Why do I love Land Rover?

[David Harris]

OK. I know this thread is eminently redundant, but every time I read through the forums, I rethink why I am a Rover owner and am inspired. I think the bottom line for me is that Rovers are synonymous with heart and passion about life. I swear they have a certain personality. I almost feel the people who built them and use them when I drive and work on mine. Laugh it up if you wish, but that's honestly what I feel. OK. I admit I'm a romantic, but an unapologetic one at that. Give me your best and worst.

 

[czenkov]

You are right. Rovers do grab you like no other make. I have and do own Toy's, Jeeps, Chevy's. They do not do that to you. My opinion. I kind of sold my 1997 LC to buy a 1960 Series II. And recently bought a Defender. I am sure other makes do the same thing to other people. But some people just hear the call of the LR.

 

[C Red]

You are right. Rovers do grab you like no other make. I have and do own Toy's, Jeeps, Chevy's. They do not do that to you. My opinion. I kind of sold my 1997 LC to buy a 1960 Series II. And recently bought a Defender. I am sure other makes do the same thing to other people. But some people just hear the call of the LR.

Your last statement said it all.
"... some people just hear the call of the LR."

 

[justfred]

Lately I wonder every time I fill up the tank (let alone pay for another major service call). For me it's the driving feel - it just feels sturdy. Sure, the romance is cool, but would be more so if I could afford to buy a 110, or if they still sold them (though really I'd rather have a pickup).

For beaters, I've moved on to the Pinzgauer, but my daily driver is a Disco. Either one is overkill for everything I do - I'd be better suited to a Subaru, except for the few times I need to tow a trailer or move a hell of a lot of junk.

Then again, if I had serious F-U money, I dream of buying every old 109 I could find on Ebay, and setting them up as rental expedition vehicles for other people even less sane than myself.

 

[R_Lefebvre]

For me, there's the whole emotional thing, but there's also more than that. Land Rovers are one of the few (modern) trucks really designed from the ground up for serious off-roading. SA front and rear, good transfer case, etc. Other than the Wrangler, I can't think of any others. I didn't want to buy a truck and then have to modify the hell out of it. Just a small spring lift and some decent tires, no need to worry about lifting an IRS and all the problems that entails, etc. Also, I find the Land Rovers drive better on-road than any other truck I've driven, and that was important to me as well. I can't stand driving American trucks.

Actually, from a number of Defender owners I've talked to, I honestly don't think I'd be as happy with a Defender as I am with the Discovery. Sure, it's better off-road, it's simpler, etc. but they really are uncomfortable on-road.

 

[Wander]

When I was researching Series Rovers before I bought my IIa, I read an article the also mentioned that Land Rover owners are for the most part romantics which is why we "get" these trucks. People who don't use emotion when making decisions would only see the flaws and risks and never buy one. They are unique and it may sound cliche but they lend that air of adventure to everything and to you as the owner.
My daughter went to Busch Gardens with the church youth group yesturday. They got back after midnight so I was nominated to go fetch her. I could have easily taken the 4runner but it was a nice evening, I was on vacation all last week so I got the Land Rover from the garage. When the church van pulled up I could see a lot of eyes staring at the Landy and my daughter told me "everyone thinks the Land Rover is cool" when she climbed in. The 4Runner would have sunk into the background.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

I bought the 99 because I am stupid.

 

[overlander]

For me, there's the whole emotional thing, but there's also more than that. Land Rovers are one of the few (modern) trucks really designed from the ground up for serious off-roading. SA front and rear, good transfer case, etc. Other than the Wrangler, I can't think of any others. I didn't want to buy a truck and then have to modify the hell out of it. Just a small spring lift and some decent tires, no need to worry about lifting an IRS and all the problems that entails, etc. Also, I find the Land Rovers drive better on-road than any other truck I've driven, and that was important to me as well. I can't stand driving American trucks.

Actually, from a number of Defender owners I've talked to, I honestly don't think I'd be as happy with a Defender as I am with the Discovery. Sure, it's better off-road, it's simpler, etc. but they really are uncomfortable on-road.

I drive my 110 when I "want to drive" and prefer to drive my wife's DII when I "dont' want to drive". 90% of the time, I "want to drive". :smiley_drive:

 

[R_Lefebvre]

I drive my 110 when I "want to drive" and prefer to drive my wife's DII when I "dont' want to drive". 90% of the time, I "want to drive". :smiley_drive:

When I "want to drive", I take my track car.

 

[AxeAngel]

When I "want to drive", I take my track car.

Agreed. For the late night spirited drives the boosted e36 or boosted s2000 come out to play. The solid almost tank like feel of my d2 feels so much safer and more planted than my girls 4runner.

Even with all the additional weight I prefer driving it on long trips over our ML.

Yes, I get heckled on trails by the jeepers and the yotas. But then I roll up my windows and drive home something neither of those trailer queens can do. There's something to be said about having a vehicle that can clear the rubicon and also fit right in at the valet counter.

-Sam

 

[David Harris]

Yes, I get heckled on trails by the jeepers and the yotas. But then I roll up my windows and drive home something neither of those trailer queens can do. There's something to be said about having a vehicle that can clear the rubicon and also fit right in at the valet counter.

-Sam

Amen to that! That's why it's the best!

 

[77blazerchalet]

On my eventual path away from the practicality/bulk/mpg/load capacity problems of an old Chalet, I steer toward 99-ish or earlier Discoveries, because of their aesthetics, more than anything. Call me weak on such things, I guess. But then I keep reading in this forum about the extra amount of TLC they require - I've copied several threads with pointers about brakes, cooling systems, etc.

That sort of thing steers me more toward bullet-proof no-thinkum vehicles, the 2000/01 Nissan Xterra, mostly. Looks kinda the same, I like the square headlights more than the 1st gen later model round ones. There I go again with the aesthetics.

Dunno, the concept of a little less (and perhaps less expensive) mandatory TLC has an appeal when the ultimate goal is not how stylin' the vehicle is, but rather to get further backcountry. Each vehicle lightly modded to my satisfaction would accomplish the same goal.....

 

[Howski]

It's days like these I wonder why I love my rover. Went to top off the coolant and the nipple on the expansion tank broke off. Had to overnight one for a pretty penny. I guess better now than during a 400 mile trip I'm taking next week.

 

[David Harris]

On my eventual path away from the practicality/bulk/mpg/load capacity problems of an old Chalet, I steer toward 99-ish or earlier Discoveries, because of their aesthetics, more than anything. Call me weak on such things, I guess. But then I keep reading in this forum about the extra amount of TLC they require - I've copied several threads with pointers about brakes, cooling systems, etc.

That sort of thing steers me more toward bullet-proof no-thinkum vehicles, the 2000/01 Nissan Xterra, mostly. Looks kinda the same, I like the square headlights more than the 1st gen later model round ones. There I go again with the aesthetics.

Dunno, the concept of a little less (and perhaps less expensive) mandatory TLC has an appeal when the ultimate goal is not how stylin' the vehicle is, but rather to get further backcountry. Each vehicle lightly modded to my satisfaction would accomplish the same goal.....

I completely understand your perspective. Land Rovers are NOT for everyone, by any means. Successful ownership and enjoyment of a Rover are in direct proportion to how much you can and are willing to put into it. My teenage nephew is very intrigued by Rovers, and loves the way they drive, etc., but doesn't really like to do his own maintenance or put the time into it, and so is steering away from owning one himself, and I support him in that.

 

[Green96D1]

i love rovers because of the strong build of the trucks

and you won't see a lifted one everyday. Most that see me stop to talk to me as mines it the first lifted rover they have ever seen:victory: