LR3 bashers...

[woodslat]

sad to see industry leaving Ca.....

Toyota started building here to avoid the truck import taxes levied to avoid total collapse with the onslaught of VW trucks in the early 1960's. California didn't think them capable enough to even charge commercial fees until the mid 70's. It's disheartening to think of the manufacturing industries leaving California for greener grass, taking their tax money and wages with them. How else are we going to pay for public employees pensions?


-eric

P.R.O.D.

 

[ducati]

I'm sure the LR3 is capable. After driving an 04 RR off-road I'm more of a believer than I used to be, but it's like point and click.

Not at all, honestly. I found it to require more active participation from the driver than my old Disco 2--you have to constantly be on top of the Terrain Response, HDC speed, watch the suspension display in the centre, and use the command shift (make sure you pick the right gear) to get the best out of the vehicle.

Not like a point and shoot camera, more like a digital SLR with point and shoot mode. You can use the auto everything mode, but your pictures won't be as good as if you took time to learn photography and the camera.

Im still not "used to" the LR3 offroad, a Disco feels more natural to me. That will come with seat time, I suppose.

 

[Discrover]

Not at all, honestly. I found it to require more active participation from the driver than my old Disco 2--you have to constantly be on top of the Terrain Response, HDC speed, watch the suspension display in the centre, and use the command shift (make sure you pick the right gear) to get the best out of the vehicle.

Not like a point and shoot camera, more like a digital SLR with point and shoot mode. You can use the auto everything mode, but your pictures won't be as good as if you took time to learn photography and the camera.

Im still not "used to" the LR3 offroad, a Disco feels more natural to me. That will come with seat time, I suppose.

Great analogy man...love it.

Also, we have yet to see an LR3 all modded up...that will come in time I'm sure. I remember thinking the same thing about never seeing a modded D2, and now they are everywhere.

My neighbor street behind me has a friend with a new white LR3 and inside the thing more reminds me more of a Lexus than a Rover, but it is plush, comfy and nice that is for sure.

 

[JamesWyatt]

 

[discobird]

Cool. I can't stop laughing

 

[kennith]

I don't know why beople say Discos don't handle well and accelerate and brake poorly. As far as other make SUVs go, and a lot of cars, I'll take my DII for road handling any day. I am now lifted without swaybars plus 265/75 BFGMTs, and it will still carve up a corner.

I love the live axels, and the unsprung weight issue only really comes up in potholes and over railroad tracks. Even when mine were stock, the brakes were amazingly effective. I mean damn, did I get the only one, or are people simply not capable of handling anything bigger than a civic on the road?

I've never driven the LR3, but I sort of like it.

Cheers,

Kennith

 

[nickangus]

nice touch w/ the discoweb emblem one his shoulder

 

[Rippers]

I have a question to the LR3 haters out there, how many of you have driven the car yet?

I drove it and was VERY impressed, however, I just think it looks like a Ford Explorer and a DII had a baby...

I just don't like the minivan look to it....

 

[RoverChic]

It grew on Me

I like it. I drove one for about a week when my 2002 was in the shop. Lee Ann, yes I agree it looks like a minivan from behind. Why is the back door/back window so big? Other than that I really dig the comfort. However I would still prefer to trade in the 01 D2 for an 04 before an LR3.

 

[ShaunP]

Every 4x4 Magazine you pick in OZ has test or a comparo with other trucks, haven't read one yet where they don't praise its on and off road performance, TDV6 beats all comers. Main complaint is related to fuel tank size, it's considered too small for outback travel as the range is limited this is even worse with the V8. Apart from that they reckon it's as good as it getts for an off the shelf truck. 4x4 Australia reckon you could hang the spare on the rear bumper and fit a tank in it's place. No doubt ARB and Long ranger are already on to it.

 

[scottfromoz]

Hi Sean. I am in Brissy too.

For my money they have priced the thing out of my ballpark. I know that it is comparitive to prado and cruiser etc but its high for a genuine off-roader. The V6 Petrol isnt too badly priced at first blush but then you discover that in order to get it good off road as well as on you need to tick a very big options list (air susp to mimic live axels; terrain response; locking rear diff) and that kicks the price up enormously.

I had posted more than 6 months ago (under ScottOz - forgot my password for that name - so long since I posted) that I relished seeing the V6 pertrol write up because it wouldnt be all that fast, would be ordinary at towing re torque and would chew the juice - well I see that it was written up a month or 2 ago and yep - same speed to 100 as the V8 DII, similar torque but way higher up the rev range (bades poorly for towing and sand work) and drinks. I have a manual DII V8 and in and out to town half in peak hour half out I consistently return 14.5l/100k.

I had a good crawl over and under one at Southside and was not impressed by what I saw in terms of significant off roading. Mine is stock but I have crashed it through some rough parts such as rarely used "trails" at Mt Mee and off road its pretty unbeatable for a stocker.

Cheers

 

[ShaunP]

I won't be getting one anytime soon either not cause I don't want one, just can't justify spending more on a car than I owe on my house. I'm going to hang on to my V8 D1 5speed as it's in extra good nick, has just clicked over 150k km. The car is as good as when I got it. I'm going to retire it from the family run about duties in 18months or so and buy a Subaru Impresor, or maybe a Rav 4 for Becky to drive the kids around in and general stuff. I'll use the Disco for towing the Jayco and trips etc. Telstra's new boss made me give back my Falcon so I'm catching train in to town which is ok I guess, it's only 1/2 hour from Wynnum to the city. Stuffs me around abit when I have to pick up the kids on days when Becky works, I have get home and grab my Old Jag 3.8 stype to go and get them. I still reckon the D3 tdv6 looks a good thing.

 

[discovery12]

All I know is that the LR3 is a very nice vehicle but as mention earlier in this thread. It wouldn't feel right to wheel a LR3 hard like a Disco,D90,RRC.
1. Dirt and electronics don't mix.
2. Long wheelbase doesn't help any situation unless it is really lifted.
3. I don't trust computers off road if it fails yo ass is stuck.
4. How many folks gonna wheel a 45-55K vehicle hardcore.
5. I understand about the IFS but we all know in the off-road ''world" Solid Axles is the choice.
6. low hanging bumpers are a big no-no for wheeling. With the Disco one can cut out the lower air dam and have a pretty damn good approach.
7. With the Disco one can trim and mod to make the stituation better.
8. Anything Unibody will wear before Body-on-frame.
9. the Styling is cool but not the "tough" look of early rovers.
I also heard that Discos are not that good of vehicle. Stupid ass soccer moms it was really never meant to become a plush,soft ,mall crawler. why does one think the D90 never had that stuff.
I have a 96 D1 and I love dearly it has it's problems but the bitch works and is really a good truck in my feeling. It's like this the Disco was a off-road vehicle designed to fit with american markets for comfort and whatnot and for those who could not afford a range rover. The LR3 is a luxury 4x4 with off-roading in mind. As for me I like old school. simple,tough and made to work.


END OF THREAD :victory: LOL

 

[SCSL]

Valid points, I agree with the 4-wheeling, it is not a big market with new vehicles anymore.

As in numerous other similar threads, I continue to disagree with this observation. Look at the continued success of Jeep, of Hummer... the launch of the "new FJ"... yeah, I wouldn't call any but the Jeep "off road vehicles" but the point is there is still a market that, while it may not wheel, wants a rig that can (or at least looks like it can). No matter how you slice it, Land Rover missed the opportunity in this growing segment and has diluted it's brand image. What once stood for 'off road' now stands for just another luxury SUV.

"Who am I to argue with the senior management of Ford?", you may ask... seen Ford's bottom line lately? I wouldn't assume their marketing execs know what they are doing. In fact, I would assume they don't.

As for the LR3, I agree w/ the poster on the first page: "It's a nice car". Yeah, we may see it "all modded up" one day,,,with bolt-ons. But what are you going to do with the independent suspension & gadgetry? You could rip it all out, but then what does the LR3 bring to the table that previous Disco models didn't ?

 

[LR3invancouver]

Speaking as someone who has wheeled in my LR3 I can say that although it may not modify well with the independant air suspension it is a capable off road vehicle. I have been in deep water, mud and rock crawling in mine and the only problem was ripping off a few (non-essential) plastic parts. Although I admit that the barrage of electronic controls make field repairs a non-starter and that could prove to be the weakest part. I also expect that as time goes on we will see more after market mods for these vehicles. Where I live (Vancouver, Canada) the LR3 has been a huge success, sales wise. I am actually glad that most of the people buying them never take them off road. That makes mine with the winch, lockers and new MT/R's that much less common. Hell, it even has scratches and a couple of small dents!

 

[NHESS81]

blasphemy ya canuck! dont you know LR3's suck at off roading??? On record, I am not a fan of them, but whatever, I am not a fan of rangies either--you gonna shoot me for that one too? Hell, I am not a fan of pre-94 discos, or post 01 discos...hmm...see a pattern? We are all more or less set in our ways, our eyes get caught on a certain vehicle, and said vehicle is purchased because a majority of people use cars to express their personalities to the world. automobiles are probably the single most important item to state who you are. THAT is why this and other conversations get so heated--it is taken as a personal attack for whatever reasons. There are plenty of D1 and dont like D2 and honestly, the early build D2's are basically the SAME truck....but that said, Discovery One and Solihull Pride Forever, as long as Land Rover attempts to make an offroad vehicle I cant fault them 100%, I can disagree with their marketing, and the only way to protest is to not personally buy an LR3...arguing with other LR fans on the internet over whose choice for truck is better is moot, Land Rover doesnt patrol this forum, they dont listen to our ideas, they have made what they have made, pick what you want for whatever reasons you want, and lets all get together at Land Rover events, laugh, throw jokes at each others mall runners, and drink some damn beer.....

 

[Ho]

As for the LR3, I agree w/ the poster on the first page: "It's a nice car".

i'd say it's the best minivan i've driven.

 

[JamesWyatt]

i'd say it's the best minivan i've driven.

What I hate is going to Land Rover Dallas and seeing rows and rows of them with the air suspension on the lowest setting. The wheels actually tilt inward and make them look like lowriders that have been wrecked.