Thread: thinking about buying a new defender - but still have some questions

Originally Posted by yagon

I've owned my 97 jeep cherokee for 11 years - soon it will be time to move to a new truck.

I don't do a lot of kms: about 10,000km pa. I do 5 or 6 camping trips a year, which involve 200km to 600km round trips. Other than that, my driving is mostly a few kms around town: to the train station for my commute to the city. I'd like to be able to do longer trips with the new truck (eg cross the simpson). I don't use a tailer.

I'm thinking about either a 110 defender, a patrol, or a hilux dual cab. The defender is the front runner because of its honest design, but i have some doubts that I hope this forum can help clarify:

1. The defender seems under powered. Does it have enough grunt for touring? If I'm on the F3 heading north from Sydney, can I sit on 110km/hour, or does it slow on the hills?

The defender is most certainly not under powered I can hold 110 on a hill and pull away if I wish

2. Land rover has a reputation for being unreliable. What has driven this reputation? Does it relate to minor issues ... or is it about fundamental mechanical issues? How reliable is a defnder compared to a hilux or a patrol?

depends what your comparing it to age wise I reckon if your comparing new I would say they probably all have issues like most new cars do but if your comparing it to an older hilux/patrol then I would say they not the defender would probably be more reliable

3. I've sat in a few defenders, and the seating position is ... different. How comfrotable is the defender on long trips? Will the kids be comfortable in the back seats?

yes I did a lot of the driving on a 12,000k trip and I find the seating great but only because I have bake problems and I find the defender seat fits me really well. I'm also 6ft if you are taller then this then you could consider mud rails to extend the leg room

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

See the green

The new defender is a different world /comfort level in seating to the older ones but one carryover is the lack of child bolts if this applies to your kids(under 7 NSW new laws) It's that the MORONS designing the landy did not see fit to include a single bloody factory fitted bolt point in a 7 seat car. Who the hell do they think is going in the back? the Quads born 7 years ago? They effectively ignored a major slice of the market it's aimed at!
Having said this I would still buy one and get an aproved bar fitted behind the back seat..........Hang on I already did in a 2002 model My bar runs horizontally below the rear window frame in the wagon allowing 3 bolts to be fitted. It takes about 10 mins to remove to carry long loads as compared to every other cars set up(including their own disco/rr rear pews) with bolts incorporated into seats 10 sec fold!

Hi there I was in exactly the same boat as you and had similar reservations. On the motor I think despite it being smaller is more truck engine like with the ribbed cast iron block I feel it maybe tougher than the hilux d4d motor also the 6 speed box is good. They are also the last real 4x4 with live axels at both ends.

I sold my 70 series ute and have bought a 130 dual cab. I am wrapped and am yet to pick it up from the tray builders. The defender just has something I can't describe great clearance and good tyres out of the box.

I have the mulgo seat rails ready to go to give me some extra leg room.

Buy a defender there streaks ahead of the other makes.

Depends on what you want. If you drive around the big citys, Sydney, Melbourne ect every day and the long weekend out of town its probably not the best drive. Perhaps a Freelander. If you intend the once every couple of months week long off road trip down a gravel track with a bit of slippery/sandy/muddy soft going you probably would be better of in a D3 HSE or RR sport, a much more plesent way to see most of Australia,(please no insult to these vehicles intended, just keeping it in the family). But if you really intend spending time serious offroading ie Gibb River, Cape York, or the deserts my vehicle of choice would be the Defender. I to would at least add the seat rails. Be sure of what you need your vehicle for, a fully sick Defender that only drives around town is about as good as a D3 pulling a boat up a sandy beach on low profile 20 inch rubber in Exmouth. It costs lots of money to transform either vehicle into each other.

Allan

What the Puma lacks in power it makes up for with torque and a well matched gear ratios. The F3 is an easy drive.... even the long hills can be taken in 6th gear. You are at risk of exceeding the speed limit if you aren't careful.

I have seat extension rails on the drivers side because my legs are long. I couldn't drive it comfortably with out them.

I find the firm seats and the upright driving position perfect....a long drive is not a painful exercise. By comparison my back suffers in my partner's subaru liberty and also did so in the Company Commodore.

As for reliability there has been much written here on that subject, all I can add is that I wouldn't (and don't) hesitate at taking her on a long drive out west.

Ditto to most of the above. I have gone from an HSE D3 to my 110 series dual cab. Seat extensions are the go and the seats are comfy. Drivers side door is a bit cramped but you do get used to it. However, my main reason for replying is to put in my two bobs worth on the engine. It is very "torquey" - I found myself driving along with the horse float on the back (and a horse as well) and I was doing 80km, 1700 odd revs and still in 6th gear!! It has good accelaration, and as already quoted, watch the speed limit. You will fly around many an astonished driver on the road, uphill as well!
See if you can organise a 10 minute drive?

Originally Posted by yagon

I've owned my 97 jeep cherokee for 11 years - soon it will be time to move to a new truck.

2010 Defender will be a much more capable car than the Cherokee for off road, and tournign.

I don't do a lot of kms: about 10,000km pa. I do 5 or 6 camping trips a year, which involve 200km to 600km round trips. Other than that, my driving is mostly a few kms around town: to the train station for my commute to the city. I'd like to be able to do longer trips with the new truck (eg cross the simpson). I don't use a tailer.

*Not a lot of internal storage for the defender, and turning circle not great i.e. cruise ship comes to mind. Storage is sorted with roller drawer in the back. Lockable, and items out of site while at the train station.*

I'm thinking about either a 110 defender, a patrol, or a hilux dual cab. The defender is the front runner because of its honest design, but i have some doubts that I hope this forum can help clarify:

1. The defender seems under powered. Does it have enough grunt for touring? If I'm on the F3 heading north from Sydney, can I sit on 110km/hour, or does it slow on the hills?

*I have a TD5, and have no problems with touring. Great economy for such a large "non aerodynamic" brick. I do have a Tomie2 remap upgrade however, which I highly recommend, and he does one for the Puma engine. 6 speed gear box also a plus in the Puma.

2. Land rover has a reputation for being unreliable. What has driven this reputation? Does it relate to minor issues ... or is it about fundamental mechanical issues? How reliable is a defnder compared to a hilux or a patrol?

*Can't speak for new ones, but mine has been faultless. Oh wait, I did blow a rear tail light globe up in Bright last year.*

3. I've sat in a few defenders, and the seating position is ... different. How comfrotable is the defender on long trips? Will the kids be comfortable in the back seats?

*I can drive all day long in mine. 2.5 days from Cairns, to Melbourne, without a sore back. In our BMW X5, 2 hours max without having to get out and stretch. The new back seats look to be an improvement. My son who is 8 and his mates, love the Defender, and think it is a cool car. If you have teenagers, they may have to duck to look out the windows due to the raised seats in the back.*

*I would take a drive in each, but keep in mind what you want to do with it. I know what I would be going for. I am biased, and am considering "upgrading" to a 130 dual cab.*



Good luck,

Ken


Any thoughts would be appreciated.

I have inserted my comments into your post, sorry couldn't separate them

on the comfort side i have a td5 which i dont think the seating (except the rear) is much different.

Im 6'1 dont have seat rails and weigh in at a lightweight 110kg currently. Im fairly broad

I dont have any issues with comfort. The right side room is a little cramped but you get used to it... and in the summer its perfect for elbow out of the window.

Our first impression of the seats were... hmm they arent very comfy compared to the disco II we have also. Amazingly tho... although not supremely comfy to start with they never get any worse after 2-3 hours in the disco im aching and my backside is numb. We did Kalbarri non stop with 4 of us, full of gear in 40+ degree temps, plus i had a bone infection (due to chopping my toe end off with a rock) and i had no issues with numbness or achyness.. Landrover knew exactly what they were doing....

Steve