Roger Hicks
Veteran
I have bought two second-hand Land Rovers in the last 30 years and am therefore the best person to advise Land Rover on new vehicles.
Leicas, anyone?
(I also have a monthly column in Land Rover World about classic LRs, so obviously I know all there is to know about current models).
(Yeah, right).
Cheers,
R.
Leicas, anyone?
(I also have a monthly column in Land Rover World about classic LRs, so obviously I know all there is to know about current models).
(Yeah, right).
Cheers,
R.
Morca007
Matt
The flaw is that you are supporting an obsolete technology, obviously you should be moving on to hybrids by now.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Matt,
Thanks. How could I have missed something so obvious?
Obviously I should also pull down my 200-500-year-old house (in a conservation area) and build something more eco-friendly. It'll only take another 200+ years to recover the energy cost of demolition and rebuilding. Pity the new house wouldn't last 100 years -- but hey, that's not my problem.
Cheers,
R.
Peter_Jones
Well-known
I've had four in the last ten years, 
I'll give Solihull a call on Monday
(Nice analogy Roger)
I'll give Solihull a call on Monday (Nice analogy Roger)
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
I think the flaw is that you owned two. If you don't own one, it makes you an even better person to give advise on the subject.
Leica anyone?
yanidel
Well-known
The flaw is that you have not experienced new vehicles and their early reliability problems. Second flaw, technology improves quickly, it does not seem to be your main buying criteria given you prefer to wait and buy used. Most new buyers rank technology high up therefore you cannot provide voice of customer to Land Rover.
In the end, I think you are the guardian of tradition Roger, you make sure Land Rover does not forget who they are and what their values are.
In the end, I think you are the guardian of tradition Roger, you make sure Land Rover does not forget who they are and what their values are.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Well, that's what I hope, and it's a necessary job. But mostly, I think, the people who work for Land Rover (and the people who work for Leica) have a pretty good idea of the value of the things I praise -- and all they have to worry about is how far they can depart from them.
What I can tell them about new vehicles/cameras is however somewhat limited; unlike those who think they know it all. The 'make a cheap compact camera in China' brigade are not too clear about what a Leica is, and I'm not too clear on the luxury market, as I don't buy that many luxury products (and when I do, I expect them to last -- hence wearing my 40+-year-old Omega watch...)
And with four-wheel drives, to a very large extent it's the driver, not the vehicle. Much like cameras and photographers, really.
Cheers,
R.
ferider
Veteran
Assuming, Roger is talking about a new Land Rover or BMW with direct injection Diesel, driven on a continent where (Bio!) Diesel is readily available, using a Hybrid would be nothing more but a mis-guided fashion statement !
Cheers,
Roland.
Papa Smurf
Established
Going into Politics?
Going into Politics?
Roger, have you ever thought about going into American Politics? Your thinking is right on if you listen to the latest round of political debates (our Presidential race). False logic is like a nasty social disease, it knows no boundaries when it comes to race, age, religion, well you get the picture.
A college Professor of some note once told me that the only reason that most people were allowed to roam freely was because it was too expensive to institutionalize everyone that could not / would not think for themselves. I personally know people that would say that your credentials imminently qualified you to give advice to Range Rover or Leica, for that matter! Where have all of the flowers gone?
Going into Politics?
Roger, have you ever thought about going into American Politics? Your thinking is right on if you listen to the latest round of political debates (our Presidential race). False logic is like a nasty social disease, it knows no boundaries when it comes to race, age, religion, well you get the picture.
A college Professor of some note once told me that the only reason that most people were allowed to roam freely was because it was too expensive to institutionalize everyone that could not / would not think for themselves. I personally know people that would say that your credentials imminently qualified you to give advice to Range Rover or Leica, for that matter! Where have all of the flowers gone?
Austerby
Well-known
Well, for the price of two Landies you could have bought something seriously interesting - a Bristol rather! (though p'raps not the running costs...)
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Funny you should say that. I always fancied a 401 or 403 (or 402 but as I recall there were only 23 of those, of which I have ridden in two) but the 400 was undriveable (I tried -- tiny rear window, sliding windows that opened the wrong way and suicide doors so I couldn't back it out of the lane). The 404 and 405 were OK but lacked the magic of the 401-2-3 and the 406 was too portly.
Many of the bits were silly-cheap. The indicators, for example, were off the Morris Minor van. On the other hand, if you dent Superleggera bodywork...
Besides, I never had the price of two LRs simultaneously.
Cheers,
R.
Austerby
Well-known
I had a 411 (series 4) for a while - by far the most extraordinary car I've ever had. It was truly barge-like but with an immense self-presence that carried through and made it sublime. I adored it but it had to go. I'd still like another and this time a 403 or one of those lovely 405 convertibles would be appealing. Some day, perhaps when I sell the Leicas...
Roger Hicks
Veteran
But a very, very fast and extremely beautiful barge, if somewhat thirsty. Why did you sell it? Apart from the fact that it didn't have a proper Bristol engine?
Cheers,
R.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
The flaw in this statement is that it's an attempt to ramp up the current argument between the Leica and the non Leica fans here!
As for Landrovers, I think they're rubbish ... I'm a certified motor mechanic who did a five year apprenticeship in NZ's largest British Leyland dealership and I have no fond memories of working on the hundreds that I did!
As for Landrovers, I think they're rubbish ... I'm a certified motor mechanic who did a five year apprenticeship in NZ's largest British Leyland dealership and I have no fond memories of working on the hundreds that I did!
shimokita
白黒
Well, let's assume (with all honesty) that you have done your homework to the n-th degree and have put your money/ time/ passion into the subject area. You should have something of value to add to the body of knowledge/ future planning. The question is how you engage with the responsible organization/ team/ individuals/ public.
Making a controversial statement with a promise to provide your "pearls of wisdom" after you allow other to vent, and not doing so in a timely manner (and pearls of wisdom???) would be an example of less than honest engagement. There may be more examples.
Spot the flaw: There is nothing basicly incorrect in putting forth your (limited) opinion after two senond hand purchases. Does anyone take monthly columnists seriouisly? Does the CEO of LR listen to the opinion of the two examples above... should I listen?
Does my participation in this thread mean that I agree with your supposition? It's Sunday morning and too early for the newspaper...
clh
Making a controversial statement with a promise to provide your "pearls of wisdom" after you allow other to vent, and not doing so in a timely manner (and pearls of wisdom???) would be an example of less than honest engagement. There may be more examples.
Spot the flaw: There is nothing basicly incorrect in putting forth your (limited) opinion after two senond hand purchases. Does anyone take monthly columnists seriouisly? Does the CEO of LR listen to the opinion of the two examples above... should I listen?
Does my participation in this thread mean that I agree with your supposition? It's Sunday morning and too early for the newspaper...
clh
Roger Hicks
Veteran
The flaw in this statement is that it's an attempt to ramp up the current argument between the Leica and the non Leica fans here!
Dear Keith,
Not really. It's a suggestion that those who don't know what they're talking about (e.g. me and new Land Rovers) are not the best people to advise those who are running the company.
The opinion of someone who knows about Land Rovers' faults, from real experience, is another matter. As is the opinion of someone who actually uses camera A -- whatever camera A may be -- as compared with that of someone who has only ever used camera B.
When was your apprenticeship? I'm told they've got better from hitting rock bottom a few years ago.
Cheers,
R.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
shimokita
白黒
Paying attention and taking something seriously are slightly different. If a CEO and his board only listen to the loud squeeky wheel then what value are they bringing to the company. It's their job to bring business ｉn the current economic model. Their job is also to work for the future (although this seems to not be a prioirity in the current business environment). There are different levels of mangement and any company can dissapear in two business/ product cycles.
Maybe you take the role of columnist or "vocal user" too seriously... In their respective environments they may bring value, so not to exclude anyone ;-) and from time to time they can be entertaining. But if they are "driving a company" then it says more about that company...
clh
Maybe you take the role of columnist or "vocal user" too seriously... In their respective environments they may bring value, so not to exclude anyone ;-) and from time to time they can be entertaining. But if they are "driving a company" then it says more about that company...
clh
tbarker13
shooter of stuff
It is an interesting example (as a fellow owner of leicas and, only one, Land Rover.) But I would venture to guess that there have been numerous examples throughout history of companies making silly moves because they failed to listen to customers.
I don't for a second believe I am best suited to tell Leica how to build cameras. But I do know better than Leica's CEO what I like in a camera.
And if enough people think the way I do, perhaps Leica's CEO will listen to me (us).
I speak theoretically, only, since I've been pretty happy with what Leica's been trying to do in the digital realm. Other than the fact that I'm now heading into my 7th week of waiting for the return of my M8, following a 2-4 week repair estimate. But that's another story.
I don't for a second believe I am best suited to tell Leica how to build cameras. But I do know better than Leica's CEO what I like in a camera.
And if enough people think the way I do, perhaps Leica's CEO will listen to me (us).
I speak theoretically, only, since I've been pretty happy with what Leica's been trying to do in the digital realm. Other than the fact that I'm now heading into my 7th week of waiting for the return of my M8, following a 2-4 week repair estimate. But that's another story.
photovdz
Well-known
I thought the only camera that would fit in a bristol or land rover would be a Corfield Periflex or Wrayflex... (now let's talk about idiosynchracy....)
I love british engineering, almost as nice as italian engineering... do you know that in Italy Rover cars were highly praised as reliable ?
Stephan
(I was born in a mini... never asked my parents if I was conceived in a mini...)
I love british engineering, almost as nice as italian engineering... do you know that in Italy Rover cars were highly praised as reliable ?
Stephan
(I was born in a mini... never asked my parents if I was conceived in a mini...)