Thread: Why did you choose...?

Originally Posted by Signal1

For the record - the Escape is a very capable vehicle, just missing low range but has a centre diff lock.

Yeah, they are a Mazda of some sort. Forget which one.

Originally Posted by RonMcGr

Yeah, they are a Mazda of some sort. Forget which one.

Mazda Tribute

When I was at UNE in the 60s and drove Series II LWB and SWB on archaeological trips, I loved them. I hated the LWB Toyota wagon.

In the 1983 I needed something faster than my Haflinger for a trip from the Strezlecki Track to the Birdsville Track through Lake Blanche and Lake Gregory.
I also wanted something that would carry a decent load of firewood and would easily carry camping gear for two adults and two kids.
So I bought a 1973 LWB and loved it.

When my wife and I decided we wanted to move up from a tent to some sort of camper, I wanted a capable vehicle, liked the look of the Trayon camper and hated the idea of towing so I bought a 1998 traytop Defender.

Pretty easy choice really.

I bought my first Landrover in 1963 - when there was no alternative, and I had used them anyway on a vacation job in 1959. It was to replace a VW that demonstrated that rear engined vehicles don't like dust (you get an oil leak, the cooling system spreads it over the cooling fins, then builds up a coating of dust, then it overheats and melts a piston). I owned several Landrovers before moving to a city job.

When I needed a four wheel drive after buying the farm (1990), an ex-army 2a was the obvious answer - cheaper than any alternative, and I was familiar with them. When we planned to move up here in 1993, buying the County was an obvious move.

John

I tossed up between a GU Patrol, Disco1 and Disco2 when replacing my TF Rodeo.

There were lots of reasons but the main reasons were that the GU was too big for 2 people, the Disco2 had too much electronics and the Disco1 base model had DIY electronics, no airbags or ABS and was cheap enough to flog it offroad and not be too concerned with damage and still comfortable enough for a daily driver.

I think now that I have been involved with LRs for over a year I'd be less concerned with the electronics in a Disco2. So maybe next time.

All the choices above were petrol as well. Wasn't interested in diesels.

I was also interested in soft dash Rangies but if one had come up I probably wouldn't have bought it anyway. Too much electronics and too good to thrash.

Got convinced to buy a Range Rover after a particularly hair raising trip to the snow in (abt) 1978 as passenger in a Bolwell Nagari, came back in a mates Rangie.
Bought my own (a 1976) in 1981 and got such good service that I decided to stay with Land Rover, although the later Rangies I didn't consider very practical.

My wife with the aid of my best mate convinced me to buy a new Defender.

And that's where I'm at now.



Martyn

I'm from Solihull - there was only one choice!

I started to Love Land Rovers when i used to (and still do) go shooting with dad in the Series 3 i have always loved the basic layout and toughness then in 06 i got the Fender i went for a Defender because the i like the original look, basic layout and toughness.