Most fun I've had driving int he snow in a while

[Bhos]

I went through the same thing. I wonder if they are either told it's for towing, or just an excuse to tell people because there are not many with HD? I bought mine used from a Toyota dealership in Denver, and they either just wanted it off the lot, or didn't know what they had. It was about 10% cheaper than the LR stealerships. I ran across 4 with HD last summer, but only one was at a price I would pay.

My salesperson tried hard to talk me out of the HD pack! According to her I didn't really need it unless I "towed a boat" or something... Even after telling her I would off-road my LR4 often and I was coming out of a Sport which included rear lockers, she still wasn't convinced I knew what I was talking about. I had to special order my LR4 from the UK, as there were no LR4s with HD available anywhere in the Western states when I was looking (October 2012.)

 

[danrhiggins]

Hey Dan,

Trust me I did not forget any of these things, I own 2 LR4's. And in my humble opinion you left out one of the best reasons to own any year model. They look cool !!! It's hard to beat that sophisticated yet rugged look that LR has mastered with the body design. I happen to think LR nailed it with the LR4 exterior design. I even prefer it's looks over the Range Rover ( I had an 06).

Don't be so ******* yourself, buying an LR4 should neutralize any pansy tendencies you think you have.

LOL! But I thought the Cnet review said the LR4 looks like a refrigerator on wheels! Seriously, I do also like the look. Looks are last on my list. But when I do consider the looks I like something the communicates function. I agree that the LR4 nails it. I have always liked the look of the Land Cruisers from a few years ago before they added the bloated sides and also the Lexus LX470. But I don't care for the current styles. Also, I personally don't get the RR. And I think the RRS is worse IMHO. I had to laugh when I asked my salesperson why the LR4 is less expensive and he said most people don't like the look. My was response was, "OK. I can live with that. More of what I want, less of what I don't care about and for less money because people don't like the style."

BTW, thanks for the encouragement. I have high hopes for this truck. I just hope I am not overselling myself.

 

[Matt]

LOL! But I thought the Cnet review said the LR4 looks like a refrigerator on wheels! Seriously, I do also like the look. Looks are last on my list. But when I do consider the looks I like something the communicates function. I agree that the LR4 nails it. I have always liked the look of the Land Cruisers from a few years ago before they added the bloated sides and also the Lexus LX470. But I don't care for the current styles. Also, I personally don't get the RR. And I think the RRS is worse IMHO. I had to laugh when I asked my salesperson why the LR4 is less expensive and he said most people don't like the look. My was response was, "OK. I can live with that. More of what I want, less of what I don't care about and for less money because people don't like the style."

BTW, thanks for the encouragement. I have high hopes for this truck. I just hope I am not overselling myself.

Dan,

That Cnet review was not worth a spit, there is zero value in it. If you really want to have a laugh go back and read the bio of the writer. He collects transformers. Seriously, I do not like people reviewing cars I buy that can't afford to own it. Anybody can take some dealer specs drive around a car and write down their comments. While I did not feel the review was bad, I could not help but feel the author was woefully under qualified to perform it.

I have done more than my fair share of wheeling with a 2007 jeep and have owned my fare share of luxury vehicles, from a benz to the 740Li in the garage along with a handful of LR vehicles.

You do get what you pay for with the LR4. I remember reading the JP power reviews before I bought my first RR and was concerned with the reviews and poor service records. I never had one, that's right not even one problem with the vehicle in 4 years. With three kids I put the interior to the test which looked as good as new the day I sold it. Now, I never once took that vehicle off road, so I cannot give you a true review of it's off road prowess, but that's not why I bought it.

LR does have a proven track record of off road performance you just don't see people wheeling them recklessly and posting it on you tube.

( I drove my jeep recklessly)

Having said all that they do deliver with luxury interior appointments and you will take comfort in knowing that when the zombie apocalypse is upon us you will be able to get your family to safety.

The LR4 is the ultimate urban assault vehicle.

 

[danrhiggins]

Thanks, Matt. I can certainly say that the feedback, experiences and helpful advice from this forum has done far more to sell me on the LR4 than any review out there.

My vision for this LR4 goes much further than any vehicle I have previously owned. Here are some examples of what I hope to be able to do. It is not about expeditions or crazy off road for me (I'll leave that to the Jeeps). But it is more than I have done with my Lexus's and Acura's.
- Road trips. We are in Colorado and our sons are in Seattle for the next 3 years. Therefore I'll be doing a couple more CO to WA road trips with some exploring along the way (Tetons, Yellowston, the Cascades in OR/WA, etc. We also like to go to Arizona for a week or two in the winter. These trips also require a great "freeway" vehicle.
- Exploring the backroads of Colorado. We've been here 27 years and there is much that we have not seen. From the San Juans to Moab to the Crested Butte and Aspen areas. And areas closer to Denver like Rampart Range Road area and the Idaho Springs area.
- Using the LR4 as a base when we get to interesting locations for hiking, mountain biking and photography. Even possibly camping/sleeping it in at night so I can catch the morning "golden hour" for photography.
- As a "virtual office". My company has placed much of its workforce in "home" or "virtual" offices. Sometimes I get cabin fever and will need to find someplace out of the office to work. There is a ridge 10 minutes from my home where I can park and have a near-180 degree view of the Rocky Mountains with great cell coverage. I intend to setup the back of the LR4 so I can work from the rear seat. I can also do this with a short drive into the foothills west of Colorado. Or in more extreme cases drive to the top of one of the high passes in the Rocky's or find a lake or stream to hang out by. This, along with using the truck as a base camp and sometimes a living quarters, is why the spacious interior is so important to me and why I am avoiding the LX570 or the Land Cruiser.
- Maybe, possibly, someday we will get a small to medium travel trailer for our adventures. (We'll retire in about 4 years.)
- I don't have a commute so the truck will not have as much wear and tear from stop and go driving.

The tough part for me is to set and dream of all these possibility without having the truck in hand. It is 3 months away. So during that time I am trying to learn as much as I can about the LR4, how to drive it and where we can go with it. And I will be creating things like simple storage drawers for the back, a dining fly/canopy for when we're hanging out somewhere, etc.

Of course I watch my share of videos of the LR4. Its crazy!

Hanging out on this forum has been great. It keeps me excited about the possibilities and it has allayed most of my fears and concerns about reliability.

All good.

 

[epiclr4]

- Using the LR4 as a base when we get to interesting locations for hiking, mountain biking and photography. Even possibly camping/sleeping it in at night so I can catch the morning "golden hour" for photography.

This thread is so far off topic now that its not even funny!

But in terms of your mountain biking comment I was finally able to get out yesterday here in VA with our 65 degree day and get some riding in myself. I bought the LR4 with the pure intent that it would be carrying my bike at all times on the INSIDE of the vehicle.

I was able to figure out yesterday that it fits bikes even better than I had tested with the test vehicle I borrowed before purchasing. I was able to get my bike in with the center rear seat in the flat position and a ratchet strap across the handle bars to keep it standing. Didn't have to touch another seat or anything. Just lean to one side a small amount and let the seat fit in the cargo sunroof and the handlebars sit about 1 in from the back glass.

Next time I will have to get some pictures. But for the sake of giving you a size comparable I have a Large Cannondale Flash 29'r. I can leave my saddle at ride height and it just clears the lip of the sunroof.

 

[danrhiggins]

LOL! Yes, we have gotten off topic. So I am going to start a new one titled: how do you use your LR4.

Glad to hear the 29'er fit. That is what I have now.

 

[jptruck]

Back to topic: Just ordered some Nokians for this winter. Get 'em while they are in stock. Half the country is going to order snow tires this week. ;-)

Now I"m hoping for snow.

 

[umbertob]

What is this "snow" stuff y'all are talking about? Is it that white fluffy stuff I've seen in movies and on TV before?

Greetings from sunny Southern California...

 

[NASdiesel]

What is this "snow" stuff y'all are talking about? Is it that white fluffy stuff I've seen in movies and on TV before?

Greetings from sunny Southern California...

It is about as foreign to you as the the term "rust"...

 

[danrhiggins]

What is this "snow" stuff y'all are talking about? Is it that white fluffy stuff I've seen in movies and on TV before?

Greetings from sunny Southern California...

Think of it as freezing cold sand.