I think they're great, but what pisses me off is that I can't get a diesel, and I can't get a manual. I told my dealer here that if they could give me one in a manual diesel (which of course they can't) that I would almost certainly buy one.
At the Toronto Auto Show they said the same thing. That we Canadians get what the American market gets because we're not a big enough market on our own. I know that, but it still sucks to hear it. It especially burns as the base price here is C$45k, which is about US$38,500. So if we have to get what the US market gets, where does our US$4500 price premium come from? (*^&#*(&^%*&#
Anyway, there's a small chance I'll still buy one, but without a manual transmission I just don't see it happening. I can buy a 250hp Subaru Legacy GT for that price, with a manual, satnav, etc. Totally tricked out. More fun to drive, and more economical. I already have a truck.
Don't get me wrong, I think the LR2 is a great vehicle. But then again, so is the Acura RDX, the BMW X3, and a number of other vehicles in the small premium SUV market. Land Rover is once again giving us no reason to buy their vehicle over the competition. 90% of these vehicles in the UK will be sold with a manual and a diesel. You'd think that would tell LRNA something but apparently it doesn't. The vehicle's already available overseas, so why won't Land Rover offer something DIFFERENT than the competition? Argh. BMW sells an X3 with a 5spd ... I'd likely pay the difference and get that over the LR2 even though I'd rather own and drive an LR2.
What pisses me off here is that this is just another example of Land Rover actively shunning its heritage. Toyota has great ads that show that they've been making trucks a long time. They're great ads that make me go "yeah, Toyota's cool. I want one". Land Rover could do better ones that that, if they hadn't trashed their history here in this country. When the "bling factor" dies on these Land Rovers, which they will when some other company makes a better vehicle, there won't be any reason for 90% of the people out there to buy a Land Rover.
That's the problem with the LR2. Land Rover won't do anything to capitalize on its heritage, and when the dust settles it's just another good option amongst many. OK I'm done my rant.
- Andrew.
