Why didn't you...

[rmp]

...buy a cheaper vehicle like a Pajero or Prado?

Just wondering. This isn't flamebait, it's about what made you shell out the extra for a D3 when capable wagons are available for $15k RRP less.

[300+]

Because I didn't pay anything near RRP.

The Prado seemed a little small, and I had to get the grande to get the same sort of specs as a D3SE.

The 100 series was long in the tooth.

The patrol is doesn't have a central diff (helloooo, 1980 was a long time ago...)

Pajero? With the financial mess Mitsui were in at the time? Although perhaps I could have grabbed a bargain... Not convinced of the off road ability at all.

Steve

[schmoogene]

i think it's largely a personal preferance...so give me a box on wheels....none of this girly, lovely, fluffy, flowing lines stuff. i want a machine!!!!!! deteste, loathe, disgusting prado tail lights and head lights. was waiting for them to change it over to consider the Prado.

pajero, i was close to buying but the spec that we wanted was high and not fdar off the price of a D3. had some nice bits but overall looks a bit fat. also looked at the pathfinder and similar case...top spec was 8k less, nice shape though. but not much of a rear window.

the D3 could have had more of a square back end i thought and although it doesn't look fat, who ate all the pies? the d3 is such a clean design that it's beautiful and i can't even bear putting the rear wheel carrier on it. besides it sits on the wrong side because it covers the assymetrical tail...which gives you the opportunity to look behind before you drive. the D3 (in my eyes) is already a classic shape. The D4 is already adding bling...bah!!! which is why i like the black wheel arches...practical and adds scale and proportion. the color coded wheel arches makes the body look too tall and out of proportion. the new F250 is actually where the wheels are too small!!!! idiots.

i'm a designer (not cars though) and see it from a designers point of view with no loyalties to any car manufacturer....but definately stay away from some others!!!!!. and the best on offer at the moment is the D3....never owned a LR so we'll see. loyalty to cars is not like being loyal to mates. i think you take what's best on offer and the D3 is that and more... otherwise i would have bought the Missingbitsi.

also, about technology... looks good now and works while new but only time will tell.

WHAT A RANT...is this too long?...someone should enforce a word limit to posts

Eugene

[def90]

because its a landrover, and its a significantly better car, in a different class almost...

[Timj]

It's an interesting question to try and work out the answer to. I had a 99 NL Pajero that I had for 8 years and it only had 145k on the clock. It had taken us to Cape York, Fraser many times, Uluru and all sorts of stuff like that and had never let us down in any way. I wanted to change to diesel to get better touring range and to get better economy when towing. I was going to trade up to a new Pajero and had talked them into a very good deal but just couldn't bring myself to sign. I had been silly enough to go for a test drive in a D3 and couldn't get it out of my mind. The D3 was quieter, felt more solid on the road and just felt more refined. There was more room for me and the seating felt more comfortable. The setup of the seven seats is just fantastic and adults really can sit comfortably in the third row. Then there was the technology and I do love my gadgets. I thought that the D3 would do all the things I wanted it to just by pressing a button with no compromises in ride or handling and it really has done that for us.

I reckon that if I keep this one for 8 years as well the price difference becomes irrelevant.

I didn't really think seriously about the 200 series due to it's lack of interior load space, dated seating layout and lack of features for the money. And it's a Toyota . 76 series is a bit of a joke as far as value for money I believe. Nissan I couldn't see the point of that old timebomb 3l turbo, less power, less torque and nothing really going for it.

I have added the ARB bullbar, Safari Snorkel, Kaymar rear bar, Long range tank, Rhino roofrack and AT2 tyres but I probably would have had to do that with any car I bought. With the D3 there has been no need to touch the suspension.

Now that's a real ramble but it is interesting to lay out the reasons.

TimJ.

[Jamo]

Old tech.

Prado is smaller and IMHO less robust.

Pajero is also IMHO less robust.

100ser overpriced for what you get, for me it was uncomfortable to sit in ( i had several drives in a Sahara - seats felt like sitting on bricks), also questions about robustness (pinion gears etc), I could go on.

Patrol....I'm not sure where to start

None of the above vehicles had the technology, safety or equipment level offered by my D3.

Plus, they're not Land Rovers!

In the 145000km I've done, of which around 40% has been gravel, farms etc, not one bolt or screw has rattled loose. Not one panel squeaks or creaks anywhere in the car.

[WhiteD3]

Prado and LC? Good vehicles but they're like backsides,...everyone has one.
Was tempted with the then new model Pajero but after it was optioned up it was the same price as the D3 without the same capability.

The D3 came with free servicing for 3 years and is so far beyond the capabilities of its rivals there was no other choice.

[rmp]

Interesting stuff guys. Re RRP; well you wouldn't pay RRP on any new car, so the RRP is more a relative cost figure than anything else.

Understand some people just wanted a Land Rover, but the post is about reasons other than brand loyalty.

[Graeme]

Just ordered one for the good ride and height adjustment capability of its air suspension for my wife's crook back and we certainly can't afford a RR. I'm also impressed with LR's detailed technical info available via GTR.

[300+]

I went to buy a used D2 and was offered 25% off on the spot on a D3. The RRP really is only there to scare off customers who just read the brochure.

Cheers, Steve