Should I get a TLC80 , or P38?

[chrali]

Norfolk, UK
Posted: Wed Dec 06, 2006 15:33 Post subject: Thinking of getting an LC80, but have doubts....please help Hi its my 1st post here , so hi to all. I'm in abit of a pickle about which 4x4 and this is why. I've had the following and this is what I've thought of them:

1993 Range Rover LSE V8
Had it converted to Tdi when the v8 bust.
Sold it when gov made diesel the bad boy and corrosion starting on most panels. Sounded great and good truck though.

1997 Nissan Patrol (2yrs old, 10k miles)
Great looks, exceptionally lousy brakes. Poor very flimsy interior quality. Didnt like the part time 4wd.
Sold for the following.

1995 Range Rover LSE. This fitted me like a glove. Softdash, beluga black, brooklands bodykit, tinted windows, and color coded alloys.
Immeasurably superior to the patrol.
Regrettable sale to get a house.

Now to current date, we have 2 horses and I need to get another powerful 4x4. to tow them both.

I've discounted Shoguns as they just dont appeal.
I've discounted older RR's, Patrols as rust buckets
I've discounted the current Patrol as not permanent 4wd.

This leaves me with the P38 Range Rover, or a TLC80.

P38. Looks ok outside, inside so reminds me of my last RR classic in feel.

TLC80: Looks great outside, inside looks horrible!!!!

The later TLCS have wood and leather. Is it straightforward to replace this trim to an older 4x4. Do the older TLC's even have electric seats?

Now I've never actually played with a TLC as they're not thick on the ground, but if anyone has any comparisons and thoughts I'd be glad to here them

As I've had all manner of greedy complicated vehicles in my life, MPG and maintenance isnt a scary issue.

Thanks guys

I've got approx £6k to play with.

 

[PHAEDRUS]

Hey there,
Not sure what the hell a p38 is ut if lucas did the electrics for it, run the other way.
as far as 80 series in brittian look up a member named jim phillips, he is an island boy and miht be able to help you out.
Dave

 

[cary]

It depends, do you want to tow the horses or have the horses tow you?

If you want to tow the horses, get the landcruiser.

If you want to have the horses tow you, get the rover.

I'm sure that rover does a beautiful interior. It helps keep you comfortable while waiting for the tow truck to show up.

 

[RavenTai]

I would take a P38 over a Land Cruiser any day, who needs articulating axles when you have wings

 

[Tentsontop]

+1

 

[Scamper]

I would take a P38 over a Land Cruiser any day, who needs articulating axles when you have wings

Exactly what I was thinking...

 

[chrali]

Should known that would happen ;p

P38 is a 1995 - 2000(ish) Range Rover.






PS P38 may be an okay plane, Spitfires are great

 

[RavenTai]

sorry I could not resist,


a land cruiser forum may not be a good source for unbiased opinions on this question, I have never owned a RR, and I do not have much knowledge about the particular models,

but when I was looking at an 80 I did look into them, at the time here in the states they were running about half the price of a LC for the same year/miles, so the pricing was very attractive, after about a day of research on the web it became apparent that wile many models were capable off road they were quite unreliable. possibly even worse than American cars. that was all I needed to know so I went with a LC (or more accurately the Lexus version of it)

 

[corsair23]

What is the weight of your horse trailer loaded with the two horses?

An 80 can tow ~5K lbs, at least that is the rating here is the states from what I have seen.

I would definitely look up the tow rating for each of the two vehicles to make sure that doesn't automatically cut one out of the mix...But as others have stated, buy the 80. But, I would be surprised if you get any opinions otherwise on this board

As for Spits...They are nice but my Corsair can take 'em out no problem

 

[ktmracer01]

FJ vs RR

before i purchased my FJ80 i was actually looking in the RR market. as a poor college student i wanted the most for the money, and since the RR were cheaper and offered more little gadgets it was a little more appealing. then i ended up hearing about how un reliable they were. a week later i had my FJ80, i couldn't afford to repair it every other week. that and everyone leaked oil from just about every fitting.

thats about as unbiased as i am on the subject

just my input, i almost wen to the dark side...then i saw the light (FJ80)

 

[4WD Toyota Owner Magazine]

Since you know Shoguns I assume you're not in the US--UK, maybe?

In the UK the P38 will have plenty of options for you.

But an 80-series will be INFINITELY more reliable. The P38 will cost you big time in maintenance and repairs.

 

[little_joe]

For towing, the undersized diffs on the P38 just are not up to it - the 2-pinion 8" diffs are lame and coupled with the small axleshafts you just can't compare them to the 80s.

The P38 does have that lovely 1960's Buick engine. The 4.0L V8 is down on torque vs the I-6, 217 vs 272, again this could be an issue when towing. I guess you could look for one with the 4.6L, which would be a more apt comparison. MPG will be equally bad with any of the engines.

On the plus side, there's boatloads of Rover shops in the UK so you should never be far from your next repair.

Having owned a Rover, I could never imagine owning another. Between the rot, electronics, leaks, and constant repair needs, it was
maddening - and if you're really going to work it, bless you and good luck.

 

[jamisobe]

I know this much[ ]about Range Rovers. There is someone (I think his name is discoyota) on here who put cruiser axles under his Rover. Not sure about his motor. Maybe its a SBC...

He might be able to give you some contrasting ideas without being totally biased. I think he is pretty happy with being on top of our full floating axles.

 

[AJP]

Most of the late model Land Rover/Range Rovers I see here in Toronto (Canada) are being driven by female blondes with a cell phone stuck to their ear. They all seem to have the same shiny eyes as an Afghan hound...pretty bright but not much going on upstairs...I suspect their husbands are picking up the maintenance tab.

To be charitable - like the women - Land Rovers are charming... but not to be taken too seriously.

There are very few older Land Rovers operating here. The floors and frames usually fall out of them before they hit 15 years.

The Toyota's seem to last several decades longer.

My well to do Russian neighbour brought home a brand new Range Rover last year - they list over $100k here - he kept it for 5 months and finally dumped it back at the dealer - he was in a vile mood and had developed a bad temper over the short period he had it...I was getting a little afraid cause he seemed to project his anger towards me cause my '97 LX450 would start immediately in subzero weather that simply overcame his garaged Rover.

Not to beat around the bush any longer... I think you are better off with the cruiser fwiw.

 

[Stumpalama]

Just look at the repairs per 1000 vehicles or so... In the U.S., rovers are notorious for spending the majority of their time in the shop. Resale values also speak to the reliability of the Land Cruiser over the later model LR.
I had a 1966 Series 2A LR 109 five door station wagon for far too short a time, but that is my only 1st hand experience with them other than my cousins owning one and it being in the shop every couple weeks or so for one thing or another.
I don't know why you say the interior of the TLC is ugly, it's quite comfortable and well laid out. Of course, my Dad had the same gauge lay-out in his 1981 corolla, but if it works, why bugger with it, am I right?
I second the horse trailer comment... Very good way of putting it.
Mmmmm P-38, dual Rolls-Merlin engines. sweeeeet!

 

[Bearcat80]

I saw a bumper sticker on an early 90's Range Rover - "The parts falling off this vehicle are of the finest British workmanship". Enough said.

 

[chrali]

Ah ... living proof us Brits could design a decent engine now and again

Yup , Im a Brit and live in Norfolk (UK) (not that there a lot united about it these days).

I'm leaning to the TLC more now......its just that RR's are so much easier to buy. Maybe everone just holds onto their TLCs The nearest TLC for sale is 85 miles away from me.

I gotta admit it, its the velour stripped interior that makes me gag, but I guess its nothing a set of seat covers wouldnt cure.

Someone on another forum who lives in Essex has offered me a peek at his TLC, so I'll be able to get up close to one and confirm its the one for me.

Cheers guys and hopefully I'll get one soon.

 

[AJP]

Ah ... living proof us Brits could design a decent engine now and again

In case I implied otherwise - I don't believe there is anything wrong with British design at all. Radar, television (and subsequently colour TV), the Mosquito, the Vulcan, the Lightning, the Harrier ....atomic energy research ... the Sunbeam Tiger. The AC cobra body design...Barnes Wallis...the list goes on.....

I think the problem is in the execution. My opinion is, unfortunately, based on far too many encounters with British built automobiles from Ford Prefects with steel wire brake cables through to Lotus Elan's ....

The Asian automobile companies seem to be particularly good at constant improvement and focus on the details...not necessarily innovation. As far as I can tell most Landcruisers up to the Series 80 are a variation/evolution of the 3/4 Ton 4x4 military pattern truck designed in the early '50's....right down to the inline 6 cylinder engine and solid front and rear axles...

 

[Scamper]

I gotta admit it, its the velour stripped interior that makes me gag, but I guess its nothing a set of seat covers wouldnt cure.

Someone on another forum who lives in Essex has offered me a peek at his TLC, so I'll be able to get up close to one and confirm its the one for me.

[EVOKE -B-] I suggest you take your friend up on the peek and determine for yourself if it's worth the search. Granted, RRs will be more prevalent in the UK and may well be less costly, but if you find--as we do--that the TLC is better-built, then you may also agree it's worth the search.

But I also suggest you decide not on looks but on what you want this vehicle to do for you. The TLC may not be the prettiest hog on the block, but it may well be the most savory... [/EVOKE]

 

[Rookie2]

I would take a P38 over a Land Cruiser any day, who needs articulating axles when you have wings

Nice RT,

The Discovery Channel did an episode on a fully restored P-38 retrieved from Iceland after a forced landing in 1942. Showed it flying (after being restored) out of Middlesboro Kentucky airport for the first time in over 60 years.


Rookie2