All discussions relating to the Defenders end of production

The FJ Cruiser is a dog of a design. It represents the worst of nostalgic infatuation. Please.

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Originally Posted by MrLandy

It would also be too easy to argue in reply that Land Rover now ONLY makes vehicles for stuck up poseurs, but I won't. They now only make luxury vehicles.

The idea of disurbanity has come true at Land Rover. It's now more about projecting the image of adventure, of nature, of superiority. We have witnessed the end of production of a vehicle of beautiful simplicity; the end of a humble, pragmatic, design icon. No more rever, no more wandering. Land Roving is over.

Roving now only means being cocooned in nappa leather, carpet and faux woodgrain, in silent high tech smoothness. Every mod con to remove oneself from nature. Road Roving? Space Roving perhaps? But no longer Land Roving.

It's got nothing do with being a Luddite or not liking the new. It's about the new not being fit for purpose. It's not about nostalgia, it's about a lack of foresight and critiquing design choices. Lack of resources hasn't done anything to slow development of every other Land Rover model.

It's about what some people find important, the tactility of nature, going beyond the surface skein, bush pragmatism, loading sheep poo in the back, timber on the roof, and not caring about scratches and dents on or off the track.

The end of production of Series/Defender is just that. The end. Whatever comes next will be something different and I doubt it will be able to be hosed out.

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I would have to disagree, My D3 with all its creature comforts, factory rear locker and low profile tyres was a more capable vehicle on all fronts than my Defender 130. By the way, the D3 met it's end towing a load of sheep from Warren to Boorowa.
Now, off to go and buy some more accessories for the 130 to make it perform the way I want it to.......


Regards,
Tote

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Originally Posted by Tote

I would have to disagree, My D3 with all its creature comforts, factory rear locker and low profile tyres was a more capable vehicle on all fronts than my Defender 130. By the way, the D3 met it's end towing a load of sheep from Warren to Boorowa.
Now, off to go and buy some more accessories for the 130 to make it perform the way I want it to.......


Regards,
Tote

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Sell your 130?

Not more capable than a load of sheep? hmmm

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Originally Posted by manic

Sell your 130?

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Nope, it was the best choice out there when I needed a replacement for the D3.
Requirements:
Touring vehicle for two adults and two kids, including some adventurous tracks
Vehicle to cart said family out to our farm
Capable of towing a fully loaded tandem trailer ~2 tons payload
Preferably a steel tray

Contenders:
Defender 130 DC
Ranger Wildtrack ( pickup body removed and tray fitted)
Toyota 78 Dual Cab
Dodge Ram 2500

Decision points:
Dodge too expensive by about 30K
Toyota capable but the interior is very 1980s plastic and was 10K dearer than a Defender
Wildtrack a very close choice - major disadvantages came down to the cost of lifting it and a Bullbar when compared with the 130 which does not need lifting and the Bullbar was about $1400.00 Resale value also played a part as I think a MY16 130 will retain value better than a Ranger.

If the Defender replacement has the interior comfort levels and dynamics of a D3 whilst still meeting the criteria above I'll be buying one next time.

Regards,
Tote

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Originally Posted by Tote

Nope, it was the best choice out there when I needed a replacement for the D3.
Requirements:
Touring vehicle for two adults and two kids, including some adventurous tracks
Vehicle to cart said family out to our farm
Capable of towing a fully loaded tandem trailer ~2 tons payload
Preferably a steel tray

Contenders:
Defender 130 DC
Ranger Wildtrack ( pickup body removed and tray fitted)
Toyota 78 Dual Cab
Dodge Ram 2500

Decision points:
Dodge too expensive by about 30K
Toyota capable but the interior is very 1980s plastic and was 10K dearer than a Defender
Wildtrack a very close choice - major disadvantages came down to the cost of lifting it and a Bullbar when compared with the 130 which does not need lifting and the Bullbar was about $1400.00 Resale value also played a part as I think a MY16 130 will retain value better than a Ranger.

If the Defender replacement has the interior comfort levels and dynamics of a D3 whilst still meeting the criteria above I'll be buying one next time.

Regards,
Tote

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...so why wasn't a D4 on the list of contenders? if as you argue, Discoveries are "more capable on all fronts than your Defender 130".

A D4 does not have a tray...........

Regards,
Tote

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Originally Posted by Tote

A D4 does not have a tray...........

Regards,
Tote

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Would you have bought a D4 if it came as a dualcab ute?

I'd be lining up for one!
I know a few people in my field (mining and exploration) who would be queuing up for one too.

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

I'd be in the line behind Muppet......

The attraction of a Dodge Ram is that they have a liveable interior as well as having load carrying and towing capacity. One of my gripes with even the Wildtrack is that it just does not have the level of comfort that you can get in a wagon.
It will be interesting to see how the Ram 1500 goes if the Australian importer can persuade fiat Chrysler to do it in RHD.

Regards,
Tote