G4 Owners Club

G4 Replica

https://forum.g4ownersclub.com/Topic14667.aspx

By G4 - 4 Jan 2010

Hi G4 owners,

I am thinking of buying a freelander and doing it up to G4 spec so it will be a G4 replica.

As G4 purists and enthusiasts, do you think the resale of a G4 replica providing the engine is of good quality etc do you think the value of the rep will go up, or stay about that of a standard freelander??

What do you think of this idea, have you ever seen any G4 reps about, I tried searching but could not find any.

All views welcome

Cheers

By camel_landy - 4 Jan 2010

I don't have a problem with replicas as "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery". ;)



However, I also tend to be of the opinion of 'Why bother?' as by the time you spent the time & money making the replica, you might as well have bought the real thing. It doesn't matter how much you spend, it'll always be a copy.



Generally, building a replica is usually one of the quickest way of devaluing the car as you end up with the worst of both worlds... (Horrible colour & no history) Where as at least with an original car, you've got the history to fall back on. ;)



Ultimately, it's your car & your money but that's my 2p worth.



M
By Willu76 - 4 Jan 2010

If the 'yellow side' can be used as a guide 'event' cars have held there value very well to the owners benefit and buyer dissadvantage... Replica Camel Trophy Landrovers and special editions with most the kit have not done so well for there owners!



I would either buy the real thing, if available or build 'my own car' (without the colour change)! But what would I know...
By G4 - 4 Jan 2010

Thanks for the replies



The reasoning behind going replica instead of genuine is... as I am young (21) Insurance companies charge an arm and a leg just for me to get behind a G4/Camel Trophy. That aside I don't have 15k just lying around.



So I thought if I get a good Land Rover, I can then slowly add the kit etc so it's a complete replica in months/year(s) to come.



I didn't want to do it however, if when I come to sell it, nobody want's it because it's a "replica".... some cars you can get away with being a replica and owners don't mind, and some replicas are to be avoided. Personal taste I guess, and I presume for someone like me it'd be ideal economy wise.
By Robin Gale - 4 Jan 2010

Hi. Im 22 and finding the same problem.

I own a 2002 Defender 110 SW in green. Its the same base vehicle as used in the 52plate G4 110's.

Mine is worth maybe 10k but i would have to find another 9k to buy the same car but in orange including all the kit. I know the kit has a value, but is it worth 9k to me when im not likely to ever use any of it.

So after all that is do it. Its what it is worth to you. Buy bits as and when and you can, turn it into your project car. But remember at the end of the day there are only a handful of people that will want to buy a orange freelander.

Robin

By marco g4 - 5 Jan 2010

There will always be someone that would pay a good price i believe even for a replica if it looks right, on the insurance front you don't get charged more for it being a g4 its just a standard car on the log book and then all the extras are factory fitted when new therefore insured for no extra, and i don't pay too much to get insurance and i'm only 26 and had the FFRR since being 23 and its not gone down much since either tight sods.
By g4stu - 5 Jan 2010

Nothing wrong with a replica, if you like the look of the G4's and you cant afford the real thing then build yourself an accurate copy, with all the right bits, doesnt look correct if you put on something that looks the same, rather than the genuine part. Bought freelander replica, needing a few bits n bobs to finish. although cant quite convince myself to fork out £640 for 4 spotlights.

Admittedly you will probably never get all your money back on it, but if its what you want go for it.

By Willu76 - 5 Jan 2010

Be warned building a replica could end up being more expensive than buying the real thing!
By Andy131 - 7 Jan 2010

Go for it.

I bought a bare FL2 G4 - ie only has the colour change, dog guard, extinguisher, and body kit - don't you love it when dealers/Land Rover remove the bits?

Will be building up to full spec as time and money allows.

I got a relative bargain as according to the dealer "NO one wants and orange Freelander" :w00t: so be careful, change it if you want to, but don't expect to get your money or time investment back.

The one thing I will comment on is the insurance side, as a G4 the extra bits are insured as standard, as a replica, the extra bits should be insured as extras. For the G4 the Farmers Union dropped the premium by 60% compared to my "slightly modified HSE" 06 FL1, considering the extra kit that is/will be fitted I would check before you go ahead how much extra the additional kit will cost.