I wrote up a nice long reply and then my web browser managed to crash it all...
Basically though, I was trying to say that not all Range Rover owners are the showoff rich type. I bought my at $45k (yes that's a lot), but it's not a softroader Lexus, BMW or Audi and when you consider that a Honda Accord cost $49,000 usd here, a 3 year old Rover is a much more sensible choice in my opinion because I get the same kind of mpg and I also can use it in places the Accord wouldn't dream of going. The Rangie is a fantastic offroader and you can see I actually use mine off road.
In fact, 60% of the time that's where the Rover goes, the rest of the time I am in the petrol Corolla (which also does 18 mpg)
However in other markets, I'd agree that the Rover is a complete toy meant for rich people to express their desired endowment size in car form.
Thing is though, I'm not out to prove anything to anyone. I love the Rover, it's extremely comfortable, a capable off roader, and so far (touch wood) very reliable. Just one wheel bearing over 60,000. Regular maintenance hasn't really been much more than other cars. Yeah okay, when the EAS goes fine...but I've enjoyed it very much as a vehicle.
And also then referring to the U.S., a lot of the fleet vehicles are things like Ford Fusions or Dodge Charger V6s (at least where I live). There are a few E-150 vans (box vans), but besides the presidential Cadillac limos and such, I don't see many SUVs as fleet vehicles. They're always the throwaway midsize sedans.
Muscle car enthusiast, of which I am admittedly not one actually, I don't have any beef towards. It's more just the concept I was hitting on, and also with older cars that didn't have to meet emissions regulations that newer ones have. I'd speculate that the 09 Rangie is much cleaner than most cars that are on the road today, and if you take into account all the cars that are illegally passed for smog (a problem here at least), then I'm doing so little damage in comparison. Not saying I'm trying to justify diesel over petrol in this aspect, just that when you look at how many Range Rovers are on the road vs. your run of the mill family runabout in average to poor shape, our impact is rather small.
If it's any "consolation", I am not one to chip my diesels and run "black smoke tunes". I leave all the emissions equipment on all of my cars, unless it's something stupid like secondary intake butterfly valves that always stick closed and cause drivability issues every three months (Nissan 180sx
)
Honestly though, I can't be shaken off diesel until I read much more in depth, and even then it's not really commercially viable for me. Not the Rover, but for my mechanic business I use Ford diesels for tow trucks and delivery vehicles. If my e-350 was petrol, I'd be sitting at 5 mpg and lost money so fast it'd make my head spin. At least at 14 mpg and a working motor after 300,000 miles, I have a van/truck that's served my business well. Also for basic errands, the Transit diesel has been excellent, as well as the TDI Jetta sportwagon before it. I don't know what I'd do without my TDs.
Re: the VW injectors, I did mine at 200,000? miles on the sportwagon, and they were $450 ish for a new set of 4 from VW. Was an older Mk4 though.
Misc Re: I also ride bikes occasionally and have a CRF 230M that I love to bits. I get 78-85 mpg on it, but it's not very good at hauling a 300 lb toolbox.