Land Rover 60th anniversary – cross Australia journey
August 19, 2008 by Paul Maric
Day 5
A good night’s sleep was the starter to day five. It took a while, but I was finally getting used to sleeping in a tent! It’s one of those things that takes a bit of time to adjust to, but once you’re there, it’s just as good as sleeping in a normal bed.
Day five’s leg had us travel from Mt. Dare through to Chambers Pillar and Maryvale Station was the last stop before arriving at Chambers Pillar.
Chambers Pillar is a sandstone pillar tht sits some 50 metres above the surrounding terrain. John Stuart found the pillar while trying to cross Australia in 1860 and the inscriptions left by him and his team still remain on the pillar.
We arrived close to sunset and were able to climb the pillar to view the inscriptions and witness an absolutely amazing outback sunset.
Also camping at Chambers Pillar were a couple covering the Simpson Desert in a previous generation Defender. They were keen to check out the new Defender on the fleet and even went for a test drive – who says Land Rover isn’t committed to pleasing their customers!
I drove the Range Rover Sport from Mt. Dare to Chambers Pillar and it’s quite amazing how much air suspension makes a difference across the rough corrugations of the road. The tactile nature of the Sport, along with the precise steering make it a pleasure to drive.
It’s also quite keen to let loose on dirt roads too! Lift off slightly through a corner and the back end gracefully twitches, adding a bit of excitement to the roads. The driving position is also commendable, giving you the impression of a much lower car.
The turbo diesel V6 copes well with the car’s weight but sometimes lacks when overtaking and moving away in a hurry.
It was to be the last night under the stars and after a hard day on the road, everybody was keen to call it a night early – except one of the local dingos who stole a leather strap from a member of the catering crew, while he slept in a swag.
darkwater:
Freelander with its quality advanced 6spd command shift transmission that does 0-100kph in 8.9 seconds (0-60mph 8.4) aswell as being economical on the fuel would have to be the pick. WHereas the rubicon with its 4spd (if your going auto) is a bit sluggish and hard on fuel.
Big Jim:
Smack-on there with transmissions, also rubicons thirst has always been a major consideration. Standing at a pedestrian crossing yesterday a 4-door wrangler drove past (so it’s going to be a 2007 model), not sure if the driver has been servicing it regularly or it’s just been flogged to buggery, but all the wrong noises were coming from the engine bay. Sounded half a dozen rasps heading down a long metal slide. I’m earing on the side of lack of service or as some seem to think that a 4bie is just as cabable on the road as a beamer.
darkwater:
yeah the 3.2L i6 in the freelander is highly rated with good high torque.
“The DEFENDER is the shit when it comes to crossing through and around Aus and for going bush and hardcore offroading.”
^^^by that I mean its good. The 300 tdi equiped DEFENDER Im used to, has a top speed of about 135, that would be my only slight gripe. However its the type of indestructible engine that just keeps on going (a hard 310 000km without a problem). It cruises effortlessly at the speed limit. The new 4 would have to be better.
Big Jim:
If it was just me, myself, and I, a defender would be the only consideration – out asap smack down money for factory fitted modifications. However, I’ve got to tow a family of girls so comfort (road noise, egonomics etc) needs to be considered.
Believe me, I would really love a defender. Pity they don’t provide the swb. Could get that for fun.
Darkwater:
Post how the test driving and eventual purchase goes, Im interested to know. You should be able to talk them down a fair bit.
Big Jim:
Thank you for your interest and advice. I’m looking at a minimum of 6 to 12 month purchase time for either a defender or disco3, so please don’t hang on my post. When it comes around I’ll post on whatever forum associated with this or following articles or even on this site’s car review for the defender or disco3. Either way I’m getting a rattler. Sod a petrol – top end performance but bugger all down low where you need it when you need it for how long you need it.
Darkwater:
With the current new car market conditions- dealers doing alot of heavy discounting, its quite possible to get a big discount on a Discovery 4.0 V6 SE or the TDV6 Auto S.
Edaw: “Enjoy your X-Trail, one of only 2 soft roaders not made for girls.” Do you honestly think girls can’t drive offroad? Or are you saying LR and Nissan made vehicles purely for men?
GT2000: Just because something is popular, doesn’t make it good. Take Top 40 music, AFL, Neighbours for eg… Very popular, doesn’t make them good though.