Landcruiser Discovery Pajero

Me too. 4000Kms in the Kimberley corrugations in our 2005 100 TD LC (140Kms on clock) and NOT ONE RATTLE or problem. No flats etc etc etc.

Don't change.

When's it due out?

I read somewhere November 2009ish

Ok, thanks. Sounds like a few newies/upgrades due out towards the end of the year...
The new LR Disco4
The rumoured 70-Series LC mods (airbags and new dash - first since intro in the 1980's)
And of course the Nissan Patrol TDV8 (to compete with the LC200) haa haa haa haa :)

Hi there. As a one-time Series II owner, I still have a soft spot for Landrover. But the perennial quality control questions still worry me. Have they been fixed? And are the modern electronics systems too sexy for words, or reliable enough?
I am terrified at the process of replacing my Prado when the time comes (it's 11 years old now, and over 200,000 km). Any comments?

When Ford took over LandRover quality control was improved dramatically. I have done about 25 thousand kilometres on corrugations and have no squeeks or rattles and have not encountered the overheating of airbags as some have said even though I do not drive slow and do very long distances each day with heavy loads and temps in the mid fourties on occasions- I like going when there are less "terrorists" and I travel on my own. I put the idea of the electronics faulting in the same category as when we had points in the distributor ( as I had the first time I explored the Deserts in my "69' Holden HT wagon ) and the older generation were worried about those "new fang dangled electronic ignitions" back then in the early eighties that was coming out on the Japanese cars. How many still prefer a set of points now? Time has moved on. People have more problems with tyres/driving too fast/fatigue/inattention/little experience and poor preparation. The computer on the Discovery 3 can be "reset" by yourself from the drivers seat should any fault occur.

Thanks for that - food for thought, eh? Now we have to see if the Indians can maintain the Ford standard! An indestructible Defender at under $50,000 still has appeal.

Chris, your Prado should be good to cover that distance again... *IF* Prados are as good as Jackaroos ;)

I expect they are!

Tom

Thanks, I now have the magazine however still interested in what happens after a few thousand kms.

Cheers

Hmmm, I'm not sure that it would win a "comfort" contest over a Disco. And the new Landcruiser has as much electronic wizardry as the Disco3!

Admittedly, Toyota does seem to have a better reputation with their electrical systems than LR.

I don't know how more remote I can get than criss-crossing OZ avoiding the bitumen and trying a different track each time on my own. I have broken my back twice and NO other has the comfort of the Discovery SE, if you think different you haven't driven one. With my extra tank ( as the others require also bar the Prado ) I get nearly 1900 kms between refills. I haven't had any breakdowns and "outbackability" ?, read some reviews and believe them. The 200 series seats feel like wooden park benches compared to the Discovery. I also spent several years taking Japanese 4X4 wagons/campers across the country delivering them where required so I have tried the Toyota range, I think a lot of owners need a medal for putting up with the seats/suspension. Toyota charge a premium on the 200 series because there will always be people who will buy them anyway without believing reviews. All the editors/tests of these 4X4 mags worldwide are not in collusion to sell LandRovers as much as Tojo drivers think. I get many startled looks ( rear-vision mirrors seem optional ) when I'm alongside them going past on the corrugations even with my broken back. AND if people want to keep their old bangers because they are reliable, just don't have an accident as I have seen the inside of rehabilitation centres and spent nearly a year in a wheelchair and it's not nice, the old bangers have no safety features to compare, lying there in the bed or being fed by someone you will wonder ( if you can ) what that life would of been like had you spent that money on a 4X4 with extra safety features. Anyway - each to their own, just check those mirrors.

Points well noted, safety is indeed important but note all three the vehicles under discussion are up there in that regard

I agree with the seats, etc. but these are relatively small items, I stand by my overall statement that if one had to choose between these three considering all the pros and cons, the majority will go for the cruiser.

Yes one may have softer seats, colder a/c, bigger mirrors, quieter engine, fold-up seats vs fold down, etc. etc. but the overall package, considering the question posed, I'd say the cruiser by a landslide

CJ

CJ, that's fine, but there are many people who don't go for the 'Cruiser for one reason or another. That's why there are other vehicle manufacturers making other 4WDs. You should be thankful for them - can you imagine the price of your 'Cruiser if Toyota had no competitors?!

Hi CJ

To follow up on your question…..

“But to one question -

"Which car do you trust to do long remote outback trips with, giving you touring drive comfort, range, reliability, availability of spare parts, and general 'outbackability' ?" The answer will overwhelmingly be in favour of the Cruiser”.

I think the one major question that is (almost always) left out of these discussions is which vehicle represents the best value for money, after all vehicles are a considerable capital expense and therefore you want to get the best bang for your buck.

I hear the points you put forward in favour of the ‘Crusier’ but at what price versus the alternatives?

A quick comment on the points you highlighted…….

Drive comfort – Well I drive a ‘Fender (and loving it) so I probably have no place to comment on this one (although I find the ‘Fender comfortable).

Range – Unless you are contemplating a CSR trip, or similar, the standard range for most vehicles will be sufficient between refueling opportunities.

Reliability – As broad a statement as it is, it is fair to say most breeds of modern four-wheel drive vehicles are reliable, and equally most have their own unique issues. Know what these are, service the vehicle regularly and ahead of major trips and reliability will be fine.

Spare Parts – In this day and age most places keep limited spares simply because spares for modern vehicles are an expensive inventory, consequently most manufacturers are able to supply parts to most places in Australia as quick as transportation allows, in many cases overnight, but usually less than a few days.

General Outbackability – I guess you would need to consider the criteria to measure this….

Resale might not hold it better than 100 (an opinion), but if yo research redbook and based on Toyo history, it will hold it far better than the lando (researched opinion)
;-) ;-)
We said this thread would open a can...