Ultimate SUV for when it hits the fan

Also, Range rovers are now built in a special new factory transplanted by BMW Munich to the site. Completely modern in every way and basicly a copy of the former E38 7 series factory in many regards. (Very mech. with little the british can do to mess it up )

 

Well thats the anti theft device, an extra couple of bucks.

 

Ok, what's wrong with that?

 

Dosen't articulate worth a crap compared to a solid axle, no flex=no traction=stuck.

 

Oh, I re-read that LRW article where they compared a GC to a Disco and a bunch of other 4x4s and used a Defender as a benchmark, the only reason the Disco was farther behind some of the others is due to this being a UK magazine and they used diesel engines, Land Rovers diesels are slow and nowhere near powerful. The test it did poorly in was the hill climb where horespower is needed, the magazine even states that the outcome would have been different if they had used a V8 powerd Disco. However the Disco dominated the articulation category and did well in all the others.

 

My Humble Opinion:

Short Term Survival (first few years after the ****-hits-the-fan (SHTF):
Toyota Hi-Lux Pickup (or whatever it's called). This truck is right in the middle of the curve. Does it all really well, but doesn't excel at anything.

Long Term Survival (first few decads after the SHTF and The End of The World-As-We-Know-It (TEOTWAWKI):
Land-Rover Series II or III. Bone simple. Lasts forever. Fix it with duct-tape and bailing wire. 4-cylinder industrial motor is indestructible, will run on anything including kerosene, can be started with the standard-equipment hand-crank. The alloy body and galvanized chassis (option) will last forever.

Specialist Role like hauling heavy loads through meter deep water:
Unimog or HMMWV. Ultimately capable gizmo trucks. Just hope they don't brake. If they do, you'll be using that old government term "abandon in place"

Playing Road Warrior:
Range Rover Classic. The best off-roader, best all around 4x4 vehicle ever made, as long as there is a BP spaced every 200 km to quench it's thirst for fine-petrol. This would be my choice if it weren't for the fuel efficiency.

PS for Dave W. - Buy the dang Mog already!!!

 

To answer the first question :

1. Unimog if parts were not an issue

2. Jeep Grand Cherokee, if the end was near

Lots of them for parts, enough speed, enough off road capabilities, and small enough to get around.

 

If the **** were really going to hit the fan, I'd be looking for a military surplus tank...

If you really want an SUV, get a military surplus H1 and bullet-proof it and mount a machine gun turret. I wonder if you can outfit it with a missile system... hmmm

However, if this isn't a real when the SHTF SUV, my vote goes to the G-wag. The H1 might not get you through those tight situations, and I think the rigid suspension and locking differentials on the RR might make it slightly better for off-road obstacles.

 

This particuliar H1. It has the one factory option I consider absolutely essential

 

H1? No way in hell ... way too big.

Land Rover Defender 110. Unbeatable off-roader.

 

Then again, you have to carry food, water, fuel, ammo, and women!

 

You can tow a trailer behind to keep the women in. That way you don't have to listen to their griping and whining. (wahhh!! I'm hungry!! Wahhh!! I need water!! Wahhh! why did you make me leave my clothing back there?!?!)

 

As the end must certainly be near, we got 1 of each:

The H1



The G55



OK, so the G isn't exactly equipped in its current configuration to traverse much more than a parking lot, but the H1 is no doubt tough--especially with the 39x15.5 tires. Driving the G down the road is like driving a tall S class, whereas driving the hummer is much like a tank--acceleration, ride, and decel. If I was picking 1 to get around following some catastrophy, the H1 would get the nod.

I'd pick the Maserati, but it's in the shop............

Ben

 

H1, and lots of firepower to deal with the looters.

 

H1 is well unpractical to big and hardly fuel efficent expensive to maintain my buddy had one and stuff went wrong all the time.

The G500 is a really nice car great interior its a tank and feels like one when your driving it has 3 locking diff's and solid axle's its one of the best out there. There might be one in the garage in the near future...

The Range Rover is truly amazing I havent driving the new one the HSE 4.4 but I driven the one that eneded production in 2002 the 4.6 HSE and it was really nice very steady feel silent ride etc. The new ones have some serious flex and really do perform off-road as they say.

Jeep Grand Cherokee, Well being an owner I can tell you there really good off-road for stock vehicals to well built no problems yet with 65k been off-road plenty of times overall good vehical for price. The new model year is about to pop up the WK with a much nice interior and 5.7 Hemi.

Suburban/Expedition, Dime a dozen cars with low ground clearence bad gas milage and shabby designs. There nice as family cars though.

It all comes down to what you want my two favorites are the Range Rover and the Mercedes G500 as the G55 is more of a road car with pretty wheels and chrome trim and running boards.

 

My choices would be either a Defender 90/110 or a Pinzgauer. Both are quite capable in extreme conditions and both are very durable. If storage volume is an important concern then I would choose the Pinzgauer.

 

I would have to go with a Defender 90 - unstopable, indestructable, and you won't have to hunt for desiel like you would with an H1.