2006 LR3 vs 2007/2008 LR2

[N Copeland]

Ok here is my problem.

I test drove a LR3 for the weekend and love it. I have heard all the negative commments about reliability and service issues.

The 2007 LR2 arrives in April (they call it the 2008 LR2 but it arrives in a few weeks). Anyhow between the two any thoughts on which to lean towards, price being relatively equal for the most part.

Living within 10 miles from the dealership is a plus.

Finally, when looking back it seems the 05 had more issues than the 06. How is the 06 holding up with regards to reliability?

Thanks for feedback.

[Roverdude]

Just test drove the LR2, very nice! As for reliability, my dealer GM said that during the intro event out in california, they had the 1st 100 Lr2s in the country and not a single one of them broke down during the intro event. He said in all the other model intros he went to, LR3, RRS, RR, there were always a handful of vehicles that had issues small and large. Hopefully a good sign for LR2 reliability.

[Rovin4life]

we have them now, and they are good, actually one from the people in corporate who had these as demos for at least five thousand miles did quite well with no problems.

we are optomistic.

the 06s still have some of the problems.

there are a few design flaws that will always follow that model until they try to fix it.

mostly wire location in the fender wellls as opposed to being above it.

theirs a trim cover that covers it from most of the crap but stuff gets thru and water and salt as well.

[N Copeland]

you have the lr2 now?

on the lr3, you are saying the 07 would be a better choice over the 06?

how does the lr3 vs lr2 compare. I heard it was close in size but havent seen it.

[Rovin4life]

big difference between lr3 and lr2

more then I can count.

personally go with the lr2 less money and if you dont offroad it its still as good.

and even then it still can go offroad.

alot of the features are th same as far as entertainment.

driver controls are the same but seating is different.

ever owner has different needs.

used vehicles are always good as far as value but without the wonderful feeling of a new car.

its your choice.

[nwoods]

If I was looking for a daily driver and didn't ever need to haul 5 or more people, or copious amounts of stuff, of if I already had a large SUV, the LR2 would make a great daily driver. I am a huge guy and I fit comfortably in the LR2, much to my amazement. I think it's a lot of money for that car, but it has a lot of little niceties that you aren't going to find in a Japanese jellybean or Korean equivalent.

However, if this is your primary SUV, and/or you intend to wheel it, or you need to haul people/stuff on a regular basis, I would totally go for the LR3. I love mine!

[Thor]

Get a Land Rover with live axles and off road it.

If not get a RAV4 or 4Runner.

[nwoods]

Originally Posted by Thor

Get a Land Rover with live axles and off road it.

If not get a RAV4 or 4Runner.

Ha Ha, Thor forgets that a few stock LR3's and a RRSport did all the trails at Moab last year except for Pritchard and BFE, which nothing short of a heavily modfied anything is going to make it through. It's been said a thousand times, the live axle LR is going to be a better dedicated trail rig once you invest $10 grand into it to build it up from stock, but a LR3/Sport will do *almost* everything that built up rig can do, and do it far more comfortably. The difference is that the live axle trucks have more Potential, but the modern Rover has more civility.

[Thor]

I dare say a live axled RR with Diff Lock and F & R ARB lockers and an experienced driver can equal the LR3 and RRS (not that they are bad rigs). The indie susp rigs love to lift wheels high in the air on the trail... it creeps me out and won't be good on the rig in the long term.

But it's not a stretch that there could be some electrical issues, Air Spring issues (if fitted), etc that will shorten the off road life of these newer rigs. Are you brave enough to keep a newer LR past the warranty? I'm still up in the air on this one. In the meanwhile I'll keep driving my 15 year old off road daily driver.

Also as you mentioned the LR3 and RRS will definitely be limited in tire size (without huge expenditure), limited in Heavy Duty driveline parts etc.

You guys did do well in Moab from what I heard. So... Good Job!

[N Copeland]

I have now test drove both now. In my personal opinion, the LR3 is tiny, if not, it feels tiny. From a side by side comparison, it looks a little small but was hopeful that the cabin feel would have been different. Alas, when I got in it to drive I noticed I felt cramped. The same cramped feeling you get from being in the new Acura. I noticed myy knee was almost in the console, the A/C controls were literally in front of my knee. As I scrutinized the LR2, I easily found various parts seemed to have been replaced with light and almost fragile plastic. I hate to say it but if my only choice was LR2 and anything else, I would go for an Acura or VW or Toyota. One of the few times my expectations exceeded reality.

[nwoods]

Originally Posted by Thor

I dare say a live axled RR with Diff Lock and F & R ARB lockers and an experienced driver can equal the LR3 and RRS

And I'd say you are quite right. But again you are talking thousands of dollars of modifications to get to that point. I never could figure out why Land Rover doesn't offer something like Jeep's Rubicon package, with it's heavy duty axles (Dana 44's) and front & rear lockers, and disconnecting swaybars.

On the one hand, Land Rover (rightfully) claims to be true off road machine, but on the other hand, they could be significantly better with a few simple, time tested and well understood enhancements that would extend that reputation even further.

Originally Posted by Thor

Are you brave enough to keep a newer LR past the warranty? I'm still up in the air on this one.

Yes, I think so....but I want the modern equivelent of an OBDII reader to clear any faults that occur, just like the guys with D2's today. OBD3 doesn't work from what I understand, so I'm hoping someone comes out with an economy version of the $18,000 TestBook computer :-)

[nwoods]

Originally Posted by N Copeland

I have now test drove both now. In my personal opinion, the LR3 is tiny, if not, it feels tiny. From a side by side comparison, it looks a little small but was hopeful that the cabin feel would have been different. Alas, when I got in it to drive I noticed I felt cramped. The same cramped feeling you get from being in the new Acura. I noticed myy knee was almost in the console, the A/C controls were literally in front of my knee.

Interesting, you are quite possibly the first person to report that. With 59" of shoulder room, it's one of the roomiest cars on the road for upper bodies. I agree the seats could go back further though. I added extenders on my seat rails, gave me another few inches and that made all the difference in the world. I'm 6'-7" and pretty hefty also.

Here's how I extended the rails:
http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=13

[Thor]

Originally Posted by nwoods

And I'd say you are quite right. But again you are talking thousands of dollars of modifications to get to that point. I never could figure out why Land Rover doesn't offer something like Jeep's Rubicon package, with it's heavy duty axles (Dana 44's) and front & rear lockers, and disconnecting swaybars.

On the one hand, Land Rover (rightfully) claims to be true off road machine, but on the other hand, they could be significantly better with a few simple, time tested and well understood enhancements that would extend that reputation even further.

I see your point, but in 1992 Jeep didn't offer this either, my 1992 RR1 has these for a few grand. But to further my point, LR has no live axles so very little chance of a LR3 or RRS owner retrofitting (like the newer 4runner guys do) them. Swaybars are for those without their sea legs! hahaha. I've found a little lean keeps me honest with the 4.6 persuit under the hood!

The thing Jeep is doing well (even with the front wheel drive Compass around) is keeping the Wrangler an honest live axled off roader. If I run out of LR's to play with, I'd be on the phone to American Expedition Vehicles in a heartbeat! (but I'd feel dirty)

[N Copeland]

Originally Posted by nwoods

Interesting, you are quite possibly the first person to report that. With 59" of shoulder room, it's one of the roomiest cars on the road for upper bodies. I agree the seats could go back further though. I added extenders on my seat rails, gave me another few inches and that made all the difference in the world. I'm 6'-7" and pretty hefty also.

Here's how I extended the rails:
http://blog.nextstepdesigns.com/?p=13

I meant to say the new LR2 was tiny compared to the LR3

The LR3 on the other hand had a great feel.

Now, Consumer Reports says Landrover is of the least reliable groups. If I get the LR3, what can I expect from the reliability issue?

[nwoods]

Originally Posted by N Copeland

I meant to say the new LR2 was tiny compared to the LR3

The LR3 on the other hand had a great feel.

Now, Consumer Reports says Landrover is of the least reliable groups. If I get the LR3, what can I expect from the reliability issue?

Wow that makes a lot more sense!
As for Consumer Reports, I don't have the data at my fingertips, but I belive that their reliablity report was pre-2005, which was when the LR3 came out. That means that the LR3 is not in their system yet.

What can you expect? No major mechanical leave-you-stranded-issues, but there are some fiddly things from time to time. Premature tire wear is the biggest complaint, and poor gas milage from the great V8 engine.

You will see the dealer more often than at Toyota dealer, but you will love your truck MUCH more. JD Powers ranks two items, Initial Quality, and Buyer Satisfaction. LR did poorly on Initial Quality (number of repair visits per 100 trucks), but topped out the chart in Buyer Satisfaction.

That means we wish they were better, but we love them they way they are.