Something about this particular model has me very intrigued and ready to buy, but the "spotty build quality and reliability" (per Edmnds) is holding me back.
The LR4 is out of my price range, even though it has a better V8 option and some nice refinements (LR made it less utilitarian, more luxury).
Surprisingly, the maintenance parts for the LR3 are very affordable (about on par with my F150), although I'm sure there are certain things on the LR3 that will be an arm+leg to fix.
If I were to get one, it would be purely out of "throwing caution to the wind" as I am generally very conservative and sensible. Would it be so wrong for me to go against the grain and purchase a luxury SUV that isn't known for reliability? I am flat out googly eyed at the lines on the body and the general stance. It's supposed to be quite capable, too.
Land Rover LR3 - Fighting the urge...
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Something about this particular model has me very intrigued and ready to buy, but the "spotty build quality and reliability" (per Edmnds) is holding me back.
The LR4 is out of my price range, even though it has a better V8 option and some nice refinements (LR made it less utilitarian, more luxury).
Surprisingly, the maintenance parts for the LR3 are very affordable (about on par with my F150), although I'm sure there are certain things on the LR3 that will be an arm+leg to fix.
If I were to get one, it would be purely out of "throwing caution to the wind" as I am generally very conservative and sensible. Would it be so wrong for me to go against the grain and purchase a luxury SUV that isn't known for reliability? I am flat out googly eyed at the lines on the body and the general stance. It's supposed to be quite capable, too.
Last of the LR3 don't have the same issues as the early ones.
The petrol models are very rare in the UK sadly and the diesel versions have some strange compromises when it comes to servicing, such as two cambelts, only one of which can cause damage when it snaps, but one is at the back and one at the front!
The LR3 still looks fresh and is a lot more technologically advanced than any large 4x4 made in the US, indeed the reason why BMW got involved with Land Rover, Rover and Mini was to get tech info to make the first X5 and the Mini was already nearly fully developed when BMW arrived.
If you can find a good specialist to maintain it they are an awful lot more reliable than Internet opinions would suggest.
I wanted one when I got the Pathfinder but couldn't find anything younger than 5/6 yrs old in my price range of £12k.
I like the Pathfinder but every time I see an LS3 or LS4 I wish I had waited to find one at the right price point.
Don't forget they hold on to value very well, a disadvantage when buying but a huge advantage when selling.
When we purchased our last vehicle I looked very hard for a Land Rover. They are a heck of a lot more capable than anything from BMW, and nearly everything from MB (except the G-wagon). The reliability thing is always a toss-up. What are your other options in this price bracket? Yukon? X5? GLK? Ask yourself this, "If I bought something else, would I regret not buying this?"
Life is too short to drive vehicles you don't love.
In my experience love isn't rational...
I own an '06 LR3 SE v8. Great for the 3 years I've had it-just done oil changes and brakes. Recall that the vehicle was designed during the Ford era of ownership and has nothing to do with BMW. Also Land Rovers do not hold their value well when compared to a Land Cruiser or other Toyota products. I think even Wranglers have a better resale.
Mine weighs 5700+lbs. and with 300hp/315?tq it is just enough to get you going at an acceptable rate. A Grand Cherokee with a Hemi will blow right by you.
My suggestions to check before purchase are tires, brakes, alignment and diff's. The alignment and suspension wear on these can affect tire wear..some folks get only 15-20k miles on a set of rubber, with the tires statrrting to feather at 10k. The diffs, start grinding away, just like mine are at 80k miles.
THis is my 3rd Land Rover, I love it, but it is not a Toyota for reliablity nor is it a Jeep for ease of service and cheap parts. An OEM oil filter is over $20 bucks for example...I budget 2k every year for routine maintenance and features that crop up with time.
Originally Posted By: typ901
I own an '06 LR3 SE v8. Great for the 3 years I've had it-just done oil changes and brakes. Recall that the vehicle was designed during the Ford era of ownership and has nothing to do with BMW. Also Land Rovers do not hold their value well when compared to a Land Cruiser or other Toyota products. I think even Wranglers have a better resale.
Mine weighs 5700+lbs. and with 300hp/315?tq it is just enough to get you going at an acceptable rate. A Grand Cherokee with a Hemi will blow right by you.
My suggestions to check before purchase are tires, brakes, alignment and diff's. The alignment and suspension wear on these can affect tire wear..some folks get only 15-20k miles on a set of rubber, with the tires statrrting to feather at 10k. The diffs, start grinding away, just like mine are at 80k miles.
THis is my 3rd Land Rover, I love it, but it is not a Toyota for reliablity nor is it a Jeep for ease of service and cheap parts. An OEM oil filter is over $20 bucks for example...I budget 2k every year for routine maintenance and features that crop up with time.
Why do you want one so bad? There are plenty of highly-capable SUVs sold today that are far more reliable.
Not saying it's a bad vehicle, I'm just wondering how you got your heart set on it.
The LR3 is a hobby suv that doesn't make much sense but it is very attractive in other ways. Be sure you have at least one good independent specialty shop near you and plan on working on the vehicle yourself as well. Joining a local Land Rover club can make a big difference.
Originally Posted By: notech47
The LR3 is a hobby suv that doesn't make much sense but it is very attractive in other ways. Be sure you have at least one good independent specialty shop near you and plan on working on the vehicle yourself as well. Joining a local Land Rover club can make a big difference.
Its a hobby suv because it cannot be relied on for day to day use with normal average reliability and maintenance expenses. The same thing might apply to an original Land Cruiser or a 60's Ford Bronco, but for different reasons.
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You would be better served with a FJ Cruiser. its just about as ugly, and far more reliable.
Originally Posted By: dparm
Why do you want one so bad? There are plenty of highly-capable SUVs sold today that are far more reliable.
Not saying it's a bad vehicle, I'm just wondering how you got your heart set on it.
Originally Posted By: dparm
Why do you want one so bad? There are plenty of highly-capable SUVs sold today that are far more reliable.
Not saying it's a bad vehicle, I'm just wondering how you got your heart set on it.
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This is my opinion and worth what you paid for it.
I would say something with the 4.7L V8.
I actually test drove an FJ.
Terrible viewing angles out of the driver's seat. Pull up too close to a traffic light and you have to crouch your head down to see the light.
Wimpy V6. An SUV of that size needs factory forced induction or a V8.
$400 for a lumbar support option on the front seats. By the end of my test drive, I was achin' in my lower back and complaining that Toyota didn't include one by default.
Toy-like interior accents. The dashboard looks like it was designed by Mattel.
Agree, the 4 Runner always appealed to me more.
It has a certain attraction and uniqueness that I don't find in other luxury SUVs that are simply a glossed up version of the everyman's SUV.
Examples like:
Ford Expedition -> Lincoln Navigator
Honda Pilot -> Acura MDX
VW Touareg -> Audi Q7
Around these parts, it isn't common to see Land Rovers, so I'm also pushing for the hipster angle.
I think you would be better served with a Toyota Land Cruiser, which to me is the epitome of ruggedized luxury with reliability to boot. You want rugged? Throw some armor and a snorkel on it. You want luxury? Lexus GX470.
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You would be better served with a FJ Cruiser. its just about as ugly, and far more reliable.
Originally Posted By: Reddy45
Originally Posted By: cptbarkey
You would be better served with a FJ Cruiser. its just about as ugly, and far more reliable.
Originally Posted By: Reddy45
Originally Posted By: dparm
Why do you want one so bad? There are plenty of highly-capable SUVs sold today that are far more reliable.
Not saying it's a bad vehicle, I'm just wondering how you got your heart set on it.
There is nothing wrong with owning a vehicle if you go into the "relationship" with your eyes wide open knowing the risks and being willing to accept them.
Land Rovers (especially the Range Rover) have a certain cachet that is hard to match with any other SUV. And there are virtually none that are as truly off-road capable as a Land Rover.
I think it has a certain British class to it. I like it very much and unless it's reliability is a serious one with proven documentation....I'd not hesitate to get it. I've seen many 'reliable' vehicles turn out to be horrid. But.....if you truly are worried and consider reliability 100% important to you, perhaps do some more research.
British cars are great, its going to break every 5 minutes and cost a bundle to fix out of warranty, but still it will be fun.
The NATO SUV's are the ones you want, they are actual trucks:
G wagon, Land Cruiser, Defender. (Humvee's are to big)
If you see it rolling around in a 3rd world war zone its a pretty good vehicle, and their for a reason. Unless you just want a Gucci truck.
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Originally Posted By: Reddy45
I actually test drove an FJ.
Wimpy V6. An SUV of that size needs factory forced induction or a V8.
Originally Posted By: G-MAN
Land Rovers (especially the Range Rover) have a certain cachet that is hard to match with any other SUV. And there are virtually none that are as truly off-road capable as a Land Rover.
In terms of off road capability, ever seen an '80s Isuzu Trooper? They were crude, the 2.6 was underpowered and the doors sounded worse than a Suzuki Samurai when you closed them. Like a hard slam would wad them up like a sheet of aluminum foil. But they could off-road.
The Freelander was the one that confused me the most. The English do make a nice interior....even when it has acres of black plastic. But dollar for dollar, I think I would be happier with an XC70 AWD (actually a V70 but alas they are no more in this country)I'm a former Land Rover owner, although I had a Discovery Series II as opposed to one of the current LR3/LR4 models.
Land Rovers are fantastic vehicles off-road. The owner community is great, especially if you are into the off-road/modification angle of it. Depending on the area of the world you live in, owner meet-ups and excursions are common, although I would say these tend to be older vehicles.
Lots of electronics and they break frequently. I had to deal with numerous water leaks on my Disco, but have not heard complaints about that on the LR3. If you are handy and into DIY, it's a good way to bond with your vehicle and fellow off-roaders. The dealer network is hit or miss -- I was disappointed with the dealers in my area. Short of DIY or a trusted local mechanic, dealer labor and part costs are very high.
Spend some time on discoweb.org browsing the forums. Also, Rovers North and Atlantic British are good parts suppliers.
I loved my Land Rover, but would not make it my only vehicle.
I'd also have to say that if you were into off-roading, other options would be the Jeep Wrangler; Land Rover Defender (D90/D110); and older Toyota Land Cruisers.
The Land Cruisers always appealed to me. I went off-roading with some of them and they were very capable. The Land Cruisers struck me as a fun off-roader with a user friendly Camry-like interior.
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