For most consumers Rovers are completely excessive, they get like 4 mpg and as you stated they are expensive as hell to fix. Rovers aren't built for people that have to have their vehicles fixed though, they are made for people who can afford to just buy a new one. ;-b Status symbol stuff, or at best, for very serious off-road travel. They are pretty well engineered for that purpose.
They seem to be the only machines that can do more than a Jeep, without any modification. In the deep sand at the Outer Banks, I see a few of them around, a bunch of Jeeps, and some pickup trucks (especially Toyota), but the pickups have all had lift kits and oversized tires installed. Sometimes I see that a Ford Explorer has tried to make it on the dunes, but they're waiting to get towed back to the pavement, sunk in up to the frame. Also, there's a famous scene in a Sopranos episode that demonstrates a Ford SUV's tendency to set underbrush and tall grass on fire with its exhaust system. I've been told that it's only the LandRovers and Jeep products that come with brush guards covering all that up.
Real Land Rover Faux Land Rover I had a neighbor down the road a bit who had (has) one similar to the first. He had used it to travel around Africa sometime or other. Neat vehicle, totally outfitted for an African Safari, vented roof, bed, stove, awning, etc. The neatest part was a mechanical blender that plugged into the front bumper winch, he used it to mix drinks.
I drove my 63 Dodge Dart for a year with no reverse. Not the car's fault I really thrashed the transmission.
I don't know if I would call myself arrogant. I know I wasn't a twat when I had the 911 I've never been a freemason and have never had golfing knitwear. I've been dreaming of a audi a6 but I have super nice hair. And I think it's going to be a nice midlife crisis car. a old timey fiat 500 would be a blast but I don't think that's what you're thinking.
I wouldn't take too much offence Jo Acc to the psychol profiling, I'm currently "idiotic" haha But seriously, all the 911 drivers I've known apart from one, arrrrghhhhh I've hated them. PS the bit about painting nails while driving ? :-/
I had you figured as someone who's considered Prius seriously. Also considered Lexus, or some other Honda (esp over a number of yrs) I also think you've considered Volvo but not had one for a large proportion of your driving history. I think you've also considered an American 4x4 or some wildcard American car that I know nothing about. Overall, I'd say that over your driving lifetime you've largely been a Honda type driver. edit: I've now read your post. Maybe I'd seen it subconsciously when I was on the thread. I think Prius/Lexus drivers are prone to be stubborn. Having many mainstream views, but some left field ones.
When car company offerings change, my preferences change. When I used to fly more often on business, whenever my flight would get in late, I'd get stuck with a piece of shit Volvo S40 because that's all the rental agencies had left in that category. Nobody else wanted them. The S60 is light years beyond it. To me, the only Volvo that ever had a definite stereotype associated with it was their station wagon. It was the standard soccer mom ride before the minivans took over. I would definitely consider a Toyota hybrid in the future, as they continue to improve in style and performance. I won't need another car for several years, so everything will be different by then.
^^^LOL, do you live on a farm? Sorry to make fun, but those are some of the most uncomfortable rigs to drive on the street or highway, or anywhere really. Or do you have a specific purpose for owning a farm vehicle?
^Not exactly. My Jeep is a family heirloom and my grandpa bought it used in 1955-56; it was a farm truck back then. I restored it as an apprentice at a small restoration garage in 2005. LOL You are right though! it is an uncomfortable rough rider if you aren't used to the primitive 4x4 technology. Have you ever driven one? The fastest I ever got it was 60mph and I thought the whole truck was gonna blow up. Mine's green, not red like the one in the picture.