Wife got rear ended in the Volvo XC90.

Body shop told us today the bad news of a perfectly good car that is paid off is going to be totaled.

So wife wants a LR4

What year should we look for?

What options should we look for?

Any particular model that has LED lights? She likes the LED lighting on my M4 so she would like that on her new ride.

V8 versus supercharged V6?

Any other considerations?

 

No comments?

Test drove a 2013 with a V8 and a 2014 with the V6SC.

We definitely like the responsiveness of the V8. The 2013 was ragged in the interior and smelled like smoke. The only reason I bring this up, is the 2013 also didn't seem to handle as tightly as the 2014. Was this because it was ragged out, or is there a handling difference between the 2013 and 2014?

My wife also HATED the stupid dial thingy for changing gears, and I have to agree, as I would like the shifter in the 2013 that gave me control over gear selection.

So, I think we are pointed towards a V8, but would really like to know if we should have expected a handling difference between the 2013 versus later year LR4.

Please, someone with some knowledge, please offer some wisdom!

 

All the reviews point to the V8 being the better engine.

If the interior was ragged, then you can be garranteed the truck was beat on, so it would also accou t for the suspension not feeling as tight

 

My Wife has an '11 HSE Lux. It's an amazing truck.

In stock form it out wheels my D2's and Classics. It's comfortable and has taken my family up and down the West coast 4 times in 2 years. Two of those times we were either towing a 5000lb travel trailer or a 4500lb enclosed moving trailer.

My wife's only real complaint is the entertainment system, its very clunky and the nav is slow.

If you don't want to wait for the D5 with the TD6, i'd get a late V8 and call it good. For handling differences, i'd want to look and see what tires and pressures are being run and whether the truck has johnson rods installed to "lift" it.

 

I searched around for a used one, but anything nicer than the LR3 I already had, the cheapest nice one was 40K+. I just went with a new one as financing wise, there wasn't much difference and insurance wise there was zero difference (middle aged white guy, YMMV). I will agree the Nav on the LR4 (also the LR3) is crap, but I don't use it anyway...that's what the bluetooth is for. I don't have an "entertainment system" but all my wife and daughter want is to play what they have on their phone or Jango/Pandora anyway.

The sound system, however, is very good. Also, that it knows where you are (regarding nav) is a touch freaky some times, but awesome. When I park in my garage or in a store parking lot, it knows I'm done and shuts the engine down and puts it in park. That kind of gadgetry just makes my day. There's an Eco mode on the 2016 (not sure when it started) that shuts the engine off when it's not needed (say while idling in traffic). I just keep finding new stuff (all of which will fail, which is why I bought the extended warranty).

 

Thanks for the feedback, now to find a 2013 with less than 40k miles, if it even exist!

 

I would still recommend a good 2012. Best option and least problems.

 

What problems did the 2013 have that the 2012 didn't?

 

i'm not aware of any substantial differences between '12 and '13. '14's came with the V6.

 

Found a 2011 Indus Silver with 27k miles on it. It looks to not even have a scratch or rock nick on it. According to the sales staff, it the interior is flawless.

Issue is, it is in Canton, OH. Does anyone know a Indy shop in Canton, OH that I could get to inspect the truck?

Any reason why I wouldn't want to get a 2011 versus a 2013?

Thanks