Seriously considering a Land Rover again.

[Ray_G]

In a nutshell my main concern is that I don't want to be left stranded in some remote place with a breakdown. I really rely on my vehicles to be able to get us home. We don't often travel with other vehicles, and are often quite remote in rather rugged terrain where you really can't expect anyone to be passing by for days or perhaps longer and there is no towing service to come get you even if you had cell service to make the call in the first place. I need more than any other thing, to feel confident in my vehicles dependability. Am I expecting too much from a Land Rover to ask for that, even the later ones like '12 or '13?

With that as your framework I'd tell you that of my two Rovers, the 96 and the 06, the 96 will do that day in/day out. Moreover its relative simplicity, resiliancy, and redundancy ensure that even if it has to limp home-it will get home. I have a relative amount of confidence in my LR3 but not at the same level.

Dependability is a result of knowledge and preperation. If you know the Rover well b/c you've maintained it, it will get you home. If you don't know it and/or don't maintain it then you are rolling the dice.

 

[zelatore]

I'm a pretty green blooded loyalist but I have to admit 'trouble free' is asking a lot. Get you home? Yeah - I don't worry about that too much. But you do have to be willing to deal with random issues. My experience with the LR3 tells me the fundamental systems are actually quite robust - including the air suspension. The problem comes from the electronic nannies. Much of that can be sorted with the use of a GAP tool, but not always.

Just this weekend I ran into such an issue. While on the trail a new and unusual failure put the front end only on the bump stops. I was unable to sort it via my GAP tool but I was still able to drive it home.

Would I buy a Toyota because of this? Absolutely not. But would I recommend an LR3/4 to somebody who expects 100% foolproof hands-off reliability? Not a chance.

 

[Blueboy]

If you don't know it and/or don't maintain it then you are rolling the dice.

In all my years of LR ownership in various Countries, this is probably the best way to view having a Rover.

And it is not the "failure maintenance" plan although it did happen recently with my B-W transfer box - one really needs to be proactive and drive the beast often enough that you know when something doesn't seem right and repair it.

Nothing is 100% yet one can make the odds more in your favor with a properly maintained Rover.

 

[fishEH]

Dependability is a result of knowledge and preperation. If you know the Rover well b/c you've maintained it, it will get you home. If you don't know it and/or don't maintain it then you are rolling the dice.

That is just about a perfect way to sum it up. One philosophy is to do your own work and bring spares and have the intimate vehicle knowledge to get you back in the event of a breakdown. The other philosophy is to have deep pockets, pay someone else to do all your work, and bring a Satellite phone with you. I prefer the first philosophy.
The reasons you listed for wanting to get rid of your Toyota don't sound that serious. You'd probably just be exchanging one set of problems for another.
You'll never get 100% reliability. The best you can prob6do is buy a brand new vehicle and kit it up, then sell it before regular maintenance items become due.

 

[Jwestpro]

I also believe (correct me if I'm wrong) the compressor has an air dryer?
.

There is a canister on the compressor with little beads inside that help with the drying. They do have a finite life though so putting them through less cycles would for sure help it last longer. It's even serviceable but nobody really services any parts these days, they just replace whole items.

 

[calicamper]

http://news.yahoo.com/jaguar-land-rover-previews-low-emissions-future-165815205.html

Interesting - I recall reading a Wired Magazine write up / interview with the designer Tesla hired to get their cars designed. He explained that he had to change his entire mindset regarding how to design the platform given he didn't need to have a transmission tunnel or drive line tunnel. He explained that those two aspects bisecting the vehicle platform greatly affects the vehicle strength and stiffness which plays into the design, capability and performance of the vehicle also. He explained that by going with a flat structure with the motors at the wheels with no drive lines or running gear affecting the structural shape the platform could be exponentially stiffer without adding any extra material or structure etc. Makes total sense and it sounds like what the designers can do with a structure like this opens up allot of doors for vehicle design and creativity also.

 

[BrandX]

Holy smokes kirk I can't believe we are having this conversation. have you lost your mind. I get that you are tired of fooling with the four runner, but a rover is never the answer. Please just go back to a newer 4door tacoma and be happy again.