Member Since: 03 Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 268
Do people actually buy Land Rovers in the USA?
Had an amazing 17-day fly-drive holiday in the US last month. It's my absolute favourite holiday in the whole world and about my 7th fly-drive out there. But it always amazes me how few LR's I see.
We started in Houston, and went via Big Bend NP, El Paso, White Sands NM, Alberqueue, Durango, Silverton, Grand Junction, Moab (for Canyonlands NP), Monument Valley, Scottsdale and then Phoenix. In total I clocked up 3,500 miles in 3 Avis Ford Explorers (they kept having to swap them as the stupid things kept getting punctures on me!), plus two days in Moab in a modified Jeep Rubicon and one in a Yamaha Rhino ATV.
Anyway, back on topic, the whole time I saw a couple of OLD Range Rovers, 3 proper new model Range Rovers, 1 Range Rover Sport, 1 Freelander and 2 LR3's. Not once did I see a main dealer (but I did pass tonnes and tonnes of Ford / Toyota dealers etc) and not once did I see an authorised service workshop with a LR sign on display. Also, having seen countless rental car parks, I didnt spy one single LR available to hire.
So - people obviously have them - but where do you get them? Is it a case of if you dont live in a big city you wouldnt buy a LR, as there would be no dealer support nearby?
Am intrigued - if you read this I'm guessing you have an LR4 in the US - so are you one in a million in your neighbourhood? And what do friends think of your Land Rover - do they think its a random choice?
I love my Dicovery 4 - just wish I could take it to play in Moab...!747_JK
"Moab is my happy place"
2019 Land Rover Discovery 5 HSE
2015 Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - SOLD
2010 Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE with a serious smoking habit - SOLD
Re: Do people actually buy Land Rovers in the USA?
747_JK wrote:
I love my Dicovery 4 - just wish I could take it to play in Moab...!
I concur. However, you wouldn't take it on anything but the mildest routes around Moab would you?
Which routes did you take with the Rubicon?
27th Aug 2011 3:46 pm
BBS SPY Site Sponsor
Member Since: 15 Jun 2007
Location: Sunny Cyprus
Posts: 3054
Things in Cyprus are just as bad if not worse.
I have still to see a D4 here or even a 2011 on RRS.
27th Aug 2011 5:20 pm
747_JK
Member Since: 03 Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 268
Re: Do people actually buy Land Rovers in the USA?
DiscoDad wrote:
Which routes did you take with the Rubicon?
Off the top of my head (I know I'm missing a couple), we did Onion Creek, Gemini Bridges, Polar Mesa, Bull Canyon and ????
Plus the time before (2209) I did the Schafer Trail and Spring Canyon Bottom, plus drove down the Mineral Bottom Switchbacks at the start/end of the White Rim Trail.
Oh, and I also did Hurrah Pass and Chicken Corners in an ATV this time too.
Am no 4x4 off-road expert, so kept off Metal Masher and Hells Revenge and the like - but the Easy and Moderate-rated trails we did were awesome fun. Just LOVE being off-road, deep in a canyon with no one in sight and the trails to yourself in the heat of summer. The idea of going for the Jeep Safari at Easter, when it is packed out, is just sooo off putting!
Have you been - what trails did you do?
I love Moab. Had to bring a taste of it home for the D4!
Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated 747_JK
"Moab is my happy place"
2019 Land Rover Discovery 5 HSE
2015 Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - SOLD
2010 Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE with a serious smoking habit - SOLD
Re: Do people actually buy Land Rovers in the USA?
I agree - LR's are few and far between here. We only have one dealer in Utah, and Wyoming next door, which is pretty much the size of the UK, does not have a main dealer at all. I suppose if you have to travel hundreds of miles to buy a LR, let alone get it serviced / warranty work done etc. it's going to make you think long and hard about buying one.
Park City, where we live, has it's fair share of FFRR's, quite a few LR3's, (not many LR4's though) and the odd D90. There are a few Freelander's around - but they have a terrible reputation here, dragging the whole brand down. I'm a Brit, so no-one seems very surprised about my purchase.
I suppose on an average day I'll maybe see 3 or 4 LR / RR vehicles - but i do a 75 mile round trip to work, so that's not many really...
There are LR specialists about, but they tend to be small workshops. I've never seen a Land Rover / Range Rover to rent over here!
Love the pics of Moab, looking forward to getting down there again myself - the LR3 performed very well there - the most full on I had a go at was Fin's & Things - Metal Masher & the like were out for me as well, after all LR3 is my daily driver - and had to get us and our caravan back home!
Cheers
Chaz'80 109 Stage 1 V8 - still going strong!
'13 LR4 HSE - HD pack (sold)
'11 LR4 HSE - HD Pack (sold)
'07 LR3 V8 SE (sold)
Ex '85 110 County V8 (left in Oz)
'80 109 Stage 1 V8 - still going strong!
'13 LR4 HSE - HD pack (sold)
'11 LR4 HSE - HD Pack (sold)
'07 LR3 V8 SE (sold)
Ex '85 110 County V8 (left in Oz)
27th Aug 2011 11:19 pm
747_JK
Member Since: 03 Apr 2010
Location: Surrey
Posts: 268
Oh wow - those pics - truly awesome. Am well impressed you did Fins 'n Things - i drove up to look at the start of it one night after dinner (in my Ford Explorer SUV rental) - had no intention of doing it in that - but wanted to find where it was. Talking about giving it a go in a Rubicon or ATV next time.
I love Moab so much - an awesome place. Wish I lived as near it as you do.
Thanks for the reply - and loving the white LR3!747_JK
"Moab is my happy place"
2019 Land Rover Discovery 5 HSE
2015 Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE - SOLD
2010 Land Rover Discovery 4 HSE with a serious smoking habit - SOLD
I was with a guy in a lifted Rubicon at Fin's & Things; he kept saying I could ride along with him if my Land Rover could not cut it.
Could not have that kind of talk, so made sure I went everywhere he did just to show him some superior British Engineering, with no problems - the LR did not break a sweat (but i did ).
Moab is really awesome - we're lucky to have it in our 'backyard' so to speak. '80 109 Stage 1 V8 - still going strong!
'13 LR4 HSE - HD pack (sold)
'11 LR4 HSE - HD Pack (sold)
'07 LR3 V8 SE (sold)
Ex '85 110 County V8 (left in Oz)
28th Aug 2011 1:00 am
amazing
Member Since: 05 Mar 2011
Location: chengdu
Posts: 1542
good show
"Could not have that kind of talk"
well done that man It is better to have and not need it then need and not have it.
Re: Do people actually buy Land Rovers in the USA?
747_JK wrote:
Have you been - what trails did you do?
Been to Moab twice now, 2006 and 2010. I love the place, there's something about it, very spiritual.
Fantstic scenery, every type of outdoor persuit imaginable from white water rafting on the Colorado River to Hot Air Balooning. Absolutely love it! May go there again next year for my 50th birthday.
Here are a few pics from last year...
Click image to enlarge
Our hired Jeep.
Click image to enlarge
Nearly at the top!
Click image to enlarge
The road we drove up!
Click image to enlarge
Back at the R.V.
We bought this book in the Jeep Hire shop. Very good book...
We went on the Potash Rd. and the Shafer Trail. Had to take things a bit easy as we had my 74 year old father in law on board and didn't want to shake him to bits!
The scenery above the Colorado River is absolutely spectacular though isn't it? Photos don't do it justice!
How did you enjoy Scottsdale & Phoenix?
We spent our first week based in Scottsdale before picking up the R.V. and did the Apache Trail. Highly recommended!
We also tried a few of the eateries in the area featured on Man v Food!
29th Aug 2011 2:18 pm
tlt
Member Since: 01 Sep 2006
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 262
There are plenty of rovers around. Of course not nearly as thick as elsewhere. That adds to the mystique though. Nice to see you checked out big bend. I think it's great there. There are some pictures in my gallery of my big bend trip.
Rubicon, never seen one before. What an ugly vehicle. Horrid. Hope it drove better than it looks.____
Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey
29th Dec 2011 7:28 pm
WNYDisco3Erik
Member Since: 17 Dec 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 10
Ive bought several LRs in the USA. I prefer them over anything made here and Ill never own anything else. Except for Aston Martin and Ferrari.2006 D3 4.4 V8 Lifted w/ 33's
2004 D2 4.6 V8 - Sold
2000 D2 4.0 V8 - Off Road Toy
1999 P38 4.6 V8 - California Girl
1st Jan 2012 4:17 pm
ThePecker
Member Since: 27 Dec 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 3
too many pictures of jeeps here. Land rovers more common in suburbia, particularly in New england
2nd Feb 2012 2:58 am
jacksun
Member Since: 12 Jun 2012
Location: Calgary
Posts: 4
Your right, when I travel state's side I see few LR's of any kind, but they are there. Dealerships seem to be in larger centers.
Now here in Canada you will see lots of them. Even a couple of non-LR dealership service shops around.
As for MOAB, LR North America has a LR Experience event there yearly. But you have to book early. And they supply the Land Rover. Already asked, they won't let me drive my own
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