2003 Range Rover or 2004 Lexus RX330?

[triplecore]

Should I get a 2003 Range Rover or 2004 Lexus RX 330. Both have comparable millage at 50,000. Operating Cost is important to an extent, but I do not include fuel price.

[4TehNguyen]

lexus is top of the list in reliability, LR is at the bottom

[thetopdog]

The Range Rover is pretty much the king of SUVs. The RX is bascially an AWD Camry wagon that screams 'soccer mom'. I think you know which one I would recommend

Get an extended warranty if you buy the Range though

[LexusChris]

Ranger Rover will cost more to maintain i'm guessing than a Lexus based on what I have read.

[Mazinger]

Range Rover no question.

[cherplex]

I like the Range because it's more of a truck but the RX is definately more reliable.

[Coco-bun]

what are you using it for? For a primary vehicle, I would get the RX330. For off roading or have another vehicle for a dd, I'd get a Range Rover.

[krazykanuk]

Range. No question, at least in my mind. I know stereotypically unreliable but i think it is an infinitely more desirable SUV. At least for a man.

[triplecore]

yeah Rx seemed kind of girly and my sister was like isnt that a chick car for those orange county girls. Anyways, I like to the Range too, but I think my parents want the RX becasue my dad says the Range eats to much gas and is to flashy while my mom says the Range rover is prone to roll over. I wish I could find one of those Porsche SUVs for under $30000 with CPO. Maybe this summer as suv prices come down during that time.

Also I dont go off road and the most it will is driving up a unplowed driveway.

[toy4two]

I'd rather have a loaded 4Runner Limited than a Range Rover. RR's are worse than Ford's when it comes to reliability.

The RR will cost more to maintain, bring in less resale value, and the Toyota will be able to get you out of 9/10's of the situations you need the RR. Go ask someone who owns one how often they are in the shop or annoying things break on them.

[DASHOCKER]

I would select the Range.. 03-05, it had BMW components and not Ford.

Ratings from Edmunds for the 03 Range

Review
If the price tag for this truck is intended to manage your expectations to the highest point, Land Rover has succeeded. I've been a BMW owner for years, and when I saw (and read) about the German engineering that contributed to the re-design of the third- generation Range Rover I was intrigued. The BMW 4.4 liter V8 (tuned to the needs of the more weighty Rover than the 5 series) seems a plenty powerful match-up to the Rover. (Coming from the polar opposite ride, a 1997 M3, I can't be a good judge of handling, acceleration, etc. on comparison.) Actual fuel economy, reset for a 4-hour stretch of interstate with cruise on was 20.6 mpg.
Favorite Features
Confident off-road performance, interior design, multiple transmission modes (auto, sport, manual);
Suggested Improvements
None that have stood out

DETAILED RATINGS:
Performance: 10 Fun-to-Drive: 10 Build Quality: 10
Comfort: 10 Interior Design: 10 Reliability: 10
Fuel Economy: 8 Exterior Design: 10
http://www.edmunds.com/landrover/ran...tid=ik16231730

04 Lexus Rx330

Review
On the highway, the RX 330 drives like a dream, but in-town driving is a different story. The transmission is terrible when shifting from first to second gear; too much hesitation. The headlights have a blind spot in curves. I expected more at this price point.
Favorite Features
Navigation, power lift gate, quick acceleration on the highway.
Suggested Improvements
Better arm rests, more affordable upgrade to navigation software, vehicle assist (like OnStar), better storage for cell phone, loose change, and other small items. Paint scratches easily; could be improved http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx330/2...tid=ik16231730

DETAILED RATINGS:
Performance: 8 Fun-to-Drive: 8 Build Quality: 9
Comfort: 8 Interior Design: 7 Reliability: 9
Fuel Economy: 9 Exterior Design: 9

[gsrthomas]

I'm all about reliability. And the Range Rover is the most unreliable SUV out there.

No question get the Lexus if you want a worry free suv and not want to see the dealer more than your family/friends.

[tex2670]

Unless you need off road capabilities, Lexus without question. Especially when you've already got 50,000. This debate may be sustainable if you were comparing brand new vehicles, but you are just asking for trouble with the RR.

[mmarshall]

Originally Posted by thetopdog

The Range Rover is pretty much the king of SUVs. The RX is bascially an AWD Camry wagon that screams 'soccer mom'.

Screams "soccer mom"? What is that supposed to mean?

What is wrong with buying the best vehicle for one's needs, and forgetting about image and stigma? I've said before, and I'll say it again, to take this buisness of "image" and toss it out where it belongs.

thetopdog: I am not trying to be rude to you personally (and please don't take this the wrong way), but this whole idea of not buying something just because of a so-called "stigma" is nonsense, and I get irked when I see it suggested to people who are genuinely concerned about how to spend their hard-earned dollars on a new or used vehicle. They have enough problems trying to decide on a vehicle as it is....and don't need us telling them that they will end up being the neighborhood nanny if they buy a vehicle they are interested in. We have to think of people like integra 144 who are coming to us fellow CL members for advice, put ourselves in their shoes, and show them some respect. I understand that you, like me, were only giving your own opinion...which is your prerogative, but I have to take issue with this whole idea of "soccer-mom" vehicles...it is nonsense.

If this offends you, I'm sorry ...it is not intentional, but I feel I should make a point. No hard feelings intended.

Integra 144, if you like the RX, and it fits your needs, and you can afford one, and if the one you are looking at is in good condition, BUY it ....and don't worry about a "soccer mom" image. The RX is an excellent vehicle......smooth, quiet, refined, reliable, comfortable, plush inside, and extremely versatile as long as you don't go off-road. And, by 2004, the earlier problems with the 3.0L V6 and oil sludge were over. But check the automatic transmission out for smooth, positive shifts...quirky shifting was a problem on some 2001-2004 Lexus products.

However, if you ARE going off-road for any serious work, the Range Rover will be a far more competent vehicle in the boonies......but they are notoriously unreliable, especially in electronics. Among other SUV's, only the Mercedes ML-Class is in the same general area for unreliability. The RX, as nice a vehicle as it is on dry pavement and for very mild off-roading, is simply not designed for serious rock-crawling or creek-fording like a Range Rover....for that you will want a Toyota 4Runner/Land Cruiser or Lexus GX470/LX470, if reliablity and off-roading, together, are important to you.

Good Luck.