What can I replace it with?

noogles - 1/29/2005 7:03 PM
i have a 4.6HSE Range Rover...

Click to expand...

What year? Any problems? I had been looking at an immaculate dark green '96 HSE - so immaculate that the owner had fitted L/Rover seat covers over all the seats and headrests--it looked brand new! It also had the wood wheel - looked very nice inside and out. But the seat colors put me off... they were a deep brown. Light tan I could have lived with. It had a great service history too, so most recurring problems like suspension had been eliminated (I hoped).

I really like the 2002 and onward model, but--the price!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather. Almost gone.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">

Storm. - 1/29/2005 10:17 PM

Get a Toyota Surf/4runner...

Click to expand...

My son is a manager for Toyota HQ here in New Zealand and a great advocate of his brand. But unfortunately after having cars with 'character' I have great difficulty buying Japanese just on reliability alone. Same with their Lexus--bland and boring MB lookalikes.

Given a choice, I would like something of more quality. What else you got?

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">

I may have done a silly thing quitting the Daimler...

My home office looks out over our driveway, and as our house is at the top of a 1000ft hill overlooking the harbor, we get a lot of exhausted-looking people walking by on their daily exercise regime.

Since I brought the Daimler out of 'storage' to work on over the last couple of days, I've seen more people look at it than at anything else we've had in the driveway. Long looks... peering in windows and pointing out to friends kind of inspection.

I know I shouldn't keep it based on other people's interest, but such keenness from the general public makes it a hard decision.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/daimfront3-4.jpg">

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">

I think I've found the answer this afternoon - the Lexus SUV...in my case a 1999 LX470.

I test drove it today and it's brilliant. Absolute luxury, dream ride, blissful silence - like riding in a cathedral. I haven't driven anything like it, absolutely amazing.

And unlike the Range Rover, it doesn't depreciate like a brick.

I also tested a 98 SE RR in the morning and was VERY disappointed with the ride. I would go so far as to say it only ranked 3/10, and this was even before I tried the Lexus.

Now I just have to find the ready money to pay about double what I had budgeted for. But I can't go back now--once I experienced the perfect ride, the damage has been done!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">

noogles - 1/30/2005 9:30 PM
cool. how much? []

Click to expand...

About 12mpg []

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">

I'm not that impressed with the M series, but no matter where I go everyone says the Lexus beats them all. Even one guy with many exotic cars behind him says he would buy a Range Rover but knows that the Lexus is by far a better ride and build quality.

Looks like we buy with our hearts, not our heads!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~1991 Jaguar Daimler, shiny grey/grey leather.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5 and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">

Nice selection Tom, and in good condition too!

I'm committed to the Lexus... can't wait to get back in it after the test drives. This is one smooth vehicle!

Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.

<img src="http://www.kensilver.com/newSLsig.jpg">