Anyone cross shopping the ineos grenadier?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_a_XTtOpIdA

Alex over at AoA/ABG got one. Looks slick but personally I'm not crazy over the old-school Jeep/Bronco/LR look.

Of course I'm just a peon so the price is out of the question and I'm definitely not the target market.

 

I think you're going to be disappointed with the Ineos. I think it's too purpose-built and utilitarian. I think the 4R is going to do everything you're going to do with the Grenadier; not to say they have the same capability, but that you're only going to use the capability of the Grenadier in a limited way. If I were you, and I'm not so take it with a grain of salt, I'd lease a Grenadier (if you can), or I'd buy a used Land Rover. I'm willing to bet there are a lot of Land Rovers in Colorado. They won't be cheap for a good one, but they won't be $80k either.

I am shopping used Land Rovers, Jeep and Toyotas, as well as considering a new Ineos or JLUR.

My wife and I purchased the 4R as a double-duty vehicle. She owned a Subaru Crosstrek and I owned a two-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon (JLR). We thought the 4R would be a good vehicle to handle both of our needs. The 4R is a good off road vehicle and a mediocre "car". The JLR, in stock form, is the best 4WD vehicle you can buy. A stock JLR is better off road than a modified 4R. The Subaru Crosstrek is a better commuter vehicle. That being said, no we aren't getting rid of the 4R, it's here to stay, and it's a good compromise between the two vehicles we had before. My wife also owned two other 4R, a 4th and 5th Gen. We're very familiar with them, as I did maintenance and repairs on the 4G 4R. I used to say a 4R can do 90% (or some percentage) of what the JLR can do, but is more comfortable 100% of the time. Realistically, the 4R can do about 60% - 70% of what the JLR can do, but it does it more comfortably 100% of the time. The JLR is probably 60% - 70% as comfortable as the 4R...probably closer to the 60%.

I am shopping vehicles because I like more extreme off road. I thought I was over the JLR and didn't need the capability, but what I find is the 4R isn't as good off road as I thought, and to make it better takes more investment than buying a used vehicle. I keep seeing trails that I want to do that I don't feel confident in the 4R. However, the Ineos has some interesting things that I like better than the Jeep platform, so it's become a consideration.

I may purchase an "old" 4R and put $10k into it, which would give it 80% of the JLR capability, and it should be pretty comfortable doing it. I think that would make me a happy driver.

 

Wait, you actually like the styling of the bass-mouthed 5th gen?

 

I saw a trailer hauling a load of new ones coming north on 87 in NY by the tappan zee bridge. Those are beautiful and Ive looked into them myself. I think I’ll stick with the 4 runner for some of the reasons mentioned here like reliability and parts. They are a rare vehicle now and haven’t seen one on the road yet.

 

I would normally agree, but the B58 is one of the most reliable BMW engines ever. There were a few issues first gen but now it's definitely better.

Toyota keeps claiming that the B58 is reliable.

Now any Land Rover... yeah nope hard pass

 

That likely makes sense.. let these gen 1 models soak a bit more… or perhaps buy a lightly used one…

 

For a vehicle that’s likely going to be relatively exclusive, the price isn’t that far off from the new land cruiser.

 

Exactly! With the LC having dubious quality and value.. something rare and exciting seems within reach!

I am romanticizing owning a an obscure, raw 70 series.. this ineos seems to be a path to achieve that.
Thought about importing a JDM 70 series…. But lots of drawbacks with that too

 

Ineos Automotive plant in Hambach, France

 

It might be worth considering importing a jdm 70 if you can be assured it’s cherry, and a decent enough price to factor in for the needed restoration work it may need to make it a reliable daily. It will probably require some replacement of various rubber bushings and bits, but maybe not.

It’s a bit of a crapshoot, but future parts availability may actually be better for a 70, depending on how Ineos do in the future. That’s a wild-ass guess though, and it may not matter to you depending on how long you want to keep it.

I like the Ineos. It reminds me of the 4runner in stock form. Slightly not cool, but brimming with potential lol. Once it’s lifted a smidge, with slightly oversize tires, it would look hot!

Interior packaging is probably not as useful on the Ineos, but again, it might not matter for what you want it for.

 

Been there done that about 15 years ago. I've owned a Canadian market BJ70 which rusted away and then imported a 1989 JDM BJ74 to replace it. Loved the thing to death but getting parts for it (24V electrical system) was always a chore. It almost felt like I was in a fast & furious movie and needed overnight parts from Japan. I eventually cut my losses and sold it.

 

https://youtu.be/bFydZe_TB-0?si=tP-fUuWqtrhH-x9c

 

Pulled the trigger. Loving this beast so far..


surprisingly corners better than my kdss equipped 4R.

drives way better than the 4R. Much better power and the exhaust sounds great.

the vehicle is more electronically complex than the 4R and the software is a bit glitchy. Annoying.

The exclusivity factor is through the roof. The attention the vehicle gets is insane. People rubber neck everyday to glance at
it. A big pro or con, compare to the 4R.

I love the look of the vehicle as I walk up.

traded in my 2023 ORP for the same price as I paid for.

 

It’s a cool truck. Come back and give us an update on the experience.

 

Started seeing a couple around DFW, glad you’re enjoying it thus far!

 

Congrats! Like you, I absolutely hate the styling of the 6th Gen and the new Taco. I may have odd tastes, but I think the Grenadier is the best-looking vehicle currently available in the US. If I ever decide to get rid of my 4Runner and actually have some cash, the Grenadier will be at the top of my list to check out. Please keep us updated with lots of pics in use.

 

Nice! What are your plans with it? It seems like the aftermarket is really gearing up for the Grenadier. I like what Ronni dahl did with the one in the vid, slight lift and slightly bigger tires, looks sweet.

How do you like that overhead panel?

 

I absolutely love the styling and its stance. Even something mundane like picking up takeout injects some energy simply due to going from point A to point B



the vehicle was designed by Magna Styer. The same Austrian company that designed and manufactures the G Wagen and the new Supra.

As a result, the vehicle has the same bank-vault like construction as the G-Wagen. Doors close with a thick thud. This vehicle represents the cheapest path to acquiring gwagen-level construction quality, for 1/2 the cost of a G-Wagen, which goes for $160k

The undercarriage is insanely overbuilt. Large tractor like axles and thick tie rod. The 4Runner feels like a tin can by comparison..

That being said, there are some drawbacks compared to the 4R - no software based traction control like ATRAC. Mine is triple locked. Engagement of the Eaton lockers is not the easiest.

my $84k model has cloth manual seats, no heated seats. However it does have optional triple lockers, pre wired for external lights and winch, which you control from overhead toggle switches. I look around the market, basically every off-road oriented vehicle falls within that price range. Didn’t even bother test driving those other options. Nothing else invigorated me to change out my new-ish 4R(under 4000miles). It was a singular desire to get this vehicle.

Interior storage is worse than the 5g, if that’s possible. I have to place my phone between the hand brake and the center console. No place to store my garage opener, other than in the drink holder. Definitely need to figure out some after market options.

None of the bad are deal breakers however. This is a truly unique and exciting vehicle so far

 

Looks ok. No idea how it would do as a DD, and I certainly can't go wheeling every month to make it 'more worthwhile', if that were possible. And at 2.3 times the cost of my 4R, it's a definite no for me.

 

Surprisingly it DDs better than my 4R with kdss.
Full time 4wd, better power from the turbo charged v6, and corner better than kdss.
Granted I don’t drive that much.. less than 4000 miles a year…

 

I rigged one out on their website. There’s not much to add. With Texas sales tax it was just under $100K so even if I needed that much off-road capability it’s a hard pass for me. I hope you continue to love it and make lots of memories.

 

I understand. But better acceleration and cornering are unimportant to me in a vehicle such as my 4R. In fact, it’s the fastest vehicle I’ve owned. No idea how the Grenadier would DD much better aside from that.

Like others, I hope your experience is good. At 4000 miles per year, it’ll be a long time before we get any high-miles updates from you. My 2019 already has 130k miles.

 

Very nice shots. I love the look of the front interior. 4runner is pretty bad for space for little things too, but eventually you’ll figure out where things go, or add little storage bins or bags around the console area.

The biggest drawback for me design-wise on the grenadier, is the center stack instrumentation/speedo, and the i-drive bmw-like dial interface. That’s just one of those things that’s done to reduce costs, but the dial steals a lot of space on the tunnel portion of the console. And it sucks to not have a speedo in direct line of sight. Overhead switches are fricken awesome.

I really wish this company keeps making lots and lots of these so that there’s a solid used market eventually.

 

I tried and tried to talk my buddy out of buying his Land Rover. After over a year of ownership 99% of the miles he's put on it has been driving it to the shop for repairs.

 

If I was to come into an extra 100 grand to squander I'd snatch one up, I really like the looks. Who knows what one will be in 50 or 100 thousand miles.

 

I love the look and everything I am hearing about it. They seem to be fairly accessible used in Houston market. Maybe someday. Thanks for posting all the info and enjoy it.

 

What's the rear cabin like? How easy would it be to convert it for a bed platform and how much room back there in comparison to a 4Runner?

Edited to add: I just watched a youtube review on it and I'm a little concerned about the length in the cargo area. The seats don't fold nearly as flat as the 4Runner, and it looked like for an average height person it might not be quite long enough. On the plus side, I like the more open, utilitarian styling in back. It looks like a larger area in every aspect except maybe length. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.

 

I6

 

2nd row seat when folded is not level with the rear cargo. There are drawer sets that will level it. The head room is tremendous. The rear 30/70 doors have interior handles, to easily exit from the inside

width wise, it’s about same dimension as the 4r

 

From what I’ve read, cargo space behind front seats on the Grenadier is 71 cubic feet, and 88 cubic feet on the 4R.