Thread: Defender 90 big enough?

Im setting my 2013 Defender 90 to tour Australia with the Mrs and the two dogs, a beer fridge and all the recovery gear in the back. Im glad I didnt get the 110 for various reasons but with a bit of thought there is a fair amount of useable space in the back but the seats have to go so no swedish back packers for me

Decisions decisions

Garry

Thanks heaps for the feedback. Obviously lots of different views and definitely comes down to personal opinion. Think I have to admit I am a little more in love with the 90, and the slight benefits of it as a daily drive over the 110 might just be enough to make it conclusive. Even though it may be less practical than a 110, I'm pretty keen to make it work for me regardless.

Now I just have to win the argument in my head against myself that it's a safe enough car to drive on the road. I had a bit of a moment today on the freeway when a somewhat oblivious hatchback decided to change lanes without indicating, doing 50 in a 100 zone, directly in from of me. It was quite a severe swerving manoeuvre even by a FL2's standards,and it got me thinking how a defender's body roll would have gone in that situation....anyway that's another discussion altogether :P

It should be a fun car. If you don't love it from the start, then the practicality of it won't win you over.
No airbags, crap turning circle, not a race-car ... but it kicks ass off road


I love mine, but then again, I don't have a Sydney commute to deal with every morning. That's the territory of soft-roaders IMO

Originally Posted by Landi

Now I just have to win the argument in my head against myself that it's a safe enough car to drive on the road. I had a bit of a moment today on the freeway when a somewhat oblivious hatchback decided to change lanes without indicating, doing 50 in a 100 zone, directly in from of me. It was quite a severe swerving manoeuvre even by a FL2's standards,and it got me thinking how a defender's body roll would have gone in that situation....anyway that's another discussion altogether :P

I'm pretty sure that it would do just was well as any other car.. and if it did go over I would almost lay money down that you even without airbags would be more protected in a defender than some of the other tin cans out there.

Oh and if you want to make a 90 work for you then you can.. anything is doable if you are willing to make some compromises... and if you are a little bit clever about what you take and how you pack/set up the car.. (see below). I love mine for touring, best car I've ever owned... and also the only car I've had that makes me so happy that I've smiled everytime I've driven it..

Originally Posted by Landi

Thanks heaps for the feedback. Obviously lots of different views and definitely comes down to personal opinion. Think I have to admit I am a little more in love with the 90, and the slight benefits of it as a daily drive over the 110 might just be enough to make it conclusive. Even though it may be less practical than a 110, I'm pretty keen to make it work for me regardless.

Now I just have to win the argument in my head against myself that it's a safe enough car to drive on the road. I had a bit of a moment today on the freeway when a somewhat oblivious hatchback decided to change lanes without indicating, doing 50 in a 100 zone, directly in from of me. It was quite a severe swerving manoeuvre even by a FL2's standards,and it got me thinking how a defender's body roll would have gone in that situation....anyway that's another discussion altogether :P

Ha ha ha,....."A little more in love"...that's it in one mate, like most 90 owners,...there is no other,...we LOVE ours.
I know what you mean about the lane situation that you mention. I've had a heap of FAST cars,..the 90 sure ain't fast, and you will drive a Defender differently to almost any other car. That is the beauty of it,....you HAVE to DRIVE it, because it sure won't drive itself. But that is the beauty of the Defender, unlike modern day cars, you do actually have to watch your steering, braking, not getting too close to the car in front etc, it's a whole new DRIVING experience, which is IMMENSELY ENJOYABLE,.....you'll have a smile on your face the whole time you're driving, & when you get out, you'll still be smiling, just looking at it!
Enjoy, Pickles.

My experience is that people tend to think twice about merging/pulling out in front of/cutting off a defender - especially if its approaching at speed (ie you're doing 100 and the merger is only doing 50)..... providing they've bothered to check their mirrors

I'm sure there is some sort of principle that applies here, a bit like Parkinson's Law that says that work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.

The amount of stuff that people take on a trip expands to fill the space available in the vehicle.

So if you have a 110 or a 130, you take everything including the kitchen sink and swear that you need all those things.

If you have a 90, you take a lot less and wonder why other people think they need to fill their vehicle with a lot of junk that they could easily do without.

Originally Posted by Landi

Thanks heaps for the feedback. Obviously lots of different views and definitely comes down to personal opinion. Think I have to admit I am a little more in love with the 90, and the slight benefits of it as a daily drive over the 110 might just be enough to make it conclusive. Even though it may be less practical than a 110, I'm pretty keen to make it work for me regardless.

Now I just have to win the argument in my head against myself that it's a safe enough car to drive on the road. I had a bit of a moment today on the freeway when a somewhat oblivious hatchback decided to change lanes without indicating, doing 50 in a 100 zone, directly in from of me. It was quite a severe swerving manoeuvre even by a FL2's standards,and it got me thinking how a defender's body roll would have gone in that situation....anyway that's another discussion altogether :P

I'm driving a new 90 right now, have it for a week. Feels a lot smaller than a 110. Body roll isn't an issue, brakes are fine and wont get you in trouble and its really quite easy to park. If there is only one or two of you then I think there is enough room. Not really a touring vehicle space wise and the fuel tank is too small for touring as well but for round town and weekend trips away its a cool little bus with plenty of character.

My biggest gripe is the disfunctional drivetrain. Engine is great but the box is notchy, the clutch is a bit heavy, the six speed keeps you busy, first is too low for regular driving and the engine holds revs on up changes like an 80s Datsun Bluebird. A 300tdi and R380 feels more together and is nicer to use if you overlook the performance difference.

You get used to it though but regularly wonder why they just didnt or havent yet made it 100%. Couldn't be that hard surely. Very cool little Defender though, I'd happily own one.

Smells like a Clark Rubber store inside