SUV conundrum
#16
Pole Position
As some of you may remember I recently found a low mile 2002 RX to replace my Jeep since it can carry and tow exactly the same size stuffs while getting 5 mpg more, better road manners, WAY better livability, and just generally a better experience and higher reliability. Well as it happens on the same day I got done detailing the car my best friend had his car hit and needed a replacement, since he has been around my cars long enough he asked if I would sell the RX and naturally I said yes. This has left me once again without a replacement for the seemingly eternal WJ I just can't seem to get rid of lol! This sucks since I thought I finally had a good replacement for nearly free, now I am back to looking for something else....
So with that in mind what are your suggestions? It will be parked outside on the corner of my driveway so it has to be somewhat presentable for the other houses sake lol, so nothing too out of style. I am finding myself very strongly drawn toward a Land Rover Discovery II for a combination of cosmetics reasons and I just think they are so cool/capable and they 100% check all the functional boxes I need. I am leery since it's, well, a Land Rover and I would like to get something that breaks less than my Jeep does/did/will but every time I get one though the shop I just love driving them and how awesomely designed they are. The Range Rover is off the table though since I don't trust one to sit for a long period of time, otherwise I would consider one as well.
Suggestions? Thoughts? Reprimands?
So with that in mind what are your suggestions? It will be parked outside on the corner of my driveway so it has to be somewhat presentable for the other houses sake lol, so nothing too out of style. I am finding myself very strongly drawn toward a Land Rover Discovery II for a combination of cosmetics reasons and I just think they are so cool/capable and they 100% check all the functional boxes I need. I am leery since it's, well, a Land Rover and I would like to get something that breaks less than my Jeep does/did/will but every time I get one though the shop I just love driving them and how awesomely designed they are. The Range Rover is off the table though since I don't trust one to sit for a long period of time, otherwise I would consider one as well.
Suggestions? Thoughts? Reprimands?
eep. Land Rover is dead last in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018.
#17
Pole Position
I have a 2013 and rx350; hitting 200k; its our older car but looks and runs like brand new, I have my bike rack on it all the time and also take it to the mountains and fit a canoe on top.
People are shocked that it has that many miles, no issues.
I owned a highlander for 6 months it was a 2014 and found it just as good. The rx is somewhat more quieter and more "sporty" if I can call it that.
People are shocked that it has that many miles, no issues.
I owned a highlander for 6 months it was a 2014 and found it just as good. The rx is somewhat more quieter and more "sporty" if I can call it that.
#18
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
You want something that breaks down less than your Jeep. Land Rover is dead last in dependability in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018. Next to last in 2015 and next to last in 2013. At least consistent.
eep. Land Rover is dead last in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018.
eep. Land Rover is dead last in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018.
#19
Super Moderator
They were hoping the name had been gone long enough that people would have forgotten how bad the Series I and II Discos were. Apparently they were correct.
#20
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
The Disco was the least reliable Land Rover model ever made. It was so bad that they retired the name in 2004, with its direct replacement being called the LR3, which was later replaced by the LR4. They didn't bring the Discovery name back until the current generation launched in 2017.
They were hoping the name had been gone long enough that people would have forgotten how bad the Series I and II Discos were. Apparently they were correct.
They were hoping the name had been gone long enough that people would have forgotten how bad the Series I and II Discos were. Apparently they were correct.
#21
Super Moderator
But then again, I guess the ones that have survived 20 years might have had so many parts replaced that they're better than average?
#22
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Head gaskets every 90-100k miles on all of them. 2003s have defective oil pumps and cylinder sleeves. Lots of electrical and axle problems. If you're going to get one, my understanding is the 2000-2001 are the ones to go for.
But then again, I guess the ones that have survived 20 years might have had so many parts replaced that they're better than average?
But then again, I guess the ones that have survived 20 years might have had so many parts replaced that they're better than average?
Yes before anyone says it. I know a Toy/Lex will just work, but I'm about RXed out for now.
Last edited by Striker223; 08-16-22 at 11:04 AM.
#23
Lexus Test Driver
For me I saw no way.
I laugh when I see ads like "transmission just rebuilt 10k miles ago" or "new head gasket".
HUGE red flags and I don't walk, I run. haha
#24
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I actually talked to my machine shop about this engine and it's supposedly fine if you step down the coolant temp from 210 to 180. It's based on the Buick small block and it's not a engine that likes to be warm and already had weaker head sealing when it was a 3.5L, if it doesn't already need gaskets and the rest of the car isn't trash and I end up needing to do it later I would use MLS gaskets not graphite. I know from direct experience a MLS allows you to have much more leeway with heat, expansion ratios, and cylinder psi/pre-detonation resistance.
Following this I did further digging into the LR FSM and it appears LR upped the temp to 210 for emissions and MPG reasons. This lines up with other people who use the rover V8 as a hot rod overseas and how they usually setup builds.
Or this is just me trying to convince myself it can be made okay and is correctable. I hate liking what I like sometimes.....at least the LSs are abnormally reliable for a flagship lol!
#25
Lexus Test Driver
I am not the world's best negotiator, I can barely talk a seller into letting me hook up my scanner and look for codes and live data.
Excuse me sir,"would you mind if I pull the intake so I pull the plugs and run a cylinder compression test on the back bank", I'd never get away with it. haha
My taste is more expensive than I wanna spend like many others.
#26
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
You want something that breaks down less than your Jeep. Land Rover is dead last in dependability in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018. Next to last in 2015 and next to last in 2013. At least consistent.
Land Rover is dead last in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018.
Land Rover is dead last in 2022 looking at three year old vehicles. Dead last in 2020. Next to last in 2018.
145 problems per 100 vehicles (best) is avg 1.45 problems per vehicle, right?
284 problems per 100 vehicles (worst) is avg 2.84 problems per vehicle, right?
so while charts allow owners of vehicles near the top to virtue signal all day long, the truth is the worst has less than 3 problems while the best has less that 1.5 problems, so hardly a big deal either way.
#27
Pole Position
here's the problem with those stupid charts.
145 problems per 100 vehicles (best) is avg 1.45 problems per vehicle, right?
284 problems per 100 vehicles (worst) is avg 2.84 problems per vehicle, right?
so while charts allow owners of vehicles near the top to virtue signal all day long, the truth is the worst has less than 3 problems while the best has less that 1.5 problems, so hardly a big deal either way.
145 problems per 100 vehicles (best) is avg 1.45 problems per vehicle, right?
284 problems per 100 vehicles (worst) is avg 2.84 problems per vehicle, right?
so while charts allow owners of vehicles near the top to virtue signal all day long, the truth is the worst has less than 3 problems while the best has less that 1.5 problems, so hardly a big deal either way.
#28
As someone who just went through choosing the right suv for us, you can read articles and watch reviews for days, but you won't know what 'fits' best until you sit in them. I say take a day off, go dealer jumping and figure out what works best for you.
#29
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
#30
Pole Position
So what you're saying is the Land Rover at the bottom and Lexus at the top there's very little difference in their reliability. I have three friends that have had Land Rovers that would totally disagree with you but now own Lexus. Be the beta tester for this. Buy a 4-year-old Land Rover hold it for 4 years and tell us what you think.
I'm a sales guy and numbers never lie, but I can make them say whatever you want them to say - especially when using graphs and charts where things can be scaled differently. Imagine if this chart was done showing problems per car (not problems per 100 cars). Every manufacturer would be jumbled together.
Lexus sales rep pitch using this chart: Land Rover vehicles have a 75% higher "problem rate" reported using JD Power data compared to Lexus
*Notice how I switch to percentages here to drive the largest gap possible.
Land Rover sales rep pitch: Did you see the latest JD Power report? We only have 1.2 more problems per car compared to Lexus which is historically one of the most reliable luxury brands.
* Notice how I extrapolated the chart data from per 100 cars down to a single car to minimize the gap as much as possible and make it more relatable to the individual.
PS- Both statements are true.
Research what Purdue Pharmaceutical did manipulating their charts and graphs for Oxycontin. The visuals of how data is presented makes all the difference.