What makes a Land Rover Expedition?

[TeriAnn]

I don't want to play house when I am travelling.

And I love to play house when I'm traveling. Yet we both chose Land Rovers as our vehicle of choice. Whatever it is that makes a Land Rover expedition has lots of space for diverse styles of travel. I enjoy "playing house" as much as I enjoy driving. Creature comforts in a 4 foot by 6 foot space. Women have a strong nesting instinct that must be catered to.

I reckon ya got a kindred spirit with a beep-beep hooter (that's the right word for car horn, right?) under the bonnet.

If memory serves, Hooter is a UK manufacturer of car horns and their company name became a generic for the class of products, like Kleenex.

Maybe what defines a Land Rover Expedition is when the goal is to go somewhere to see something. Not just testing what the vehicle is capable of. It's about the whole experience, not just the truck.

Maybe you are on to something approaching an essential essence, at least in North America. Whenever I've been out with a group of Land Rovers, the vehicle is the thread that binds the experience but it is not the focus of the experience. The experience is so much more than just the truck. Also, as a group I usually see a lot of respect for nature and a general interdependent mutual sense of respect. A lot of individuality and respect for individuality.

What makes a Land Rover expedition? The people.

 

[Andrew Walcker]

What makes a Land Rover expedition? The people.

I think we have a winner! :wings:

 

[Michael Slade]

I think we have a winner! :wings:

Lock this thread, it's done.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

There is definitely a fiercely independent spirit amongst LR owners. Or a thoughtfulness. A family member of mine who tends to be redneckish and quite closed minded and ignorant asked me why I didn't buy a Ford or Chev instead.

I replied that I wanted a truck with really good off-road capabilities out of the box. I also didn't want the same truck everybody else has and I'm in love with LR's brand image from 10 years ago. When I made the comment about off-road ability, I could see he was holding back a laugh. He obviously equates LR to mall crawlers, and really had NO IDEA what the Disco is capable of. By comparison, he's driving a Chev 1500 supercab long bed with a fricken hOOge wheelbase. And fiberglass running boards. So, I have no idea where he gets his ideas about off-road ability. I think he is of the "bigger is better" and "nobody knows how to make a truck but the Americans" mentality.

I think that obviously has to define a difference between a LR (and Toyota) owner and a Ford/Chev/Dodge owner. First, ours eyes are much more open to reality, we know bigger isn't better, and things like breakover angles, articulation, etc are what's important. We're also capable of looking beyond our borders to find the best in the world, not just what's in front of our noses. And we want to be different, instead of being the same as everybody else. And we respect people who want to be different, instead of laughing at them for being different.

 

[overlander]

I think that obviously has to define a difference between a LR (and Toyota) owner and a Ford/Chev/Dodge owner. First, ours eyes are much more open to reality, we know bigger isn't better, and things like breakover angles, articulation, etc are what's important. We're also capable of looking beyond our borders to find the best in the world, not just what's in front of our noses. And we want to be different, instead of being the same as everybody else. And we respect people who want to be different, instead of laughing at them for being different.

I think you just nailed it. I learned alot about the diversity in the LR community from this thread, and it certainly is not the WAY we travel that defines us. I also learned that it's quite intangible what seperates us from other marques in this portal. I have posted many passionate threads in this forum on LR advocacy, and done some Toyota bashing, but I can objectively say I would in fact choose a Toyota (it would kill me to do it) , before a Ford/Chev/Dodge any day of the week, and I have found that LR folk cluster/gravitate much closer to the "Yotas" than any other marque.

My personal conclusion is that it is "wanderlust" that defines Toyota and Land Rover, and the only thing that seperates the two is personal preference and cleanliness of your driveway... :smiley_drive: :ylsmoke:

p.s. has anyone figured out how Terri Ann can always be on the internet AND always be on the road? Everytime I see a picture of her Rover I find myself looking for a satellite dish! I also hate posting after her because she is always right.

 

[TeriAnn]

There is definitely a fiercely independent spirit amongst LR owners. Or a thoughtfulness. A family member of mine who tends to be redneckish and quite closed minded and ignorant asked me why I didn't buy a Ford or Chev instead.

I replied that I wanted a truck with really good off-road capabilities out of the box. I also didn't want the same truck everybody else has and I'm in love with LR's brand image from 10 years ago.

Now I would have replied that the reasons are purely existential, innately understood by some and and invisible to others. Similar to pheromones that attract certain groups but are not sensed by others.

Of course people often misinterpret what I try to communicate, so to borrow a phrase from the Jeep folks, "Its a Land Rover thing. If you don't feel it you won't understand it"

 

[Andrew Walcker]

...but I can objectively say I would in fact choose a Toyota ...

I don't know Mark, that's all I got out of your post. There goes your good standing in the LR community:jump:


How's that for out of context? :ylsmoke:

 

[kcowyo]

I don't know Mark, that's all I got out of your post. There goes your good standing in the LR community:jump:

You have something you want to share with the group? :chowtime:

As a non-LR owner but a LR-appreciator, I have learned a few interesting things from this thread too, as well as seeing some common stereotypes augmented.

As long as your enjoying an outdoor lifestyle, I don't see why it should matter whether you enjoy drinking from Waterford crystal or a Dixie cup. But maybe that's why I'm still driving Toyotas.

Good info and input in this thread. Please, continue -

 

[Yorker]

As a non-LR owner but a LR-appreciator, I have learned a few interesting things from this thread too, as well as seeing some common stereotypes augmented.


Good info and input in this thread. Please, continue -

I don't think I've ever seen as many lengthy philosophical threads like this on IH8MUD, or other jeep, M715, MVPA, or other 4X4 forums. Maybe this illustrates another unique trait of US LR enthusiasts?!?

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

I don't think I've ever seen as many lengthy philosophical threads like this on IH8MUD, or other jeep, M715, MVPA, or other 4X4 forums. Maybe this illustrates another unique trait of US LR enthusiasts?!?

Me neither. Just here.:ylsmoke:

 

[Alaska Mike]

"Ours is not to reason why. Ours is just to do and whack our knuckles when the adjustable spanner slips on that stupid rusted Whitworth..."

Just trying to understand the common link that defines a typical Rover owner. I've looked at it from the outside for years, with all sorts of groupings of Rovers, and the approach just seemed different to me. It very likely developed over the years due to different capabilities/limitations of the platform, enhanced by the intended use of the vehicle, and further clarified by the environment Rovers were operated in. I still can't put my finger on it, but from the outside I can see something there.

 

[Hltoppr]

Most of my dear friends, and LR owners, are...eclectic....Most are equally artistic as they are mechanically adept; both traits which tend to combine the ability to take things in stride, with a great attitude, and to fix any item which may go pear shaped....

I tend to travel with LR owners...they balance out my type A thinking, that...everything must be perfect...no leaks, no rattles, good maps, quality tools....

-H-

 

[sinuhexavier]

As long as your enjoying an outdoor lifestyle, I don't see why it should matter whether you enjoy drinking from Waterford crystal or a Dixie cup.

The crystal you could use again, the Dixie cup is just plain wasteful...

I think this little film pretty much sums up a Land Rover style Expedition.

 

[kellymoe]

I tend to travel with LR owners...they balance out my type A thinking, that...everything must be perfect...no leaks, no rattles, good maps, quality tools....

-H-

If that is the case it seems you should be traveling with Toyota owners
No leaks??? No rattles???? Perfect???? Sounds like an exercise in fulility to me.

 

[sinuhexavier]

I agree, need some of those noises to keep it real.