It is very easy to buy one of these cars without thinking about the associated costs if they go wrong. However, buy the right one and you will not be disappointed.

I have just bought one in the last week, which took me 3 months to find. I looked at quite a few cars around the £15,000 to £16,000 price range and all the ones I looked at and drove had issues, whether body work condition, patchy service history or just didn't feel right when I drove it.
I eventually found one after being forced to up my budget as the ones I looked at in the £18,000 to £20,000 range were much better.

Is it not better to save a bit more and buy a newer car, in better condition all around. Why spend £15,000 on a car and then have to find another £3000 or so replacing all the bits that need replacing when you could use the £18,000 to get the right car in the first place, with a good warranty and just enjoy owning the car

Having fun
Cannon-fodder

I think i would agree with this, i viewed many that looked a good deal on the internet and photos looked great but in the flesh they wasn't all they stacked up to be, obvious signs of wear and panels which have been re-sprayed, bits missing etc, if that was the first impression I got then it made me wonder if there was anything else hiding that wasn't working or about to fail.

I have ended up doing a deal with a forum member who is selling there sport, again I had to up my budget but I feel I am getting a car in great condition which has been well looked after.

Pick it up from him next week after it has been serviced...looking forward to it!

Thanks for the advice guys!
I feel in a bit of a rutt with what to do! I know I have always wanted a RRS and Love the look of them but I have never driven one before and refuring to your comment erlia that you test drive one that didn't drive right, How do you mean...?

Having never drove one before I don't think I would be able to tell the difference between a beauty and a beast! Can you give me any pointers on what to look for when test driving one.?

My budget is around 15k but like you guys said spending a extra few thousand will get you the beauty with less maintenance than a beast.

Is there a thread with sales on this site with around my budget.?

Thanks.

Mine was that kind of money Tommo, had 43k miles on and just sniffed into the lower tax band as well.

Its just a question of looking about to find one that suits you.

6000 miles later it has swallowed not much over a grand for a service and fixes, and the bits that went wrong are the well known bits that seem to go wrong with most. So no big heartache there really.

I was the same as you in that the budget was 15-16ish and a lower tax band car is just a bonus if the right one pops up.

Alright its only a couple of hundred a year difference, but that money is better in your pocket than the government.

Jesus that must of been a brilliant deal Stuart!
Every car I have looked at is more around the 80k mark for a 06 plate.

What do you think of the model and everycar comes with maintenance and to own a car like a RRS you have got to realise that it's not guna be cheap but I'm willing to deal with that for a dream car like the RRS!

Is yours the 2.7? That is what I am going to be looking at due to insurace and running costs.

It's like you said For my budget falling into the lower tax bracket is a bonus and can be put toward maintenance of the beauty.

Yes, mine is the 2.7 diesel.

A tad more oomph would be nice, but its adequate. The dash on early ones is a bit pants, but you can have one a couple of years newer with a nicer dash for only ten grand more.

All in all its an enjoyable car to own. So much so I just bought a reg for it.

80k is probably alright if the history is right. In fact, my neighbour keeps talking about flogging his. I was going to buy it last year but mine popped up with fewer miles a grand less.

I just hung over the fence and took the shot....



That is a low tax band car. Its one of those colours you love or hate - a kind of green in reality. If of any interest, I can find out more.

Thanks Stewart!

I think I can deal with the dash for a 10k difference !

The RRS looks lovely the only thing is the colour. I am a lover of the black model with chrome side step and mirrors.

If you don't mind me asking what sort of Mpg are you getting out of your 2.7?

Aye, mine's black. And I just ordered some side steps.

Not sure the exact MPG (does the computer say, anyone?) but I don't find it thirsty really compared to any other big car. We just went to France in ours, 300 miles ish each way, and it used a shade over half a tank each way. Which I thought was alright. My Merc Sprinter van uses more.

You don't buy one with fuel economy in mind though do you? And if you do, there's always red diesel.

Ahh man bet it looks beautiful!!

The computer tells me around 28mpg for the diesel which seems reasonable for such a big car.

I think my 1.6 petrol car would cost me more than that to get to France and back !

Me and my partner are.planning a road trip to France next year! Did it feel reliable on the drive.?

Yes, great. First long run I have done in it.

This is mine.



I'd take the leap if I were you. Sniff about on here and see if a members car pops up. It has a decent chance of having been owned by someone who keeps on top of it.

Ah man that's a beaut you got there! Bet it brings the joy back to driving!

It might be a little bit more expensive than a little car but my god would it be worth it driving around in that!

I think I'm guna go for the lower tax bracket model but do some homework and check the car out before jumping straight in.

Thanks for your advice Stewart and have fun driving that diamond!

Have you had a 4x4 before Tommo? My RRS is my 1st and it's lovely to drive around in.

One thing that the buyers guides don't really touch on is the early cars suffer with the steering wheel leather degrading, it looks like they melt. This can really let the car down but you can buy a new wheel for about £200 and swapping it is a simple job that only takes 10 minutes. So if you find the perfect car apart from the steering wheel, don't let it put you off just use it as a bargaining point.

No this will be my first ever 4x4 hence why I am asking so many questions because I am going into this in the dark!

I don't know much about the RRS and it's history so all advice is more than welcome and anything that there is to look out for.

I have built up quite a few pointers to put to sellers when I now go to view my first RRS thanks to the great guys on this forum, I will also be looking out for the wearing steering wheel and using this to my advantage.

Thanks

A number of posts have advised upping your budget from £15k to £18k or £20k to buy a better car - that £3k or £4k pays for quite a few repairs or extended warranty premiums !

There's no guarantee you'll end up with anything 'better' as any car can develop a fault and being a 'younger' car would make no difference in the cost of the repair. True you might have a lower mileage so the chance of a mileage related breakdown is less but at that age its more about how its been driven and cared for.

Talk to your mates etc. as I'd suggest you buy from a known and reputable company in your area so you can get to their premises easily.

It might be wise to have an RAC or AA inspection before purchase, if you are not confident in your own abilities.

It might be wiser to keep some of the cash you might have spent on the purchase in reserve as a budget for repairs. At least if you spend a little cash on a few repairs or preventative maintenance you would know the history of your car - even if it is a year or two older than if you'd spent all the cash to start with.