Getting Sick of the Rover...

[ChuckB]

If you don't mind IFS and want a 2000+, start looking at the 100-series Land Cruiser. Prices are dropping into your range. I'm just throwing this out there since no mentioned it yet.

For what its worth, I wouldn't mind having a 5-spd Disco even if it did need some extra love.

100-Series pictures

 

[FlexyDisco]

Knock on wood... my 96 disco with 130K (had for a year and a half) has never let me down. When I got it I did replaced the water pump, oil cooler lines, power steering lines, tranny service, oil change, radiator, all tie rod ends, and all the fluids. Some of the stuff really didnt need to be done (wasnt leaking or leaking bad) but thats how I am with my trucks(it also helps working at a land rover shop) But I would get in my disco and drive across the country right now. I have only had 1 Land Rover and two Jeeps XJ and a TJ. But the Disco is much more suited to my g/f, dog, and I camping.

Bob

 

[Alaska Mike]

When I think of reliability, I think in terms of the sub 100K miles level. After thet, I expect to have to replace water pumps, bearings, and all sorts of seals. Depending on the timeframe and the conditions it was used in, 100K is a good lifespan for some parts. After that magic number, I start looking at major surgery before trusting a vehicle (any vehicle) to be my lifeline. I prefer to do the surgery usually when the vehicle is a known quantity and there is an attachment.

My CJ-5 has probably over 175K miles, and there really is nothing left that I haven't turned, replaced, or upgraded since I've owned it. I know pretty much every inch of it, and there aren't many surprises anymore. Maybe that's part of the reason why I'm building the Series III- to get back that thrill of creation.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Has anyone on here ever used an Audi Avant, Subaru Outback, Audi All-Road, or anything of the such as a long distance travel vehicle?

Subarus cannot be beat if you're looking to cover miles on paved or graded gravel roads. Nothing else will get you there as reliably and comfortably, while still being entertained.

 

[LC/LR4Life]

I'm getting sick of my rover. It's costing me 300 a month in parts to keep it running, and it still needs all new ball joints, rotoflex, brakes, the list goes on.

I've tried to set it up for overland travel, but the fact is the vehicle is not reliable going to the mall, and wouldnt be for the other side of the country. I'm constantly working on it; I've simply had enough.

I've been looking at a new rig. Expo has opened me up to alot of non-land rover ideas. Ideally I'd like a 05-09 taco, but, properly outfitted they get expensive.

I'm leaving it to you guys, throw some ideas at me. Something that is really reliable, gets above 15. Has a fair amount of room. Decent resale value. I'm looking to spend around 15-18k

I have 2 Rovers, and 2 Land Cruisers. My first Land Cruiser has an electrical problem, but it's 30 years old and has 400,000 miles on it. So it's sitting, waiting for my wife to finish her doctors degree so I can restore it.

My 100 series is great, and it's the smoothest, best riding off road vehicle I have ridden in. It's also great off road and has tons of aftermarket parts to build it up for really heavy duty, long range exp. travel.

Now for a comparison, I also have a Disco II, which is my wifes primary vehicle. It's never given us any trouble since new, rides good, but not as good as the 100 series LC, is noisier than the 100 series too. It off roads great, but I wouldn't trust it like I would my 100 series on a really remote expedition. Why is coming next......

As well, we have a 2001 P38 Range Rover. Since we practically got it, it has given us nothing but trouble. Left me stranded once, eaten up a few thousand in repairs (I did them thank God or it would have been more) - you get the picture.

So my view of rugged reliability in a vehicle goes to Land Cruiser, but I still love my Discovery. I think with proper pre-trip checkouts that a Rover is just as good, but my Land Cruisers have been so good I don't hardly question whether or not they are ready for a serious trip. That said, when I get rid of the P38 RR, I want a 1994 RR Classic. I love those...... :camping:

 

[Hltoppr]

Just took our 2000 Subaru Outback sedan to Mexico....did great, even on the sandy roads!

-H-

 

[Alaska Mike]

Subarus cannot be beat if you're looking to cover miles on paved or graded gravel roads. Nothing else will get you there as reliably and comfortably, while still being entertained.

I'd tend to disagree on this one.

What you have to look at with a Subaru or any car-based platform is payload. Load down one with the gear necessary for a longer trip and you can almost see the life fall off of the car as you drive down the road.

A couple guys I know travelled the Lower 48 in a Subaru chasing their dream of making the US Alpine Ski Team, hitting prime points races as often as possible. They loaded it up with their skis and clothes and all of the stuff they needed to live for 5 months on the road. They never took their vehicle off of any paved road unless it was the only route to the resort, and usually the snow covered roads were very smooth. Maintenenace was performed per the schedule or proactively. Still, when the Subaru limped into town at the end, it was pretty much worthless. A car less than 3 years old/sub 100K was ready for the scrap heap. There wasn't a major system that didn't have issues. They just wore it out.

If you pack lightly and stick to more maintained roads, a car is an economical mode of transport. When I finally finish my Series Rover, my plan is to drive it from Alaska to Mexico and back. I would be more comfortable and make better time in a car, but it wouldn't be the same. I also wouldn't have the option of wheeling along the way. When I get back, I fully expect that the Rover will be ready for many more years of service, despite bearing what will likely be excessive weight for long distances.

Don't get me wrong- I own an AWD car (Toyota Matrix) as my daily driver/ski car and really like it in its intended function. I'll never love it, and will likely sell it when it gets old or my needs change. I don't make emotional attachments to vehicles unless they have "character". A modern car is a lot of things (including comfortable, reliable, and economical), but I have yet to find one that has any real character. It's not a question of reliability, it's a question of.... Funk. Never underestimate the power of the funk factor.

 

[ShearPin]

I've had a few Rovers over the years - my Series III I've owned for 15 or 16 years. On different occasions I've cursed it, vowed to sell it, and even thought of a bullet and a via con dios.

If I didn't have the memories, the intimate knowledge of it, and the smile I get just taking it to the grocery store - I'd sell it in a minute. They suck you in with their need for attention and put a smile on your face with what is perceived as the odd heroic. For example, one day you stop at the Guatemalan border. Pulling away you shift up through the gears and it locks up in 2nd. In the seasoned Rover owners mind the fact you make it back to the Texas border at 25mph is Rover heroics - personality.

I looked at importing an FJ45 or FJ47 troopie when I bought my Defender 110. There have been days I've regretted it but when the time came to buy my heart won over my head. I always tell myself when I feel like selling - wait a month. If the emotional attachment doesn't eventually win over the more practical - move on.

Henry
www.4x4freedom.com

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I'd tend to disagree on this one.

What year/model Subaru?

Overloading notwithstanding, this just hasn't been my experience at all. I've seen many 90's Legacy wagons used as adventure sports transport beaters with 300,000km on them and they just keep soldiering on. I find the chassis, suspension and engines to be very rugged (by car standards). Just the mere fact that they have 8" of travel on the the later models helps them endure "real roads" better than any other compact cars. I bought my WRX because I wanted a sports car, but lived in the Detroit area.

The type of loading I saw was pretty much more reasonable than what it seems like you're suggesting. Two people plus gear for several days of camping. So, nothing extreme. It's in that vein that I made my statements. If you need 2000lbs of payload then yeah... you need a truck.

Don't get me wrong- I own an AWD car (Toyota Matrix) as my daily driver/ski car and really like it in its intended function. I'll never love it, and will likely sell it when it gets old or my needs change. I don't make emotional attachments to vehicles unless they have "character". A modern car is a lot of things (including comfortable, reliable, and economical), but I have yet to find one that has any real character. It's not a question of reliability, it's a question of.... Funk. Never underestimate the power of the funk factor.

Your Matrix isn't really AWD. More like automatic switching 4wd. I'm not sure how it's relevant to the discussion but I'm just pointing it out since we're referring to Subarus which are real AWD in the same posting.

I do agree that older cars tend to have more "character"... but it's not an exclusive thing. I find the older cars gain character because of their flaws, actually. Most people don't find Toyotas to have any character, because they are too perfect, kind of like the way we see Miss America contestants to have no personality.

But it's not exclusive to old cars. My trackday Focus has tons of character. It's not a carpet queen like most tuner cars, and has it's share of bump and scrapes, not to mention stone chips, tire chunks, etc. The engine sounds like it came from a Deere so it's no sports car contender, but it's stubbornly soldiered after countless trackdays, detonation, and uncontrolled boost spikes.

I sold my WRX because it had no character. It was too perfect, and was not fun to drive.... just like a beauty queen.

 

[pint]

If you don't mind IFS and want a 2000+, start looking at the 100-series Land Cruiser. Prices are dropping into your range. I'm just throwing this out there since no mentioned it yet.

For what its worth, I wouldn't mind having a 5-spd Disco even if it did need some extra love.

100-Series pictures

Bingo! You really need to look at and drive a 100 series. I have seen lots of 2000-2002's going for $10-$15K. Yes it has IFS, but they are fantastic trucks. I have put 70K on mine in 3 1/2 years and the biggest expense was the 90K tuneup at around $1K. They are spacious, quiet, very comfortable reliable as hell, fantastic on road, and very competent off road. Just check the 100 section of www.ih8mud.com for proof! Don't get me wrong, I get a big smile and a twinge of jealousy every time I see a nice Disco or Defender, but I just love this truck! 80 series Cruisers have always been my favorite, but I have not had one regret since I bought my 2000 100 3 1/2 years ago. I get 14-16mpg on the road if I not to much of a lead foot with my mods and Nitto TG 295's.

 

[cruiser guy]

Has anyone on here ever used an Audi Avant, Subaru Outback, Audi All-Road, or anything of the such as a long distance travel vehicle?

We took a '91 Nissan Sentra from Canada to Guatemala a couple of months ago!! First pic is crossing from Canada to the US, next is US to Mexico. I didn't want to take my camera out at the Guatemalan border as it was late afternoon and it would have been unsafe.

Our '82 BJ60 LandCruiser, which has made the trip a dozen times is visible in the second picture.

 

[Alaska Mike]

What year/model Subaru?

An '03 or '04 Outback wagon. The things they were carrying were more bulky than heavy, but a conservative guess would be in the 700-800lb range (6 pairs of skis per racer, tuning gear, clothing, food...). Add a couple 180lb guys, and you're pushing 1100lbs. Not excessive by any means, but the vehicle was truly shot when they were done.

We've got old Subarus running all over the place around here. Great little cars, but they are still cars. Treat them like a car, and they last for a decent time. Treat them like a truck, and they age quickly.

Your Matrix isn't really AWD. More like automatic switching 4wd. I'm not sure how it's relevant to the discussion but I'm just pointing it out since we're referring to Subarus which are real AWD in the same posting.

Fair enough. But I tend to classify anything without a low range or more than a hydraulic connection between front and rear as AWD. Technically wrong, but the definition suits my purposes.

I do agree that older cars tend to have more "character"... but it's not an exclusive thing. I find the older cars gain character because of their flaws, actually. Most people don't find Toyotas to have any character, because they are too perfect, kind of like the way we see Miss America contestants to have no personality.

To me character is based not on flaws, but on unique characteristics. If my Matrix dies, I know I can find one exactly like it without batting an eyelash. When I was a musician (many years ago), I would go through hundreds (if not thousands) of instruments to find one that I liked. As manufacturing techniques have tightened up, it's more likely that those unique characteristics have been quality controlled right out of the vehicle, to make room for a collective acceptable norm. Maybe it's the pitch of the transfer case whine, the way the steering feels, or a combination of a million other things, but when a vehicle is right for me, I know it. Hopefully I'll find that harmony in my Rover when it's done. If not, I can always bend it up a bit.

 

[Alaska Mike]

Back to the original poster...
Ask Scott Brady about swapping vehicles and ones he regretted. He has to be the king of turning over trail rigs.

Figure out what your needs are, and then figure out the platform that best meets those needs. If it isn't a Rover, move on. I still say to keep it in addition to the other rig, but I'm greedy like that.

 

[MattScott]

Back to the original poster...
Ask Scott Brady about swapping vehicles and ones he regretted. He has to be the king of turning over trail rigs.

Figure out what your needs are, and then figure out the platform that best meets those needs. If it isn't a Rover, move on. I still say to keep it in addition to the other rig, but I'm greedy like that.

I think most likely i'd keep the rover as a work truck, for doing installation for the decal company I just started.

a 100 series would be nice, very nice.

I've been throwing around the idea, if business is good, of throwing a grand at my rover, fixing everything.....
and then getting a lotus or an m5, and drive that across the county.

check out my other post in "other vehicles"

 

[R_Lefebvre]

Speaking of decal company... do you want to do up some "One Life Live It" decals? I've got a file ready to go, but nobody local wants to do them. Not sure why.