1996 Land Rover Range Rover HSE review from UK and Ireland

Not sure where to start, but in brief:

Engine, cam shaft, water pump, rear wheel hub, Air conditioning, heater fan, electric window, electric door mirrors, steering components, remote locking, washer jet motors and heated seats all failed and have had to be replaced at some point, not to mention numerous other niggly little problems and bad rust patches that you really wouldn't expect on a car costing the best part of £50,000.

Glad I didn't buy it new.

Despite having a 4.6 litre V8, the car feels slightly under-powered. It's pretty quick off the mark for such a big car, but feels sluggish at mid range speeds and when overtaking.

I had mine converted to LPG which made it quite an affordable car to run, although the servicing and maintenance make running a jumbo jet look more attractive - in my case £7000 in 18 months.

Corners about as well as a bowl of soup - but then I don't suppose it was designed to go round corners fast.

It's great for towing and inspires loads of confidence when it's snowing or icy.

Loads of space and very comfortable. The best bit is being perched about a foot higher than the average car - it gives you a great view. The only problem is that you tend to develop a bully boy driving attitude because practically no-one argues with you when it comes to cutting in, pulling out etc.

It's such a shame that the car is so unreliable, poorly manufactured and expensive to maintain. Hopefully the new BMW design will do the Range Rover badge more justice. When the price of the new model comes down to a sensible level I might consider it.