Thread: Conflicted

My wife forms an illogical bond with every car she owns, although all her cars have been not the sort of things you'd expect a professional person to drive. She's howled her eyes out every time one has gone...

She had a D1, late model, manual transmission that she though was the best thing in the world. When it started to become unreliable (she drags a horse float, last thing we want is her broken down on the side of the road at night) we sold it and bought a D3.

She could not believe how much better it is, and its her first auto (although most of her company cars were autos). It is quiet, easy to drive, keeps up with traffic effortlessly. In other words it is relaxing to drive in stop start traffic, unlike the D1.

She looks fondly at D4s occasionally, but she still washes the D3 far more than any other car she owned. She loves it...

And yes, I think she's bonded with it.

I spent a few hours on the phone to a mate who has come from Touregs and into an LC200. He had a tinge of regret driving it out of the dealer and now avoids driving it because its "hard work".

On a big trip, towing a big van, he's very happy with it, and its holding its value very well. It also gives him a sense of comfort as he feels he can "trust" it but doesn't like it as a daily driver.

I don't think D4 drivers need to make that compromise. Its a beautiful tourer, tows very well from all accounts and is a pleasure to live with on a daily basis.

It's also a very very capable off road vehicle.