John,
I think leasing is the way to go.
In dollar penalty terms, I was only in the hole for about $2,000 for overmileage on my lease when it was due to be turned in.
I mistakenly bought my truck out of the lease, and the result is that I've spent well over $8,000 in repairs (broken alternator, new set of tires, new set of wheel bearings, rebuilt one hub, new oilpan gasket, new engine valve cover, numerous suspension and axle repairs, and most recently new shocks, steering damper, and today three O2 sensors).
I think I have to rebuild the tranny too, which is another $4,000 (that's the cheapest!) and I'm scared to ask what replacing the diffy is gonna cost.
This despite religious dealer servicing and oil changes and just plain old taking care of it. The damn things should be called "Leak Rovers." They leak from every possible orifice.
My truck is just not very well built or mechanically reliable, and I would urge anyone out there to steer clear of Land Rovers, unless they love to tinker underneath the hood.
So everything is relative...I would have been better off paying the overmileage penalty and getting a newer sled.
-WW
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