March 22, 2004

• You want a Honda Prius. Because you live in the city, or the suburbs and despite your intentions, you don't climb 45 degree slopes covered in snow or gravel, you don't ford shallow streams while tearing across whatever's left of your country's wild lands, and you're not going to ever have it ferried to Africa for a safari. Because you're not willing to succumb to the compulsions of excess, or to the crushing force of commercialism that insists you are what you buy, and the more you buy, the more are. Because you don't want to cringe in horror at the gas pump. Because you care about the environment, and want to enjoy it, rather than plough through it. Because you can look past your inculcated wants, and accurately assess your needs.
• err, no, I don't. And the fact that they last forever kind of negates all of your other comments. Thanks anyway.
• You want the Landie, because every time somebody like Boo sees you drive it in the city, they will die a little inside. Seriously, Boo, do you know kit? Why do you so presume?
• I owned (note tense) a 1972 Series III. They are wonderfully fun cars, but I can speak from experience on several things to look out for. 1. Overdrive is a MUST. With overdrive, the top speed of a series III is 63 mph. Without an overdrive, maybe 57 in a tailwind. Overdrive can be added to certain models, and you may even be able to get N.O.S. (new old stock) parts. 2. Series III are not well-suited to salty winters. I don't know if road salting is as prevalent in the UK as it is here in the states, but series III gas tanks are in the right front wheel well and original tanks don't last long in the presence of salt. 3. Half-shafts. These are consumable parts on a seriesIII... they transfer power from the rear differential to the rear wheels and twist off over time, eventually failing suddenly. They are very easy to replace, but you should carry a pair with you unless you know they're new. 4. Safari Roof. I think this is a must-have attribute. The style and ventilation (a serious issue) are very desirable. 5. Don't forget that Lucas was known as "The Lord of Darkness" for very sound reasons. 6. Know that most series III transmissions don't have synchromesh. that means you have to double-clutch or match transmission and engine speeds manually for easy shifting. I did have the shift lever break off in my hand once. 6. If you want a somewhat reliable and modern car, you want a defender. If you want something kitschy, fun, and relatively needy, go for the Series III. I loved having a rover in college, when reliable transportation wasn't really that important. Take that, ask.mefi. =)
• Word Boo! Although the Prius is a Toyota. You also might want to check into the Honda hybrid. As a side note, we have all heard about the thing about guys "on the underendowed side" needing to buy big cars to make up for their deficencies, right? Has anyone looked into the similarities in the naming of the Toyota Prius to the greek god Priapus? Obviously not a guy who needs prove his manhood.
• I've already got a boring car, please stop showing me more (especially those which look /longer/ than the landy (car size = ?). I'm asking advice about a car, not offering myself up for half-baked and nonesensical character assasination and psycho-babble. But thanks anyway.
• A friend of mine just semi-retired his Series IIa after five years of surviving with it as his sole 4-wheeled transportation. Don't give up your day car, so to speak -- you'll need it to ferry parts, and to get you around when you have the brakes out of the Landie. I trust that you are either a semi-skilled mechanic or willing to learn.
• Willing to learn. I don't want a 'project car', but am kind of looking forward to car maintenance. I can do basic now, but there's room for improvement!
• Now, now Kit. I wasn't aiming that under-endowment thing at you. I have no idea if you have issues with your manhood or not. Relax... Nonetheless, if you are asking other folks for an opinion on Mofi, you will get their opinion, whether that opinion is the one you wanted or not. I still find it odd that they named the car so closely to "Priapus".
• To me, by asking "Am I right?" you invite, um, "psycho-babble". Car advice is one thing, but in the realm of rights and wrongs many many people (my self more-or-less included) believe that big, environmentally brutal trucks used as ego and/or recreational salves are a pretty definite wrong. No offense.
• I'm perfectly relaxed (punches wall, kicks cat...)..no really, I am. I took no offence, just had an opinion on your opinion. Not trying to start a rumble, I promise. I just want to hear about Landies from my fellow monkeys. Ta
• Sure, and those "Be Green! Buy a Priapus!" answers are just as helpful as the Linux d00dz who chime in on Ask MeFi Windows threads. It's as if he asked for advice on selecting a hunting cartridge, and you answered with an advertisement for soy cutlets.
• Curious, George: I had my hair cut yesterday. Does it look good? Come on. Be honest.
• nonsensical character assasination I hear kitfisto eats kittens. Seriously, I wrote what I did because people all around me can't decide between the behemoth from lexus, or VW or whatever. I don't understand the iconification of most things -- let alone cars. It's good to see that they're well-engineered, at least. goetter : You want the Landie, because every time somebody like Boo sees you drive it in the city, they will die a little inside. That's just not true. My home state has around 0.8 SUVs per captia; if I died a little inside on each occurence, I'd be dead before I left my neighborhood. goetterSeriously, Boo, do you know kit? Why do you so presume? Are you questioning my knowledge of the man, or my familiarity with automobiles? Not sure here.
• I hear kitfisto eats kittens I heard he doesn't eat them, he ...
• Don’t buy this car, all the landrover series are wastes of money and are only for those house fraus who want to conspicuously consume their husband's money. The technological level of even their most advanced model is so far behind that of a modern mid-sized sedan that I can’t help but laugh at them. They aren’t reliable, they aren’t fun to drive on road, they aren’t going to last any longer than Tercel. Their V8 only produces 212 hp on premium and gas is getting more expensive. The only guy I know dumb enough to buy one of these money pits justified it with the following logic “At 0% I can buy it to build some equity in it, it is just a smart thing to do.” If that statement didn’t fry your brain go ahead and buy on, just know that you are actually becoming a dumber person every second you drive it.
• Blaise, your hair looks FANTASTIC!!! God, I love it. Now to piss off Goetter. How about recycling your hair trimmings? They make great a great healthy, non polluting snail and slug repellent for your organic garden.
• every time you recycle your hair trimmings, people like Goetter die a little inside.
• kitfisto: I know nothing about this vehicle of which you speak, but am interested to know why you like 'em so. /respectfully but seriously asking for slightly OT info.
• Is Land Rover owned by Ford?
• Yes
• all the landrover series are wastes of money and are only for those house fraus who want to conspicuously consume their husband's money. The technological level of even their most advanced model is so far behind that of a modern mid-sized sedan that I can’t help but laugh at them. They aren’t reliable... Don't confuse modern land rover product (especially the luxury SUV-craze launching Range Rover) with the original land rover. The old ones are certainly not for hausfrau, and they are indeed ancient technology.... that's why they are prized throughout the undeveloped world. Their laughable technology makes them easy to maintain and repair. You don't need a developed industrial complex or an ASE certification to keep one running. And yes, Land Rover is now owned by Ford.
• If you want a classic off road, I would suggest you also look at the old Landcruisers; like old Land Rovers, they're real offroad vehicles, not overgrown poserboxes a la the Cayenne and X5. They last forever.
• Scout?
• This isn't helpful either, but in the name of 'everybody else isn't doing it, so why not me': There are two people in my office of 28 that drive these vehicles. Both consider them to be money pits and wish they'd never bought into the 'lifestyle', as it's promoted here in New Mexico. It's a very 'Santa Fe' vehicle. With so many truly reliable, efficient and more affordable vehicles out there I can't help but die a little inside at the thought of a monkey buying one.
• My Fiat Seicento has done me fine so far...
• BBF:2,895.00 GBP United Kingdom Pounds = 5,344.67 USD United States Dollars Holy moses -- is that used? that has to be used, right? that... that can't be the price for a new automobile, can it?
• On topic, monkeys!
• Yeah, it's used. Mine cost about six grand. sorry
• SQUIDRANCH CLIMBS ON SOAPBOX I grew up in the Coachella Valley of Southern California (think Palm Springs) where it was de' rigeur to have an off road vehicle. Most all of the off road vehicles at that time (the mid 60s) were Jeeps, some Scouts, and later (70s) Blazers. This was all before the oil crunch and most folks were blissfully unaware of ecological issues. Soon thereafter many realized the damage their vehicles did not only to the delicate desert ecosystem, but to endangered animals like the desert tortoise. Indeed, nowadays in many areas you can only drive your off road vehicle in designated areas. I still have friends that grew up with who enjoy legally going out in areas that are designated for 4x4's, but now I myself live in Los Angeles where my life and limb are put at risk by the selfish fashionistas who insist on driving huge SUVs down the narrow side streets of West Hollywood, the place I live. SQUIDRANCH GETS OFF SOAPBOX I admit to a bias in this, but I do encourage you to pick a vehicle that makes sense for where you live and your needs as opposed to just a fashion statement.
• IgSlut, this is the Rover model in question. Not very Santa Fe, I'd say. Only problem with the old Landcruisers is that they're rust magnets. Much like old Scouts in that regard. For Boo and Squidvacquero, I give y'all: The FUV! Essential West Hollywood fashion accessory, it seems. Take two, they're small. /still misses his '78 FJ40
• (Sigh) That article is true. It is a "fuck you vehicle". Now I will feel a mixture of sadness, regret AND contempt that such folks need to not only endanger others for a fashion statement, but do it out of selfishness as well as anger. Sad...
• Btw, thanks for the slug control tip. I don't like poison. /derail
• re: "As a side note, we have all heard about the thing about guys "on the underendowed side" needing to buy big cars to make up for their deficencies, right?" posted by squidranch at 04:12PM UTC on March 22 I drive a Matchbox Ladeez, email in profile.
• Well, if you want to go off-road, what about the mainstay of third-world militaries, the Toyota Himus (Tacoma in America). You could mount a machine gun in the trunk and drive around with your mean-looking mates. Toyota even offered an apology (and money) because the truck was often featured in al Qaeda videos. It's all the comfort of a classic land rover, but more cramped inside.
• (cont..) Toyota Himus might be what you're looking for. Drive around with a bunch of mean looking mates & a machine gun in the trunk. Instant macho mystique.
• Richer: Wanna give that Himus link another try?
• Ha ha. Thanks, everybody (I think). Oh, and that thing about the kittens...it's true.