Thread: Salesman thinks Jeep is better than D3

As I have mentioned in previously I will be retiring soon and want to buy a new diesel 4wd but Discos are too expensive and Defenders too rough. So I have been thinking about a CRD Jeep Cherokee.

At lunch time today I decided to have a look at one for the first time at the local dealer who is also the Landrover dealer. The Jeep looks a nice enough car for what I want - surprisingly only the same size as my Freelander and the Jeeps are even cheaper than Freelanders.

Anyway on departing I said to the salesman that it was a shame that the rear suspension was not independent. He went on to say that a beam axle was the best etc etc etc for offroad work - well up until recently I would have agreed - but I said to him the disco is now independent and they would have to be one of the most capable 4wds around off the showroom floor and they have shown that you can have good capability without beam axles etc etc etc

then he said oh - a Jeep Cherokee will outdo a D3 offroad anytime - I argued that I didn't think that would be the case but he went on to say that he has driven both and the Jeep is far superior etc etc etc and that jeeps are always pulling Discos 3 out etc etc etc etc - yeah rite mate and I left with the brochures.

Now tell me - how is Landrover ever going to start selling its products if its own sales people are not pushing the products.

I have read an Australian test comparison between a Freelander TD4 and the previous engined diesel cherokee and overall the TD4 was rated the better vehicle with the jeep rated only marginally better offroad and that is a jeep with low range and a TD4 with no low range. So if the Jeep is only just a bit better than the Freelander offroad then no way is it anywhere near the capability of D3.

It is little wonder so few new Landies are sold in this country!!

Gazzz

Originally Posted by Ace

Hit the nail on the head. There just arent many salesmen around who are genuinely into the brand of vehicle they sell. This guy has probably been a car salesman for numerous dealers selling numerous brands. Either way when sellling a vehicle you shouldnt be doing stuff like that cause now if you dont decide to go with the jeep you wont go back to buy the land rover.

As for the diesel 4wd option, scrap the jeep and go with a DiD Pajero, had a cruise in one at the orange field days last week and reckon they are pretty good. I will also talking to one of the blokes who works with 4x4 Australia, Phil someone can remember his last name but he does most of the 4wdoty tests and runs his own tag-along business and is a highly acclaimed 4wd trainer apparently. He loves land rovers but reckoned for the km's he did it was costing him to much. He now has a pajero and loves it, and for less money than some of the top of the line models in other brands they come will all the gizmos standard and they have a 5yr warranty and 10yr drivetrain warranty. Now i dont swallow all the crap these blokes tell me and i only had a run around a track at low speed for about 15mins but the vehicle was impressive. Matt

Matt I agree I think the DiD Pajero's even come with rear diff lock as standard a very good value for money package, with top of the range at about $70K ( not on road ) and tag in on someone's fleet hard to go past.