Thread: Why don't people buy more Landrovers

My brother and I are the only two D4 owners in our 4WD club. There is a D3 and a D2. There are more than 70 other 4WD of all types. We have a great time with lots of friendly teasing and leg pulling. The LR can do anything the others do and we keep up with all but the most heavily modded cars. We are now recognised as being willing to have a go at everything. Our greatest weakness is tyres, but the vehicles are gaining respect from the diehards.

I don't really care what other people drive. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm happy to give them mine

And I'm looking forward to getting my GOE rims and better tyres and rock sliders. (All ordered and paid for)

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

That's a very good point JC. A Defender or a LC can head to 80 to 100K pretty quickly with accessories. Don't wish to brag, or rub anything in but I sure spin out about what I have spent. Especially when you drive it up some rocky off camber slop with ledges, or through some bonnet lapping steam, I do ask myself what am I doing sometimes.
Effectively I see my car as not much different to a County. One is noisy and not threatened with water, one is quiet and is threatened with water. But there is a 60K difference. I do have to have air con though...soft I guess.

Hi

I've been fixing bits and pieces on my County for years now. I' d like fixing and keeping the old girl on the road, but after a while fixing

• door seals, steering boxes, heaters, wipers, door locks, window winders, lights, wiring,seat belts, dash falling apart and so forth

Then on top of that the normal maintenance its does wear a bit thin. I look at
Toyos' in particular and have to say they really do the details better back then and still do today.

I have my county since new and really even back in '86 when we bought it that stuff was below par, even though a coil sprung county was state of art back then the LC, trolls toyos/Nisan etc. still outsold it by a big margin - this and reliability was what killed their market share in my opinion.

Then as now the land rover vehicles were in front tech wise. But to the average guy/girl whose not a full on 4wd enthusiast, having things like doors locks,. windscreen wipers, door seals that just work matters far more than the latest tech.

This lack of attention to detail and some on going oversights on basics like diffs has what turned LR into a niche product.

Clive

The defence force spent tonnes of cash keeping the 110's on the road.

Well, a lot of good posts here. I'll say this, I would not like to own a vehicle I could not do most of the work myself. I don't like paying someone $100 an hour, or more, to do something I should be able to do. I bought a D2, had absolutely no knowledge of the vehicle, educated myself with the help of this forum, & some good people [ thanks Dave] & now have got to the stage, do I buy another vehicle, considering mine is getting on in life , or do I take a leap of faith, spend whatever spare cash I have on to keep it going, and spend even more time educating myself about the marque. I have the advantage, I admit, I can take it off the road, until either I'm educated, or financial enough to get the job done. To that end, I'm happy with my D2, even happier when I see the looks of disbelief on the faces of the drivers of the more fashionable, more expensive vehicles, when I'm chugging along everywhere they can go. [ disclaimer- I am not an extreme " give it the berries " driver] I'm happy to drive what I drive, Bob

What has turned Land Rover into a niche vehicle has and is the attude of LRA and Dealer staff, "if we ignore him, he will go away"

What the Oriental makers did/do is for every vehicle imported there is a full compliment of service spares,as "SERVICE" is how one gets, and keeps customers.

Originally Posted by newhue

I do have to have air con though...soft I guess.

When it works