Land Rover Experience

[quikveedb2]

i did it today, it was fun. A friend of mine instructs for land rover for their "land rover experience" classes so me & a co-worker offered him lunch and a few beers for a bit of instruction and some wheel time in the woods. it was more than i expected, we were in a 2010 range rover with about 5500 miles on it, in the biltmore estate's
(http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/ex...ltmore-estate/ )private portion of 8000 acres of land, with the trail network all to ourselves.

that's right; me, in an $83k suv, driving over log bridges and though the mud in the woods. it's 1 of four places on the continent where the classes are offered. it was f-ing awesome. i never could justify the cost if i had needed to pay full price, but it's all about who you know. i forgot my camera so crappy cell pics is all i got. enjoy!

the garage


2 sweet D90's


range rover sport getting work (supercharged)


my personal favorite, D110


and another for good measure


our whip


first log bridge crossing.


i got stuck here, but just for a second. the right rear wheel is in a hole deeper than the left front


i'm amazed at how far over this thing will go & not roll


getting a lil' articulation


moar!


and back to the garage to clean up!


it was a blast, i highly suggest it to anyone who has the opportunity!

[mrsleeve]

That looks like a blast, its nice to see that the new ones are still fairly capable off the pavement, and not just sold to become pavement pounders with the rover name on it.


Oh my I want that white d90 defender up there. Have always wanted a Defender, but they are WAY too $$$$$$ justify on a toy like that.

I am really on a rover Kick lately and considering getting a P38 rover for a DD and to play with so I can retire my truck from that status before its wore out.

I would come in handy as I have to go into some hard to get to places for my job and not always with, the company rig, also get have some fun on my days off playing around on state lands and the ROW's at work.

[quikveedb2]

i was really impressed with the capability of the range rover, obviously the lr4 is designed more for off road use. i forgot to mention that these cars are exactly as the come from the factory, no aftermarket suspension, bumpers, or tires, the don't even change tire pressures. the idea is to show the customer the abilities of the vehicle straight off the showroom floor.

[ZLandrum]

I almost bought a Classic Range Rover from someone that either teaches there, or knows someone who teaches there. I've been wanting to go for a looooong time, i'd really like to take my 89 RRC up there and give the course a go with a guide... the Biltmore properties are amazingly beautiful... Pretty envious of you that you had the opportunity to do it for a lunch and a few beers. I can't afford to do it either. Also i hope you drink the shit out of some highland brews... especially the oatmeal porter - you're also lucky to have the brewery around the corner. By far the best beer out there.

[N2MYE30]

I would be will to make a trip up there for that experience. I have always ALWAYS wanted a D90.

[mrsleeve]

I would be will to make a trip up there for that experience. I have always ALWAYS wanted a D90.

you can import the 84-85 now as they are 25 years old.

[Hartge_H27]

this place has some d90's if anyone is interested

http://www.redmountainrovers.com/web/1178/inventory?make_id=39

[JUMPNYC]

I miss my old Rover! Unfortunately I spent enough in repairs to buy it 3 times over. Now its gone at least I got $$ in my pockets now, lol. Totally restored a 1987 classic and then the rust came back and I gave up and sold it. Thing was a tank to drive. A great off roader, makes me want a new one or do up another old Defender, the prices just don't go down on those things!

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Its a Rover its supposed to be rusty,its British what were you expecting???

Its a rover its supposed to break down, its British, so again what were expecting????


Yeah The reason Defenders are so much money is supply an demand, they only imported them to the states in US federal DOT spec (with a roll cage mostly) in 93 - 500 D110 94 (1943 us/87 Can) 95 (1191 us) D90's none for 96 (stupid emissions laws) and then 2500 in 97. These limited numbers and basic HIGH DEMAND for them is why a good one will cost you 1/2 again over the orginal MSRP of 15 years ago in nearly stock configuration.

Then the air bag requirements for US basically out lawed them here as rover didnt want to put air bags in them. Defenders are still sold in many places around the world but you cant import one they are not on the allowed import list other than a very specific vin range in 97.

[87e30]

Interesting. They are pretty bad ass, but I'd just get a wrangler. (also very expensive for what it is)

I have driven a ton of the new RRs and they are very very nice. I would never buy one with the intent of serious off roading. I would be scared to get the leather-covered-everything-you-can-touch interior dirty. Also, the old ones feel like all of the interior bits are going to fall off, so I wouldn't' get one of those either.


That experience looks absolutely amazing though, very jealous.

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Would rather be caught pushing a Rover than Driving a Jeep ;)

Stock for stock a Rover (other than like the Freelander or other similar type of rig) Will go places the jeep will never think of going. A stock rover will go may places a lightly built jeep WONT GO. Rovers Really are some of the best off the pavement stock trucks you can buy, Especially the the Rangie's

I hate JEEPS and 99% of all Chrysler products.

[87e30]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Would rather be caught pushing a Rover than Driving a Jeep ;)

Stock for stock a Rover (other than like the Freelander or other similar type of rig) Will go places the jeep will never think of going. A stock rover will go may places a lightly built jeep WONT GO. Rovers Really are some of the best off the pavement stock trucks you can buy, Especially the the Rangie's

I hate JEEPS and 99% of all Chrysler products.

I know rovers are very capable.

I don't like jeeps, but I really like the moderately older wranglers. They really are an icon, and with the top off they are a blast.

If we are dreaming, though, then it may just have to be an H1 for me.

[xwill112x]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Would rather be caught pushing a Rover than Driving a Jeep ;)

Stock for stock a Rover (other than like the Freelander or other similar type of rig) Will go places the jeep will never think of going. A stock rover will go may places a lightly built jeep WONT GO. Rovers Really are some of the best off the pavement stock trucks you can buy, Especially the the Rangie's

I hate JEEPS and 99% of all Chrysler products.

hmmm wrong. a stock Cj5 with a 3 speed v8 in it will go bounds and leaps further than any stock rover. lol. you must not know a lot about real jeeps.

[unkown]

i have discovery 96', it was the Cadillac of suvs before Cadillac made suvs. we live in Washington. in the summer drive the bmw (e30) to Leavenworth, in the winter we drive the land rover. why isn't there a rally in Leavenworth? it is the most Bavarian (German) city in usa. the discovery is great, its older so parts aren't half bad on price.
it cruises at about 70. off road is great, we take it through, creeks, rivers, mud,hills,ect,ect,ect...handles like a champ. i would still rather have a defender though. i think most hondas would bounce off the side of it. every month i check and see if i have any stuck in the wheel wells:)

[SUICIDE109]

Those Defenders are hott!!! Btw those old range rovers (1980's had the best articulation in their class and had a v8 that had 185hp that weighed less than 400pounds). Landover’s are meant to be conquering the elements instead of being pavement pounders with 24's.