We're on our hols in SW Florida, lovely area (between Naples and Tampa), but in the past week haven't seen a single Freelander, several Rav 4's the odd CRV and Range Rover but no LR2's as they call them here.

Our hire car is a Jeep Grand Cherokee "Laredo", its OK but nowhere near as nice handling as the FL2, and as for the build quality Its also doing 20MPG - driven gently on the freeway, folk here are horrified that "gas" costs $4 a gallon (which equates to about 48p a litre )

Mike

we are very unlucky in the regard to choice of engine here in the US as you know. I wish LR would get it in gear and bring the diesel to the US - VW AUDI MB to name a few are launching this year for 2009 MY. The 3.2 i6 will keep sales down for LR state side I'm afraid.

No way my friend, you guy chose petrol so should stick with it, diesel fuel is expensive enough as it is without you guys buying it all  At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Interesting article from car and driver about the US and diesel vehicles . . .

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/colum..._it_column

good find hands off our diesel  At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I'm en route to Houston, Texas for a couple of weeks, and for my hire car I requested an "intermediate SUV", expecting something resembling a freelander. The Texans like their "trucks" and a "large SUV" would put a disco in the shade, so I thought intermediate would be good enough. Anyway, I've ended up with a thing called a Pontiac Vibe. Google it - it's the least cool vehicle I've ever seen.
Methinks some negotiation may be required on arrival.



There used to be a Ford Expedition(?)(not as big as the Explorer) which was very similar to the FL1, but I haven't seen anything resembling an FL2 in the USA.

"The new Vibe's design is sporty yet completely functional," according to Ron Aselton, chief designer. "Clean lines, minimal overhangs and wheels pushed to the corners give the vehicle a muscular stance."


Well done Ron...just if your going to design anything else please stay in the USA with it.... Thanks in advance CG At work
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"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

I saw 2 FL2's in the 2nd week of the hol, both black & both in "posh" areas (one was parked outside a house in Boca Grande, where if you have to ask "how much" you can't afford it).

Was glad to give the Jeep back to Dollar car rentals - BTW, because of the price of "gas" many US car rental firms are running out of economy cars and are giving free upgrades to SUV's, often unwanted. At 50p a litre I wasn't feeling too sympathetic...

Fletch, whenever I arrive in Houston I never get the car I booked.

The nice thing about the car rentals there is the ease of pick up and drop off at the car rental centre.

I've had a Cadillac DeVille, Explorer, 300C and a Dodge Ram on my trips to Houston, and it safe to say they were all dreadful cars. Why on earth many in the US see the Cadillac as a premium brand I have no idea.  Once you've tasted GREY you'll never go back!

Last edited by Gambba on 4th Aug 2008 1:04 pm. Edited 1 time in total

And I didn't this time either gambba. For $6/day (yep, six bucks) I upgraded to a thing called a Chevvy Equinox, which I quite like actually. Roughly disco size, but not quite so in-your-face.

Like a mug I also forked out $13.95/day for a sat nav which I'll probably use only twice, but hey, she had a nice smile and she lurrrved my limey accent.

For the record, diesel here is $4.56 per US gallon. Do the math.