08 LR3 long lasting?

[mustbeaudi]

RonLR3 needs a Yukon/Tahoe/Expedition/Navigator/Escalade. 200,000 miles in one of those won't break your bank after 100,000 - used parts abound. Knowing nothing, I predict that a used, rebuilt trans for a 5 year old Yukon will be 1/4 the cost of a trans replacement for a 5 year old LR3 -- before installation (could be twice labor cost, too!). His used LR3 will quickly fall to 10-15000 in value after all those miles build (will depreciate $10,000 after you drive it home regardless of your great deal, then another $10,000 over the next 30,000 miles). How would it feel to put $5000 into a repair at 125,000 miles? Even $3000? I'm not liking his choice for his use. Sorry.

 

[Houm_WA]

I have to agree with mustbe....while the 1/2 mile snow-covered driveway is a compelling reason to get an LR3, the 2 hour freeway commute would make me shy away from it. Also the 35,000 miles a year at 16 mpg (mixed use).

You can plow powdery driveway snow in nearly any 4x4. For the driving you're describing I'd get a rig with more street-bias and just chain it up when it snows.

 

[ronLR3]

I have to agree with mustbe....while the 1/2 mile snow-covered driveway is a compelling reason to get an LR3, the 2 hour freeway commute would make me shy away from it. Also the 35,000 miles a year at 16 mpg (mixed use).

You can plow powdery driveway snow in nearly any 4x4. For the driving you're describing I'd get a rig with more street-bias and just chain it up when it snows.

Great advise, except I don't fit into too may SUV's. I really need the ground clearence and 4WD. The Tahoe/Yukon or even my Sequoia while big, has poor head room for the driver, unless I buy the base models with no sun roof. The only vehicles I found with comfort were the LR3, VW Touareg, and Mercedes ML320 CDI. Would have bought the diesel cdi. I like the diesel, but not certain if the 4matic in the Mercedes will work as it doesn't have a locking center differential option like the other two.

Too bad the Land Rover defender which is still avail in the UK isn't here, even the discovery2 2008 model in the UK has a diesel.

 

[mustbeaudi]

I want to see just how tall/big you are! Please post a picture of yourself next to another or a familiar object for scale, sir. LR3 has great headroom and comfort, but I think we all worry for you on repair costs and carbon impact. You might end up unhappy over the long run for both reasons!

 

[mustbeaudi]

Ron, seriously, if you go LR3, would you consider a used one? You could easily save $10-20,000 up front for 10,000 to 20,000 miles of use, meaningless over 200,000. I can even help you source one wholesale from LR or LR Financial, if you like.

 

[ronLR3]

I you people mean well. I like the LR3, I don't care about the carbon impact if the vehicle has excellent off road characteristics and excellent head room. I also don't buy used, never have and never will. I'm very much into maint on vehicles and cleanliness.

 

[roverman]

I am exact opposite, never bought a new car, never will. Give me a hundred million $ tomorrow, and I'll go buy a used Bentley. Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[gtc]

I want to see just how tall/big you are!

Probably all torso - I have a buddy who was 5'6 who had the same headroom clearance as I did when sitting in my old Freelander - I'm 6'1! You'd need to pretty pretty tall to come close the the LR3 roof when sitting down, though.

Ron, seriously, if you go LR3, would you consider a used one? You could easily save $10-20,000 up front for 10,000 to 20,000 miles of use, meaningless over 200,000. I can even help you source one wholesale from LR or LR Financial, if you like.

This man knows of what he speaks!

I you people mean well. I like the LR3, I don't care about the carbon impact if the vehicle has excellent off road characteristics and excellent head room. I also don't buy used, never have and never will. I'm very much into maint on vehicles and cleanliness.

Ah, well - if you insist on buying new, at least try to cut yourself a deal. There were some 08 LR3 SE7s going for mid-high 30s range brand new...

If you have a moment, you might also search for a thread on towing and "over 100k miles" - there's a gentlemen that had posted a couple of times, and he regularly tows his boat (ie, every weekend) to the cottage, fully loaded with family and had hit well over 100k in three years. He mentioned that other then regular maintenace (fluid, brakes, tires) he had no problems - I figure that towing a boat every weekend probably is harder work then most LR3s see, so it is possible to rack up the mileage with few issues. Since this is an online forum, your obviously more likely to find people looking for information on diagnostics and repairs here.

There's not much you can do about the mileage except drive easy (ie keep it under 60mph), and avoid fuel with added ethanol. It is possible to hit 20MPG over long stretches, but I'm apparently to impatient to do it that often...

 

[drzjoint]

my co worker is 6'7" and he fits in my LR3 fine
He says his comander is a little tight.

 

[nwoods]

I'm 6'-7" and 300 lbs. I test drove some 60+ vehicles before getting the LR3 primary because I fit. I actually wanted the Sport, but you can't get them without a sunroof, so I just couldn't fit one comfortably, and ended up with the LR3.

Here is a shot of me for scale:

Is the LR3 perfect? No. So I modified it to fit me better. My wife is 6'-2", so for long trips, we found it helpful to modify her seat too. This is what we did: http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=13

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