Executive cars such as Beemers and Mercs seem to have superior build quality and materials over mainstream brands such as Ford and will hold value a lot better.

Clarkson once said on Top Gear though that for the price of a low level 3 series, you could buy a V6 Mondeo ST or a Mazda 6 MPS which are far more powerful and much faster and have loads more kit on them. So the question is (without being overly critical of the depreciation), could you buy one of those examples over an executive saloon or could you not bear to be without the prestige badge?

An example closer to home would be IF Kia for example made a 4x4 that was very nearly as good off road as the FL2 but was better in all other respects, could you buy one or would you not dare to buy a Kia? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Snobbery every time, just wish I could afford a Range Rover. Gone, 2007 TD4 SE Auto Baltic blue, clear side repeaters, full sized alloy spare.

English by birth..... Yorkshire by the grace of God.

I do believe the Kia is more reliable than than any land rover, and the fact they give a 7 year warranty means the must be good! You don't see land river doing that!

The Doctor wrote:

An example closer to home would be IF Kia for example made a 4x4 that was very nearly as good off road as the FL2 but was better in all other respects, could you buy one or would you not dare to buy a Kia?

Just put a Land Rover badge on the Kia and save a bunch, the only people to know the difference are Freel2 members

However if one wanted snobbery (or foolery) then use a Beemer badge to create a pestige image as LR dont seem to have that compaired with the German opposition  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

I'd like to think it was 'snobbery' but then when they look at the driver people quickly realise that had nothing to do with it
I just buy whatever takes my fancy at the time and hopefully capable of what I need it to do. Elevated driving is a must for me in any purchase.

Mainstream or premium so what? - I just get want suits the need or desires at the time. Car manufacturing is so global and shares so much commonality of parts and suppliers these days that there seems to be very few poor cars.

I don't subscribe to the idea that 'more expensive is better'. Looking back over the past ten or so years we have had breakdowns and quality trouble wth BMW. Land Rover and Audi but no problems at all with VW, Renault, Peugeot and Citroen or Honda vehicles. Not tried any others but friends have commented postively about the value of brands such as Mazda and Kia. Equally, my neighbour has a newish Bentley which has reliability problems.

The manufacturers exploit our love of badge snobbery, 'lifestyle' vehicles etc. For some it is all about preception and image. Others are led by the motoring press who seem to be in on it. The price of the vehicle has little to do with its build cost - its about market positioning and perceived value.

That said we currently have two LRs (running well after some hiccups!) and can't think of anything better to replace them as yet.

landy19840 wrote:

I do believe the Kia is more reliable than than any land rover, and the fact they give a 7 year warranty means the must be good! You don't see land river doing that!

Nt so sure on that, the Kia's ad Hyundai's are popular by some od the Vanners or as CG would sayVaners, they may have a seven year warranty but the reliability seems worse. Reports of two or three Track Control Arms, Seering Joints, Clutches and DMF's at 5k and they say it's ok I've got seven year warranty

Range Rover vs Land rover , Im the snob  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

Range Rover vs Land rover , I'm the snob but unfortunately couldn't afford a proper Range Rover

 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

chicken george wrote:

Range Rover vs Land rover , Im the snob and it's funded by the tax payers too

 2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

Speedway wrote:

Snobbery every time, just wish I could afford a Range Rover.

I love Fords.....that's why I have a FL2! Although I suppose it has some Volvo in it as well.

I never have and never will buy a Kraut car. John
07 HSE Narvick Black
Land Rover Series One
Triumph Rocket 111 (sadly gone!)

landy19840 wrote:

I do believe the Kia is more reliable than than any land rover, and the fact they give a 7 year warranty means the must be good! You don't see land river doing that!

Would anyone buy a Skoda Yeti?, assuming you could get one this millennium, not for me. Gone, 2007 TD4 SE Auto Baltic blue, clear side repeaters, full sized alloy spare.

English by birth..... Yorkshire by the grace of God.

landy19840 wrote:

I do believe the Kia is more reliable than than any land rover, and the fact they give a 7 year warranty means the must be good! You don't see land river doing that!