[3Series]

I'm looking at two Range Rovers. Both are priced the similarly.

1.)2003 with 28,000 miles
2.)2006 with 75,000 miles
I know it’s a Rover, but I’m looking for good Rover reliability. I want it to start when I need it to. I also plan to park the truck on the street where it will be subjected to rain, snow and heat. It’s not a daily driver; however I’ll use it on the weekends to haul stuff, run errands and other things.
I know there were improvements in MY 2006. Which would you choose?

 

[garioch43]

Mileage is not an issue. I have 133K miles on my 2002 4.4HSE and it still runs sweet as a nut.

Assuming they've both got full service histories, I'd go for the cleanest one, or the one with the nicests body/interior colours.

 

[07CARRERA]

too many improvements (interior, exterior, engine, transmission) to pass up on the 06'

 

[gisham]

this is really gonna get the BMW VS Jag crowd stirred up!

 

[parker]

Hope so. I have learned alot when they start the "discussion" 8-0=

Parker
1993 LWB Plymouth Blue
Looking at 2005-2007s

 

[3Series]

I'm leaning towards the 2003 because of the mileage. Both trucks have the same color on the exterior and interior (Black/DrkGray) and both look clean. The lower mileage truck has a little less wear and tear on the interior but both look good.

 

[brad s1]

03 hands down if it's cleaner...

 

[ldollar]

Generally speaking I'd be tempted by the low mileage. However, I'd want to see some extra service records and do a thorough inspection and put the truck through the paces to make sure she is really healthy. Any modern car that is only driven 3500 miles a year is doing a lot of sitting around or spending a lot of hours stuck in stop and go traffic in an urban environment. I've always believed that highway miles are much easier on a car than city miles and a 4 year old car with 75k miles could easily be healthier and lower maintenance for you than a 7 year old car that has had a lot of down time. I guess I'd consider how important it is for you to have the more recent updated features. And if service records are in order, the car is clean and feels/looks healthy, I'd probably go for the 06.

Keep us posted and good luck with the decision, I know it's hard.

 

[BadassRange]

I would definitely go for the 2006 if for no other reason than the updates. I considered getting a 2004 before I ended up with my 05 and I'm so glad I didn't just because of the newer navigation and stereo system in the 05 I picked up. I had a BMW 540 with the same nav as the 03/04 Ranges and there is something to be said for the touch-screen nav in the 05+. I always think about resale, and while 28k miles would be nice you'd still have a 2003 which to most potential future buyers is much less desirable than a 06+

 

[texige]

Go 06. It is the first year that Ford had fixed a lot of the problems from the previous years.

 

[07CARRERA]

I would definitely go for the 2006 if for no other reason than the updates. I considered getting a 2004 before I ended up with my 05 and I'm so glad I didn't just because of the newer navigation and stereo system in the 05 I picked up. I had a BMW 540 with the same nav as the 03/04 Ranges and there is something to be said for the touch-screen nav in the 05+. I always think about resale, and while 28k miles would be nice you'd still have a 2003 which to most potential future buyers is much less desirable than a 06+

true, I've sat in pre-06 Rovers and they feel a little more dated to me. It's amazing what just a few interior updates will do not to mention the new engine strapped to a 6 spd gearbox compared to the 5 spd.

 

[Guest]

I've always believed that highway miles are much easier on a car than city miles and a 4 year old car with 75k miles could easily be healthier

That's because it's true... `8)

 

[localbrew]

I would definitely go for the 2006 if for no other reason than the updates. I considered getting a 2004 before I ended up with my 05 and I'm so glad I didn't just because of the newer navigation and stereo system in the 05 I picked up. I had a BMW 540 with the same nav as the 03/04 Ranges and there is something to be said for the touch-screen nav in the 05+. I always think about resale, and while 28k miles would be nice you'd still have a 2003 which to most potential future buyers is much less desirable than a 06+

MY05 is probably the least desirable year "no offense" because it was the transition year of technology. You can upgrade the nav to MK4 in a pre-05 model not to mention the radio as well for low cost. I have the touch screen nav as well as the 4.2L supercharged engine in my Jag I'm not sure that I'd say the touch screen is that much nicer.

6spd tranny and improved power plant, upgraded ext. is nice, but to be honest if you are considering an 03 vs. 06 you might as well go 07. That was the year they completely redid the interior.

Just my 2cents. To me it's whatever you can afford, buy the newest MY would be my suggestion, they are only getting better as they work through the issues and kinks.

 

[3Series]

Thanks for the comments. I'm going to try to take look at the 2003 tomorrow. The dealer is about 80 miles away.

 

[remington]

06 is much improved over 03

 

[ldollar]

I've always believed that highway miles are much easier on a car than city miles and a 4 year old car with 75k miles could easily be healthier

That's because it's true... `8)

I've learned from experience that one of the best ways to avoid butting heads with anyone around here is to NEVER state anything as absolute fact. Opinions are always much safer.

 

[Guest]

That's your opinion..... :lol:

Personally, I am not what is known as "conflict adverse". :snooty:

 

[BadassRange]

MY05 is probably the least desirable year "no offense" because it was the transition year of technology. You can upgrade the nav to MK4 in a pre-05 model not to mention the radio as well for low cost. I have the touch screen nav as well as the 4.2L supercharged engine in my Jag I'm not sure that I'd say the touch screen is that much nicer.

Haha no offense taken... I kind of understand what you're trying to say but I don't really agree. How much does "low cost" mean in terms of the touch screen radio? I'm pretty familiar with the MKIV upgrade from owning 3 e39 BMWs, but the cheapest I'm seeing the screen going for is about $1100-$1200. For me the 2005 MY was most desirable since it was the last year of the BMW engine and the first year of the more upgraded HK Logic 7 sound, touch screen, etc. As far as being the transition year for technology... most year models of range rovers are transition years for technology and things in general haha.

So you have a XJR too eh? Funny stuff, same here. 8)

 

[gw2doc]

Go for the 06, the trans/radiator issues that the 4.4 BMW motor RR is prone to is reason enough, aside from that the 03 is pretty reliable, but trans is way to risky IMHO...

Oh and for the person who stated that 06 was the first year Ford had to "fix" the problems from 05, thats not necessarily true... it takes a car manufacturer 3 years to begin fixing problems, so on average a vehicle built in 05, if found to have a significant number of specific issues wont be redisigned or "fixed" until MY2008 or so.

 

[texige]

Ford bought Rover in 2000.