'08 or '09 LR3 SE?

[NewRover2008]

im looking at an 08 with 52k and an 09 with 41k. any suggestions / insight on the differences? i like the tan interior on the 08, compared to the black with the 09. i see the 08 has rubber tire guards as opposed to fiberglass (?) on the 09s. im guessing the rubber protects better?

 

[ddvelin]

Can you take them both for a spin? is there a price difference?
Both are slightly above the average mileage of 12k per year, so they may have been driven "hard". I got my '05 with 98K miles (and tan interior) and couldn't be happier. She runs great and will keep going.

best of luck!

 

[NewRover2008]

yeah...i can give them a ride. the '09 is about $6k more. i see the 08 is from new york so salt from roads may be a concern? and it only has 1 key.....and the sunroof is cracked (which they are fixing for $1200). this tells me this car may have been dogged out.

was wondering if the '09 was much improved than the '08 in general...as far as reliability.

 

[jjvd21]

2008 and 2009 are virtually identical on the inside. Outside is a different story, 2009 was the year they color coded the arches and bumpers which make it look closer to an LR4. If it were me I'd be buying the 2009.

 

[perkj]

I personally would go with an '08 because I prefer the black plastic trim vs the color coded trim for two reasons:

(1) on all exterior colors (except black), the black plastic adds a nice contrast to the exterior color, giving the LR3 a more rugged look.
(2) unpainted black plastic trim doesn't scratch like the color coded ones will when you're out on the trail...remember the wheel arches and mirrors are the widest part of the LR3 and on narrow trails will be scraped by bushes/branches.


but at the end of the day, pick the one that has all the options you want and the one that "test drives" the best.

 

[NewRover2008]

wish me luck everyone. im planning on getting the '09 one. hopefully friday morning. holding my breath.

think $32k is a good buy for an '09 with 41k miles - 1 owner? appears lower than trade-in price from kkb. does the manufacture warranty have a deductable btw?

 

[CMGRover]

Sounds like good deal, there might be room to negotiate. Back in 2010 I got my 07 (3 years old at the time, like the 09 is now) with 30k on it for about 29k. V8 SE, but no nav or cold weather package.

 

[NewRover2008]

i got the '09. no nav on it thoug...which is fine. i didnt really want the nav (as long i i didnt pay for it.....and i dont think i did).

drives like a dream so far (prob 8 hrs of driving and tank and a half). surprised how much more i like the black interior than tan. i loved the tan till i saw them both at same time. looks great on inside and out. like the "new" look of '09 too. more refined look i guess. im exhausted....been up since 4 am with only couple hours sleep. the car looks and drives great!!! loving it!

 

[jjvd21]

Congrats on your new '09. What color is it?

 

[NewRover2008]

its black...ext and int. thanks!