Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/08/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Actually, the Discovery is a comparable, if not superior value to the Grand Cherokee. Check this link for a 1:1 comparison: http://carpoint.msn.com/compare/specs/1999/Land_Rover/Discovery/1999/Jeep/Gr and_Cherokee/CompSelect?Trim1=Discovery_Series_II&Trim2=Limited_4WD_ At virtually the exact same price, the Discovery offers traction control standard, which is not even an option for the Jeep. And this is not just any traction control transplanted from a passenger car... It is optimized for off-road use, and the early field reports have been very positive. An interesting related feature is "HDC", or "Hill Descent Control". This was pioneered on the Freelander a few years ago, and makes controlled descents easy. It controls braking on each of the 4 wheels independently, and is able to make corrections to keep the vehicle straight that even an experienced driver could not do (without 4 feet and brake pedals, that is!) Discovery also offers Active cornering enhancement (ACE), which automatically adjusts the rear sway bars when cornering, thus limiting body sway. At speeds below about 25 mph the same accelerometers are used to detect side tilts, and the system "locks" (there is no ACE assistance) to enable the vehicle to maintain a consistent attitude, parallel to the ground. A by-product of this system is the ability to raise the entire rear end of the car a few inches, effectively increasing departure angle. Discovery seats 7 rather than 5 Discovery approach and departure angles are steeper Discovery wheelbase is shorter has a higher ramp breakover angle. Discovery warranty is 48 mos/50k miles compared to JGC 36 mos/36k miles The Land Rover products are the last SUVs on the market that are thoughtfully oriented toward real off-road driving. It's a pity that so many of them see nothing but suburban streets. I don't understand why people buy SUVs and never take them off the tarmac. A minivan would seem a better option for most people... On topic: The Discovery has a cool rear sunroof, which is great for popping through to snap pictures of the flora and fauna with your M6 + Summicron 50! - -----Original Message----- From: KPETERS [mailto:KPETERS@huntel.net] Sent: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 5:15 PM To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us Subject: Re: [Leica] Rover's As Tow Vehicles & My Retirement Lens Agree. The new grand cherokee has a fine motor, OHC type which is replacing the pushrod style motors. Overall output is still somewhere between 5.2 and 5.9 L equivalent and I would agree completely that you would want a decent hitch with swaybars on anything approaching 30'! Checked my manual for the '89 rover and it's rated to pull 5500# in high and 7700# in low. Price difference between new grand cherokee and rovers (especially now that the discovery is out there!) is not that much anymore... and we all know price isn't that important anyway when we're talking about love. Kpeters-- - -----Original Message----- From: Rob McClure <mcclure@udata.com> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Date: Tuesday, August 10, 1999 7:01 PM Subject: Re: [Leica] Rover's As Tow Vehicles & My Retirement Lens >Hello, > >I, too, use a travel trailer to travel and to get out in the woods for >Leica photography (we must stay on topic here). I've found that the >Jeep Grand Cherokee V-8 is perfect for hauling up to 30' and has a 6,500 >pound tow rating. Its also a nice vehicle for running around without >the trailer, about the size of a Range Rover (but much lighter and less >expensive). Just be sure to add good sway equipment. > >Rob McClure > >For those of you >Kent Jon Peters wrote: >> >> Bud Cook wrote: >> > >> > Newer Airstreams weigh much more than the older ones because they now have >> > wood cabinets, Corian sinks, etc. I believe a new 31' Airstream weighs >> > about 6,500 dry. My old one weighed 4,900.<snip> > >