Thread: 2016 'Defender'

Originally Posted by PAT303

You must be a delight at dinner parties . Pat

How was it Janis died again?

Heh heh, well I may live to regret it and Phoenix may rise, but I'm willing to go there. All hail Defender. We can't all be hopeless fanboys ...is that a dinner invitation Pat? Cuppa?

Sure.

Bundy and popcorn usually don't go together but I'm in

Regards,
Tote

I wonder with the demise of the old school style work orientated truck (be it tojo, dutsun or landy if it goes that way) and whether its somewhat related to where Dodge are taking the Ram.

I think it would be fair to draw some parallels between the Ram and the Defender in their respective markets. Long history, the under dog, more of an enthusiast fan base with the main competitors private sales being based on brand loyalty more than anything. Dodge have really taken it to the other big 2 in regards to technology and model line up in an effort to gain a better market slice, which is where LR are talking about taking the Defender.

Disregarding size and looks, on paper I think the Ram ticks some of the boxes that the "Defender Replacement" should be in regards to model lineup (family, offroader, commercial in various sizes) and technology (all models now coil all round, 8 speed autos and air sprung on the family and offroader, solid diffs on the HD models, various engine and gearbox combos, factory sway bar disconnects and lockers, lots of options), theres a lot to like there and the Ram has in a round about way become the "thinking mans" truck in its home market, well at least has got buyers thinking about it who would have normally just dismissed it and bought one of the other 2 simply because their family is either one brand or the other. Time will tell if it's a successful strategy for them but just as I see it know, not that I would buy a Ram based purely on size and the cost of getting one in oz, the mechanical and variant line-up makes a pretty compelling case and the direction I think the Defender replacement could go if they're keen on global domination or at least want to get some penetration into the NA market albeit in a more classy package.

I also wonder about some of the philosophies that have been mentioned elsewhere in this thread and weather Dodge are pushing the Ram further into this "multiple purpose" platform with better tech and such because a gap has been identified and the Defender replacement and others aren't planning to fill it in the short term?

Originally Posted by MrLandy

Heh heh, well I may live to regret it and Phoenix may rise, but I'm willing to go there. All hail Defender. We can't all be hopeless fanboys ...is that a dinner invitation Pat? Cuppa?

No dinner,we are getting our kitchen renoed in 3 weeks,the original dates from 1976,the stove top and oven are made by Holden,and still work . Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

No dinner,we are getting our kitchen renoed in 3 weeks,the original dates from 1976,the stove top and oven are made by Holden,and still work . Pat

I'd prefer an outdoor camp oven dinner anyway Pat... just kidding. Good luck with the reno and the mayhem. I've just finished two kitchens and a bathroom.
Cheers

Bloody hell,I thought I was crazy doing one . I'm east of Kalgoorlie on the Connie Sue in October for 10 days and then back via the Great Central and then doing the Anne Beadell in December and coming back via the Plenty Highway from Brisvagas and the GC again,if you want to drop in for a brew . Pat