The final payment on my PCP agreement for a P400 HST is looming and sadly it is probably a little more than the car is worth. In many ways I would be very happy to keep it as it is low mileage and has been 100% reliable in the 4 Years that I have owned it. BUT I keep being tempted by the lure of an SVR575.
As a 73 year old car enthusiast recently fully recovered from a stroke (thankfully) my attitude to life has changed somewhat and I am keen to make the most of 'opportunities'. (and I think the rumble of a V8 could be therapeutic....) However I have to confess I am nervous about taking the plunge.......Believe it or not the last time I purchased a used car was more than 40 years ago!! The recent post by Farmer Chalk about his SVR experience has inspired me to investigate options further. Sadly my budget has recently taken a hit due to my wife wanting a new bathroom but it was worth it because she is now more supportive of my cause
I would probably be looking at a 21MY with 35000 to 45000 miles. Is there anything I should be particularly concerned about with an SVR? Most cars seem to be with independent dealers rather than LR franchised. Would I be better paying a little extra from a franchised dealer?
So keep the HST, downgrade to a mobility scooter, or accept my old age crisis and go for it.......
Any comments and advice welcome and appreciated - polite or otherwise

Life is too short, if you can afford it, get one. As you say, a V8 is good for your health

For where to get one from.
I had a similar quandry 3 months ago. I Wanted a D300 Autobiography. I could probably have snuck a '22 plate from an outside dealer but bought a '21 from a franchised dealership instead. The thinking is this.

Most used cars have issues. Either because that's why it was traded in, or else simply because the previous owner couldn't be bothered getting it fixed before it went back. I've had 2 cars in my life that didn't need to go back for something. Oddly a Jaguar XF and a Discovery Sport. Every one of my Mercs went back with a list of issues.

With outside dealers, they'll sort it if you identify the issue in 3 months, but it will be done in the cheapest possible way. Outside that, you're at the mercy of whatever after market warranty they've thrown in. Cheaper, yes, but at what price?

Franchised dealers on the other hand, have very strict rules to follow. So you know, whatever the issue is, will be fixed will full factory replacement parts, no matter the cost. You'll also get the 2 year LR used warranty that means you can take it to any dealership and get it fixed, again, regardless of cost. And whilst I haven't read the small print, the LR used warranty must be the most comprehensive avaialble. Highly unlikely they'll wriggle out on a technicality.

That gives me 2 years to discover whether my RRS is the faultless joy I believe it to be, or whether it has issues. 3 months isn't really long enough but 2 years certainly is. 2021 L494 D300MHEV Autobiography
2019 Discovery Sport D180 HSE

Many thanks 41jules1967. Very useful advice - the warranty is definitely worth paying a bit extra for.

Just do it…
Really glad I’ve tempted you.. This is now my third 494 SVR and my fifth L494… and probably over 250,000 trouble free miles…only issue I’ve had was one had a window lift break ( replaced under warranty), and one had an Aircon leak (also fixed under warranty).
They have all been sublime tourers which ate the miles.

As Jules said go for a dealer purchase.. it’s far less griefy, you get decent coffee and it’s just the reassurance.. they also won’t touch unknown cars and mostly know the previous owners who have traded the cars in to buy a newer one..

If you are looking seriously take your time researching the specs… some have really expensive options on them, some of which are worth it and some not..
My list includes heated steering wheel ( still can’t believe I’m saying this but once you’ve had one…) the signature stereo system, which is phenomenal for all sorts of music, the clarity across the range is stunning, heated and cooled seats ( most don’t have the cooled ) , tv (for the missus on long journeys) head up display ( if you like it ) …

The real weird thing that I look at to see if a car has been cherished is the tyres! If they are not a premium brand and all four are not matching then walk away.. that ethos has seen me alright over the years!

Do it and enjoy it… plan some decent trips.. you’ll love it. Europe is a small place in an RRS, you won’t need to worry about either the size or weight of your suitcase and can stop off wherever you want! Doing the Amalfi coast road in an SVR rather than a cheap airport hire car does make the event so much more special..

Many thanks for your comments Farmer Chalk.
I'm definitely nervous about buying from an independent garage. Despite often negative comments about LR dealers I do think it would be more re-assuring to buy from one.....
There doesn't seem to be too many SVR's up for sale at the moment but I still have a couple of months to go before I need to make a final choice.
Should I be concerned about buying a higher mileage car eg 50 - 60K miles - I only do around 4-5K per year myself but this might increase if an SVR tempts me to take a European road trip

I’d agree with that spec list. It’s why i looked at an SE, which was lovely, then stopped, thought about it and stumped up a few extra thousand and insisted on the autobiography.

The tyres are an interesting one. I agree, certainly indicative but have to taken in the whole. To be fair, I don’t think mine was that loved by its last owner. Going by the sticky stuff I found everywhere, a drinks can went off in it at some point and the piano black console was scratched to hell, so I’m guessing it was a school run vehicle for someone, but the basics were still great. Good service history, runs well, no tears, smells nice inside, No body damage etc. But the tyres - “Triangle” branded with a couple of thousand miles on them. Literally the cheapest I can find on any web site. Did make me stop for a moment but my conclusion was, it’s a full set of matching tyres and if I were facing the end of my lease in 3 months, would I spend £1200 on a set of Pirellis? Probably not.

So I view a car like a house. Are the basics ok and can I afford to, or know how to DIY it up to the standard I want?

It went though the full dealer prep process and came out really nice. Then got it home, polished up the centre console to shiny again, removed the remaining sticky bit and blobs, clayed and machine polished the paintwork and went over the leather with a gliptone cleaner and then a good coat of conditioner. Only then was I happy.

As for the tyres. Only been through a hot summer so far and I’m actually quite impressed with them! In these conditions they are actually surprisingly good.
But if they’re as bad in the cold and wet as I suspect, it’ll be on Pirellis by Christmas. 2021 L494 D300MHEV Autobiography
2019 Discovery Sport D180 HSE

rickshaw wrote:

Should I be concerned about buying a higher mileage car eg 50 - 60K miles - I only do around 4-5K per year myself but this might increase if an SVR tempts me to take a European road trip

Thanks again Farmer Chalk.

I know what you mean about cars become quicker and more powerful. When I passed my test (as a 17 year old.....) I lusted after a Cooper S which in those days seemed to have a quick 0-60 time!! I later years I was fortunate to own a 911 (with 320bhp I recall) - now I have a RRS P400 with 400bhp so a P575 is getting silly

On a different subject I seem to recall other forum members saying it was possible to take out a new PCP Finance deal - to take advantage of Deposit Contributions - but then pay it off almost immediately to avoid interest payments. Is this still possible? I ask because LR dealers seem to be offering extended 24 month warranties on approved used vehicles purchased on finance....

I don’t think they do deposit contributions on used. Only on new I’m afraid. 2021 L494 D300MHEV Autobiography
2019 Discovery Sport D180 HSE

Yes I understand that deposit contributions are only on new cars but I understand there is a current offer giving 2 Years Warranty on used vehicle BUT subject to taking out LR Finance? So I am assuming (but haven't checked) that you don't get 2 Year Warranty with a cash purchase....

I would check but i have a horrible feeling that ended in July… i may be wrong as i got that deal but they were desperate that the deal concluded before the end of the month!

*Offer applicable to JLR Approved Used vehicles aged between 3 & 84 months, with a minimum amount of credit of £15,000. At participating Retailers only from 1st July to 30th September 2025 and subject to availability and whilst stocks last. Offer may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Credit subject to status,UK residents aged 18 and over only. 24 months Approved Used Warranty, 24 months Roadside Assistance and MOT Test Cover with PCP/HP finance offer only.This PCP/HP finance offer is only available through Black Horse Limited trading as Land Rover Financial Services, St William House, Tresillian Terrace, Cardiff, CF10 5BH.† APR may vary by Retailer. Please explore range to review finance examples for each Approved Used vehicle.

So yes, with their finance and the deal is still on.
I believe you can take the deal then pay off the finance - or at least I hope so because I want to clear my lease in the next few months.
I’d take the dates with a pinch of salt. Bought mine 4th June on that deal but then I got my Jaguar on the same deal in 2014 so it’s been running on and off for over a decade. 2021 L494 D300MHEV Autobiography
2019 Discovery Sport D180 HSE

Excellent news…the two years warranty is worth the best part of £3000 … on the downside the finance rates for Black Horse are pretty steep… Horses for courses as they say…

I know I’ve mentioned this several times before but if your cars are likely to be in negative equity by the time the balloon payment comes about , or as in my case my car was in negative equity even before the contract concluded in 18months time then I totally recommend looking at your policy terms for the voluntary return section.. it was a total no brainer ..why keep paying money after bad particularly when it is a loss leader.. just hand the car back with nothing further to pay and just start over again..
No problems and no credit issues..hey presto new car…
Especially if you are going to clear the finance straight away… I would check what they would expect back over a short payback though..

Good luck all!