Thread: Looking to buy a used Range Rover HSE or SC and have a question.

I am thinking about buying a full sized Range Rover to use as a daily driver. I was looking at getting an 08 and driving it until the new model comes out. At that point I would trade it in on the new one.

I have a question for you pre 2012 HSE owners. Are you happy with the power and acceleration of the HSE? or do you wish you had the SC model? I am only planning on having there car for 9 months or so but want to make sure i'm buying the right car just in case something in my world changes and i have to keep it.

Is there anything I should look out for or consider before buying and 08 SC or HSE? Any opinions or guidance would be appreciated.


Thanks for your help!

I wouldn't buy anything older than the 2010 which has the updated interior and exterior. I'd take a 2010+ HSE over the most mint condition pre-10 model any day. I believe they're as powerful as the older supercharged engine anyways.

The 510hp engine is very tempting once you drive it, but you may be OK with cash in your pocket by going with the HSE which is fine for a big arse practical rig.

now with all that said, i would not buy the current rover style at this juncture. the new one is going to absolutely date the current ones along both the aesthetic and functional fronts. one big thing is that it's going to be A LOT lighter and much more efficient.


Go drive them both. These aren't rare by any stretch of the imagination.

When is the new RR models coming out ? 2013 or 2014?

The new one will be out in Jan from what i understand.


I would look at the 2010's but i just want something sort of cheap to bang around in. You can get great deals on the 08's right now.

Haha, a 2008 Range Rover wont be too cheap to buy, definitely really expensive to maintain and you have to add in the cost of a rental car when its in the shop every week because something has broken.

As per request, not all range rovers are unreliable vehicles, while they generally hold a position of needing constant, expensive repairs, not all will be like this and some are great daily drivers.

Originally Posted by SMW

Haha, a 2008 Range Rover wont be too cheap to buy, definitely really expensive to maintain and you have to add in the cost of a rental car when its in the shop every week because something has broken.

You cant generalize them like this, I've had a 2008 RR SC for over 3 years with hardly any problems (and I drive it HARD).

Are you looking at the fullsize RR or the RRS? Big difference there.

On the fullsize, the pre-10s have fairly similar interiors to the newer ones (the NAV/audio system and the instrument panel were updated in '10). I had several pre-10s and they were great.

On the RRS, would recommend a '10 and above just on the interior alone. The transmission also seems to be better mapped to the 5.0L engines (NA and SC).

The 2010+ 5.0L Non-Supercharged Engine is Fantastic! IT really gets up and going (not like the blown model ofcorse) but it has enough grunt and isnt a pig like the previous non-supercharged models...

Our 2011 KAHN Range Rover Sport is FOR SALE You should pick it up... haha

2011 Range Rover Sport

Reasonable offers accepted...

Originally Posted by Alex@TAGMotorsports

The 2010+ 5.0L Non-Supercharged Engine is Fantastic! IT really gets up and going (not like the blown model ofcorse) but it has enough grunt and isnt a pig like the previous non-supercharged models...

Our 2011 KAHN Range Rover Sport is FOR SALE You should pick it up... haha

2011 Range Rover Sport

Reasonable offers accepted...

That thing is sweet! Great job on that build.

So I test drove a full sized 08 RR HSE and also a brand new RRS HSE.

I have to say that RRS is a sweet ride. It feels tight, nimble and it's pretty quick. It's seems like an easy car to get around LA in. Plus I think it would be easy to tuck into parking garages and tight spots. I might just flip my decision and go with a new RRS as daily driver for now. Now the question is..... what color combo and what wheels?!!

Originally Posted by Trio

I am thinking about buying a full sized Range Rover to use as a daily driver.

Why does everyone keep forgetting this part, he wants a full, not sport!!

Wait, now he wants a sport, could of called it!