Can we talk about the LR3?

2 years ago, I was in Moab with my lifted 06 Xterra Off-Road (Dana44, rear locker, etc) with a small lift and 33" Duratracs. My buddy was there with his '92 Land Cruiser, also with a small lift at 33"s, with full lockers.

...and along came his friend, with his wife's bone stock Land Rover. 19" wheels, highway tires.

We (all) laughed and acknowledged that the Land Rover was obviously a highway vehicle but we'd see if if could even manage the easy trails. Fins n things, Hell's Revenge, everybody was doing fine. So we moved up to Poison Spider Mesa.

We couldn't have been more wrong. Where my Xterra was running out of articulation (and needed the locker constantly) and the LC was having it's own problems, the LR just walked right up. Over and over, we'd watch it get through each obstacle with no issues (other than cringing at the lack of sidewall). The traction control and air suspension was simply amazing to watch.

Anyway, I forgot about all this until recently. I'm moving back West and am ready to get an other 4x4 to explore with. No insane wheeling, just good off-road capability, enough space for camping gear, and comfortable for the 1-2 hour highway drive.

The Xterra was pretty much perfect, we did 50k (!) miles in it around the US. Here's the info:

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/164019-(Philly)-2006-Nissan-Xterra-OFF-ROAD-6-spd-manual?s=a1d94f5a68306c9c4404a2c0124adefb

I wished it was maybe a foot longer so we could sleep inside in a pinch, and that it had better road manners. The LR3:

-Is one foot longer
-Supposedly has much better road manners
-Magic Air Suspension (thus the road manners)

From reading up on ExPo, the issues seem to be almost entirely related to suspension bushings and the air suspension. A $35 rebuild of the compressor How-To is posted online, and replacement air springs aren't exorbitantly expensive. And this time around I'm not planning an Alaska trip either. Just weekend trips or maybe a week or two within the PNW.

....and a CLEAN 05-07 runs between $3-6k. Take that, Jeep Wrangler.

I'd add good AT tires, buy an IIDTool for any codes, and do all the PM on the air suspension and bushings.

Tell me this is a bad idea.

Do it, I love the LR3, i believe they have the Ford 5.0 in them? or is that newer generations. They are on my short list of when my lease is up vehicles. I should go do moar research, thanks

The Ford Coyote 5.0 or a Jag designed but built by Ford that just happens to use a similar components due to cost concerns? The latter seems less likely but not totally improbable.

In reply to tjbell :

This would be the 4.4 Jag V8. Underpowered for it's weight, but it doesn't matter. Just need comfy, space, and capable.

Sounds like a no brainer, honestly.

Do it.

Then swap something less Jag in it.

Land Rover has had several owners over the last 30 years.  The drivetrain could be British Leyland, BMW, Ford, Jag, or something else depending on the era.  Currently owned by Tata Motors.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Land_Rover

Oh and I see the towing capacity is rather good too, hmmmm.  But the prices are still pretty high here in DistMarVa, like $5k for a 2003 with 150 on the clock.

2003 is Disco2. 05+ is LR3.

Avoid the Disco2 if only for engine issues. Aside from them, they are a well built go anywhere vehicle.  The LR3 (called the Discovery 3 elsewhere in the world) adds to the Disco 2 by adding a more reliable engine, full independent suspension, and more reliable electronics. It is a wholly better starting platform than the D1 and D2

Wait so is the LR3 a Landie that might be usable as a daily?

93EXCivic said:

Wait so is the LR3 a Landie that might be usable as a daily?

If you were OK with the dismal fuel consumption...

Blaise said:

93EXCivic said:

Wait so is the LR3 a Landie that might be usable as a daily?

If you were OK with the dismal fuel consumption...

Yeah I looked that up and saw 21 city at first then realized that was for diesels we didn't get...

I sincerely hope this is not helping.  

I have been on the prowl for an SUV to replace my WRX as a winter pounder and this is looking pretty tempting.  

Which engine do you want?  4.4 or 4.0?  Craigslist has a handful for sale in the $13500 pristine/crack pipe to $2500 needs engine range.  

Also a bit disturbing that 2 of the 6 for sale have blown engines.  Engines seem cheap on car-part.com, under $1500.

The honey hole seems to be the 2008/150k with a bad motor.  Could put a motor in that easy enough I am guessing.  

This is way too tempting. I’ve always written off Land Rover products but if these are decent I might have just found my next truck. Keep it coming with the photos! 

In reply to pinchvalve :

Scary thing is that I've seen all these pics. I even know who the white one belongs to (Nwoods lol).

My understanding is that you want the 4.4 V8. There doesn't seem to be a cost difference and it's already underpowered.

I don't think this is the same model.  But. 

In the same vein that Miata is always the GRM answer for carving corners, Jeep XJ is always the answer for conquering trails.  They are small though.  You can put a good roof rack on to free up space on the inside.  A later one is a honey badger of a car that will not fail.

In reply to A 401 CJ :

I agree. I built three but the ‘87 was the hardcorest.

i think now though, with my commute and family needs they LR3 might be ideal. Hell, rust free XJ’s are fetching close to what an older LR3 is nowadays 

Everybody says Jeeps are unkillable except the guys on the Jeep forums. They just complain about them breaking down and having to be repaired again. And again. And again.

I like the LR3s but if I decide to sell my Jeep I'm going Toyota. I'd rather drive something than wrench on it. 

Toyotas are COMPLETELY insane with pricing though. Along with Wranglers.

My pristine '06 Xterra with 120k miles, new diff, new tires, original owner with all records, etc - was $7000.

A similar TRD/PRO whatever they call it would cost me double or more for a yota. No performance difference.

I like the XJ but it's small and *very* dated at this point. It's a 1986 design after all...

they're that cheap?  woah.  I didn't need to know this. ugh.

bluej said:

they're that cheap?  woah.  I didn't need to know this. ugh.

I agree.  I searched locally and now have to fight back my urge to go look at any.  I had a Discovery breifly, and would love a more up to date LR.  This could be very bad for my bank account, and these pictures are not helping at all.