Exit Lane: Lore Wainwright

Lore Wainwright
Director
Innovation Works

2015 Land Rover LR2
2.0-litre turbocharged inline four, 240 HP
53,000 kilometres

HAVING THIS VEHICLE for the past three years has taught me a lot about the power of thought and vision. Years ago, I was building a vision board and added a little clip from a magazine of a Land Rover, not ever thinking I would ever be in a position to own such a vehicle—a true pie-in-the-sky kind of thing. When this one came into my sights, I was surprised at how attainable it was—less expensive than both the Rogue and Jeep that I was considering.

THIS IS WHAT I would describe as a low-feature vehicle. Two things were important to me: a box-style SUV and a great engine. The LR2 met that criteria. There’s not much more that is included in this base model, and I don’t care. It is a sweet drive with the turbo engine and a feeling of riding higher than a sedan-type car.

I HAVE YET to find an SUV that hasn’t gone ‘aerodynamic’ with smaller windows and less rear view—and I’ve been looking!

I LIKE TO think I’m a bit of a clean freak, and you’ll ­usually find the interior pretty spic and span. I feel great going through a car wash, and have come to love the white—not a colour I would have chosen if others were available. Summer weekends usually include some time in my driveway taking good care of my car.

I USUALLY GIVE a warranty its full life before I consider a change, and that would be in another 27,000 kilometres.

THIS CAR IS a perfect size. Not too big, not too small. It will be a difficult job replacing the just-right feeling of my LR2, but in the end, it’s just a car. The memories I’ve had of my daughter learning to drive in it will last forever.