I'm not used to driving in the snow, but the LR4 makes it cake. Everytime I think about selling it, the thing just proves it's worth. It pulled a CRV out of a ditch and climbed an icy hill around some sliding Jeeps like it was a sunny day.
The LR4 Makes Snow Days Fun
- Thread starter StangGT5
- Start date
My first significant LR4 impression was on an ice-crusted, snow-covered, sandy hill near Mammoth Lakes, CA. I had zero chance to climb it in a Disco 1 or a Classic, regardless of tires, lockers, and whatnot. LR4 just clawed its way up the hill, occasionally hitting 5500 rpm but never stopping.
... if I could ever trust it to live through a long trip, it would be my best vehicle ever. But it left us in a pickle so many times that we rarely use it for more than a 2-hour drive from San Diego to LA.
... if I could ever trust it to live through a long trip, it would be my best vehicle ever. But it left us in a pickle so many times that we rarely use it for more than a 2-hour drive from San Diego to LA.
I would feel the same way if it stranded me *knock on wood*. Admittedly, when the climate control automatically throttled the heat my first thought was "uh oh did a coolant pipe let go?"
When I began the search for a LR4 HD years ago all I ever heard was how reliable they were. After buying one? Oh it's everything that can go bad haha. Guess that's how it goes.
Been down that road. When the PWM controller went tits up in our LR4, everyone was telling me it never happens. Until it started; same went for leaky gas tank flange. Same for low pressure fuel pump.
Likewise, the myth of "chain tensioners issue has been fixed in 201x year" persists - but it's a myth. Just like breaking crankshafts in 2.7/3.0 TDV6.
I guess I got a good one. Rolled 103k and no major issues. Waiting for a good snow this year. Taking a road trip up to VT next month. Can’t think of anything I’d replace it with for the same cost bracket … I guess a LX570? If not an early L405
I've put around 11,000 miles on my 13 in ~3 years and have taken it on long beach camping trips (we still have a few drive-on beaches in the SE) without issue. I've only done maintenance work (pads, rotors, wheel bearings plugs, filters) so far. It had snow tires on it when I bought it in Denver, CO and that was the noise I was hearing. It didn't need wheel bearings lol.
She's at 87K now, so we'll see if I jinxed myself.
I've only found three SUVs that I'd consider swapping for, the 18+ L405 5.0 SC, L322 5.0 SC, and W464 G wagen. The Range Rovers are not as much of a swiss army knife as the LR4 is but share all its faults. The G costs 4-5X as much as a nice V8 LR4. However, after spending a week in a 2023 G550, I've found myself trying to justify dropping 4 LR4s worth of money on the G haha.
I don't care for any of the boosted 6 cylinder new SUVs. After a test drive in more than one I've found myself running to get back in the LR4.
In the meantime, I've had some fun with these EVs:
13 months and 21k miles into ownership of one of the "boosted 6 cylinder new SUVs."
Loving it, and enjoy driving it far more than the LR4. Half the price of a G-wagen or a full-size RR.
$90k for one now. $90k!! I could drop my LR4 at the dealer every 6 months for a "do whatever" service for a long time for that money. But they are cool.
60k in a 4 years 2 months on mine. next big purchase is going to be 18s, new tires, and one of those TF tire carriers..
Wrong. I saw one for sale before the weekend - $67k with 7k miles on the odometer.
With the LR4 - sure, the price is way down in the toilet. But so are your chances to go on a thousand-mile trip and come back without a $1k tow bill.
I always tell people you've got to drive it so it only matters what you think about it. The worst car you can own is one you're not confident in.
My mom picked up a new Audi Q8S against my advice (I hooked her on Audis a decade ago when my family owned Euro repair shops). Audis were my go-to back in the day. Now? She loves it and I couldn't be paid to own it.
Any new car worth having is $70K plus. I've accepted that, but haven't found anything that gives the instant grunt of the LR 5.0, an equally versatile nature, equal ride quality, and off-road capability.
The G's 4.0 is on or off and it's down on cargo space, the GX's interior is same-old Toyota, its V6 is meh in person, and ride is slightly truckish, the Grenadier feels just adequately powered, the ride quality is certainly live axle, and I don't like the rear visibility. I looked at a Bronco Raptor while my F150 Raptor was in for service. $93K sticker for that hunk of plastic is laughable. Didn't drive it so I can't comment on dynamics.
If the GX has the old 5.6 V8 I'd strongly consider it. V8s are dead though, even in the new G550, so fat chance of that. I remember looking at a heritage Land Cruiser in 2018 for $85K and finding too boring. If only I knew that's as good as Toyota would get, maybe I'd have given it more of a chance.
Channeling my inner @mgreenspan...
Isn't that kinda the point when you get a truckish vehicle?
It's like getting a Ferrari and lamenting that it drives sports-car-ish
My MIL has had every generation of MDX. The early ones felt SUV-ish. The new one is like driving a fat Accord.
I get the driving comfort aspect, but it just seems to me that part of the charm of getting a truck is that it drives like a truck.
Nah, I don't want that in a new luxury SUV. It should drive like a big 7 series. My 2006 Touareg V8 and 2013 LR4 do that. Shouldn't be too hard for a new SUV.Channeling my inner @mgreenspan...
Isn't that kinda the point when you get a truckish vehicle?
It's like getting a Ferrari and lamenting that it drives sports-car-ish
My MIL has had every generation of MDX. The early ones felt SUV-ish. The new one is like driving a fat Accord.
I get the driving comfort aspect, but it just seems to me that part of the charm of getting a truck is that it drives like a truck.
There's a reason Ferrari and Aston Martin coexist. Some of us have to deal with garbage roads.