Moving from a JKU to and LR3?

crazybob

crazybob

New member
Maybe it's just a case of the grass being greener on the other side, but after test driving a 2006 LR3 yesterday, I'm seriously contemplating getting rid of my 2007 Wranger Unlimted and finding an LR3. I've owned the Jeep about 3 years, and loved it. However, I find the areas that it is deficient being more and more annoying. I use it to tow my ski boat, which is really taxing the tow capacity of the truck. I find it lacking for when I need to haul people. Just not a huge amount of room in the back seats. And while at first I was always taking the doors and top off, more and more I just leave them on and jump on my KTM Adventure when I need to get out in the elements. Also, the JKU is just woefully underpowered. I feel like I'm constantly flogging it just to keep up with traffic, or to merge. It's a mostly stock X with a few rubicon parts, slightly oversized tires etc. But, it's been dead reliable. It's easy to enjoy off road, with out worrying about scratching or denting anything too much. Parts are cheap, and aftermarket support is unmatched.

Ah, but the LR3. It seems to match all the off road capability of the JKU, but adds more power (still not a sports car I know), would likely be a far superior tow vehicle. Seating for 7 is darn handy. The interior is very nice, the ride so quiet. But then their's the maintanance and realibility concerns. I'm reasonably handy, so would handle a fair amount of the maintanance myself. And I know it's a bit of apples and oranges thing, but I'd appreciate any advice.

Also, the LR3 would look so nice parked next to my '73 Series 109. I know, worried about reliability and I have a series Rover...
 
Fivespddisco

Fivespddisco

Supporting Sponsor
The Lr3s have been fantastic compared to Rovers of the past. A quick example is I flew into TX and was picked up in an LR3 with 120k on the clock. We drove 4 hrs to the Event. Wheeled for 3 days and the he drove the truck 8 hrs home. They are quite frankly, what they should be.
 
t42beal13t

t42beal13t

Adventurer
Look for Dendy's thread "Like a Moth to the Flame." He did the same switch and hasn't looked back. I also love my lr3 and wouldn't trade it for anything else in the price range.
 
JackW

JackW

Explorer
I just joined the LR3 owners ranks too - after 16 or 17 Land Rovers of various types over the years I made the decision to add a fourth Land Rover to the driveway to replace a somewhat boring Honda CR-V.
The comfort and towing capacity were factors in the decision as well as reports of vastly improved reliability with the new vehicles over the older ones. The LR3 is definitely worlds better in performance and comfort than my 1996 Discovery and there a lot of very nice things about the truck that I like. I found a 2007 HSE for $16,700 with just over 86,250 miles on it.



 
Dendy Jarrett

Dendy Jarrett

Expedition Portal Admin
Staff member
You know, I was by the local Land Rover dealer today, and only noted a few trucks in the service area being worked on. When I asked one the the mechanics that I have known for sometime, he said they just recently lost 2 mechanics that left due to the lack of work. Said the new trucks are simply not breaking and the older out of warranty trucks are going to independent places and their work bays are becoming bare. I thought that was a testament to the reliability.
d
 
LR Max

LR Max

Local Oaf
If you aren't hardcore wheeling your JK, then you will enjoy the transition. As with Denny, I'm hearing of others ditching the JK for the LR3 to get improved performance, comfort, and reliance (WHAT). Ok, its still a rover, little naggy things here and there. But overall, its a solid truck.

I know many guys who tow their trail rig (usually a D1 or D2) with a LR3. Most of the time the LR3 is given to the womenfolk but then when they go out for the weekend, they tow with the LR3. Yeah, they have THAT much power.

If I can shorten up my commute to ~20 miles or less, I'm getting an LR3. They just bring too much win. Sure you can take a JK and turn it into a uber cool brodozer but when its 103F outside and raining, I do believe the comfort of the LR3 comes into play.
 
P

PhyrraM

Adventurer
A few thoughts.....

You mentioned your JK was an X? If so, I think the LR3 can out-wheel it once you have equivalent tires.

Comfort and ride quality, as mentioned, are not even directly comparable.

I wonder what the mileage difference would be? I average about 14.5 MPG in my LR3 V8 at about 60% highway driving (sometimes traffic though).

I don't tow much, but last weekend I did tow a car hauler trailer with about 30 mountain bikes on it. Truck didn't even know it was there other than the "trailer" light on the dash that mirrors the regular turn signal.

While it looks dated, the OEM Navigation is actually really good in function. The map disc should be upgraded, of course.

Plan and budget for a proper diagnostic tool such as a Faultmate or IDTool. They seem expensive, but they can usually get a seemingly crippled truck back on the trail by resetting all the codes. They have a ton of other cools stuff too, such as software "lifts" and enabling use of the navigation while moving.

The LR3s high beams are the best I have ever seen.

The aftermarkets can't really be compared, but all the basic/critical stuff is available. Bumpers/skids/rockers/racks. The selection is limited.

The LR3 is HEAVY. Depending on your driving style and usage this is either a positive or a negative.

I love mine, but might still be on the honeymoon. Had it for about a year and 20K miles. (2006 HSE w/HD package)
 
crazybob

crazybob

New member
The wheeling that I do, I've never been truly stuck with the JKU X. It's on 33" BFG AT tires otherwise stock. No lockers etc. Honestly I'm just not the type of guy to bang around off road until I break something, I just want to go out of the way places. I guess what I'm thinking is that stock the LR3 will do what I've been doing with the JKU. Since the HD package seems to be harder to find, maybe I can skip it?
 
P

PhyrraM

Adventurer
crazybob said:
The wheeling that I do, I've never been truly stuck with the JKU X. It's on 33" BFG AT tires otherwise stock. No lockers etc. Honestly I'm just not the type of guy to bang around off road until I break something, I just want to go out of the way places. I guess what I'm thinking is that stock the LR3 will do what I've been doing with the JKU. Since the HD package seems to be harder to find, maybe I can skip it?
Click to expand...

Completely agree. Wheeling, for me, is to get to someplace. To go see something or to get somewhere remote. Not the action itself. I'll gladly take the 'easy' line because it's the other side that's the goal. The LR3 excels in this regard. It's certainly not the ultimate rock crawler, but it's close to the ultimate adventurer (in North America). And the overall utility is unmatched (capable, 7 seater, cargo, towing, cruising, comfort) - mileage is the only real negative.

Because the Land Rover traction control works so well, many feel like the optional HD Package/rear locker is not on the required list. It was on MY list, but mainly as a safety net based on no direct Rover experience up to that point (came from a Montero SR w/locker, but no traction control). I would look for it, but if you find an otherwise 'perfect truck' for you I would re-evaluate the need. The locker MAY help with resale value eventually, but I don't plan on selling mine. I would think that if you've been happy with the off road performance of your JK, then the HD package is in the 'nice, but not necessary' list?
 
crazybob

crazybob

New member
Well I'm taking the wife to look at an LR3 this afternoon. Hopefully she likes it as much as me! Any suggestions on features to point out that tend to make the other half happy? First on my list is that unlike my Jeep, it's not gonna leak on her head everytime it rains :)
 
P

PhyrraM

Adventurer
Memory seat on the HSE. The "programmed defrost" cycle that turns all the correct stuff on at once on a cold morning. The "dipping" in reverse side mirrors. Those are the things my wife likes.
 
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