Thread: L660 or L663

Originally Posted by veebs

Oh I don't know about that - around Perth, every second car seems to be a new Prado ($60k - $95k, and usually around the $70k mark), or a 70 series ($75k) or a 200 series ($86k - $126k), or a Patrol ($80k - $100k). This price range isn't a problem, especially considering the extra cash spent on Prados and 70 series getting them up to spec, like lifted suspension, GVM upgrades, widening the rear tracks to match the front (70 series), etc.

The bigger issue will be convincing people that they will be equally reliable, capable, comfortable etc, and that their Toyota and Nissan mates won't make fun of them down on the beach for buying one...

Its all marketing (I've been out with 15 4x4s on 1 trip and an 80series had the most go wrong, infact 15k, including engine (desiel) and driveline+ steering breakages, most makes are fairly equal these days, all have their gremlins, find them fix them enjoy the car of your choice.
More features can and has in the past meant more to go wrong, however technology and car design has matured to the point where imo feature rich new 4x4s (land rover included) will get you much further between breakdowns than thier older more basic counterparts.

If Landover add add ruggedness and capability to the above, which they have pretty much sworn they have, then they and we will have a comparitivly reliable, feature rich, safe, durable and rugged adventure vehicle.

Originally Posted by Zeros

Yup their ‘lifestyle’ market is the wealthy inner suburbs of all our cities. Not everyone lives there.

Agree with the bigger issue... and problem is, focussing all attention on the lifestyle market does nothing for their credibility in terms of reliability or capability.

79 series, rangers and 200 series lifestyle vehicles are pretty much all over AU

Originally Posted by Zeros

“After all, plenty of people are financing utes for $50-60k, so that's the sweet spot LR needs to hit.”

Wishful I reckon Mick. You can almost get a base model Disco Sport for that. LOL

Yep I'm thinking 70-75k minimum

Originally Posted by veebs

I know what I mean. Yes, the vehicles down the mine shaft, and the 'paddock bashers' are old clunkers, however the miner's personal ride, and the station owners town car are often pretty flash.

They may not buy Land Rovers, but that is not because they are too expensive.

Im seeing many more d5s and rrs in rural areas now, Orange (dubbo nearby) has its own dealer and tons of them getting around

Originally Posted by Zeros

I wouldn’t call a 70 GXL bling! You mean it’s got power windows? :-)

But yes, as I keep saying, IF the Defender is a real work ute / wagon it might have a shot, but I doubt it will be...which means even wealthy farmers won’t buy a D5 or Rangie as a town car either.

Haha..real work ute, define that please

Seen plenty of farm owners etc with new land rovers, evoques and disco sports for wife etc..new landys are not p38s, they are hugely more dependable if maintained properly.

Originally Posted by Zeros

No it’s because Land Rovers are no longer designed for the bush.

They are, but also for the road and safety

Originally Posted by Zeros

We were debating work utes in the $50-60K band vs city centric SUV's in the $80K+ band. I would be very surprised if the new Defender is $60K. If it is, it will be smaller than the classic Defender or 70 series and competing in the dual cab / mid-duty SUV market. If it's full size like a 70 series it will be $80K+ and potentially sell well. But I doubt it will be.

To me the new Defender spy shots look like a D4 type family 'adventure' vehicle which will be in the same price bracket as the D5. As such it won't sell in country areas because its not a work vehicle and if a 70 series owner really wanted a Land Rover town car (which I doubt) it would be more likely to be a D5 because they already have a work vehicle.

Sure I may be entirely wrong. But that's what I think. You don't have to think the same.

If you think rural buyers are going to by the new Defender that's great! but I can't see it...because as you say, "Land Rover lost the country market years ago." What I'm saying is they're not going to get it back with the new Defender by the looks of it either - which will affect their urban SUV sales too.

If rural buyers are allready buying the d4, d5, sport, dsport, evoque then they will 100% buy the defender if it lives up to its pre release landrover hype.

Originally Posted by veebs

Come again? A farmer will only buy a flash town car if there is also a simpleton, "work" edition under the same marque? What bull****.

A GX 70 series retails for $78k, but as you keep saying, it will never sell, because people only want to buy $50-60k vehicles. Toyota are such fools! Clearly they have completely misunderstood their market.

As a farmer's son I don't like seeing "simpleton" and "farmer" in the same sentence.

Perhaps you meant "simple" or better even, "basic"?