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With the LR3 only being available for less than 60 days, I don't think you can say this. LR3 is not the old Discovery.
Quote: "The Bluetooth and Nav system will be tweaked to integrate better."
Doubtful. Land Rover tells me there are no plans anytime soon to make PTI/Bluetooth depend on the (optional) Navigation system touchscreen. It will continue to integrate with the radio head unit controls... which, unlike Navigation, is not optional. I guess the only people that will be happy are the people that want the much-delayed PTI without paying for Navigation.
Resale value of LR3 could be better than the rest of the Land Rovers (we will see). However, to expect it to significantly jump ahead of other established brands is probably wishful. It didn't seem to happen often in the auto industry. And it's not likely to happen to LR3 due to the segment it's in with lots of competition and it's price point.
I think that $1000 for a full brake job (new discs, new rotors, a new line or two, etc.) is below market. Our Volvo XC just cost us $1100. So, if your new LR3 doing commuter duty is going to have three brake jobs in 40K, you are on the hook for about $3600. That amount by the way is probably what you would save on a new one if you wait until after the first of the year and the Section 179 buyers and the "early adopters" (my father would have used a different term for this unappealing crew) have bought their units at full list price.
IMHO the only way around this is to be able to plan ahead, order, and stock a complete set of aftermarket rotors and pads to be brought to an independent when the brakes begin to go. Kind of like buying 10 cases of Red Line ATF to get the free freight from CA. (OK, I'll admit it, I'm compulsive about maintenance and a sucker for "free freight with a stock order".)
Just some ramblings,
DL
I would like to think the LR3 is the exception to the Land Rover rule of high depreciation, but even my friend who is on his fourth RR in 12 years would bet against it, particularly at the near MSRP prices everyone is currently payong. He thrives on buying 1-2 year old Range Rovers for $20-$30k under the new price. His take is that Land Rover, not being a "mainstream" premium brand like Lexus, Acura, Mercedes, has more of a "cult" following, When they decide to sell, they have a much more limited market of prospective buyers, most of whom are conditioned to seeking significant discounts.
Again, just to be clear, I am impressed with the LR3 and think if I was 95% confident that it didn't have first year bugs and was going to break the "poor" reliability rating of Consumer Reports and JD Powers, I'd go for it.
One of the reasons that's going to make the LR3 resale worse is its service cost.
People buy used vehicles for the lower prices. However, the service cost will not reduce with time. A brake job is still $1000+ whether you buy a new LR3 at ~$50K or a used one at $25K. Since LL is not a volume brand, there will be fewer non-dealership shops that you can find to give you a lower labor rate and fewer parts suppliers to get parts that don't carry the dealer markups.
So between a used Lexus that doesn't need the brake jobs and a used LR3 that will need it and some more, if you live on a budget, which one would you go for?
The saving grace may be that the market already figured this out by then so a used LR3 is cheaper than a used Lexus.
Well, that's fair for the used car buyers. But it makes those who buy LR3 new.....(well I am not going to say it).
Also, this was the first time I have changed my pads and my truck has 50,000 miles on it. I am not sure how people need 3 sets of pads in 50,000 miles but I don't think I would want to ride with them!
Looks quite nice and treads very well on very winding and hilly local roads. Tried to cheat the the nav with some treacherous local roads, but to no avail. The nav adapts to driver's ruling of actual route quite adeptly.
It's been quite a change for wife from Odessey and she found the process adapting to this ute has so far been straightforward and pleasant.
All comments and feedbacks from wife and kids are positive so far.
Will take the ute for a trip to Florida shortly and will have more feedback in the new year.
I have tested a demo model off-road with the Range Rover and the Defender and the LR3 is far better.
The centre console fridge also works well although it only takes cans so I have ordered the extra cool box fridge. Apparently it plugs into the mains as well as the car.
You do see the heat pack wires on the front windscreen when you make an effort to focus but they are not a distraction.
Had the wood trim on order but have now cancelled, the clean lines on the car would be spoilt .personal choice.
Todd
1. We crossed Hardknott pass in major ice conditions (we were pretty stupid to have even tried). The road was blocked by an old model Range Rover, which we yanked out of the way (there was no way we were going to turn around and drive back down the iced up slope we had just climbed).
2. In a moment of unhealthy bravado returning home from a weekend away, I turned down a really knarly green lane (it was late at night, dark, sleeting and I had wife and kids on board). Very soon regreted this move as the lane turned into a horrible washed out hole. Tried to reverse back to tarmac but couldn't. Faced with 2 mile walk in freezing dark to unhappy farmer (and with fuming wife and child)but instead twiddled terrain response to "mud", switched in low box, and she leaped out of the hole backwards and flew majestically back up the steep muddy / icey slope to the road. I definitely owe LR for that one !
3. Took 4 kayaking friends, 5 boats and 1 mountain bike out last weekend. She swallowed us whole, transported us in great style and everyone was massively impressed.
4. In between all of the above I have been taken to work everyday in great comfort, with marvellous views of the surrounding countryside that I had forgotten existed (you dont see those views from a normal road car)and felt relaxed and ready for anything on arrival.
So all in all a wholly positive experience of this peerless motor vehicle.
Decided on the HSE and put a down-payment on a fully loaded one that is due 12/27... just in time for the Section 179/ accelerated depreciation deduction.
It's got tow, 3rd row, rear climate control, locking rear differential, heating package, cooling console, DVD, and (even) the adaptive headlights.
I've looked at all of the "Sect. 179 Candidates" and feel the LR3 provides the best combination of character, features, and quality. I believe it can be a vehicle one can really enjoy.
Good luck to all other HSE hunters out there...
The silver exterior should be easy to keep clean.
Steve, Host
Might want to check with Land Rover of Dallas as they claim to have two HSEs in stock and are rumored to be getting some more in when the next truck arrives...
As a reuslt of this......depressed resale values. It really is that simple.
Question: The dealer supplied us with a set of genuine Land Rover rubber floor mats and I'm wondering if anyone has experience putting the anchors in the floor. Do you just drill into the floor boards and screw the plastic piece in? The instructions that came with the mats are 100% pictures and look like the message sent aboard VOYAGER 1.
Worth raising the question to your dealer and ask what was the reason that was not done.
My buddy's mats seem to stay pretty well without the drills -- if you have slippage, just put some velcro on the bottom of the mat rather than open a potential water-hole into your insulation....
Also, love this truck but I wonder why the key needs to be in before the power seat will move? Obviously, the designer wasn't 6 foot plus married to a smaller framed gal!
I did happen to test drive an LR3 recently with my brother and was quite impressed. The third row seat especially is much better than our LX, which he is also considering buying. I would assume that, since the LR3 is about $15-20k less than the Range Rover, it will fare better in resale. Nevertheless, based upon my "near miss", I would never buy a Land Rover product that I had any notion of potentially selling in 3-4 years.
My question is related to the LR3 paint. The vehicle my brother was given was black and seemed to have a swirled, thin look. It was not as deep or rich looking as our 4 year old Lexus. Is this normal? I'd be curious as to what others think of their LR3's paint finish compared to other premium vehicles. I was not that impressed with Range Rover 4 years ago, but it was better than the LR3 given to my brother.
I've seen that many people are deciding between the LR3 and the Lexus GX. That wasn't even a decision for me. The Lexus doesn't have near the off-road capability, and while that is not a decision point for most people, it was for me. But if you want a Suburban hauler, the Lexus is probably the better way to go.
I'm in New England, North of Boston & can travel elsewhere to spend my money!
By the time you equip a SE to where you would like to be you are the same as a HSE.
The VW Toaureg has much of the driveability but a hopeless CD Nav system.
Appreciate anyones input as to a suggested dealer to contact.
Last thing I have heard of several new LR3 owners have fuel starvation problems when tank is 1/4 full or less on an incline.
Dont tell me they still have buried the fuel pump in a shallow gas tank?
Well, almost. In the US, it's about $1K more "fully loaded" -- which gets you the higher-wattage Stereo, Memory driver's seat/mirrors & larger Wheels. Add another $500 for Adaptive Headlights if you want it (unorderable on SE).
Other than the 3-4 "real" differences, the HSE just packages a few of the SE optional items. Unless you really, really want those 3-4 features... there is no point in hunting for an HSE.
If the engine turned over but would not start, then the fuel pump could be the culprit.
If the engine would not turn over and acted dead but the lights and radio worked, then it is electrical gremlins and the fuel pump and fuel tank replacement is a waste of time.
Hope you find some resolution.
BTW, they gave me a loaner 2004 Discovery while they worked on the LR3 and I have to say that whoever said that it felt like "a bowling ball connected to two strings" was right. Man, the differences between the LR3 and the Disco is like night and day. If anyone is thinking of buying an LR3 and is unable to schedule a test drive, don't use the old Discovery as a point of reference. I'm glad I got the chance to drive the two vehicles back to back or I could never appreciate how much better the LR3 is. Are they even made by the same company? e.g Why would anyone even think of putting window controls on the center console, of all places?
Last I heard was that they were using the wrong pumps in some of the earlier production vehicles. I think someone said it was a pump initially designed for a diesel engine. Don't quote me on that.
Rover may have put the switches in the console so they didn't have to change for left side vs right side driving countries.
As far as the adaptive headlights, I would suggest that the Xeon headlights in the "Light package" on the SE would be more than adequate for better visibility.
I have the "moving headlight" feature on my Lexus LS430. When the headlights turn on, there is almost a 180 degree field that is brightly lit. The "center beam" is all that moves. I believe you can see just as well even when you turn the moving beam off. Sometimes, the moving spot can be a distraction.
I would not recommend spending extra on this feature or trying to have it installed later.
Good luck. My LR3 is supposed to be in today.
As for the lights, I have the Xenon and they are like the sun when the highbeams are on. Couldn't possibly see the need for the turning lights.
I also have the heated windshield. You can see the lines if you look for them.
Can't wait to get it into some mud and try it out...
I get compliments on it constantly. It really just stands out from everything else. I am still not thrilled with the look from the side, but overall it is great.
Keeping my fingers crossed....
Flood the market with LX470's and guess what...???
In the case of the previous RR, it is not an actual "flood" (supply) of vehicles, more of a "stay away", or reduce demand to at or near zero due to quality issues etc.
The transmission shifts seemlessly and the power from the engine is quite impressive. There is a nice exhaust note when stepping on the gas. Fuel mileage on a 150 mile drive at a steady 64 mph was 18.7 according to the computer. In town I'm getting 12.7 mpg. Has anyone checked on the accuracy of the computer?
The adaptive headlights are a nice feature but not necessary. The ride is very smooth and a very secure vault like feel. The vehicle starts to show its 5800 pounds when going into a corner. It rolls into the corners in a very predictable fashion.
I'm still going through the owners manuals and learning about the navigation system. I have three car seats that easily fit across the second row. The kids love the alpine roof. The sound system is amazing and will go as loud as most anyone could stand without distortion.
I plan on taking the vehicle in the sand on the beaches in the Wilmington, NC area and will let you know my impressions.
After one week and 750 miles, LR3 is coolest and most functional SUV I've ever owned. No problems to date, not even an issue with low fuel start-up. Kids can get themselves in and out of 3rd row with ease which never happened in GX470. Also, I dropped my wife off at a Christmas party today. Two different ladies drove up in the exact same white GX470 and parked behind each other. It's nice to be different, at least for a while.
Letting the transmission do it's job without a heavy foot... and never carrying any passengers or load will conserve the most gas. :-)
reichowjr, all fuel computers are off. All my MPG postings were based on real physical consumption. Take the few seconds and record your real usage/mileage.
One last question, has anyone tried the Landrover roof rack yet. It is way too narrow and rated for a feeble amount of carrying capacity (60kgs!). Putting 4 kayaks on was a major headache (width wise) and probably exceeded the recommended weight by a factor of 3. We didn't go too far, but it seemed ok.
I contacted my dealer who advised US spec HSE's do not come with the front sensors and the HSE on the lot does not have them either. They indicated the owners manual is in error. They also indicated their ordering book mentions only rear sensors and nothing about the front. I pushed to have him contact Land Rover NA for conclusive proof.
Does anyone have a US spec HSE with front parking sensors? Were some HSE's mistakenly built without the front sensors?
Overall it has been a pleasure driving so far.
This has been around for more than 6 years, hope LR got it right.
Does any out there know of this feature and how to engage it. I have not been able to figure it out.
Thanks
Thanks in advance....