Thread: All discussions relating to the Defenders end of production

Mine was called a Jeep today. The poor bloke was quite embarrassed when I pointed to the LAND ROVER writ large across the bonnet.

Originally Posted by strangy

Ridiculously over priced... Someone mentioned this in relation to a G Wagen.
I was looking with my son at dual cabs this week.
Hilux dual cab auto 70k . No accessories.
Seriously? Drum brakes and leaf springs. How did it arrive at that price? Ranger , BT 50?etc.
Stupid money for very little car.
Seriously drum brakes. There is no excuse for drum brakes in this century on a passenger vehicle.

Hey Mark - You might be right about the HiLux, but I got a reasonably up-spec Ford Ranger 3.2 6 speed manual for $51K brand new. I didn't think that was so bad. It is an XLT (not the WildTrack) and apart from the drum brakes and rear leaf springs I can't fault it. Even with the primitive suspension, it is very comfortable.

I sold my Puma 110 to change to it, and have been very happy. Never ever thought I'd own a Ford, but I've been converted. Brilliant vehicle.

A lot what the Defender should have been if they'd invested something in it 5 or 6 years ago. 3.2 engine is grunty as, and you can get an auto if you don't want to change gears yourself. How about that in a Defender?

Yes Spudboy, the Ranger is obviously a very good vehicle, and is seriously challenging HiLux in some categories, the well matched 3.2 engine & 6 speed transmission appear to have the edge over the opposition..
A friend of mine has just taken delivery of the top of the Range model, Leather etc, (Wildtrak?), & is very happy with it.
Pickles

Enjoy your Ranger spudboy. If Defender's not for you that's cool, they're not for everyone. Most people want a more car-like vehicle. Cheers

I've had a Ranger for a work vehicle. Yeah they're nice to drive on the open road, but they have a woeful seating position for visibility and manouvering in tight spaces and off road. They are an on-road vehicle first and a 4wd as a distant second.

Sent from my ZTE T84 using AULRO mobile app

Originally Posted by Beery

I've had a Ranger for a work vehicle. Yeah they're nice to drive on the open road, but they have a woeful seating position for visibility and manouvering in tight spaces and off road. They are an on-road vehicle first and a 4wd as a distant second.

Sent from my ZTE T84 using AULRO mobile app

Yes agreed Beery, the car-like seating position in dual cab utes is woeful. It's bad for backs on long trips, doesn't work in large vehicles, you sit too low, can't see over bonnet or sides and rear vision is terrible. Defender seating position and visibility is superior to any other 4X4 IMO.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

Enjoy your Ranger spudboy. If Defender's not for you that's cool, they're not for everyone. Most people want a more car-like vehicle. Cheers

Well, I have had a Series III, an ex-army FFR 110, a PUMA 110, a 130, a 90 and a 1955 Series I, (oh - and a slow old 2.5L petrol 110 in Africa) so I know a bit about Defenders...

And I agree that they have the best seating position, even if you do need to install MUD rails to make them comfortable if you are over 6' (although the Ranger is good for me too). Off-road, they are the best.

If they upped the reliability and the Dealer experience (and had some dealers out in the bundu), they would have nailed it.

Originally Posted by Beery

... but they have a woeful seating position for visibility and maneuvering in tight spaces and off road.

You can say that again. You can never tell how close you are to things at the front