Future Classic Friday: Range Rover Sport

Even if you've never owned or driven a Range Rover Sport, you may well have a strong opinion about them (and possibly people that do own them).

Where the Range Rover was undeniably dripping with class despite the occasional less savoury owner, the Sport being that bit more attainable (if only a bit) meant almost anybody could swan around in one.

Not that Land Rover cared. The idea of creating smaller Range Rovers that could carry the same cache as the big one had been floating around for some time and the Range Stormer concept of 2004 showed they were serious.

The production version was inevitably watered down, but it had proportions and presence that got gym franchise owners rubbing their toned thighs in excitement.

Underneath the Range Rover Sport used the semi-monocoque from the Discovery 3, as well as the running gear, engines and Terrain Response system, so as you'd expect it still had off-road ability despite the more urban looks.

The crucial difference was size. The Sport was nearly 140mm shorter in the wheelbase, which made it a strict five-seater compared to the Discovery's seven.

Inside you got a good approximation of the style and quality you'd find in a full-size Range Rover, with plenty of leather, big comfy seats and plenty of toys.

It drove well too. Standard air suspension meant it rode well and while it was always going to handle more like a supertanker than a speedboat, it could be hustled along more easily than the Discovery or Range Rover.

The engine choice was great too, as long as you avoided the early 2.7 TDV6. The BMW-sourced 4.4 V8 was nice, but the latter 3.0-litre V6 and 3.6-litre V8 diesels were far better.

Jaguar's AJV8 was inserted later on too, in naturally-aspirated and supercharged form. Absurdly thirsty but a wickedly fun way to watch your wallet go up in smoke.

Cars of equivalent age but less prestige might well have gone to the scrapper by now, but the fact that so many Range Rover Sports are still out there shows just how much demand there is for them.

The trouble is, you have to wade through the dross of non-runners and 'projects' at the bottom end of the market before you can find something half decent.

This is a mid-noughties Land Rover, so reliability is patchy, to put it generously. A well-serviced example will last, accepting the occasional hiccup, but the fourth or fifth owners tend to be less keen on maintenance.

V6s need a cambelt at 100,000 miles including all the auxiliary belts, crankshafts can let go, V8 diesel turbos can go at the same point. Electrical issues are relatively common, and the suspension can suffer from various maladies too.

Still, if that hasn't put you off then the choice out there is overwhelming. We found a couple of cars under £2000, but these fell very firmly into the project category.

We had to up our budget to £3000 before we found a car that didn't set off alarm bells. It's mostly 2.7 TDV6s at this money, which is okay if you're super keen but we'd hold out for another engine option.

For £3300 we found a 2009 TDV8 HSE with 130,000 miles and good history, although the private seller did confess to a small oil leak. Still, with a year's ticket it was probably worth a closer look.

£3500 and above seems to be the current sweet spot where the decent cars become more prevalent. A comprehensive history is a must with a car like this, even though it doesn't guarantee a trouble-free experience.

For vaguely sensible money we found a lovely 2009 TDV8 HSE with 120,000 miles. It had an MoT until November, but had one owner from new and a smart black paint and silver alloys combo that made it look factory-fresh.

As maintenance costs continue to kill off the cheap stuff, only the good ones will survive and it will become a rarer sight on our roads. Now is the perfect time to jump in. Find a Range Rover Sport for sale