No they’re just sad attempts at comedy.

Her hot take sucks.

I’d be curious what exactly the Camry needs that is making it unreliable. Assuming the oil is changed with some regularity, as this generation was the one known for sludging after Toyota retuned it for lower emissions and higher MPG that caused higher engine temps. But I have relatives in Siberia that run close…

Smelled this guy’s clutch before we saw him, poor little Crosstrek made it all of 50 yards off of the ramp into the pretty deep and soft sand (very hot and dry that day). This is in the NC Outer Banks.

My 3rd gen 4Runner has performed commendably on the beaches of OBX, aired down to about 20 psi. Fairly light weight for a midsize SUV (3800lb curb weight), high clearance, and big-ish tires stock.

So are we punching this Nazi or what guys?

This right here. I can only assume people voting NP don’t actually work on cars or consider such things. We take various issues for granted with the capable and luxurious Ranger Rovers, at least they are rewarding to drive when they’re up and running. Where’s the upside to one of these Freelanders? Expensive and…

Nope. Front diff was brought into play with a common for the time vacuum-actuated collar on one of the front axles (eliminates the need for manual or auto hub engagement). The transfer case is a pretty traditional setup and does indeed have a mechanical center diff much like a Toyota 4Runner with a “multimode” setup…

“The 4WD system was part-time with a lockable center differential, not for use on dry pavement”

You contradicted yourself in that very same sentence Mr “Applied Physics.” It’s that center differential that is the whole point of making it possible to drive the car on paved roads in mixed slick/dry conditions. Then when…

Freelanders are utter shite build/reliability wise, even for LR, the red painted logos are just the cherry on top of this particular crack-pipe sundae. If you’re going to buy a LR product, at least get something capable and luxurious and interesting like a P38 Callaway:

Strange how? Our ‘89 and ‘98 Feel very different to drive. The ‘89 RWD has a surprisingly low feeling center of gravity, and a very light but precise steering feel, and the goodness of RWD dynamics. As a driver you feel like you can really whip it through corners without much worry, but as a passenger it can really…

It doesn’t have a dedicated low range in the transfer case (only the 5spd 4wds got that), but for general use on mild forest access roads it handles it just fine. I think my brother has used his RWD ‘89 offroad more than 99% of 4wd SUV owners anyways :p

Worth noting that the original ‘89 MPV really isn’t particularly heavy, or particularly large. It’s unibody rather than BOF like many seem to mistake it (based on unibody 929), but it does indeed use the solid rear axle from a B series truck. Dimensions are a tidy 176 inches long and 72 inches wide, basically 6 inches…

They do rot something fierce. My brother’s ‘89 is still chugging along after a life of CNY salted roads and then Central PA. Looks much worse for the wear with basically nothing left of the front jacking points. 245k on the old girl, she recently got a $300 junkyard transmission after finally losing second gear, and…

My fam bought a used ‘89 4cyl auto in the mid 90s as a used car with 90k, liked it so much that a few years later we got a last-of-the-range fully loaded out ‘98 Allsport 4WD ES with leather and towing package off lease in 2001. Fantastic snow car, more stable on slick roads than my current 4Runner.

The stick shift MPVs are true unicorns and highly sought after in the freaky niche community that is MK1 MPV owners. The 4wd stick shifts had a 2 speed transfer case, whereas the auto 4wds made due with a single speed system with a locking center diff.

Correct.

The West’s (American/Western European) approach of “Bomb the third world then invite the third world” is coming home to roost.

“while Chevy was spending the whole time recycling their ‘90s interiors.”

I’m an import kind of guy generally speaking, but you’ve got to let go of the old tropes from over a decade ago. I rent a lot for work and have been nothing short of impressed with the latest domestic efforts, the high points being a Pacifica I…

So your main argument for dumping a whole bunch of money into a new car is to do your duty as a patriotic debt-ridden citizen and support the economy? A few other points are actually cogent like safety and factoring in how much time you might be dedicating to keeping an older car on the road. The fuel economy point is…