Thread: All discussions relating to the Defenders end of production

Another nice article concerning the Defender production ending:

BBC - Autos - Land Rover Defender's last stand

I particularly like this statement: "loyal and uncomplicated as a dog".

Pickles2. And I was referring to Samblers comment about magic beans

20 years from now these discussions would have been forgotten and no one knows today what they will be worth then.

Originally Posted by LouisW

Pickles2. And I was referring to Samblers comment about magic beans

20 years from now these discussions would have been forgotten and no one knows today what they will be worth then.

Aahh, right.
Yes, and you're right, no-one really knows. Some cars ya think will go well don't, & some of the most unlikely ones skyrocket.
My own view is that Defenders will, as they always have, hold their value very well, and low K original examples, probably a bit more so in the future, but I wouldn't want my super resting on 'em.
Pickles.

While you could drain the fluids and put one up on blocks could you really resist the urge to not use it for its intended purpose.

We bought a 110 to set up in a few years as a touring rig. Within 6 months we had sold our Dmax which was setup for touring and bought a 90 for our city car.

The 110 is now parked up whilst I madly fit bits to it to try and get it ready to our standards for our next trip at Easter. In the meantime the 90 which was only going to be used as a city car has already had its first holiday and been off-road.

I suppose what there value will be some time in the future is anyones guess . I do think that people buying them just because there running out , and have never had a defender before , could find themselves disappointed . Of course not all will , but lets face It , they are a small truck . I think you all know what I mean . Now if the replacement Defender is what Land Rover hope It will be , and they get It right , them maybe we will see the current defender prices fall away to low values . Interesting times ahead !!.. Jim

Originally Posted by jimr1

I suppose what there value will be some time in the future is anyones guess . I do think that people buying them just because there running out , and have never had a defender before , could find themselves disappointed . Of course not all will , but lets face It , they are a small truck .

Totally agree Jim. One of my acquaintances fits that bill exactly. Had lost contact for a year or so - then one day while family and I are waving at a passing new defender dual cab we realize its that friend driving.

Total surprise that he of all people would buy a defender. Met up over coffee a week later. Told me he bought as they are a "real man's car", going out of production, and a worthy investment.

The vehicle is now on the market, a year old, 12,000km, never been offroad. I suspect the reason is disappointment in the vehicle. The mystique and image of the vehicle that led to a buying decision could not overpower the reality once "mystique" was removed from the equation.

Originally Posted by tact

The vehicle is now on the market, a year old, 12,000km, never been offroad. I suspect the reason is disappointment in the vehicle. The mystique and image of the vehicle that led to a buying decision could not overpower the reality once "mystique" was removed from the equation.

This is not a new thing at all... Back in the 1990's everyone thought buying and driving a Defender would automatically turn you into the "Camel Man" riding on the lore of the Camel Trophy.

They are unique cars only suitable to a very narrow niche market and unless your reason for buying one is a deep rooted love for Land Rovers, you are almost guaranteed to be "disappointed". People doing this has fed the second hand market for the past 30 odd years and and I say let them realise a real man's car doesn't suit them if that's what it takes.

Real men drive Defenders, but buying one doesn't automatically turn you into a "real man".

Apologies to the female members as this is certainly not a chauvinistic rant, just making a point that you need to suit a Defender before a Defender will suit you!

Cheers,

Lou

I bought the latest Land Rover Owner International which has a good write up on the last Defenders mentioned above.
It also has a story saying the TDCi 2.4 is a good one to buy since its likely to hold its value after the end of Defender production, so I'm obviously pleased about that.
As for the name of the replacement, I guess the name will reflect whatever they think is going to be the major market for the vehicle. They've already said they want to unseat the Hilux, so we can assume that is the market they will aim at.
Would 'Defender' work as a suitable name for a Hilux-buster? I'm not sure.