Off Road vehicle decisions, help!

Hello everyone,
This is my first post to this newsgroup.

Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land Rover
Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of nothing but
sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people (including the driver) into
the vehicle and went through all kinds of difficult terrain with no problems. I
was sold on the vehicle!

But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair since it's a
foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying a used Land Rover
since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.

What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader? In
South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand dunes on
the coastline, but the majority is brush land.

Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My main
priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space (4
doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space

I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.

Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader?
> In South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand
dunes on
> the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My
> main priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab
space (4
> doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space

For low cost, available parts and easy repair and buildups you can't
beat a Chevy pickup.

Mike

> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader?
> In South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand
dunes on
> the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My
> main priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab
space (4
> doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space

For low cost, available parts and easy repair and buildups you can't
beat a Chevy pickup.

Mike

Jeep Grand Cherokee.. for larger than stock tires, there is a budget lift
kit available for maybe US$300 if required..

--
History is only the past if we choose to do nothing about it..

"TooPlaneCrazy7" > wrote in message
...
> Hello everyone,
> This is my first post to this newsgroup.
>
> Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land Rover
> Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of nothing
but
> sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people (including the driver)
into
> the vehicle and went through all kinds of difficult terrain with no
problems. I
> was sold on the vehicle!
>
> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair since
it's a
> foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying a used Land Rover
> since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>
> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader? In
> South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand dunes
on
> the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My
main
> priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space
(4
> doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space
>
> I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.
>
> Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

Jeep Grand Cherokee.. for larger than stock tires, there is a budget lift
kit available for maybe US$300 if required..

--
History is only the past if we choose to do nothing about it..

"TooPlaneCrazy7" > wrote in message
...
> Hello everyone,
> This is my first post to this newsgroup.
>
> Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land Rover
> Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of nothing
but
> sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people (including the driver)
into
> the vehicle and went through all kinds of difficult terrain with no
problems. I
> was sold on the vehicle!
>
> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair since
it's a
> foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying a used Land Rover
> since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>
> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader? In
> South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand dunes
on
> the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My
main
> priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space
(4
> doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space
>
> I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.
>
> Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

Roughly 12/19/03 08:01, TooPlaneCrazy7's monkeys randomly typed:

> Hello everyone,
> This is my first post to this newsgroup.
>
> Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land Rover
> Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of nothing but
> sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people (including the driver) into
> the vehicle and went through all kinds of difficult terrain with no problems. I
> was sold on the vehicle!
>
> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair since it's a
> foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying a used Land Rover
> since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>
> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader? In
> South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand dunes on
> the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My main
> priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space (4
> doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space

The Land Rover is now a Ford, with some innards still from BMW such
as the engine. It is a very expensive luxo SUV. For a tad less
money with more luxury and far better on-road matters, look at the
VW Touareg. For a tad more money and the best on-road manners of
any SUV [say, you want to do 160 mph on the way to the beach] check
out the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Both the VW and the Porsche are
available with full locking transfer case and differentials, plus
air control suspension that hunkers down on the highway so you
can't tip it over yet can be raised for off road clearance.
>
> I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.

Check out the Nissan Titan plus the Chevy and Dodge models as well.

>
> Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

Not necessarily, but it helps keep it on *top* of the sand.

When you say bed space, do you want an uncovered bed, or is
the ability to drop the 2nd and 3rd row seats down good enough?

Or even the ability to normally run with the vehicle entirely
closed, but be able to open the rear hatch such that there is
a direct shot straight up?

A pickup with crew cab will be a bit more claustrophobic than
something like the Ford Explorer pickuplet.

Congratulations, you are now at the fun stages of 4x4'ing, the
horizons are wide open.



--
Fan of the dumbest team in America.

Roughly 12/19/03 08:01, TooPlaneCrazy7's monkeys randomly typed:

> Hello everyone,
> This is my first post to this newsgroup.
>
> Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land Rover
> Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of nothing but
> sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people (including the driver) into
> the vehicle and went through all kinds of difficult terrain with no problems. I
> was sold on the vehicle!
>
> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair since it's a
> foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying a used Land Rover
> since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>
> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL offroader? In
> South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat. We have sand dunes on
> the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than price). My main
> priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following: 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space (4
> doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space

The Land Rover is now a Ford, with some innards still from BMW such
as the engine. It is a very expensive luxo SUV. For a tad less
money with more luxury and far better on-road matters, look at the
VW Touareg. For a tad more money and the best on-road manners of
any SUV [say, you want to do 160 mph on the way to the beach] check
out the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Both the VW and the Porsche are
available with full locking transfer case and differentials, plus
air control suspension that hunkers down on the highway so you
can't tip it over yet can be raised for off road clearance.
>
> I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.

Check out the Nissan Titan plus the Chevy and Dodge models as well.

>
> Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

Not necessarily, but it helps keep it on *top* of the sand.

When you say bed space, do you want an uncovered bed, or is
the ability to drop the 2nd and 3rd row seats down good enough?

Or even the ability to normally run with the vehicle entirely
closed, but be able to open the rear hatch such that there is
a direct shot straight up?

A pickup with crew cab will be a bit more claustrophobic than
something like the Ford Explorer pickuplet.

Congratulations, you are now at the fun stages of 4x4'ing, the
horizons are wide open.



--
Fan of the dumbest team in America.

TooPlaneCrazy7 wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> This is my first post to this newsgroup.
>
> Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land
> Rover Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of
> nothing but sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people
> (including the driver) into the vehicle and went through all kinds of
> difficult terrain with no problems. I was sold on the vehicle!
>
Sounds like fun - Discoverys are probably the most off-road capable 7 seat
SUV in unmodified form that are available relatively cheaply second hand.

> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair
> since it's a foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying
> a used Land Rover since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>
Discoverys aren't foreign - they're English! They are very cheap to repair
here in England but I expect your local Chevy and Ford pickups are cheaper
over there. As for buying one secondhand - you *will* know whether it leaks
oil or not, just look underneath. My 1997 V8 has no leaks. Contrary to what
other people who don't know what they are talking about will tell you, there
are no BMW bits in Discoverys - the engine is a Rover V8 that was originally
a Buick unit and the autoboxes are ZF units.

> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL
> offroader? In South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat.
> We have sand dunes on the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
Ask yourself the following question - what other vehicle can I get that has
solid axles front and rear (v. good off-road) coil springs and disc brakes
all round and permanent 4WD for a low budget? If any other vehicles appeal,
try them in the conditions the Discovery impressed you and see if they are
as good.

> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than
> price). My main priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following:
> 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space (4 doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space
>
There are many reasons not to go with the LR - the only one that matters is
if you want one!

> I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.
>
Drive one off-road before you buy - they don't ride like a Discovery
off-road and tend to have rather, errrr, old fashioned underpinnings such as
cart springs.

> Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

Generally you are right, but it depends on the conditions. In dry scrub and
sand as you describe, it doesn't have a big influence as long as you have
the right tyres.

If you need any further convincing have a look at:

http://www.discoweb.org/

And ask some questions on the bulletin board.

--
Julian
---------
= Pretentious Sig required =

TooPlaneCrazy7 wrote:
> Hello everyone,
> This is my first post to this newsgroup.
>
> Last week I had the fantastic opportunity to go offroading in a Land
> Rover Discovery on the beaches of Padre Island...a 30 mile stretch of
> nothing but sand dunes, mud, and tall grass. We packed 7 people
> (including the driver) into the vehicle and went through all kinds of
> difficult terrain with no problems. I was sold on the vehicle!
>
Sounds like fun - Discoverys are probably the most off-road capable 7 seat
SUV in unmodified form that are available relatively cheaply second hand.

> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair
> since it's a foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying
> a used Land Rover since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>
Discoverys aren't foreign - they're English! They are very cheap to repair
here in England but I expect your local Chevy and Ford pickups are cheaper
over there. As for buying one secondhand - you *will* know whether it leaks
oil or not, just look underneath. My 1997 V8 has no leaks. Contrary to what
other people who don't know what they are talking about will tell you, there
are no BMW bits in Discoverys - the engine is a Rover V8 that was originally
a Buick unit and the autoboxes are ZF units.

> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL
> offroader? In South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat.
> We have sand dunes on the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>
Ask yourself the following question - what other vehicle can I get that has
solid axles front and rear (v. good off-road) coil springs and disc brakes
all round and permanent 4WD for a low budget? If any other vehicles appeal,
try them in the conditions the Discovery impressed you and see if they are
as good.

> Give me a reason why not to go with the Land Rover (other than
> price). My main priorities in an offroad vehicle is the following:
> 1.) 4x4 2.) cab space (4 doors, but 2 is fine) 3.) bed space
>
There are many reasons not to go with the LR - the only one that matters is
if you want one!

> I am leaning towards a pickup. Toyota vs. Ford.
>
Drive one off-road before you buy - they don't ride like a Discovery
off-road and tend to have rather, errrr, old fashioned underpinnings such as
cart springs.

> Also, the lighter the vehicle, the better offroader, right?

Generally you are right, but it depends on the conditions. In dry scrub and
sand as you describe, it doesn't have a big influence as long as you have
the right tyres.

If you need any further convincing have a look at:

http://www.discoweb.org/

And ask some questions on the bulletin board.

--
Julian
---------
= Pretentious Sig required =

Roughly 12/19/03 10:53, Exit's monkeys randomly typed:

>> But, I've heard that Land Rovers are expensive vehicles to repair
>> since it's a foreign car and that one should NOT even consider buying
>> a used Land Rover since you don't know whether it leaks oil, etc.
>>
> Discoverys aren't foreign - they're English! They are very cheap to repair
> here in England but I expect your local Chevy and Ford pickups are cheaper
> over there. As for buying one secondhand - you *will* know whether it leaks
> oil or not, just look underneath. My 1997 V8 has no leaks. Contrary to what
> other people who don't know what they are talking about will tell you, there
> are no BMW bits in Discoverys - the engine is a Rover V8 that was originally
> a Buick unit and the autoboxes are ZF units.

Discoverys are now Fords, but with their own engineering etc.

A similar vehicle is the Nissan Xterra, but I dunno if it still
has solid axles or not all around. Note that you really only need
solid axles if you plan on rock crawling.

The Toyota RAV4 is another vehicle in the class, but tends to
be rather pricey as a used vehicle. Also the Ford Escape and
the Jeep Liberty as new.
>
>> What other 4x4 vehicles do you guys recommend for the CASUAL
>> offroader? In South Texas, where I live, the land is relatively flat.
>> We have sand dunes on the coastline, but the majority is brush land.
>>
> Ask yourself the following question - what other vehicle can I get that has
> solid axles front and rear (v. good off-road) coil springs and disc brakes
> all round and permanent 4WD for a low budget? If any other vehicles appeal,
> try them in the conditions the Discovery impressed you and see if they are
> as good.

The Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee both have the solid axles, the
Grand Cherokee has coil springs and disk brakes and permanent 4wd
all around.

Both fairly lightweight compared to other SUV's.


--
Fan of the dumbest team in America.