Why don't people buy more Landrovers

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Originally Posted by jimr1

I can remember reading a four wheel drive mag many years ago . The editor wrote that he gets many letters asking what is a good four wheeler to buy ? He said how can I answer this , what do you want it for ? ie . short wheel base , long , dual cab , ute , 3 door ,5 door , petrol ,diesel . He said you have to think about what you want and what you can afford . He also said once you get your 4x4 and get stuck down a track , don't be surprised if a 30 year old Land Rover comes along , and pulls you out . how true is that .

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as a young buck we had cruisers and patrols, and the "goat track" over the headland at Moreton Is was aways a will I won't I make it run. We usually didn't make it no matter how hard we flogged our trucks, and with low tyres. Well eventually we did and we'd sit up top all chuffed with ourselves enjoying the view.

sure enough, a beat up grey 109 series 3 with some classic crappy gal steel homemade bar work, stock tyres, and full of fishermen would put put put up and over. They looked at us with a "what's the issue" look upon their face.
It was from then my life changed.
I think for many of us are sold the rest, but eventually BUY the best.

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Originally Posted by justinc

I'm not sure why the recycle/ reuse option isn't more widely talked about, this may well be a popular activity in years to come. Interestingly, it really only applies to the LR product, even more specifically Defenders and Counties etc.

For example;

A rust free or easily repairable 110 County can be had for around $2500 in V8 guise, a Diesel conversion utilising many options such as Isuzu , Toyota, Mazda, Ford even with matching transmission can be performed, modernised A/C can be fitted, soundproofing and insulation can be done, and ergonomics can be tackled at the same time with seating and park brake positioning etc etc.

Yes these options can be $$$ if you are paying another party to do it all, but if done yourself it is relatively easy just time consuming.

Most importantly you get an economical, non electronic (Mostly) reliable and joyous to drive and own vehicle that costs thousands less than a 'new' one with all its modern glitches, depreciation and failings.

ANY 90, 110 or 130 has immense character, whatever the drivetrain and modifications performed so don't discount the 're-use' / 'recycle' idea:)

JC

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This is precisely why it doesn't matter to me whether or not they continue to produce the Defender or what they try to pass off as its replacement. IF ever I feel I need to replace my '95 300 Tdi 130 DC there'll be dozens of ex army 110s and parts around and I'll just assemble whatever it is that suits the needs of the time and still use parts from mine, like the rear maxidrive. There is no new 4x4 that suits my requirements and the best vehicles I've ever owned were "built, not bought".

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Originally Posted by newhue

sure enough, a beat up grey 109 series 3 with some classic crappy gal steel homemade bar work, stock tyres, and full of fishermen would put put put up and over. They looked at us with a "what's the issue" look upon their face.

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I remember an early Top Gear episode where Jeremy was taking his Landcruiser sahara 100, the big BMW all wheel drive and I think a Mercedes M class through some sloppy stuff. None made it; then there was also a local farmer with a 50's vintage standard series 1 that just chugged through the lot and out the other side.

oooh a link for that would be cool

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Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

The Freelander 1 Engine was sourced from Asia I believe, so can't put all Land rovers in the same boat for engine troubles.

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It came from Honda

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It came from Honda

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BS
It a Leyland K series, probably the most troublesome engine in modern history.

History of the K-series

The early RV6 ( also Freelander) was sold to Kia for the Carnival and AFAIK EVERY ONE had to be replaced due to head gasket problems.
Regards Philip A

BTW this is probably one of the main reasons people do not buy more Landrovers.

Land Rover Ratings, Prices, Photos | J.D. Power

And here is Toyota. Notice the greater use of yellow dots.
http://autos.jdpower.com/research/To...pBodyStyle=SUV
So now I expect the usual deluge of postings saying tha JD Power only measures all faults not major faults Blah, blah blah.

But really the results are pretty clear and I am sure that they don't include Australian considerations like fuel tank size and wheel diameter .

Even LRO says that LR prematurely launched the D3 and let the customer do the product development. ( which I thought to be a big admmission from a marque magazine with rabid enthusiasts on staff)

I wonder what gotchas are hidden in the new even more complex models

There was really nothing wrong with the basic 1800 K series - in itself, a strong little engine but the designers did not put a lot of thought into the thermostat arrangement (particularly in the Freelander - same engine in the MG and Lotus) and that was the cause of its problems.

The thermostat was slow to read the temp of the engine and it had to get real hot before the thermostat opened - often what it did then was open rightup sending cold water from the radiator into an overheated block and heat causing thermal shock to the engine. A combination of the heating in the first place could cause head gasket issues and further coolant loss. The overall result was blown heat gaskets, head issues, slipped liners and cooked engines.

In warmer climates - often the thermostats were removed and these engines did not have the stereotypical K series issues at all. Likewise, later there were thermostat mods but I am not sure how successful they were in the long term.

Garry

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Originally Posted by Landy Smurf

oooh a link for that would be cool

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It was Season 1 (2002) Episode 10 Landcruiser -v- BMW X5 -v- Jeep Grand Cherokee -v- Range Rover.

Took a while, but just for you Landy Smurf
[ame=http://www.streetfire.net/video/top-gear-season-1-ep-10_part-1_504103.htm]Top Gear Season 1 ep 10 by Kamii-Sama - Car Videos on StreetFire[/ame]

Awesome. Loved how the series just putts past the bmw