So, knowing what you know, would you buy it again?

[Shopkeep]

So, after taking the plunge and stumping up your hard earned to buy a Grenadier or QM, knowing what you know and having lived the dream or nightmare would you buy it again? I feel the Ineos Automotive project is at an inflection point, it either breaks out and starts to generate some volume and acceptance or it dies a death of 1000 cuts. My experience has been overwhelmingly positive and I have no regrets, but maybe my use of the vehicle differs from the masses. HVAC, drive shaft, bings and bongs, steering feel, software glitches, weird noises; are they character building or red lines? Discuss.

 

[Jeremy996]

I'm on my second, so that should say most of it!
Drowning the first one gave me the option to cash out and buy something else, but what else on the market gives the balance of off-road control, a decent tow car, underpinnings that suggest long term reliability and a vehicle that does not absolutely need a 2 or 4 post lift for regular maintenance?

My old LR110CSW could be worked on without a lift, (although it was much easier on one). The LR D3, D4, D5, and new Defender need a 2 post lift for regular maintenance, so even if I wanted to do all my own work, in a suburban house it would be impossible. (The Christian and Vera lift outside solution is not do-able in this household!)

So far, I have had the flaky software, (never a failure to start or proceed), leaks into the footwell, HVAC weirdness and now a diff oil leak, but the dealer/agent has fixed them and I have never been stranded; unlike previous new cars from Vauxhall, VW and BMW, all of whom you would expect to have cracked it by now.

 

[Tenac]

No, but I would seriously be interested with the Portal Axel version IF it ever makes it here to the US.

 

[Dokatd]

I would be on the fence. I would likely wait another model year or so. That assumes Ineos hangs in long enough to fix the problems. I personally have almost zero issues with mine at this point. Aside from the drive shaft issue I fixed my biggest grip with a new steering stabilizer. All the other stuff either doesn't affect my particular truck or is moot in comparison to the rest of my fleet.

 

[HereinDaRockies]

Nope.

 

[Tinerfeño]

Yes. There are no comparable options.

 

[linksK9rig]

Yes, I would buy it again.

 

[MileHigh]

Nope.

Really?

Outside of actually just surviving the next five years, I agree with the sentiment that were an inflection point. If they can keep on selling them and tweak the issues people are having along with having more and more used units on the marketplace filling in the hole of cheaper options. I see this working going forward.
I’m hoping as the installed base increases and the dealer network becomes more stable that they will open up some work by third-party shops.

 

[Chadd7]

we should do a survey. I think this is a great question to ask. I would certainly buy mine again. The only alternative I've considered is the GX550 but it just bores me.

 

[landmannnn]

I would, yes.

 

[Barrett1]

Absolutely yes. Admittedly, 1 year ownership, less than 10k miles. Only issue is am really worried about is the front driveshaft, albeit that is a big one I hope they come up with a solution for.

Sean

 

[terdrocket]

At almost 2 years and 27k miles in, 3.5 hrs away from my dealer, and a recent rebuild of my driveshaft, %100 YES. I still love this thing.
If I had to get rid of it, I would find a good 80 series and LS swap it, or buy another 200 series.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Yes.

 

[Chris Harrison]

Yes, definitely. I love it. I love getting in it, I love adapting it, I love looking at it particularly when I have cleaned it, I love driving it, I love talking about. My wife thinks that maybe I love it just a bit too much! I sincerely hope that IA succeed, not just for my sake as an owner but also because they had the courage to embark on this project despite considerable set backs, they have conceived a great product and I think they deserve to succeed.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Yes.

 

[LRNAD90]

Slightly different (hopefully not unwelcomed) viewpoint. I don't own one. I've spent way too much of my time researching them, following the original design process, and wanting this to be the 'somewhat modernized' version of the classic D110, one that would solve the stupid problems, but still be as simple as possible in our modern world. I have driven them, I even worked an opportunity to take one for an over the weekend, two day test drive.

The emotional side LOVES IT, WANTS IT. But the logical side has trouble getting past the whining power steering pump, prevalence of leaks, HVAC design that seems incomplete, driveshafts that fail on stock vehicles (this is a clean sheet design, they couldn't line the transfercase outputs and the differentials up?!?), never mind lifted ones (I can't leave anything alone, it would be lifted/modified if I owned one).

I've owned a few Land Rovers, some have come and gone, my NAS D90 will stay, but they have all caused 'stress points' in my marriage at one point or another. I can't justify the expense until I feel it is far better sorted than it currently is, and I feel some reasonable assurance that the company will be around to support it in the long run.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Slightly different (hopefully not unwelcomed) viewpoint. I don't own one. I've spent way too much of my time researching them, following the original design process, and wanting this to be the 'somewhat modernized' version of the classic D110, one that would solve the stupid problems, but still be as simple as possible in our modern world. I have driven them, I even worked an opportunity to take one for an over the weekend, two day test drive.

The emotional side LOVES IT, WANTS IT. But the logical side has trouble getting past the whining power steering pump, prevalence of leaks, HVAC design that seems incomplete, driveshafts that fail on stock vehicles (this is a clean sheet design, they couldn't line the transfercase outputs and the differentials up?!?), never mind lifted ones (I can't leave anything alone, it would be lifted/modified if I owned one).

I've owned a few Land Rovers, some have come and gone, my NAS D90 will stay, but they have all caused 'stress points' in my marriage at one point or another. I can't justify the expense until I feel it is far better sorted than it currently is, and I feel some reasonable assurance that the company will be around to support it in the long run.

I own one and do not have any of those issues, although the HVAC has played up occasionally.

INEOS delivered most of what they promised and I spent time working out how to modify it for my needs, based on their design, rather than thinking it was a Toyota 70 series. It is a great piece of kit.

I would like fewer electrics, but that is not possible with current car design rules.

INEOS needs to do more to support remote travel and service centres, both of which they are working on, per Lynn Calder's interview.

 

[Emil]

Yes, because my Quartermaster 1) is the logical solution to my problem, 2) there is no alternative, and 3) it is driven by the real, cool cats. Would I have spent the same on a Toyota, or New Defender, or G Class pickup, if available? Not in a million years, strangely enough. Do I actually need it, the ruggedness, the lockers, and all that…? Strictly speaking, 99 per cent of the tIme I could certainly manage without it - but nevertheless it is so much fun that I would not want to miss it.

 

[Tom D]

In a heartbeat.

Regarding IA's long term future I saw in interview with Jim Ratcliffe last week, he said that both the chemicals division and the other Division have a huge cash buffer £2Bn each IIRC. So there's no reason for anything to go under any time soon.

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

Yes, no brainer.

Too much fun, cool to be unique, nothing has broken (ok, door locks + software upgrade). Being an early adopter I expect warts, and I live with them. But dang, we have had a lot of fun the last year.