Range Rover offroad, F430 on road, other surprises...

[zjpj83]

I had a fun automotive Sunday this weekend. In the morning, I went offroading in the Range Rover. I found the car to be very capable, as well as quite comfortable. The model is top of the range, with a supercharged engine. MSRP was about $93,000. First we got there and they gave me my "Land Rover" wrist band. I suppose it's what Lance Armstrong would wear if he went off-roading.

I had a Land Rover instructor with me at all times, which was very helpful. First, he explained about the car and all the offroad aids. These include a switch to set it into a lower gearing, and a second switch for "hill descent."

Fit and finish was quite good. Though, I have to say, I am personally a big fan of wood trim, and I am kind of disappointed with luxury cars these days. They are incorporating much more aluminum or carbon fiber into their interiors, while I personally miss the days when there was lots of burl wood.

We soon made our way to the course and starting fording streams. The car was in first gear most of the time, and we jacked up the air suspension so that it was at the highest setting.

The RR not only goes up and down inclines really well, but it can take those inclines on the side as well. I was pretty scared we were going to tip over, but thankfully the car handled really well. We stayed fully planted.

Funnily, when I am on an incline like this, my inclination was to steer the car towards the incline. In other words, when the car was like it was in these pictures, I kept wanting to steer to the right. It felt like by steering right, I would steer away from harm (i.e. the car tipping over to the left). But the instructor insured me that we wouldn't tip over, and that I should just hold the car straight. He was right.

When we finished the course, we got to chill for a bit. We got to check out some of the other Land Rovers and Range Rovers that were there today.

Inside the stables (the event was held at the U.S. Equestrian Team's training grounds and headquarters), they had a nice lunch set up, and lots of nice flowers.

They also had other things to do, like a cooking class and some sort of perfume talk for the ladies.

The stables are really nice. There is a real, original, Tiffany glass ceiling. There is also this glass floor below, which apparently you used to be able to walk on back in the day, but not anymore.

On the way home, I stopped at a local car dealer, where they had an absolutely lovely XK120 roadster and E-type coupe. I really want to buy the E-type, but the maintenance scares me...

On the way home, I also saw a nice looking 355 GTS and, in the same parking lot, a Bentley Fastback! Wow, that was a surprise. I absolutely love the Fastback.

When I got home, I really wanted to go out for a drive in the F430. It was really windy today, but I don't often have the time just to go for a drive, so I decided to head out anyway.

I set off. There are so many leaves on the road. It really is autumn.

I decided to go to a scenic overlook. It really was beautiful.

And finally, back home.

 

[sygyzy]

I thoroughly enjoyed this post. It was well written and full of interesting pictures. I think the best part is that you talked about stuff a regular person like me would be interested in and didn't waste time on details that only a car head or someone who could afford the LR would care about. Also, you explained each picture so I didn't leave with any questions such as "where is that buffet located? It looks like a stable!"

 

[VMan]

Nice final picture.

 

[hotstuff]

This is my first time on this site. I actually went to this same event on Friday in Jersey. I also thought it was great. I drove a white Range Rover HSE. I was also afraid of the angles they took us on but had a blast! The equestrian center was amazing also. Hope to do it again maybe one day with my own RR.

 

[DNW]

I did an event like yours a while back with BMW. Really fun stuff that I would never otherwise have done. It was wild driving sideway on a 45 degree slope of loose dirt. Nice V1, but you need a jammer for the kind of speed you're doing. BTW, don't you ever get tired of driving fast in your Ferrari, or driving it in general?

 

[briancl]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

BTW, don't you ever get tired of driving fast in your Ferrari, or driving it in general?

He's only got 400-something miles on it.. I don't think he is tired of it yet

 

[FLMountainMan]

Originally Posted by DarkNWorn

I did an event like yours a while back with BMW. Really fun stuff that I would never otherwise have done. It was wild driving sideway on a 45 degree slope of loose dirt.

Nice V1, but you need a jammer for the kind of speed you're doing. BTW, don't you ever get tired of driving fast in your Ferrari, or driving it in general?

If you ever do tire of driving the Ferrari, I would be happy to swap cars for a week or twenty. I'll let you have your pick from my stable - the 2001 Dodge Stratus or the 1995 Jeep Wrangler, Rio Grande edition with custom toolbox, bottle opener bolted to the front fender, and soup-can modified exhaust system. Just make sure to bring it back with a full tank.

BTW, that Bentley Fastback is absolutely stunning. I actually liked that the most.

 

[Violinist]

Beautiful shots. My dad has a love of old Rolls. He's been thinking of getting a convertible, maybe a Cornish or something like that from the 70s when he retires and only has to have 2 cars.

How tall are you? Every exotic car I've ever been in has been impossible.

 

[zjpj83]

Originally Posted by Violinist

Beautiful shots. My dad has a love of old Rolls. He's been thinking of getting a convertible, maybe a Cornish or something like that from the 70s when he retires and only has to have 2 cars.

How tall are you? Every exotic car I've ever been in has been impossible.
I'm 5'6-5'7"

 

[Patrick Bateman]

That's an ideal height for these cars. If you've got a couple million to spare, maybe go for a used Formula One car.

 

[EL72]

Thanks for the nice post and pics. I hope you weren't looking in the camera viewfinder while taking a pic at 155mph

 

[Pink22m]

Thanks for the nice post and pics. I hope you weren't looking in the camera viewfinder while taking a pic at 155mph

Yeah, I was just thinking the same thing.

 

[visionology]

I'd be tearing it up in the Ferrari, especially with the unusually warm weather we have now and with winter fast approaching.

Saying that the E-type maintenance is scary coming from a Ferrari owner is scary enough.

 

[Violinist]

It's unfortunate but I'll never be able to enjoy those cars. I'm 6'4 so I'll always have to drive a big sedan or SUV.

 

[imageWIS]

Originally Posted by Violinist

It's unfortunate but I'll never be able to enjoy those cars. I'm 6'4 so I'll always have to drive a big sedan or SUV.

My friend is 6'-6" and although that helps him with some things, he has a hell of a time fitting into cars properly.

Jon.