New LR4 Owner

[ramajama]

Ha ha! These decisions can be tough. It all comes down to your requirements/needs and then your tastes. There are probably a lot of people driving LR4s who don't need the capabilities. Also a lot of people whose "tastes" may be better served by other "Suburban Utility Vehicles" that have more than adequate capabilities and possibly a better reliability record. Good luck with your decision.

Yeah, its terrible. Im contending with wants, needs, practicality, image, reliability, bang for the buck, capabilities, technology, emotion and even brand loyalty.
Theres really some great vehicles out there. It can be tough these days.

 

[cperez]

Yeah, its terrible. Im contending with wants, needs, practicality, image, reliability, bang for the buck, capabilities, technology, emotion and even brand loyalty.
Theres really some great vehicles out there. It can be tough these days.

I agree with Dan's earlier points as well as others who have weighed in on the various aspects that factor into decisions like this. This is why I love car shopping so much. No one in my family seems to understand it. And yes there are some really good choices out there. If I were in buying mode right now, that money would be burning a hole in my pocket!

For me, the intangibles often get as much or more weight than the quantifiable stuff. You mentioned a few of them in your list: image, emotion, brand loyalty. In my case, Land Rover pulled my strings in these areas especially hard. I had a great experience with a leased (new) 2007 RR HSE. Never a single issue other than routine maintenance.

After that I was intrigued by the 2011 refresh of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and I purchased a loaded Overland edition (5.7L). The interior was truly upscale with stitched leather, wood, soft touch surfaces all around and just looked put together. I put it on par with the cockpit experience of the RR and it even exceeded it in a few areas. The ride, power, off-road chops, tech, utility, etc. were all top-notch. BTW, this was my 4th Jeep so there was/is some brand loyalty going on there as well. Jeep and Landy guys have a lot in common.

But...it wasn't a Land Rover. I traded out of the JGC and into a sedan for a couple of years. When the SUV bug bit me again, I knew it would have to be a Rover (pre-owned this time...my wife indulges me my car-trading hobby but has her limits). There is a special feeling that comes with these vehicles. No spreadsheet or metrics can capture it. It's probably a mild form of cognitive dysfunction because it can cause you to suspend outrage/regret/irritation when things go wrong. Pride of ownership is tough to beat with these things. It's certainly not for everyone and hats off to those who are immune.

Fortunately my '11 LR4 has been performing like a champ and I hope it continues because I just ran out of runway (warranty).

Good luck, Ramajama! What's on your short list of domestics? --Chris

 

[ramajama]

I agree with Dan's earlier points as well as others who have weighed in on the various aspects that factor into decisions like this. This is why I love car shopping so much. No one in my family seems to understand it. And yes there are some really good choices out there. If I were in buying mode right now, that money would be burning a hole in my pocket!

For me, the intangibles often get as much or more weight than the quantifiable stuff. You mentioned a few of them in your list: image, emotion, brand loyalty. In my case, Land Rover pulled my strings in these areas especially hard. I had a great experience with a leased (new) 2007 RR HSE. Never a single issue other than routine maintenance.

After that I was intrigued by the 2011 refresh of the Jeep Grand Cherokee and I purchased a loaded Overland edition (5.7L). The interior was truly upscale with stitched leather, wood, soft touch surfaces all around and just looked put together. I put it on par with the cockpit experience of the RR and it even exceeded it in a few areas. The ride, power, off-road chops, tech, utility, etc. were all top-notch. BTW, this was my 4th Jeep so there was/is some brand loyalty going on there as well. Jeep and Landy guys have a lot in common.

But...it wasn't a Land Rover. I traded out of the JGC and into a sedan for a couple of years. When the SUV bug bit me again, I knew it would have to be a Rover (pre-owned this time...my wife indulges me my car-trading hobby but has her limits). There is a special feeling that comes with these vehicles. No spreadsheet or metrics can capture it. It's probably a mild form of cognitive dysfunction because it can cause you to suspend outrage/regret/irritation when things go wrong. Pride of ownership is tough to beat with these things. It's certainly not for everyone and hats off to those who are immune.

Fortunately my '11 LR4 has been performing like a champ and I hope it continues because I just ran out of runway (warranty).

Good luck, Ramajama! What's on your short list of domestics? --Chris

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a car-a-holic. I rarely keep anything long and I like nice rides. (as nice as I can afford) I probably need to go through a 12 step pogram. LOL!

This decision is especially tough because we need to keep this for awhile and I need to curb my car buying habbit for AT LEAST three or four years so we can get a new home and a few things that go with that. This will be our main driver for the foreseeable future. I'm actually selling BOTH of our late model trucks because this will go back to my wife when we are ready to buy another truck and we feel a 'ute will serve our needs (third row) better than a four door truck.. Our other mode of transpo will be our 91 Dodge Ramcharger. It has been a putt-around weekend toy but its actually reliable enough to get my wife to work and back, about 5 miles round trip (my wife LOVES driving it, so that helps.) and its super easy and inexpensive to work on if needed. Whatever new 'Ute we get will be my daily driver and family hauler. I'm in sales and we like to travel so it WILL see some use. As you might guess, I'm a MOPAR guy. So we are VERY interested in a 14/15 Durango R/T. Incredible value. I already have a RAM 1500 RT with the HEMI and 8 speed. The Durango RT has the same combo and I'll tell you, its sublime. The Durango doesnt have the off road chops but its got more features than you can shake a stick at. MUCH better technology package (uConnect simply can not be beat right now), AWD with 2 speed gear box and load leveling, Rear DVD/Blueray, Nappa leather, with cooled and heated seats rear heated seats, third row, adaptive cruise, front crash warning and on and on and on....They look great too.

The deal is that Ive always had a "thing" for British steel. I cant tell you how many times over the years I wanted to buy a Disco for a toy and Ive alway drooled over the LR3/4. Ive owned three Triumph motorcycles. Havent had a *** bike for almost 20 years. Purely emotional purchases that I wil always treasure.
In 2006, we ALMOST bought a LR3. We literally changed our minds at the signing table and went a 1/4 mile down the street and bought a 2006 Jeep Commander Limited with HEMI. For much the same reasons we are kcking around now for the Durango.. WAY better bang for the buck. But deep down we always regretted NOT buying the LR3. That Jeep was a very capable, very well equipped and powerful 'Ute...but it ended up being a lemon. LOL!!

So here I am, 9 years later, in the same stuation. Only difference is that this purchase has a bit more weight to it.

Both LR4 and Durango have their merits, just trying to sort it all out. Like I said, just when Ive made up mind mind on the Durango, my heartstrings tug me back towards the LR4.

 

[Lone Star landy]

Putting LR4 and Dodge Durango in the same sentence seems like it should be a crime to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[epiclr4]

I think I'm in the same boat as you. I'm a car-a-holic. I rarely keep anything long and I like nice rides. (as nice as I can afford) I probably need to go through a 12 step pogram. LOL!

This decision is especially tough because we need to keep this for awhile and I need to curb my car buying habbit for AT LEAST three or four years so we can get a new home and a few things that go with that. This will be our main driver for the foreseeable future. I'm actually selling BOTH of our late model trucks because this will go back to my wife when we are ready to buy another truck and we feel a 'ute will serve our needs (third row) better than a four door truck.. Our other mode of transpo will be our 91 Dodge Ramcharger. It has been a putt-around weekend toy but its actually reliable enough to get my wife to work and back, about 5 miles round trip (my wife LOVES driving it, so that helps.) and its super easy and inexpensive to work on if needed. Whatever new 'Ute we get will be my daily driver and family hauler. I'm in sales and we like to travel so it WILL see some use. As you might guess, I'm a MOPAR guy. So we are VERY interested in a 14/15 Durango R/T. Incredible value. I already have a RAM 1500 RT with the HEMI and 8 speed. The Durango RT has the same combo and I'll tell you, its sublime. The Durango doesnt have the off road chops but its got more features than you can shake a stick at. MUCH better technology package (uConnect simply can not be beat right now), AWD with 2 speed gear box and load leveling, Rear DVD/Blueray, Nappa leather, with cooled and heated seats rear heated seats, third row, adaptive cruise, front crash warning and on and on and on....They look great too.

The deal is that Ive always had a "thing" for British steel. I cant tell you how many times over the years I wanted to buy a Disco for a toy and Ive alway drooled over the LR3/4. Ive owned three Triumph motorcycles. Havent had a *** bike for almost 20 years. Purely emotional purchases that I wil always treasure.
In 2006, we ALMOST bought a LR3. We literally changed our minds at the signing table and went a 1/4 mile down the street and bought a 2006 Jeep Commander Limited with HEMI. For much the same reasons we are kcking around now for the Durango.. WAY better bang for the buck. But deep down we always regretted NOT buying the LR3. That Jeep was a very capable, very well equipped and powerful 'Ute...but it ended up being a lemon. LOL!!

So here I am, 9 years later, in the same stuation. Only difference is that this purchase has a bit more weight to it.

Both LR4 and Durango have their merits, just trying to sort it all out. Like I said, just when Ive made up mind mind on the Durango, my heartstrings tug me back towards the LR4.

I have a 2014 JGC Summit and to compare it (or any Dodge, Ram, Chrysler product) to the LR4 in terms of the emotional aspects is very difficult as it just doesn't compare. If my LR4 wouldn't have been a lemon I would still have it and planned on having it for a long time. Granted I wished it had more power and the sport setting actually did something but otherwise its an incredible vehicle. Versatility is unrivaled in my mind and experience.

Does my JGC work and drive, yes. I did get the diesel version so it does get about 2x these distance on a tank as the LR4 did. Otherwise I miss the Green Oval.

 

[cperez]

The deal is that Ive always had a "thing" for British steel. I cant tell you how many times over the years I wanted to buy a Disco for a toy and Ive alway drooled over the LR3/4... Like I said, just when Ive made up mind mind on the Durango, my heartstrings tug me back towards the LR4.

Here Ramajama, this lineup should make your decision a lot easier!

http://expeditionportal.com/2015s-top-five-overland-vehicles-for-north-america/

 

[ramajama]

Here Ramajama, this lineup should make your decision a lot easier!

http://expeditionportal.com/2015s-top-five-overland-vehicles-for-north-america/

LOL! Thanks alot!!

 

[ramajama]

Putting LR4 and Dodge Durango in the same sentence seems like it should be a crime to me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LOL! I hear ya! and I see the but if you objectively compare the two, there is only one practical catagory and one intangable catagory where it soundly wins.. LR4 takes the Durango RT in offroad prowess and the "IT" factor.

I think we all know that the "IT" is pretty important to some people.