Should I buy a 1992 Land Rover?

Question

I found a Land Rover, it has 119,610 miles on it. It's a automatic and the 4 x 4 works according to the owner. I haven't did a test drive yet. The owner says somehow the rear end (bumper) of the truck came off so he has dropped the price to $1,000 and it need two tires in the back. He says that since the bumper is gone the car makes a clicking noise. The vehicle would be a second hand car, I'd only drive it once or twice a month. Should I pass or invest and should I worry about fixing the bumper?

Answer 1

The $1,000 price is nothing, so purchasing the car isn't the issue here as long as it runs and is functional.

The most important thing to take into consideration is the cost to maintain and repair Land Rovers.  They are one of the worst (if not the worst) vehicle in terms of reliability and maintenance costs.

The car is 17 years old and has 120k miles.  Forget fixing the bumper if you get it.  You will never get your return back on the investment and you aren't buying it for the looks (it sounds like).

The guy is probably anxious to just get rid of it because parts and labor cost so much.  

Personally, I would pass.

Answer 2

The downside to these type vehicles is that parts are very high!  They are not the most reliable vehicles either. They are often hard to repair which means many hours in a shop. Although you may buy the vehicle for that low price, it would not be unusual for a repair bill on some component to be over $500 with parts and labor.  It is hard to find something for $1000 and I realize that. IF you can spend a little more than that, you might find something a bit more reliable.  I do not want to scare you, but I have known people with these type of vehicles and they can be expensive to repair. More so than some Mercedes and BMW models.  My Uncle had a 1997 Land Rover Discovery and it always had issues.

Answer 3

Hi Dear,

I think you should not buy as it has 119,610 miles on it. by the way you can also try for other dealers for the best.

Have a nice day.

Answer 4

don't buy a Jeep, Audi, Saab. Jaguar or a Land/Range Rover.

unreliable

expensive to own and repair.

Answer 5

must be in America as over here a 1000$ would not  get a land rover with only 120,000 miles on it. more like 160.000.

hard to say and if you are not sure may be best to leave alone. the 'ticking noise is worrying.

  sounds as though it may  some more money being spent on it! have a look round first.

Answer 6

Stupid Flanders! Once again, you are right. D'oh!

Land Rovers are very poor "investments" (as you call it). They have indeed proven themselves to be very unreliable, even in high-end models.

HOWEVER, playing devil's advocate... $1000 isn't that bad, and if it's only being driven a few times a month, then it "might" not be a bad buy. I just hope you know one h**l of a mechanic.