| Author | Message | ||
     Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 41 Registered: 01-2004 |
http://www.automotorundsport.de/d/57019 | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 864 Registered: 06-2002 |
The back end of that thing is just NASTY | ||
| Ian Kreidich (Ian95rrc) Member Username: Ian95rrc Post Number: 200 Registered: 03-2003 |
I like it, except for the rear. Specifically where the rear door meets the right tail light. Those lines just aren't working. The interior looks pretty good. | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Senior Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 304 Registered: 10-2002 |
It looks as if you'll have to take it just as it's sold. Where and how would you attach a bull bar, roof rack, or rock sliders? And the independent suspension won't lend itself to mods, I'm sure. I just hope they got the engineering right, because there won't be much you'll be able to do to change it. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 865 Registered: 06-2002 |
The inside looks nice, and if it's anything like the new RR, I'm sure I'll love it. But the outside? Well, I'm just going to have to see one in person! | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1147 Registered: 09-2002 |
I didn't see the rear until this thread. I agree, the ass looks kinda off. The rest of it seems fine but the rear is not that appealing. | ||
| Bud Lane (Hrrovr) New Member Username: Hrrovr Post Number: 25 Registered: 12-2003 |
You sure won't have a problem spotting one from behind. I also notice the tail lights have dropped back down. But the proof of the pudding will be seeing it in person. I want to T-O-U-C-H one! | ||
| Steve B (Bourque) New Member Username: Bourque Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2004 |
Some of the pictures show vents behind the front wheel wells and some don't. Different models/trime levels/engines? And who on the design team looked at the rear end and thought, "I bet that will look good"? | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 726 Registered: 02-2003 |
Vents: gas v diesel version most likely, possible air intake rather than heat removal Its a design that stands out for sure. | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Senior Member Username: Jake Post Number: 258 Registered: 03-2002 |
well, so much for the go anywhere, do anything ruggedness of the DI & DIIs. This pretty much solidifys my choice to re-engine a Di and keep it forever. | ||
| kristin s (Kristin) New Member Username: Kristin Post Number: 9 Registered: 03-2004 |
they should put the spare back on the rear end to disguise some of the ugliness... | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Senior Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 277 Registered: 12-2003 |
Where's the wheel gone from the back door!!!!!!! Maybe it's just me but i always thought that as one of the defining features of the discovery. It looks horrible at the back. If they were going to take the wheel off the back they should have fixed the rear window and tailgate and gone for a straight line between the two like the range rover. Now it just looks like a D1, D2 with no wheel on the back, aka..BAD. The rear light cluster is way too big for the car also. Besides those two big blunders, it looks pretty good. Cheers Jack | ||
| sam (Dent) Member Username: Dent Post Number: 50 Registered: 01-2004 |
now i'm praying that I'll die before my disco does... | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Senior Member Username: Jake Post Number: 261 Registered: 03-2002 |
by the way, the ad mentions a V8 & a Turbo diesel | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 757 Registered: 02-2003 |
yeah I think the rear leaves more to be desired, the rear light cluster is a little large, kinda remind me of an escalade or something. | ||
| Denis Klimentov (Deniska) New Member Username: Deniska Post Number: 1 Registered: 11-2003 |
and yet here is another collectionj of pics. note the back look sactually quite different, most likely because the picks here are earlier, so the not so pretty new blocklights are probably masked... http://www.lrforum.com/main/documents/articles/0008/no0008.htm | ||
| mantaray (Mantaray) Member Username: Mantaray Post Number: 168 Registered: 02-2002 |
i like the interior, and that's about it. the rest of the truck is just ugly. like they smashed a Honda Element and an Exploder together. not to mention the other lamentable changes underneath. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 870 Registered: 06-2002 |
Mantaray!! Are you still around?! I haven't heard from you in so long and I apologize. We've made a few runs to Shoe Creek and I thought maybe you had moved.... | ||
| Peter Carey (Peterca) Member Username: Peterca Post Number: 104 Registered: 10-2003 |
"by the way, the ad mentions a V8 & a Turbo diesel" Yeah, but that is a German site. As for no rear tire, well, just bolt something on. Heck, if you're good at fabbing, make one and sell it. I can't remember, but I think the spare is under the rear carpet. So you can market it as a space saver.  pwc | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Senior Member Username: Jake Post Number: 265 Registered: 03-2002 |
most likely can't have an outside mounted due to EU regulations concerning pedestrian safety. I mentioned the gas/diesel only because someone speculated about that. we can pretty much bet that an oil-burner is not in a US market LR, although it would be pretty cool. | ||
| Denis K (Deniska) New Member Username: Deniska Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2003 |
"we can pretty much bet that an oil-burner is not in a US market LR, although it would be pretty cool." and this is what i cant understand! having just been to prague and some other E. Euoropean places i cant stop wonmdering how come they even have Jeeps that run on dirt cheep diesel and we dont have them here in the States? could somebody clarify this mystery to me please? | ||
| Jake Hartley (Jake) Senior Member Username: Jake Post Number: 266 Registered: 03-2002 |
it most likely is becuase of two things: 1. diesel cars have never sold well here. exception is pickup trucks and Mercedes Benz 2. certifying a car in the US is expensive and each engine/powertrain combination has to be EPA cert'ed. if weight & distribution changes, I imagine that there is a DOT cert requirement too. Its a shame because diesel Rovers pretty much rock! | ||
| sam (Dent) Member Username: Dent Post Number: 51 Registered: 01-2004 |
wait.. i like the coffee cup holder instead of the wee thing on the older disco | ||
| Christian Kiely (Redrover47) Member Username: Redrover47 Post Number: 104 Registered: 09-2003 |
I agree - the back end look stupid - either have the spare mounted there, or have a straightline separating the glass and the sheetmetal. Also those tail lights are hideous and look like some big, plain american-car lights that I hate (escalade, excursion, etc.) You probably wouldn't be able to moun the spare on the rear even if you were good at fabbing becuase (I believe) the tailgate is split folding. (Even if it opened upward as one piece you wouldn't be able to do it - way too much weight) Overall though, I like the look. I know die-hard lr fans are complaining because it has indy suspension, but as far as the looks are concerned I think it is just natural progression. The only other two things which I would hate would be the spare mounted under the rear (you will drag it on deparature) and the exhaust routed underneath the rear axle. And, as far as the indy suspension, LR really had no choice but to do it if they wanted to compete in the market, which, let's face it, is controlled mostly by people who don't even know what low range is. JMHO - CK | ||
| John Powers (Powers_99_d1) New Member Username: Powers_99_d1 Post Number: 15 Registered: 09-2002 |
I have to take back "totally digging" this thing on the other thread...Although I still like the new look, that rear end really leaves alot to be desired. I also think a spare back there would look much better, but that may proove too difficult(not feasable) to fabricate factoring in the rear horizontal split combination. | ||
| David Kronenfeld (Kronie) New Member Username: Kronie Post Number: 19 Registered: 09-2003 |
Not too bad, I'll miss the spare tire on the rear though. The full size spare on the rear definitely helped to give the Disco its go-anywhere look. Not to consider too that it sure was easy to dismount after losing a tire on the trail (happened to me way too many times). Anyone know approach, departure, and breakover angles yet? With a 113 in. wheelbase it sure can't be that great??? David | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 796 Registered: 07-2002 |
I brought this up before, and I'm not sure how many people believed me. But did they, or did they not get the Ford dash from the LR design. The RR interior came out, then the new Ford, now this. When they released the first pics, I noticed that they even used Ford switches and vents in the prototype. Also, remember the early photo of the Ford in England that was supposed to be the LR frame with a Ford body to disguise it? Well, now we know it was actually just a regular Forover. I hate it. Literally, I could make that car in my carage with some cardboard, glue, and a spare tire mount for under the bumper. The roof step looks like they put it on as an afterthought to make sure not too many people were wise to the fact that it REALLY IS JUST A FORD EXPLORER. I thought there was a reason we liked the style and uniqueness of the Rover line, from the Series vehicles to the Range Rover (the first and only car to be featured as an art exibit in the Louve). This marshmallow on wheels has got nothing on the style of the real Rovers. I don't care what new-fangled off-road gizzmos it has, they are probably pretty good (I hope) but it doesn't matter. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 797 Registered: 07-2002 |
I brought this up before, and I'm not sure how many people believed me. But did they, or did they not get the Ford dash from the LR design. The RR interior came out, then the new Ford, now this. When they released the first pics, I noticed that they even used Ford switches and vents in the prototype. Also, remember the early photo of the Ford in England that was supposed to be the LR frame with a Ford body to disguise it? Well, now we know it was actually just a regular Forover. I hate it. Literally, I could make that car in my carage with some cardboard, glue, and a spare tire mount for under the bumper. The roof step looks like they put it on as an afterthought to make sure not too many people were wise to the fact that it REALLY IS JUST A FORD EXPLORER. I thought there was a reason we liked the style and uniqueness of the Rover line, from the Series vehicles to the Range Rover (the first and only car to be featured as an art exibit in the Louve). This marshmallow on wheels has got nothing on the style of the real Rovers. I don't care what new-fangled off-road gizzmos it has, they are probably pretty good (I hope) but it doesn't matter. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 798 Registered: 07-2002 |
What in the world is wrong with that back door? Don't they realize the stepped window was designed like that because they used to put the spare on the back door? It's reversed! It's fake. That's what I hate about the whole thing, it's fake. The old style Rovers where the real thing with real style. This is a money making ploy, trying to copy the style and functionality of the original. This is what the H2 did to Hummer. | ||
| Justin Kurosaki (Kurosaki) Member Username: Kurosaki Post Number: 65 Registered: 02-2004 |
RB, What is interesting about the reversed door is that it was designed for the american market in mind versus the D1 & D2 made for the UK market... Just shows how much Ford is really influencing the new rovers. -justin | ||
| Greg O'Brien (Grego) New Member Username: Grego Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2004 |
Does anyone know when they go on sale in the US and in Australia? | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Senior Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 281 Registered: 12-2003 |
hopefully never | ||
| Paul D. Morgan (V22guy) Dweb Lounge Member Username: V22guy Post Number: 2643 Registered: 02-2002 |
Great looking town car. | ||
| Aaron Richardet (Draaronr) Senior Member Username: Draaronr Post Number: 543 Registered: 09-2002 |
october is what i have heard | ||
| Greg O'Brien (Grego) New Member Username: Grego Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2004 |
October hey? I think it looks like a good opportunity to buy a run out model. I have looked at the photos a number of times now and rather than growing on me I am really starting to hate it. The sides looks flat and plain, the nose isn't too bad but not sure how any bullbar would go on and the back - well thats universal hated already. Combine it with independent suspension and its all over really. Having said all that I bet they sell a lot more of them than the old model - soccer Mum's rejoice! | ||
| Chuck Stroud (Str0ud) Member Username: Str0ud Post Number: 48 Registered: 02-2004 |
Found some other LR3 pictures. Different lights, vents on in these ones. NAS? Noticed them on Blue Oval News. http://www2.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=2634&categoryId=12 -Str0ud | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 799 Registered: 07-2002 |
They say it looks like and AMAZING improvement over the current vehicle... HAVE THEY ALL LOST THEIR MINDS?? JUST GO BUY AN EXPEDITION!! Have they actually driven it, or are ther really looking at those pictures and making that judgement call? Seriously, if you like that car, go buy an Expedition - why not? Just because you really like the green oval, not the blue? | ||
| Bud Lane (Hrrovr) New Member Username: Hrrovr Post Number: 27 Registered: 12-2003 |
Those are old pictures, at least compared to the ones that have surfaced in the past few days. Of course, those comments are only opinions offered by folks who have no vested interest in Land Rover ownership like we do. And we are all comparing the new one to what we currently own. I have driven an Expedition. No thanks. I haven't driven an LR3, so I really can't make a decision on whether or not it is better or worse. I wish I had one of every vehicle that had come out in the past 40 years that people had called wierd when they first saw it. If nothing else, it would make a pretty cool museum. I don't really recall any models that LR has ever come out with that they dropped because they just never went over with the public. Regardless of appearance or performance, the very best thing that LR (or Ford) can do for the LR3 is to market it properly. Unfortunately for those of us on this list, that may mean showing it with a dozen soccer balls falling off the asymmetrical tailgate, or pulling up in front of a luxurious resort, or people ogling the lavish interior. Maybe that is who this one was made for. Or maybe it is just the next generation of the Discovery, utilizing some different styling and different technology. I guess we will just have to decide on our own if we like it or not, and how many fingers to wave with when we see one on the road in the future. Bud | ||
| Jack G. Spitz (Chemist44) New Member Username: Chemist44 Post Number: 2 Registered: 03-2004 |
Check out this site...at least it's in english...some new interior pics http://www.thelandroverchronicle.com/new_page_431.htm | ||
| Bruno Tome (Bruno_tome) Member Username: Bruno_tome Post Number: 106 Registered: 01-2004 |
Quote; "Production debut for Land Rover's innovative Terrain Response™ and Integrated Body-frame™ " What's this ? fancy name for Unit-body ? BT. | ||
| Jeremy (Highmile) Member Username: Highmile Post Number: 64 Registered: 02-2002 |
More information about the LR3 Here! www.landrover.co.uk/discovery3 | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Senior Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 305 Registered: 10-2002 |
Thanks, Jeremy. Didn't even think to look at the official site - got so used to spy photos. | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Senior Member Username: Markp Post Number: 280 Registered: 02-2002 |
OK - here's my questions & prediction What engine/drivetrain options will the Disco3 have? JagV8 and Jag/Peugot Diesel. If so - 4 Wheeler of the Year with the Terrain Response system. The difficulty will be the intro price point considering the current exchange rates. - Mark | ||
| Bud Lane (Hrrovr) New Member Username: Hrrovr Post Number: 30 Registered: 12-2003 |
Hmmm. Very interesting. I wonder why they would decide to put a functional tailgate on this thing, instead of just leaving it like the older ones, so the flimsy hinges could sag and require the Governor of California to open and close it? As Pete said in O Brother Where Art Thou, "That don't make no sense". Overall, the presentation on the UK site is pretty impressive. There is certainly more stuff there than I realized. But, as someone has already said, I guess we will just have to wait until we can T-O-U-C-H one to find out for sure. Bud | ||
| Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 42 Registered: 01-2004 |
Nice shots on the LR UK site...I like the design...I hope I can afford one and keep my 99 D2 as well! | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 720 Registered: 02-2002 |
hmmm Ho Chung | ||
| Steve Turpin (Steveturpin) Member Username: Steveturpin Post Number: 43 Registered: 01-2004 |
hmmm...as a daily driver and moderate off-roader, it should do fine. I like its looks, and I will really like having the 300hp Jag motor...I'm not a rock crawler anyways. | ||
| Rommel (R0sport) New Member Username: R0sport Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2003 |
not bad...I still like my 03 Disco and the price I got it for but I could see a Discovery 3 in the future. The website is pretty good too. | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 721 Registered: 02-2002 |
i like it a lot! 3rd row seating, nice handling independent suspension, glass roof, navigation... man, i am drooling here. Ho Chung | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 882 Registered: 06-2002 |
Ok, after viewing the official site, I like it better. Still think the back is weird and the roof is definitely different, but I'm excited to see one in person. I'll still be keeping my 95 though! | ||
| Bud Lane (Hrrovr) New Member Username: Hrrovr Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2003 |
Evolution rocks, doesn't it? First, they made this box that would crawl all over the farm, but it had all the creature comforts of a tractor. The more "gentlemen" farmers needed something a little more refined to travel the estate, so enter the Range Rover. Vastly different, but what a hit! Flash forward a few years. Original Discoveries with some tidy mods are crawling over all manner of terrain. But, the the gentlemen "bidnessmen" and soccer moms need something a little more refined to travel to the malls and golf courses. Enter the LR3. Now everybody is happy. :-) | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 967 Registered: 02-2002 |
would like to see the engineering features LR mentions on the site. have heard that a CDL and rear locker are part of an option package that will be available. will wait and see. Jaime  | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 722 Registered: 02-2002 |
jaime, even without the engineering part, i love it. actually, one thing i wish it had: side sliding doors. Ho Chung | ||
| Peter Carey (Peterca) Member Username: Peterca Post Number: 105 Registered: 10-2003 |
Dude, that dial in the middle has a Rock Crawl position. Even had a sparky little video. Granted the independent suspension has its limits but I'd be curious how well that little dial works through all its positions and just what it does. Plus it has essentially 3 sun roofs as an option. So it dropped the apline windows but those back sunroofs/fixed glass look a lot bigger. If I was given one for free, I wouldn't turn it down. pwc | ||
| Joey (Joey4420) Senior Member Username: Joey4420 Post Number: 715 Registered: 04-2003 |
Come on Ho, get real you need Gull Wing doors just think of the potention Mall driving crowd that would bring in... it would be a buying frenzy... I can't believe I just wrote that. | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 613 Registered: 02-2002 |
Seems really upscale inside, but that big knob for choosing sand, ice/grass, "rock-crawling", normal and muddy track seems really... uh, I don't know. And then, there's this problem.  That's all I have to say about that. e | ||
| Erik Olson (Jon) Senior Member Username: Jon Post Number: 614 Registered: 02-2002 |
Okay, I have more to say about that. No matter how I look at it, I can't get past it. Looks like $40k worth of plumber's-crack in my opinion. And that's a lot to pay for that look. I really like the fold-to-floor seating though. Suppose you might be able to fit a 4 x 8' piece of plywood in there with the gate down? e | ||
| Peter Carey (Peterca) Member Username: Peterca Post Number: 106 Registered: 10-2003 |
And that would be an important difference.....you can put the gate down and have long items stick out, unlike with a swinging door. But teh RR drivers already knew that. pwc | ||
| Robbie Donaldson (Robbie) Senior Member Username: Robbie Post Number: 599 Registered: 02-2002 |
considering there appears to be no rain gutters for a decent rack, they had to put fold flat seating in. | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Senior Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 306 Registered: 10-2002 |
Here's the official Ford press release on this "ultimate premium sport-utility package": http://media.ford.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=17978 | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 723 Registered: 02-2002 |
the more i look, the more i like it. it's a real fine minivan. they've done a fine job. Ho Chung | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1164 Registered: 09-2002 |
Now you're just being cheeky Ho. | ||
| Felix Gumbiner (Felixthecat) Member Username: Felixthecat Post Number: 84 Registered: 02-2004 |
I bet you'll be shelling out $60k to get that Quasimoto optioned out. | ||
| SSV (Susannah) Senior Member Username: Susannah Post Number: 887 Registered: 06-2002 |
Don't know about you guys, but I didn't know the backseat of my Disco was a "spacious greenhouse!" Great for an aspiring botanist I guess! | ||
| Tim '92 RR (Snowman) Senior Member Username: Snowman Post Number: 723 Registered: 12-2002 |
I know you were all waiting for my post. No I do not like it. | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1168 Registered: 09-2002 |
Sus, Mobile hydroponic lab... | ||
| d moler (Taxi) New Member Username: Taxi Post Number: 14 Registered: 01-2004 |
way too cityfied for me | ||
| Jeff Mclaird (Granitedisco) Senior Member Username: Granitedisco Post Number: 310 Registered: 08-2003 |
O.K. Ho nice one - Thought you had been taken captive by Captain Minivan and the defenders of the shopping mall Gotta say though - I'm sure its going to turn up in suburbia with 22" chrome dubs and neon lights underneath. Probably in shocking pink. Jeff | ||
| Bud Lane (Hrrovr) New Member Username: Hrrovr Post Number: 33 Registered: 12-2003 |
Best damn looking minivan I have ever seen. :-) Probably doesn't get as good of gas mileage as a Caravan or Windstar, but I think I would rather haul the team around in it rather than them. Besides, sometimes it snows during soccer season. Bud | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 806 Registered: 07-2002 |
That photo of the rear gate up like that could be mistaken for any number of minivans........ | ||
| Chuck Stroud (Str0ud) Member Username: Str0ud Post Number: 50 Registered: 02-2004 |
In a few short years as Ford floods the world with the LR3, we will have a steady supply of 300 HP 4.4 litres and nice 6 speed transmissions. Hopefully the aftermarket will be on the ball on this one, and start fabricating, motor mounts, bell housing adapter plates and the like. It sure would be nice to order a motor and trasmission swap kit. A couple more gears and an extra 112 horsepower would really wake my 97 up. -Str0ud | ||
| Mark & Bev Preston (Markp) Senior Member Username: Markp Post Number: 283 Registered: 02-2002 |
Bet that JagV8+6speed won't be cheap. Plus all the electronics that will need to be sourced. But 300hp would be nice. I put a 4.6 with a crane cam in my 95 RRC LWB and my son says it's a rocket. Must say it's got a kick now. | ||
| Sandy Deke (Disco_deke) New Member Username: Disco_deke Post Number: 30 Registered: 02-2004 |
"designed to fulfill the needs of the North American consumer (read poseur/soccer mom)" -- Ford Motor Company propaganda ("We've got a better idea" -- like the Pinto). Folks, this LR3 thing does not bade well for the off-road enthusiast. 4-wheel independent suspension and this "terrain knob" thing (I don't see any mention of a transfer case) dependent on the usual "superlative" Rover electrics. Is it going to be AWD masquerading as 4WD? I am not optimistic, even with the 4.4 Jag v-8 and the diesel (which probably won't make it to the US, anyway). To cap it off, they've got an article on this Defender 110 CKD SEMA, from which LR derives it's off road cred. Not that you'll ever be able to buy one from a LR dealer in North America, but you can look at the picture and dream about safaris. You can probably import one on the gray market from Guatemala for $80,000. They should change the name from Discovery 3 / LR3 to the "Pinto Series II." I hope it has "break away" front and rear bumpers for "off road" use. | ||
| Will Bobbitt (Rkores) Senior Member Username: Rkores Post Number: 337 Registered: 09-2002 |
It will be easy to put a snorkel on. Will | ||
| Bud Lane (Hrrovr) New Member Username: Hrrovr Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2003 |
Simply put, it is not designed for the off-road enthusiast. That doesn't stop it from being a viable option for many other applications. If it is still sturdy, comfortable, gets through snow and mud puddles, handles some cargo and doesn't spend too much time in the shop, it will do just fine for my lovely bride to get the soccer team to the tourney. Of course, I am not going to try and stop her for taking it to Engineer pass in CO if she wants. One of these days, I am going to have to get her something new to drive. The question, the only question will be: Will I buy her a new LR3, or something else? That decision will not be based on how big of a rock it can crawl over, because that's not what she uses it for. Bud | ||
| Chris Browne (Chris_browne) Senior Member Username: Chris_browne Post Number: 738 Registered: 02-2003 |
30 years ago, enthusiasts derided the RRC as too soft to be a real off roader. Even within LR there was much dislike of its comfortable ride with many believing the discomfort off road helped. History has shown that to be incorrect. Me, I'm not dissing this vehicles off road ability until I've seen it in action. I questioned ETC until i saw it help a stock 03 saunter up a hill modified d1s had a tough time on. I remain intrigued by the transfer box. I suspect the LT230 has had its day and is removed from this vehicle | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Senior Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 301 Registered: 12-2003 |
I think were heading in the direction of the cayenne. Where off roading is going to be dominated by computer controll and fancy gadgets. I guess if you want a real off roader from now on you'll have to buy a "classic" discovery and "restore" it. Cheers Jack | ||
| Sandy Deke (Disco_deke) New Member Username: Disco_deke Post Number: 33 Registered: 02-2004 |
At least the RRC (as well as the Disco I and some Disco IIs) were virtually identical to the Defender under the body -- solid axels, transfer case, CDL, etc. I'm sure the ETC, ACE, Hill Decent, etc. etc. all works great --as long as it's working. These are Rovers, after all, and are prone to electronic gremlins. When the electronic gadgetry fails (usually at the worst possible moment out in the boonies) at least you can fall back on the nuts and bolts hardware. Who knows, maybe the LR3 will be the greatest thing off road since sliced bread, but it sure doesn't look like a step in the right direction, especially when you've got this coming out of the Ford propaganda machine: "LR3 is a Land Rover designed to fulfill the needs of the North American consumer," says Mike O'Driscoll, president, Aston Martin Jaguar Land Rover, North America. "It blends innovative technology and refinement with traditional Land Rover strengths to rewrite the definition of a modern, premium SUV." "SUV" as in "Suburban Ubiquity Vehicle." | ||
| Christopher Boese (Christopher) Senior Member Username: Christopher Post Number: 307 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'd guess that even the (possibly very extensive) offroad capabilities that Land Rover's built into the "LR3" had to be fought for. I don't know who did the fighting, but since almost every other new SUV recently introduced has been some sort of crossover, and since 95% of SUV owners never go offroad, someone had to make a pretty good argument to management that the "LR3" shouldn't be too soft. It might just be marketing ("We still make the most capable offroad vehicle"), but at least the thing doesn't look as if it would break in half the first time it has to drive over a speed bump. | ||
| kevin mokracek (Kellymoe) New Member Username: Kellymoe Post Number: 18 Registered: 03-2004 |
Looks like the designers started at the front and by the time they got to the back they lost interest in the project. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 807 Registered: 07-2002 |
Kevin - agree Actually though... I have to admit, the more I read, the more I like it as a quality product. Like the new RR, probably one of the best all around vehicles made - just think of all the stuff they are putting into it. Too bad it's not solid axle and a little raised up though. I have said it before, I don't mind that the RR or Freelander are going in this direction. I just wish they would keep the Discovery in the middle between the Defender and the RR like it was meant to be from the beginning. And for heavens sake! Bring the Defender to the U.S.!!!!!!! If it's all about the money - they would sell every last one of them! They couldn't loose! That said - every time I see a picture of LR3 I just shake my head. I keep seeing Ford Explorers on the street and I find myself thinking that I might have seen a new LR3 for the first time. Seriously, does no one else see how pathetically similar it is to the Ford Blaaaplorer? It just really bugs me that the rear seats in a LR are the same as the Explorer, along with the whole body profile now. Or that the dash is the same as the new F-150, which was obviously stolen from the new RR. | ||
| Wicks (Wicks) Member Username: Wicks Post Number: 164 Registered: 03-2003 |
Getting one asap (even if it is a POS underneath). Love the motor and the interior, and it is going to be tight and smooth (I don't doubt.) Anyone know a page that shows color choices and options yet? | ||
| Ray Wallace (Rayd2) Member Username: Rayd2 Post Number: 59 Registered: 05-2003 |
After checking out everything on this thread, I'm even more determined to take very good care of my Disco for the next decade or two so I don't have to consider the LR3. Ford, please sell Rover back to BMW or turn it loose, but don't ruin a fine marque. Sell it as a Ford, not as a Land Rover! Bah! Ray | ||
| James M. Reed (Utahdog2003) Member Username: Utahdog2003 Post Number: 44 Registered: 03-2004 |
Mr Bailey, you hit the nail on the head. | ||
| Wicks (Wicks) Member Username: Wicks Post Number: 167 Registered: 03-2003 |
Land Rover still has its own management people, and they are British. And Wallace, the move wouldn't be to sell it back to BMW. Didn't you hear about the Soily Hill plant staff assaulting those naz - I mean Germans with heavy tools when they came for a tour? The facility was still painted in camouflage to avoid being mapped by the luftwaffe scanners for bombing. Give it back to British Aerospace. Now there we go. | ||
| Samuel Shirley (Sams) New Member Username: Sams Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2003 |
Does anyone else hate the fact that they are not carrying the baody crease line through the doors? It just looks half-ass to me from the angled profile shots....as if they "forgot" to put those in...or just plain used the wrong doors??? | ||
| dhk (Kay_tell) Member Username: Kay_tell Post Number: 60 Registered: 03-2004 |
sexy, sleek, and full of taste! its way better looking than anything else that the competetors are offering. more taste than the por-chees suv! imo and its a rover! at least with any model rover you can tell that it is a rover coming! none of this hey look a porsche, no a murano, no i mean an averio, no its a ? hummer no a h2 no esclade no i mean a xterra. at least all rovers get the deep sound "land rover" or hey a freelander, but nothing is a sweet as a range rover! that is dam nice! | ||
| Ray Wallace (Rayd2) Member Username: Rayd2 Post Number: 60 Registered: 05-2003 |
Wicks, since you put it that way I guess I'd rather take my chances with Ford than with British Aeorospace. Lesser of two evils? | ||
| Wicks (Wicks) Member Username: Wicks Post Number: 171 Registered: 03-2003 |
Naa. BA kept the purpose true to form. E.g., spec changes scarce, improvements only, etc., use the same door handles for 25 years so they are interchangeable, etc. Like when Ford asked if the MoD would order thousands of a new model of Defender, and their response was "We don't want a new design, thank you. Continue manufacture as specified." | ||
| T. Dylan Maher (Jaberwock) New Member Username: Jaberwock Post Number: 1 Registered: 04-2004 |
Actually the Rear tire would work albeit with a bit of ingenuity. I previously owned a Chevy Blazer ZR2 with the same split taligate/liftglass. I think the older Nissan Pathfinders have a similar design as well. All one would need to do is build a swing gate to hold the tire. Granted this design was a PITA to use, but it did work quite well & it would look quite good on that new rear end from what I can imagine. |
