Thread: Talk me into a Deefer vs a JK Unlimited

Originally Posted by voltron

I'm still smiling . I have this vision now of building a Defender worthy of the Zombie Apocalypse,
got a bit of time yet.

I hear ya!

I tought i check out the responses on the Ajor forum
This is my favourite quote about rover drivers:
"I also had a look at the link. Holy **** what a stuck up bunch of pretentious assholes"
Nice

Originally Posted by manchild21000

I tought i check out the responses on the Ajor forum
This is my favourite quote about rover drivers:
"I also had a look at the link. Holy **** what a stuck up bunch of pretentious assholes"
Nice

well you know, I sort of agree with that summarisation.

I love Jeeps and do want to buy one, its just that they don't have anything big enough to suit my touring needs at the moment,

Jeep owners are far from snobs, unlike a lot of 'bolshie' LR owners. I was a member of the Cross Country Jeep Club , there was always friendly rivalry between brands . I think most LR owners forget they they owe everything to the Jeep for starting it all, And by the way I had a double diff locked Ford 302 V8 auto Ninety and some of those Jeeps blew me away !!

here is one of my threads at AJOR

JK Unlimited questions from Landrover owner - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM - AJOR

no one on AJOR is calling the Defender a piece of ****, fair enough Landrover owners are parochial but you dont have to be asseholes about it.

If I had to make choice between a new Puma and new Jeep it would be Jeep, no brainer , If they still made the Td5 new, I'd buy another Td5 Defender, but they don't. So I'm buying something else.

Originally Posted by manchild21000

I tought i check out the responses on the Ajor forum
This is my favourite quote about rover drivers:
"I also had a look at the link. Holy **** what a stuck up bunch of pretentious assholes"
Nice

"ROVER DRIVERS PRETENTIOUS"??? They didn't even say hello until we went over to say hello and you offered them the use of your trolley jack, George. I think they were ****ed that they didn't get the whole camp ground to themselves. But they soon came around and a fair bit of banter went back and forwards. After all, its all just a bit of harmless fun.
Cheers Ian

That's funny, I thought this thread was pretty mild.
I also think Barras comment that they seem to object to refers to the idea that if you have to be convinced, you're not going to be happy with it. You either want one or you don't.
Oh, and Jeep boys watching this thread?

I just pointed out a funny remark that cracked me up . Im not easily offended

My two cents, Grimesy:

The Defender will make you smile every single time you look at it....and people will conclude that you're an awesome bloke when they see you in it....but that's not going to satisfy your driving needs.

Puma (2007-on Defender)

Traffic: I drive a fair bit in city traffic and I don't find it too bad. it's fantastic being so high up and in traffic people have the time to stop and give me a thumbs up. That happens A LOT.
If it's crawling traffic, the first and second gear crawling is great. If it's stop-start traffic then the clutch can be a bit heavy but I don't mind it. The gearstick has a short throw so this is no hassle.

The stezza is not up to much but I was happy enough with mine until I wanted to plug in the iPod. I'm not sure if the 2012 models have a jack for this but my 2008 didn't so I installed a better unit. $200 is a small price to pay for having the right vehicle....if it is indeed the right one for you.

Load carrying: No-brainer. Defender hands-down.

Off-road ability and modifiability: Yeah you can lift it easily although it's be worth getting a double-cardan prop shaft for the front so there's no rubbing, just in case. Putting lockers in would, I assume, be just as easy for both, as has been mentioned.
For serious off-roading....I'd say the Deefer was the more capable vehicle in a variety of situations and this was certainly one of the reasons why I chose one.

Reliability: This is one area that needs to be looked at. I LOVE Defenders but bless them, the Puma models have not been the most reliable historically and some have taken a fair bit of ironing out before they become the car that people want. This is not my personal experience as mine has had very few issues and none that required a flat bed (touch wood) and I'd recommend getting the skinny on the Wrangler forums to see what people think about them.

Design philosophy: To me, the Defender is a classic and extraordinarily capable off-roader that's been brought into the 21st century, kicking and screaming all the way. The Wrangler may have been designed for road and reliability first and then off-road second....so the design philosophy may not have been the same. I don't know, just suggesting it's worth having a think about.

I wonder if it's considered rude to ask for a test drive in traffic, then off-road and then a good hour or two on the freeway? I guess you just don't want to be in the company of a car salesman for that long. At least with the Defender you'd have space for your shovel in the back.

Bobby

I think the JK Wrangler is heavilly watered down in stock form compared to a Defender. Though out on the tracks most jeeps you see have $20000 worth of goodies from uncle sam attached and go quite well. Don't know if either could be said to have a good record in regards to reliability, my son's mate had a nice black Rubicon a few years ago and he got rid of it while still under warranty, a couple clutches etc. To be honest though I always put that down to him as he just didn't seem to have a clue in general (not just cars and driving).
As for stuck up and pretentious, well I think you could say that about Toyota fans as well as Nissan, Landrover, Jeep... hell I even have friends who drive LJ Suzukis that can be accused of that.