Land Rover Range Rover (2002 - 2012) 4.2 V8 Supercharged AUTOBIOGRAPHY 4d Auto (2009/09) Owner Review

What does this car say about you?

Some people do seem to resent Range Rover drivers and I've had a little abuse evry now and again, but generally, you'll find people give you a wide berth and won't hassle you.

What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?

Initially my daughter complained about the soft ride making her feel travel sick, but she's grown used to it. The car has so much space and is so comfortable that people are always impressed when they get in. My son is 6'4" and loves the headroom!

Would you buy this car again and why?

Definitely. I'm not sure I could see myself driving anything else now. If times are good, I'd possibly upgrade to an Overfinch.

What are you likely to buy next?

Same again.

Type of dealer you bought from?

Franchised

Did you buy this car new?

No

What price did you pay?

£50,000

When did you buy the car?

June 2010

Did you get a good deal and why?

I monitored prices for several months and when the right car came up, I managed to cut a quick deal with the dealer by offering an immediate cash payment.

Is there any special reason why you bought this car?

For its ability to go anywhere, any time, in any conditions.

What was the dealer like?

Very helpful and not too pushy. He also didn't pull any of the tiresome "I'll ask my manager" tactics either, so a refreshing change from most dealers.

What's it like to drive?

Despite its size, it's an easy car to drive and simple to park because of the parking sensors and rear view camera. The piece de la resistance, however, is the engine which delivers huge amounts of power. When the supercharger kicks in, this car takes off like a lightweight sports car.

What's it like to park?

To parallel park, you'll need a long space, but it will slot in easily. In a supermarket, find an end-of-row spot. You can put it in a mid-row slot, and the door sills will protect the sides against damage from other cars' doors, but I usually go for an end-of-row. In multi-storey car parks, you need to know your height (6'1"/186cm), which sometimes requires some forward planning. In LGW short-term, for example, you need to use the high-sided vehicle parking (which is actually closer to the terminal, so not so bad!).

Have you had any problems with the car?

I've had no mechanical issues at all. I've accidentally drained the battery twice through my own efforts, but I've been impressed. Having driven BMWs or Mercedes for years, I was worried about reliability, but I can say that it has never let me down at all after 50,000 miles of driving.

What's most practical about your car?

The car is spacious, comfortable and can tackle pretty much any road surface that you'll find with complete ease. It's especially outstanding on normal roads in poor weather conditions; heavy rain and snow and sleet are really just no problem at all.

Favourite gadget, option or accessory?

It's tough to choose between heated or cooled seats, TV, intelligent off-road system, etc. etc., but the one I love most is the heated steering wheel. On a cold morning, it's just fantastic.