for daily/winter use, 22" HRE 841r's for the late spring/summer time & awaiting new 22" DPE's in a couple weeks. I drool everytime I see pics of it. :woohoo: :woot:

Wow, thats excellent to hear from my perspective...obviously sucked for you but for me looking to buy used it would be great. The vehicle is what 70k list on the showroom? outrageous

youre absolutely right though, the preowned market will be better. when i got mine the dealers were pretty arrogant becuase they were hot sellers the dealers didnt discount i'm hoping the mood changes as their sales have pretty much leveled out.

I drool everytime I see pics of it. :woohoo: :woot:

Off topic, but do you have linkage? If you don't want to post in here you can PM me. Thanks. :)

Off topic, but do you have linkage? If you don't want to post in here you can PM me. Thanks. :)

Nah, it's all good mang. He knows I'm posting on here about his minor issues, lol. :D He's coo w/the pics & yes, that's his hot e46 M3 as well:

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=429564

Although he's a down to earth guy, he has a fetish err, disease...it's called the new wheel of the month & new vehicle every 3 months club, haha! :p

^^ Cool. Thanks.

I remember seeing a sick black one with black wheels a few months ago. I love the Range Rovers, but I think the next SUV my family will consider would be the Q7 4.2.

^^ Cool. Thanks.

I remember seeing a sick black one with black wheels a few months ago. I love the Range Rovers, but I think the next SUV my family will consider would be the Q7 4.2.

No prob! :) Does the Q7 have electrical probs like the A4's do? That would be my main reason for trying to avoid Audi's & Mercedes.

I've looked at the Sport pretty seriously, I think it's a great looking vehicle... but I don't think the interior space is that great, if I recall the rear doors are somewhat difficult to get in and out of and I can't get over RR's reputation of poor reliability.

No prob! :) Does the Q7 have electrical probs like the A4's do? That would be my main reason for trying to avoid Audi's & Mercedes.

I honestly don't know, but I have a friend with the V6 version and he loves it and its problem free. I test drove the V8 in December and loved it. We have a GX right now and in all honesty, I know the GX will probably be more reliable but the Q7 feels a lot more planted and to me just has a better feel. I wrote one time on another forum that I love the GX for almost everything it does, but speed is not one of them. That and it feels very top heavy compared to our old LX470 and the Q7. We also have a Grand Cherokee right now and that thing is relatively quick, but squeaks and bothers me.

I don't know much about Audi issues, but we got an A8L last summer and haven't had any issues yet.

Funny you mention the A4, I didn't know that the current model had issues. That being said my likely choice for my next car would be an A4. I'm really sick of the horrid gas mileage and insurance rates (for my age) with my IS. I love the style and it has a manual if I decide to want one. A 2.0T + Revo chip = ~250 hp with 2.0T insurance rates and V6 speed. Sounds good to me.