Next ArticleDenver Autos Examiner Land Rover’s LR3 and Estes’s YMCA of the Rockies Part III

Highway driving in the Land Rover LR3 is rather pleasurable. Despite the myriad of off road suspension components, weighty transaxle and robust platform, the LR3 is as sedate as an English gentleman. As I drove my brother-in-law, friend (who’s a middle school principal), wife and kids in the Land Rover LR3, questions flew. “I don’t understand,” asked my brother-in-law, “Why so much money for a SUV?”

I should respond with, “These vehicles have endured punishment and evaluation from the Kalahari to the Sahara, even Antarctica.” I wanted to point out that Land Rovers and Range Rovers are world known for their utter unflappability in just about any off road situation. I have driven the LR3 off road (last year’s model) and was absolutely astonished at the ease in which it went over slick rock, deep mud and boulders so competently. With its “body-frame” (framework and body combined) holding on heavy components, I was pleased at the slightly over 8 second 0 to 60 times.

In snow, it is outright remarkable.

The suspension and diff controls range from “easy-to-figure-out” to “a-bit-of-a-learning curve” and are located south of the gear lever. I derived great pleasure in controlling the height control of the suspension which gives nearly a foot of lift from the lowest setting. In this case, I would fully lower the LR3 providing my stubby legged sister easier access. When she complained about my inequity of treatment (apparently, I embarrassed her) I went to full off-road lift, which required serious effort for her to climb inside, replete with dangling sister’s legs.

Playing around aside; I delighted at the rotary knob that selected various road conditions. All the driver has to do is select the snow, gravel, steep incline/boulder, etc. settings and drive. The downhill descent switch is as easy to find as it is in the middle of the controls. Simply find a steep hill, aim straight down and depress the yellow button. Once underway, take your foot off the brake and accelerator and let the hill decent control slow the LR3 to an unhurried walking pace.

My Land Rover LR3 came packed with HSE derivative badge, premium navigation system (which I changed from an American voice to a sultry British voice), Personal Telephone Integration (PTI) with Bluetooth® connectivity, SIRIUS® Satellite Radio, and the Heavy Duty (for towing) package. This has an electronically controlled, infinitely variable locking rear differential with a full-sized spare tire and alloy wheel.

A minor issue I had with the satellite radio is that I could not figure out how to change the display to mention the song and artist. If there is a way, it is less than intuitive. The numerous buttons on the dash take some getting used to. Still, it is a rugged yet sophisticated looking dashboard and control cluster.

I opted to address my brother-in-law with a simple statement as we neared our YMCA cabins. “I have a Land Rover, that should be enough of an answer.” I hated saying it as it showed my bias, but it is true. No other vehicle has been as pleasing off road as my good old Disco (Rover fan talk for “Discovery”). This new one is better in nearly every way.

Just before bedtime, one of my friends and I witnessed a cool activity at the YMCA of the Rockies; a horse-drawn hay cart passed by holding about a dozen people. We found out that they were on their way to a nighttime marshmallow roast. The YMCA does not allow camp fires anywhere other than in a specified area for safety. Upon inquiring about the horse drawn campfire excursion, many people told me it was a hell of a good time and the livery staff is (oddly) very nice. Prices for this hour and ½ night time event are 19 bucks per person OR you can pay 17 smackers per person as a group of 15 or more.

Next time – I will definitely do the hay-ride with the kids.

That evening, all 4 families attempted to adjust to their not-so-comfortable beds. Mine was tilted at a severe angle and I clung on to the side of the mattress to prevent rolling into my pregnant wife. We slept poorly. In hindsight, bringing sleeping bags and camping on the floor would have been the wise thing to do.

Next time, (if there is a “next time”) we may spend a few bucks more and opt for a different camping lodge further off the beaten path. I mean, if we use another Land Rover LR3 – the further off the beaten path the better. I wager 80% of LR3 owners exploit a small percentage of the Land Rover LR3’s ability. Perhaps one day, I will push the envelope further while trekking to a more enjoyable destination.

Am I saying in my backhanded way, “Keep away from the YMCA of the Rockies?”

No.

This is a beautiful place with lots of potential. It just needs to be perfected. The Land Rover LR3 on the other hand is (real) SUV perfection.

This article was taken from: examiner.com

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009 at 10:52 am and is filed under Miscellaneous. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.