Land Rover Range Rover 3.5 Vogue EFi 4d (1986/C) Owner Review
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Economy
Value
Blenheim palace on wheels for the price of a clapped out Mondeo. No other car will give you the prestige, ambience and 'olde worlde' cachet that this car will.
Costs
Fuel costs are near suicidal - expect 18mpg at best, even with a featherlight right foot. I've seen 9mpg when hurrying. Parts are so cheap they're almost free and lots of good specialists around. LR/RR clubs are a great source of free advice (and parts!)
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On the road
Driving
For a 2-ton 4x4, it's remarkably good. Not much feedback and loads of roll on standard suspension, but upgrade to police spec. and it's a different story. Great visibility (like driving a greenhouse!) for lanes and competent on m/way. Astounding off-road.
Performance
V8 pulls with surprising urge through manual 'box. Will break 100mph if it has to, but prefers 70ish in 5th. Relaxed and competent on the motorway, but drop into low ratio in the rough stuff and there's tree-stump pulling torque from the silky smooth V8.
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Living with it
Reliability
Complex car, so things can go wrong, but generally bulletproof mechanicals and very reliable. V8 will run forever with correct servicing, but hates neglect - black oil means potentially expensive trouble. Mine has always started first time, every time.
Image
Huge snob appeal. Aristocratic 'old money' image is still strong. Older cars are used for off-road trialling and all but the youngest are likely to have put a wheel off tarmac by now, but still some unmolested ones around. They were built to last.
Comfort
Outstanding. Superb 'captains' chairs in front, and similar luxury in the back with fold down armrests on the outer edges of the seat back! Electric everything, air conditioning, who could ask for more? What's more, it all still works!
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Security and Service
Security
British Leyland at it's most complacent. Central locking only covers doors, not tailgate, which is easy to pop open with a screwdriver even if it's locked! Coathanger doubles for lost keys. Still loved by many, so a prime target for theft. Fit an alarm.
Service
Dealers are helpful and interested (almost passionate) in their older models, which is unusual and welcome. Discounts available if you ask. Lots of independants which keeps costs down. Land Rover scene is huge and there's always someone who can help out.
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Problems and Ownership
Problems
Engine
Never any problems, even after driving though a river and filling the bores with water - tow out of river, remove spark plugs, turn over to pump out water, replace spark plugs and bingo! One running V8. Amazing!
Other
I expected problems with this car and never got them! One point to note - all the electrics still worked, even when underwater! These machines are just incredible.
Ownership
Did you buy the car new?
Used
Would you buy the same model again?
Yes
Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?
Yes