Are red FL2's really that uncommon?

[daft1024]

Hello all,

I'm looking to buy a FL2 but my wife and I don't think much of the color options except red. We both love the red color but they seem as rare as hen's teeth.

At my local dealer (Austral, Brisbane), I was told that there are no Red td4's in the country let alone in a SE spec with the sunroof as I was hoping. He said the best they could do is order one that would come late this year. I'm reticent to "order" a car especially as I think I would have a hard time to convince my wife of the value of placing a deposit on a car that would not be deliver so far in the future. After seeing the kleenmaid debacle I'm worried about giving anyone a deposit at the moment.

I don't have a problem with buying used but I can't seem to find any spec TD4 in Red for sale.

Question for the forum.. Am I hoping for too much to find a good used TD4 in red or do I really need to play the order and wait gauntlet?

Also if we were going to order a new one does anyone have any opinions about dealing with Austral? Are they OK or should we consider buying further away from home?

Cheers and thanks

Stu

[WhiteD3]

We have 2 in the GCLRO club.

[inside]

At my local dealer (Austral, Brisbane), I was told that there are no Red td4's in the country let alone in a SE spec with the sunroof as I was hoping.
I bought a red FL2 SE from Austral Brisbane and it has a sunroof, had to wait 5 months for it though.

[3toes]

In Queensland when dealing with a registered car dealer you would have once been covered by the Auctioneers and Agents Fidelity Guarantee Fund. Does the replacement Commercial and Consumer Tribunal offer a consumer the same cover?

To act as the licensing authority for auctioneers, real estate agents, motor dealers, commercial agents and their employees. To conduct hearings to determine whether a person's actions or statements show him/her to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence. To appoint receivers over the trust account of a licensee where it is of the opinion that a defalcation may have occurred. To consider claims against the Auctioneers and Agents Fidelity Guarantee Fund in cases where a person believes he/she has suffered pecuniary loss due to the actions of a person who comes within the provisions of the Act. - This Board ceased to exist on 30 June 2001. All functions for this Committee was transferred to the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal.

[djhampson]

I got mine from Southern Cross Land Rover at Toowoomba. Worth the drive up from Brisbane IMO. They are a good mob to deal with.

I only got the red because it was that or black or a 5 month wait. I'm glad I did though because I love the red.

[daft1024]

Hello gents,

Thanks for the feedback.

It seems that waiting is not uncommon. I guess this is to be expected as I'm sure LR sell no where near the volume of other manufacturers, and they can't possibly keep every permutation in stock.

djhampson: Thanks for the SCLR suggestion. I have called to get a second opinion on availability.

Inside: Out of interest for your vehicle through Austral did you need to pay a deposit?

Cheers

[inside]

Inside: Out of interest for your vehicle through Austral did you need to pay a deposit?
Yes I did, $1000 from memory. I can understand as the car had to be ordered and shipped to my specification, they needed some guarantee I was actually going to buy it. You can get it refunded though when you collect the car if you/they have organised finance.

BTW I'm very happy with the car, I've had one problem with the power steering but no other niggles and 30 000km so far. The diesel engine is fantastic don't even think of getting the petrol, it'll probably have better resale too.

[PhilipA]

From personal experience , it is a difficult job for the Planning and Distribution Manager to order a colour mix which is compatable with what the market wants. All he/she can go on is sales of the last model plus info on what is hot in the US and Europe.

It is magnified by the time delay especially new in a model life when all cars sell quickly so you do not know what is popular and what is not.

The answer to the reason for no red is simple. Land Rover Oz did not order enough compared to the demand.

Regards Philip A

[Jojo]

I've seen a few in my neck of the woods. Nice.

[Baby Landy]

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one that really likes and wanted red!
While test driving the FL2 the sales guy says "what colour were you thinking?" without hesitation I said red! I was told impossible, here in Perth.

I settled for the dark grey, and I love her, I didn't want to wait weeks or months just for red. Besides I've owned baby landy for 3 weeks now and it's not a car...it's a driving experience!

Cheers Pauline

(no, there's no hidden TV cameras!)

[Matplat]

does the fl2 have low range?

[djhampson]

No. Its interesting that they haven't put a low range box in.

[inside]

I guess they kept the target market for the FL2 to that of the original FL. They've done what they can to make first as low as possible, the diesel will take off from standing in second no problem and first gear in the FL2 is still lower than first low in a Subaru Forester, makes you wonder why they bothered fitting dual range. Then there's hill descent and loads of torque down low but it's still no replacement for low range, it's all about intended usage I guess and if you wish to do more then I'm sure LR would be happy to sell you a more capable vehicle.

[Matplat]

.... the diesel will take off from standing in second no problem ...


are you just talking about the FL2 here? cos if not that is concerning for me. I havn't tried it but I am fairly sure I would have trouble pulling away in second unless I had the revs up to about 2000.....

[gghaggis]

Funnily enough, the petrol FL2 has a lower 1st gear than the diesel (15.5:1 as opposed to 13.8:1). The diesel can take off in 2nd probably more due to the torque of the TD4 motor and the fact it comes on at a much lower engine speed.

Cheers,

Gordon