LR vs 80 diff (1 Viewer)

[concretejungle]

Thanks! That picture was taken while crossing the Rio Urique in the Sierra Madre of Mexico just a few weeks ago. Urique Canyon is part of the Copper Canyon system, and is over 1000 feet deeper than our Grand Canyon.

I do still get questions on the Rover from time to time, but I am pretty much done with Land Rovers. I do with that Toyota could beef up the design team a bit... (although the classic FJ40 is a thing of beauty)

I also grew a bit frustrated with the Rover crowd, as there were VERY few that actually used the vehicle as intended. I would say, that in actuall expedition circles, Toyota outnumbers LR by 4 to 1. LR just does a very good job of marketing.

Slightly OT:

Though at the end of the day we might all be driving trucks or Hummers, as the real SUV's are a dying breed. All we can hope is that they realize there are still people who want functionality!

R.I.P.
2002: Trooper
2004: Discovery, Pathfinder
2005: Montero, TLC, G Class, Rodeo, etc...

Great write-up and good info. I have a really good friend with a brand new LR series II disco. He also has had over $20,000 in repairs in under 1.5 years!

I also agree on your Toyota design team comment. Yes Rover does (well at least until the new LR3) design great looking trucks, and they do a heck of a lot better job marketing them. Hell, they have a course you can drive a new truck on at the dealership while sipping on a cafe latte! All the rover gear in there for sell! Amazing marketing......and don't forget they camel trophy, that's the best marketing they have done. Toyota needs to wake the fawk up!

I went with my friend to his LR club meet and 90% of the owners didn't want to take their trucks into the woods because they might get dirty or scratched. But they had all the guards and gear-queer stuff on them.

 

[CDN_Cruiser]

Scott:

Very nice site as well - I'll take some more time and look through it. Interesting comment about design. I find that I love the look, classic lines and simplicity of the Series trucks (not for a DD!). I also like the look of the Defenders, but I really hate the outside look of the Discos. The interiors are lovely, but I find them a tad small for storage, although they (Disco 1s) have great approach and departure angles.

In Canada, given that we can't get LC, all of the guys I wheel with do use their trucks (mostly discos, a few series, RR and defenders). A great group of guys (see www.landroveradventure.com - although site has been a bit slow lately).

Cheers, Hugh

 

[expeditionswest]

Thanks Hugh!

I have been to the LRAdventure site before and like it. Without question, there are many LR owners that love their trucks, and really use them. I supose in my experience, most that I have met do not. I think it is a byproduct of the initial investment and the expense of servicing them. People that spend 45-50K on a vehicle do not typically drive them in demanding off-road situations. Probably true of most LX470 owners I would suspect. Usually a vehicle has to drop below the $25k mark before they start getting used on the trail with frequency. With time we will see lots of LX470's with SAS and 35's, etc. just like the 80 series.

I just wish we could buy a 105 diesel. Oh, man!!!!!!