Rob in WA

NOOOOOOoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!

BruceP

Here's the 411 on Land Rover's rep:

1. Pre-BMW, reliability was atrocious, especially where electrics were concerned. The reputation hasn't caught up with improved trucks.

2. Many dealers are bandits, even for car dealers. Rovers leak. My Disco has had a seeping head gasket for five years. My dealer says, "No worries. There's eight litres of oil in there. If you see coolant, you've got a problem." But many dealers would relieve you of $2,000 for new ones. And that's just one seal. People who are used to driving modern cars freak out at a spot on the driveway, and dealers take advantage. But that Rover engine was designed by Oldsmobile circa 1964 ...

This fact alone creates the impression that these trucks are constantly at the dealers', constantly needing expensive attention. I bet a huge percentage of that perception has its roots in abuse by dealers.

3. You have GOT to maintain them religiously. If things need fixing, they tend to stay fixed, but you can't let stuff go. But it's amazing how reliable they are if you just follow the sched. Do this, and they will never strand you.

But, get service records for any you think you might want to buy. You'll know instantly if it was one of the infamous Monday trucks.

4. The RRs and heavily optioned Discos with SLS and ACE had particular problems with those features. Avoid them on Discos, accept it on the RR if you want one badly enough. I love that P38A, but this fact alone keeps me out of one.

On the other hand...

The Disco is the only vehicle I've ever owned on which a woman left a note on the windshield. (My fiancee/now-wife called her back. Funny story).

On the rare occasions it's clean, it still gets parked in the front row by valets.

It's one tough truck. Solid axles, three diffs and a two speed transfer case. Like a Jag bolted on top of a tractor. I've pulled more so-called SUVs out of ditches up by my country place than I can count. It's the real deal, if that matters to you.

It has an authentic personality. Not a numb poser minivan in disguise like so many SUVs. If you 'get' Porsches, you might just 'get' Land Rovers.

Bottom line: If you really want one, there's little to be afraid of if you shop with some care and find a fair, competent mechanic .

Franklin229

I owned a Defender and can tell you that heritage and looks aside, it was a rolling turd, even in '97. We're talking, rusting bolts on the body work, window cranks falling off, leaking fluids everywhere and inoperable heater controls-all within the first year of ownership. Most pre BMW products were very off-road capable, provided you take an enitre spare parts trailor in tow. Needless to say I sold tyhe beast a year 1/2 later to some sucker who paid me 8K more than I did new.

So after figuring time heals all wounds, I bought an LR3. It's been absolutley trouble free. The fact that Ford owns them actually encouraged me to buy. There's areason why you still see a lot of f-series pickups on the road by the way. For others confusing Land/Range Rovers with other SUV's out there-the one thing to remember is that they are built on a frame AND have unibody contruction. Very different from all the "cross-overs" out there. This makes a huge difference in off road capabilites (and yes-I thrash mine around shamelessly), towing and ride quality. Just my 2 cents-

Matkap

You keep playing the "called my friends prostitutes" card but I did not see your reply for this post. Maybe I missed it.

MJBird993

If all you care about is women...

I asked a 40 year old woman this same question. What do you think about:

Corvette: "Mid-life crisis"
Porsche: "Too much money"
Jaguar: "Oooooooohhhhh..."

I thought she was going to have an orgasm right there and then. Women do like Jaguars...

HTH,

Michael

Rob in WA

I guess they don't call 'em Shaguars for nothing.

cdodkin

Can't believe that the marketing engine has the US consumer lined up for these Jags.

In the UK they are 'old lady' cars - but hey, that's marketing for you!

996c4s_dallas

This thread went off into a tangent!

I drive what I want to drive. I don't need any approval.



Its the bomb!

Nine9Sixer

sorry to revive a horrible thread, but that is HILarious! well done.

washington dc porsche

Obviously a very secure man with a hell ova lot of "game" owns that car.

tooloud10

There's nothing you can say to get me to believe that the XKR is an "old lady" car.

The others? You could be right.

cdodkin

You ever seen Monty Python?

There's some very strange 'old ladies' in the UK for sure, and not all of them are female....

gregorycarl

Did you ever see Top Gear. They say it is an "Old Man's Car", so not an old ladies car. But in England they think they are a bit frumpy. They have a different rep here in the states. I believe Mercedes gets the "Old-Mans" wrap also.

I like the look of the XKR, just wouldn't buy one.

michael.s.under

FYI

TheSpeedDemon

unbelieavable this thread still even exists...what a waste of space on a great forum