| Author | Message | ||
     Glenn Guinto (Glenn) Senior Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 631 Registered: 02-2002 |
Check out the LR Fort Worth pictures. Is it me or that Freelander display is a little overdone? Is that suppose to prove anything but the freelander's crappy articulation? Glenn | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 468 Registered: 11-2002 |
yea i was wondering that also. I do not know what it is suppposed to prove. I was also wondering what happen to the blue discovery? Marcel | ||
| Don Collins (Donc) Member Username: Donc Post Number: 96 Registered: 04-2002 |
The dealer set that up to show the FL being quite stable. It is in that position. They rotate vehicles are up there on a weekly basis and the FL in that position seems to generate the most questions. Hey whatever works for them. It was up there the day of the off road event. The blue Disco was pulling out the stuck white Disco when the front recovery point let go and slammed into the back of the blue one. Thank god no one was in the way and I still dont know why they did not put something over the tow strap before they started to recover. Well when the Black D2 started the recovery at least they threw something over the strap in case something happened. Expensive day for LRFW. 7500 in damage done to the blue Disco (dealer car) and then the RR blew out an air bag. | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 469 Registered: 11-2002 |
I was wondering, since I have no dealer events do you have to pay to do this, if you use their cars? How is it setup exactly? Marcel | ||
| Don Collins (Donc) Member Username: Donc Post Number: 97 Registered: 04-2002 |
LR Houston charged a $50 deposit to go. You would get that back when you showed up. LRFW is free with a catered lunch. You usually receive a invitation in the mail to go but I have just been getting a phone call about it. It seems that most new LR buyers are not even trying to get theirs muddy. Talk to you local dealer and see if they do it. LR Austin only allow new owners to go but LRFW is pretty much open to any Rover owner. The dealer cars are usually driven by LR employees. The rangie is the GM's car and the Blue Disco was the driving instructors ride. Most of the Freelanders were driven by LRFW people with the exception of about 3 of them. | ||
| Glenn Guinto (Glenn) Senior Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 632 Registered: 02-2002 |
Thanks for clearing that up Don. I used to go to dealer events in my area. The dealer where I bought my D1 from (LR Parsippany) organizes some good ones. Free food!!! It's pretty fun for new owners, but of course as you progress, it gets pretty boring. But hey, as long as you're out there with your truck, beats any day in the office. As far as those incidents with the recovery, that's sounding like a poorly organized event. Where were the dealer people during this recovery? These events are big liability since you're dealing with a lot of beginners and you want it to be a good experience for them instead of it being traumatic. Glenn | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 470 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well we don't have a center, ours is a Jaguar, volvo, porsche, audi, and rover. And we really have no trails around here, we have one but I was there and almost got arrested... I will go talk to my guy next time i am there. But I bet people would go since whenever I go there people ask me questions about mine and are interested but won't want to do that to theirs. | ||
| Don Collins (Donc) Member Username: Donc Post Number: 98 Registered: 04-2002 |
Glenn that WAS the dealer doing the recovery. =-) I had to give them my snatch block so they could recover it. I can say this about LRFW they are the most friendly about mods to Rovers then any other dealer here in Texas.(people here on D-Web actually recommeded them strongly. That is why I drive 250 miles to get them instead of 10 miles to LR Austin) I dealt with LR Houston and LR Austin with my Disco and what a nightmare. When we bought the Freelander they were very good about changing things around on it with no problems. Yes I agree it does get boring. That is usually why there are 2 runs at the dealer events. The first one is for the new owners and then after lunch (and the new owners go home hehe) we go back out to hit the more technical trails. This last run was in Muenster Tx where there are quite a bit of ATV trails to follow (the size of the FL is a plus here). It was a shame though since only 2 of us went back out. Chris that is what it is all about. That is why FW invites the guys with the fixed up rovers to go along. So people can see what the rovers can do. The last run in March had some nicely moded D1's and old RR classics there just for fun. These were rovers that were used for off road. I think Alan Stuart is doing a run with his to Alaska this month. | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 408 Registered: 08-2002 |
Would help if you included the link to the site that you are discussing. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 585 Registered: 04-2002 |
On the front page, look for "Fort Worth" Yeah, it looks over done to me... There is word I'm looking for that describes it.... Oh yeah: "STUPID" | ||
| Don Collins (Donc) Member Username: Donc Post Number: 99 Registered: 04-2002 |
hmm ok.. www.discoweb.org That help? =-) Look at the main page. Posted some pics from the LR off road event. | ||
| Ron Brown (Ron) Senior Member Username: Ron Post Number: 395 Registered: 04-2001 |
As far as the events go it is not easy for the dealers to make it fun and challenging while still being safe. I think we erred on the side of challenging (3 feet of snow at paragon) but all worked out without damage  Ron PS Alyssa asked everyone and we had flyers and no one wanted to go, in the old days you had to beat people away with a stick | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 510 Registered: 09-2002 |
It's kind of disappointing to see low turn out at dealer events. The dealership in my area puts on fairly decent events that include food, tshirts and stuff but turn out is never huge. I still go to all the events just to putz around but it can get a bit boring sometimes...unless you stick around after everyone leaves and then you sometimes get to try out 'new' trails. Usually those who stick around know the consequences of some of the things they do but it's all in good fun and everyone knows that if someone damages their vehicle, it was at their own risk. Just wished these new owners weren't so stuffy sometimes. See it too often. | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 476 Registered: 11-2002 |
I talked to my dealer since i valet his car when he came to my resurant and he said there is no place to do it around here and their is very little interest, it made me sad  | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 477 Registered: 11-2002 |
brain http://www.discoweb.org/fortworth.htm | ||
| David Marchand (Dmarchand) Member Username: Dmarchand Post Number: 161 Registered: 09-2002 |
My local dealer still has to beat them away with a stick. They don't publish the events any longer and mostly only invite the latest buyers of their trucks. They use to let me slip in because I would buy parts from them. But they don't seem to invite me any longer... I wonder why? | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 511 Registered: 09-2002 |
Uhhhhh, David, what happened to the truck in your profile????? | ||
| Glenn Guinto (Glenn) Senior Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 633 Registered: 02-2002 |
 David, please splain it to us... LOL Glenn | ||
| David Marchand (Dmarchand) Member Username: Dmarchand Post Number: 162 Registered: 09-2002 |
Nothing, what's wrong with the truck? | ||
| David Marchand (Dmarchand) Member Username: Dmarchand Post Number: 163 Registered: 09-2002 |
Oh, you mean that truck. well, that might be why they don't invite me to events anymore...he he he. Okay, okay. It's a pic from the UK. I don't know too much about it other than the fact that it's a 90, it's upside down, and submerged. Go figure... I really liked the pic, and figured it was better than the usual glam shot of a truck (or my truck). | ||
| Glenn Guinto (Glenn) Senior Member Username: Glenn Post Number: 634 Registered: 02-2002 |
Dave, No wonder that matador lamp was full of dried up mud.... Glenn | ||
| David Marchand (Dmarchand) Member Username: Dmarchand Post Number: 164 Registered: 09-2002 |
You should see my interior... You want to buy some carpeting? | ||
| Brian Dickens (Bri) Senior Member Username: Bri Post Number: 417 Registered: 08-2002 |
I agree with Carter and his description. I'd love to go an accidentally touch the passenger rear wheel. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 315 Registered: 11-2002 |
Man the truck sitting on those rocks like that really "WOW's" the masses. Thats what its all about SALES......... As far as the dealer events go. Well , you have a shit load of people that dont know what they are doing , dealer staff included. Shit is gonna happen. Can you imagine what kind of mess that would have been if that kinetic had broken when he was snatching the guy in reverse ?!?!? For starters , you KNOW that dealers are not into putting on a nice safe event if they dont even have a dedicated reco truck with the means to pull christ out of heaven if need be... They run around in Demos instead of spending the time and money on a truck dedicated to getting things done at the evetns they put on. These are the poeple that are supposed to school you on what you should do with the truck ?!?!?! Now look at the shit that happened there and think about what it was worth ? All that bullshit over a 50 cent (Dont give me any bullshit about how good kinetics are) strap and a 75 cent reco point. Those are the images I see everytime I read someone going on about using the strap. The strap is "Cool" the winch is not. Although ,,,,,,its not so damn cool to have a 50 cent strap hanging out of the back of your skull either.... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 311 Registered: 02-2002 |
hey man.. we have a reco truck. a super slick 87 range with 300,000+ on the odo, a Honda hood broken up and welded in as a floor boards, and a 12k warn. You are right though.. the majority of dealer personel has no idea how to recover and i wish I could say that botched recos were uncommon. thats what happens when people who used to work at a BMW or Saab dealer now work with Rovers. Other than a select few, 4 of which roam this board, most dealership employees dont know a D ring from a doughnut. It is a shame, but the turnover in this industry is so high that it no longer pays to train people. Moral of this story is when at a dealer event and straps and shackles start coming out, head for the hills.. and keep your head covered. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 319 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well ya know. Maybe the dealerships should do something original and pay a guy enough to keep him around when they know they have one that can help them out. I would say its worth quite alot to shut me up about these dumb ass things that happen at those events...There seems to be no shame about the ignorance and thats where the myths begin about . "If you go off road its very dangerous and shit happens all the time , your truck will be destroyed and you will die!" Well it can be dangerous if you are surrounded by morons that really should be back on the BMW lot...... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 312 Registered: 02-2002 |
"Well it can be dangerous if you are surrounded by morons that really should be back on the BMW lot...... " not only can it be.. but it is. At some of these things Ive seen trucks being spotted by 3 or 4 different people, all giving different directions!! I was at one where a new employee, who was at a jeep store prior, and was "Mr. 4x4" spot a DII thru a course and ended up putting the truck on its side. the entire passenger side of the truck was spent. Its to bad dealers dont share your mentality about paying a little more to keep someone with knowledge. Thats just not the car business. Its a different world when your on the inside. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 320 Registered: 11-2002 |
Oh I know exactly how it is. The thing about Land Rover is that they rely alot on image. THings like that D2 getting dinged by the strap do some seriously negative things to your image... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 527 Registered: 09-2002 |
That's a good idea Kyle about dealers retaining a 4x4 expert for events like these or even for consultation at the dealer. The dealer in my area has something sort of like that. This fellow runs his own expedition company and 4x4 park, and also happens to be a Rover nut (2 D90s and a D110), and the dealer organizes all their events through him. He does all the spotting for all the vehicles plus he offers driver training. Whether he gets paid for it, I don't know but it's generally accepted that at any event he's at, he's the one that everyone listens to as far as spotting and technical situations. | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 313 Registered: 02-2002 |
alot of dealers do use a consultant. Ive been involved with events that were run by Chris Komar from ECR, Jim Swett of camel trophy fame, etc.. those events usually come off well. The drawback is they cost more than loot than having the employees do the event. it all comes down to the money. most dealers dont want to spend it. I just looked at Fort worth pics again.. that could have been a nitemare scenario. Kids runnin around, straps breaking and putting holes in trucks.. that is bad stuff. They got lucky. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 321 Registered: 11-2002 |
Having outside help is better then nothing I suppose. But thats kinda like saying. "I dont need a winch , I wheel with other guys that have them". You are left relying on someone else to handle your job for you. I am also quite aware that LRNA forces dealers to do so many "wheels" events yearly. I am not sure if they give them a budget for that but its really not about just that one thing. They should have their own guy that knows what the hell he is doing , not just for the events but for daily operations. Not some guy that says he knows what he is doing but some guy/girl that has proven themselves and is obviously skilled. Thats worth quite alot to them in the long run on so many different ways. They are in the offroad buisness and have no one that knows dick about off road. Only self proclaimed "Experts".... Its all kinda funny really if you stand back and watch.. Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 314 Registered: 02-2002 |
LRNA does augment the cost somewhat, as wheels events are required every quarter. The differnce is that they are not in the off-road business any longer. at least not up here. they are in the trendy business now. If you look at my business card, under my title it says "off-road specialist", now Im no expert. I know the ins and outs of the trucks, i have experience off road with them, i have experience modifying them, but i would not consider myself an expert. My accounting girl, who drives a 626, has a business card that says "off-road specialist".. gimme a break. Its an image now with nothing behind it. Just look at the current product line up. nothing on my showroom is "really" off-roadable out of the box.. and thats lame. Especially for a company with the off-road heritage of land rover. The best trucks are defintely behind us. | ||
| Greg Hirst (Gregh) Member Username: Gregh Post Number: 213 Registered: 10-2002 |
I don't know what dealer events you guys are even talking about. I attended a couple events in the early 90's and swore I'd never go back. 99% of the time was spent training old ladies how to use their CDL lever and driving extremely slow in low gear on dirt roads that my Jetta could do... I don't remember even seeing a strap or winch in use except for demonstration purposes. I had more fun being the "outsider" at Jeep Jamboree events at Big Bear. | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 493 Registered: 11-2002 |
you went on a Jeep Jamboree with your rover? How did they treat you there? | ||
| Greg Hirst (Gregh) Member Username: Gregh Post Number: 215 Registered: 10-2002 |
Officially you cannot go. However, my friends with Jeeps invited me along and I could attend "Official" events in their vehicles and snuck along other events with RRC. Most Jeep owners appreciated my RRC and even said they wished they had one but thought too nice for trail use. Most of those are CJ, YJ, TJ owners who wouldn't own a JGC. Of course there are the rednecks that make derogatory comments and only think Jeeps are off road-worthy. It's interesting I that meet most of those people IN TOWN and not on the trail! | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 528 Registered: 09-2002 |
Unfortunatley Kyle, probably 1 out of every 100 customers that walk into a LR dealer will take the vehicle off-road so it's an expensive cost to have in-house expert for the occassional technical inquiry. Better screening of sales applicants might help but you're not going to find too many that have those types of skills and also be in sales (or want to be in sales). This website attracts mostly people who do take these vehicles off-road so it sounds like there might be a huge need for someething like that but in reality, just hang out in the dealer showroom for 10 or 15 minutes and you'll see that people that are on this site are probably in the extreme minority. Last time I was at the dealer I overheard a customer ask whether the cup holder was expandable or not so while I think it's a good idea to have a person with those types of skills on staff, LRNA probably won't. | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 495 Registered: 11-2002 |
My friend wants me to try to go on the Jamboree with my rover. He told me I should register as having a jeep, then say it broke and bring the rover. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 322 Registered: 11-2002 |
I hear you Alan but its the actions of that 1 person that have always made the vehicle attractive to that remaining 99. Land Rover is currently Coasting on the back of a legend. At some point they will have to again put up or shutup. Having a guy in each dealer increases their revenue and decreases their loss. He can sell Items without making the sale himself. He can educate and prevent damage that will have to be paid for by LRNA under warranty. he can also do something huge. And that is keep a dealership honest. Having a salesman admit that he isnt the end all be all on the trucks is quite a milestone. Having them admit that they are there for one end and another person is there for the other end speaks volumes about the integrity of the dealership and its employees. A salesman is a salesman is a salesman , you can call them "Guides" or whatever you like and its still a salesman who ended up doing that because they really had no particular skill in life aside from spinning bullshit to make something more attractive then it really is. The switch from "Salesman" to "Sales guide" is just representative of that very thing. Trying to make the position itself seem more then it actually is and elevate that salesman to a higher level. Some might chime in and tell me how they been to class or training , balh ,blah blah. That makes me think of a line in days of thunder "You see that hound there ? That is the best coon dog I have ever seen or heard about and I didnt teach him a damn thing" Its just sad to see that nno one has the balls to step out of the box these days... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 530 Registered: 09-2002 |
Kyle, good point about the ability of that 1 person and I wished that the dealers or LRNA would do something like that or at least have the foresight to see that this will benefit them. I think I've said it before (maybe not on this forum) but I think that over the last several years, LR has moved away from what built their heritage and is now, as you say it, "coasting" on it. And it seems that Ford has decided to continue on this trend. | ||
| Brian Friend (Brianfriend) Senior Member Username: Brianfriend Post Number: 964 Registered: 09-2002 |
"A salesman is a salesman is a salesman , you can call them "Guides" or whatever you like and its still a salesman who ended up doing that because they really had no particular skill in life aside from spinning bullshit to make something more attractive then it really is." Kyle....hehe....you may be more right than you know. BTW...."No sir, those are not noises.....those are SOUNDS, all LandRovers do that." | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 316 Registered: 02-2002 |
from our perspective the "off-road" guy is a great idea. in reality, that guy would end up sitting around twiddling his thumbs for 95% of his day. In my market, people could care less about the off-road ability of the truck. Actually, it turns alot of people off becuase they want a "car-like" suv. As soon as you mention off-road, its no longer something that they are interested in. In order for LRNA to be profitable they have to move volume, in order move volume they have to mainstream. Off-road is not mainstream, and it therefore will not benefit LRNA to base the brand on off-road ability. I think the current state of affairs sucks. Thats 80% of the reason im leaving rover. speaking of "classes and training", its actually pretty funny, the LRNA instructors.. (mostly ex-camel guys) usually cringe at the "sales guide" trainings becuase salesmen are usually completely clueless about the vehicles and how to drive them. Ive been to every "training" in the last 3 years.. i guess i am an expert and i didnt even know it.. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 323 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well they can sit there and watch Jeep run away from them. As I said , you can only coast so far. You can say what you like but its the Land Rover Mistique that is still drawing those people into the show room. Not 30 year old stories about a distant mall somewhere in some mysterious place and a shopping cart dent. Those people are there to buy a legend and a status symbol. The price is reflective of their ability and popularity , you take away the one and you lose the other. Now for the part of you thinking this guy will be sitting around twiddling his thumbs. Well think of it like this. A couple come in to buy a car. You market both aspects of the car and you have two different people explain and show them each aspect of the car. Its called personal attention. You have a short orientation of sorts after the sale and you handle it so. "Yes I am aware that you might not ever have a need or want for the 4 wheel drive system in this car and what its capable of but I am going to show you the other side of what you bought and the right way to use it should the need ever arise" Now what do you think that yuppie couple is going to say to their friends afterwards? Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Gil Stevens (Gil) Senior Member Username: Gil Post Number: 317 Registered: 02-2002 |
I completely agree its the mystique that people are after. But, if you look at recent sales numbers, not many people are buying into it. The tech guy idea is a good one, now that you cleared it up a bit. I do think that would work, and folks would dig it. They would understand their vehicle, way to many people have no idea how to use even the t box, especially on d1s. From the stores perspective, they will have a hard time justifing paying this guy when he generates no income (directly) for the store. in theroy, this guy should exist, in reality i doubt he ever will, unfortunately. | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 601 Registered: 04-2002 |
I think you have a point to a certain extent Kyle but how many of these rappers and high society folk do you think are actually buying say the new rangie for it's heritage??? Personally I think the new rangie is the first leg in a total 360 away from what rover HAS been, hell a few months ago I had the owner of one not even recognize my disco as a rover and ask what it was. I think there are still people buying into the herritage but I also think there are more people than ever who are just ignorantly buying into the bling-bling aspect. | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 324 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well as far as bling bling go's , its a hunk of shit when you compare it to others. If I was going for bling bling I would get an H2 in a heart beat... Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 602 Registered: 04-2002 |
true, I wonder how big of 'dubs' you could fit on a stock H2??? probablly 31s at least huh??? | ||
| Chris Marcel (Gumarcel) Senior Member Username: Gumarcel Post Number: 498 Registered: 11-2002 |
only crap, the biggest I have ever seen is a kid who had 26s, good lord they were huge | ||
| Greg Hirst (Gregh) Member Username: Gregh Post Number: 216 Registered: 10-2002 |
If Jeep can justify making the Rubicon and sell enough Liberty's and JGC's to the "public" to justify it and MBZ can justify federalizing and importing the G500 than I don't see why LR can't still import the D90 and D110 and justify it through attracting people to sales of Disco's and RR's. Instead of snobby dealer or LRNA events (usually $$ or newbie oriented) why not team up with the many LR clubs and put on true offroad-oriented events (Does that sound like Jeep Jamboree?). Every time I go to a local dealer in my RRC they treat me like a second class citizen and when I go in my S4 they are very attentive to me until I start asking questions they can't answer. My 2 cents- | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 604 Registered: 04-2002 |
I think the G500 is just about the bling too now, I mean look at that big MB emblem ont he front grill.... That thing just screams "baller". I doubt most of the people that own them care about the lockers either, some have probablly disabled the switches and now use them to control their hydraulics. Now maybe if they imported defenders with neon lights underneath....... | ||
| Kevin Bridges (Craniac) Member Username: Craniac Post Number: 153 Registered: 02-2003 |
There is a bitchen G500 for sale here in S.D. Its a 2002 with 40 or so thousand miles on it . They are asking 72,000. That sounds pretty cheep. I could justify taking a sawzall to it for that price. Do they all have C.D.L's and front and rear lockers?(this one does). And that big emblem would look tight hanging from a gold chain | ||
| Carter Simcoe (Carter) Senior Member Username: Carter Post Number: 607 Registered: 04-2002 |
yeah, from what I understand they all come with 3 lockers stock. No way I would hang that thing on gold either, its platinum or nothing for bling of that degree |
