What will your next vehicle be?

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
Replaced gray LR3 and Jeep..

00E0E_jRmp4bbCqfV_600x450.jpg


With another gray vehicle

<img src="https://www.f150ecoboost.net/forum/attachments/47079d1456099743-2016-xlt-sc-sport-fx4-magnetic-build-leveled-20160221_142410_resized_1.jpg" width=600/>

LR3
5426 lbs curb weight
113.6" wheelbase
4wd with 2 speed transfer case
300 hp @ 5500 rpm
315 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm
13/17 mpg (premium fuel)

F150
4,696 lbs curb weight
145" wheelbase
4wd with 2 speed transfer case
365 hp @ 5000 rpm
420 lbs.-ft. @ 2500 rpm
17/23 mpg (regular fuel)

+
Panoramic sunroof (akin to LR3/4 triple-sunroofs)
Heated front + rear seats + steering wheel
Cooled front seats
Much more rear seat room
360 camera
Trailer controller
Aluminum body

We're pleased. If I squint hard enough it almost looks like a Rover related cousin.
 

mjbrox

Well-known member
Jun 30, 2008
1,812
48
Golden CO
We just bought a nice used 2016 Ford Expedition EL earlier this year. That will cover the family vehicle needs for a good while to come. I'm also fortunate to have a vehicle provided by my employer so I'm set there as well as long as my current assignment and/or sanity holds out. My current conundrum is what to do with my aging DII. It's got a considerable amount of frame rust and is in need of some TLC to the tune of a few grand. I have a need for a weekend driver that's a capable 4x4. I'd also like it to be relatively dependable. Right now I'm considering selling the DII and getting an LR3. Seems like the LR3 has an excellent engine and now that they've been around a while people have got a handle on the EAS. I can get one for the same price as a Jeep if the same vintage.

There is also part of my that wants to do something really stupid like find a nice rust free DI...

Why would a d1 be stupid? They are reliable and easy to work on
 

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
I’m going to need something cheaper somethime as I only have my D1 and a work car right now. I am thinking of waiting for the right LR3 w low miles. Some higher mileage ones are almost down to D2 prices. I hate the tail lights of the LR4. I’ve looked at Volvo wagons and I like the older ones better. The inside looked similar my Avalon work car that is awful. Maybe a VW cheater wagon if I can find one. There was one on CL not long ago. I liked my ex smil’s and it did really well with snow tires.

Sometimes I think a F150 with a topper would work, dogs and stuff in the back and done, but after driving a pickup a week or so at work I always change my mind. My dad has a new one and I like it except the engine shutting off when you stop which can be turned off. I’m not a V6 fan but the Ecoboost seems like a great motor. Too bad one couldn’t be swapped for the Ford V6 LR3.

No matter what I’m looking at online I always end up searching for RRCs.
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
I hate the tail lights of the LR4.

I do too. Good news is the LR3 lights are direct swap.

Sometimes I think a F150 with a topper would work, dogs and stuff in the back and done, but after driving a pickup a week or so at work I always change my mind.

Ram 1500 rides well with its four corner coil suspension (sound familiar?), though I cant bring myself to own another white trash Chrysler product. Most of the newer half-ton and compact trucks ride well too.
 

Agent

Well-known member
Jun 20, 2007
669
3
WV
Why would a d1 be stupid? They are reliable and easy to work on

Easy to work on is very appealing to me, but I'm not sure I want to deal with the aches and pains of a 20+ year old vehicle anymore. I may we'll be wrong, but it seems that nice examples are getting rare. I can't think of the last time I saw a DI on the road that didn't look pretty ragged out. Of course even the newest LR3's aren't spring chickens anymore...
 

Levi

Well-known member
Jul 27, 2004
559
26
Cheyenne, WY
That?s good to know, I may be looking LR4 by the time I actually get something.

We have a Ram 1500 and 2500 at work. I like the Ram 1500 but it only gets 14-15 mpg. Nice power though. We also have a new Z71 I don?t like but it gets good mileage. Chevy pickup steering wheels have been too far to the right since the early 00s and I cant see well out of it like most newer cars.
 

Tugela

Well-known member
May 21, 2007
4,754
561
Seattle
If I move back to South Africa long term I'll be looking for a 1996 Defender 110 TDI. If I stay here I'm tempted to pick up a 4.4 L322 Range Rover.
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL
I'd get another Ram. Have a 2009 now and gas isnt too bad, even for 5.7.

How's the rust? Every Dodge I see looks like swiss cheese. I had an '05 Dodge Grand Caravan that was rusted to bits in less than 10yrs. Sills, rear door, hood all with big gaping holes.
My friend bought a 15 or 16 Dodge Grand Caravan and I noticed it already has significant rust bubbles under the paint on the hood.
I know the pickups all rust out in the rear wheel arches.
Between the rust and transmission issues on my 05 I won't buy another Dodge product. We've been very pleased with our 15 Honda Odyssey, and no signs of rust!

My next vehicle will be a pickup of some sorts, either full size or something Tacoma sized.
 

fishEH

Well-known member
Jan 26, 2009
6,927
201
Lake Villa, IL

Yeah yeah. The fact is when you have 3 kids you're looking at
a) A $60-80,000 Suburban, Sequoia, Land Cruiser. My wife doesn't work and I'm not rich so that's out. Plus I think my wife would be unable to drive something that big.
b) A smaller less expensive SUV with 3 rows of seating but zero room for luggage and practical stuff. Our friends with 3 kids did this. We went camping an hour away with them. Their kids had to hold their bags in their laps. The next weekend they traded it in for a Chrysler mini-van(which is probably rusted now)
c) Any vehicle and just smoosh all three kids across the second row seats. I did this last summer. We took the '94 D1 out to Colorado camping for two weeks. It was fine but not something I want to deal with every single day.
d) A mini-van. Comfortably seats 6, 8 if needed. Didn't break the bank; essentially half the price. Plenty of room for all cargo needs even with all the seats in place. Not sexy. Not "cool". Just practical.
 
Last edited:

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
Parted out the D1 a couple years ago after we realized it didn't meet our family's needs.

Purchased LR3 and enjoyed many adventures in it, as well as being a comfortable, tow capable, daily driver.

Missed having something more rugged, light, and small to play with, but still have room and comfort enough for kids. Soft top was a strong desire as well. Begrudgingly purchased a TJ, but had a lot of good times and enjoyed getting to know the platform. It's not a Rover, but it's been a fun weekend toy.

Began searching for the next vehicle as the LR3 was aging and we desired something with more modern safety standards and efficiency, but keeping a high level of utility. Unfortunately Land Rovers were written off. They only make expensive little hand bags now, and I'm cheap and occasionally practical.

Sold the TJ and LR3. Purchased a loaded 2015 crew cab F150. It'll do everything the LR3/4 platform does, better, except technical offroad situations due to its lack of height adjustable air suspension, more advanced terrain response, and longer wheelbase. However, it'll be enough capability for the family until the second kid (infant) gets older and can withstand the raw experience of a soft top Series/Defender. We'll still be able to take them through the scenic mountains, wildlife park cruises, play in the snow, get to camp spots, and haul more than ever.

If LR doesn't royally screw up the Defender, we might return sooner than a classic.

Interesting...you had the LR3 but still had to purchase a TJ because the LR3 was lacking. Says a lot about the LR3.

I agree with you about writing off modern Land Rovers as expensive little hand bags.

I also find your comments interesting about the F150 not handling "technical offroad situations" because it doesn't have adjustable air suspension and terrain response (and of course the longer wheelbase). You don't need that techy shit. Save that bling for the hand bags. That F150 will go anywhere the TJ and LR3 went, short of perhaps very particular high-center rocks.

On 2 separate occasions yesterday I was behind the new Discovery at stop lights. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing the Discovery emblem on that thing is embarrassing actually.

My buddy just picked up a 2018 Tacoma. Not sure which model but it must be the Sport. His requirements were access cab and manual transmission. They only make one model like that and I think it's the Sport. It's a nice truck and I shopped them out online. I'd be over $40K to get one the way I want. But then again, I couldn't have it the way I want because this package is only available with this color, longer bed isn't available with this model, manual transmission not available on this model, and all that bullshit. I think the engine is a bit weak for what it is (3.5L V6 at 278HP @ 6K RPM & 265 lb-ft @ 4600RPM). No V8 option, they should definitely add a V8 to the lineup. I also don't like the rear leaf springs and it has rear drum brakes for Christ's sake. I just don't feel inspired, don't feel the love. Definitely don't feel the love for a new car payment...I haven't had a car payment for my personal vehicles in ages. We lease a new car every few years for my wife but I personally can't stand car (or lease) payments.
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
Interesting...you had the LR3 but still had to purchase a TJ because the LR3 was lacking. Says a lot about the LR3.

I agree with you about writing off modern Land Rovers as expensive little hand bags.

I also find your comments interesting about the F150 not handling "technical offroad situations" because it doesn't have adjustable air suspension and terrain response (and of course the longer wheelbase). You don't need that techy shit. Save that bling for the hand bags. That F150 will go anywhere the TJ and LR3 went, short of perhaps very particular high-center rocks.

It says the LR3 isn't a light, nimble, soft top / open air experience. We used the TJ on fair weather weekends to run around the mountains. We used the LR3 to take people with us, haul stuff, venture further out, and when the weather was shit and the "open air experience" would suck.


We took the LR3 places where breakover angle was a barrier for trucks. The LR3 is not only much shorter but the air suspension raised quite high, allowing us to drive over large obstacles. Many of the old roads we explore are overgrown, and relative to a truck, the LR3's more compact size allows fitting between rocks and fallen trees and reversing down roads easier.

Turning around on mountain roads with a cliff on one side, and and bank on the other gets more interesting the longer the vehicle.

Most trucks are solid rear axle for good reason, but in deep snow it ends up plowing. Our LR3 would hover over snow in off-road height, only a relatively small section of the a-arms plowing, where other trucks would begin having trouble if the snow was dense and their axles were plowing.

However, this F150 has a locking rear diff and 1.5" larger tires than the LR3. It'll still get us there, but specific situations will be more challenging. In other situations I have no doubt it'll outperform the old LR3.
 

ERover82

Well-known member
Nov 26, 2011
3,899
450
Darien Gap
Yeah yeah. The fact is when you have 3 kids you're looking at
a) A $60-80,000 Suburban, Sequoia, Land Cruiser. My wife doesn't work and I'm not rich so that's out. Plus I think my wife would be unable to drive something that big.
b) A smaller less expensive SUV with 3 rows of seating but zero room for luggage and practical stuff. Our friends with 3 kids did this. We went camping an hour away with them. Their kids had to hold their bags in their laps. The next weekend they traded it in for a Chrysler mini-van(which is probably rusted now)
c) Any vehicle and just smoosh all three kids across the second row seats. I did this last summer. We took the '94 D1 out to Colorado camping for two weeks. It was fine but not something I want to deal with every single day.
d) A mini-van. Comfortably seats 6, 8 if needed. Didn't break the bank; essentially half the price. Plenty of room for all cargo needs even with all the seats in place. Not sexy. Not "cool". Just practical.

My sister got a new Toyota Sienna for her four kids. It's ugly like most new Toyotas, but once you're inside it's a very comfortable experience, and great road trip vehicle.
 

KngTgr

Well-known member
May 20, 2005
1,321
14
Fairfax, VA
A motorcycle, most likely a Honda Shadow, I think is the only thing I would enjoy more than driving my 98 D1, I daily drive it, it is lifted , with 235's and roof rack, it brings a big smile to my face every time I click the remote and see it.
Recently went on a trip to Florida (1000 miles each way, plus 1000 miles during the trip) with 5 people, an electric wheelchair, and luggage, in my wife's 2017 pathfinder, averaged 30 MPG on the highway, a whole lot of bang for the buck.
 

SGaynor

Well-known member
Dec 6, 2006
7,148
162
52
Bristol, TN
My buddy just picked up a 2018 Tacoma. Not sure which model but it must be the Sport. His requirements were access cab and manual transmission. They only make one model like that and I think it's the Sport. It's a nice truck and I shopped them out online. I'd be over $40K to get one the way I want. But then again, I couldn't have it the way I want because this package is only available with this color, longer bed isn't available with this model, manual transmission not available on this model, and all that bullshit. I think the engine is a bit weak for what it is (3.5L V6 at 278HP @ 6K RPM & 265 lb-ft @ 4600RPM). No V8 option, they should definitely add a V8 to the lineup. I also don't like the rear leaf springs and it has rear drum brakes for Christ's sake. I just don't feel inspired, don't feel the love. Definitely don't feel the love for a new car payment...I haven't had a car payment for my personal vehicles in ages. We lease a new car every few years for my wife but I personally can't stand car (or lease) payments.

All true (well, except for the engine - I've got a 1st Gen (V6, 190hp/220ftlb) and it's plenty, even for towing).

But it just goes. Anywhere. Even with leaf springs and drum breaks.:ack:

Agree on the payment thing - which is why I have a 1st Gen with 260k miles.

(FYI - the curb weight of the 1st gen is ~3900# vs the 2018 which is ~4500#. So, while heavier, the extra 80hp should more than make up for it. Shit, the 4.6 only puts out 222hp, and the truck is 1000# heavier).
 

jim-00-4.6

Well-known member
Sep 30, 2005
2,037
6
61
Genesee, CO USA
Without actually tallying things up, it seems like most folks here are NOT looking to buy new/used Hand Bags as their next vehicles.
Good thing Jaguar Hand Bag gives no fucks about people like us, or perhaps they'd begin to worry about losing a demographic.