Thread: Defenders on "Car Sales."

Originally Posted by steane

I think prices will always be strong and will rise but the current nonsense will settle down, it's just opportunists having a go.

Exactly,Defenders have always held their value well,compared to any other European built vehicle,including LR variants.

Anyone who thinks they are worth the same sort of price as a late model D4,is dreaming.

There is actually a new 90 at the local dealer here waiting for a home.

So no one thinks a Defender is worth the same as a Discovery? Does that mean everyone would prefer a Discovery if they had the cash / would buy a Discovery instead if they had always been the same price as each other?

Originally Posted by steane

The supply is there in the second hand market now, particularly for the newer cars. 100 cars for sale at any one time will well outstrip the demand at that time. Defenders are popular and plenty of people think they are cool but only a handful will pay money to own and drive one.

There are 28 Defenders currently for sale that are less than three years old. Only 12 are 110s. Perhaps our interpretations of plentiful supply differ, but that doesn't leave me confident that I'll be able to easily replace my bus with a comparable example if something were to happen to it (God forbid).

As I said, I don't disagree that some of those $90k cars are aiming a bit high, but what these cars are worth is now determined by what people are willing to pay. Not what a Redbook estimation says based on historical depreciation.

None of this really matters to me, because I doubt I'll ever be able to part with mine. I'll be following with interest though.

I think my 2014 Defender is worth more than a D4. It will outlast a D4 and its character, simplicity and robustness all add up to a better design IMO. They were under priced for the past 5-10 years, which is why I went into debt to buy one while I could. Nothing else compares. Anyone who thinks a new model Defender (if it ever materialises) will be $50K new is dreaming.

Originally Posted by MrLandy

So no one thinks a Defender is worth the same as a Discovery? Does that mean everyone would prefer a Discovery if they had the cash / would buy a Discovery instead if they had always been the same price as each other?

That would be a good question to put on here.

If new,or late model, Defenders(any model) would have been a similar price to a new,or late model, D4(poverty pack would be at least $80k upwards),who would have bought a Defender?

At a guess i would have said Defender sales would have taken a massive hit.

Price would have driven many of the sales.

No one is saying a D4 would have been purchased,as there are many other brands of vehicles around.

I cant help thinking if the new Defender is any good at all when it comes out the prices of the old will crash.
Chris

Originally Posted by cafe latte

I cant help thinking if the new Defender is any good at all when it comes out the prices of the old will crash.
Chris

I've thought about that, but I don't think that is what will happen.
Most Defenders now, are owned by enthusiasts, who've bought them for their own reasons. Defender will, from now on, be even more an "enthusiasts" vehicle, a "classic".
If one looks at other "classics", when they've been "superceded" at the time by later models, their values have not crashed, because they are what they are, will never be made again etc, so their attraction remains,...and I'm confident that will be the case for Defender too.
I'm sure the new Defender, IF it ever arrives, will be good, it'll be built to sell, but I'm sure it will be very different to "ours", which IMHO will therefore retain their appeal, & value.
Pickles.

Originally Posted by Pickles2

I've thought about that, but I don't think that is what will happen.
Most Defenders now, are owned by enthusiasts, who've bought them for their own reasons. Defender will, from now on, be even more an "enthusiasts" vehicle, a "classic".
If one looks at other "classics", when they've been "superceded" at the time by later models, their values have not crashed, because they are what they are, will never be made again etc, so their attraction remains,...and I'm confident that will be the case for Defender too.
I'm sure the new Defender, IF it ever arrives, will be good, it'll be built to sell, but I'm sure it will be very different to "ours", which IMHO will therefore retain their appeal, & value.
Pickles.

Not so sure.. I have a HJ45 wagon for sale. It has a rebuilt engine 10k ago (complete rebuild with engine center bill) rebuilt transfer and gearbox again I have all the recepts. New windscreen no rust, no oil leaks, new breaks actually new everything wheel bearings etc a complete rebuild. It is a little tatty paint wise as that was the next job when the missus decided she wanted a new car. It is the H motor diesel Cruiser so it is only worth about 3 grand, but later Landcruiser's (more modern) are worth quite a bit. People want comfort and power, there are collectors here, but most want to use the car and it needs to be economical and be able to keep up with the flow of traffic. It is why older series are quite cheap now, the same reason the hj45 is cheap. I do love my Defender, but I can see its value dropping too eventually as more modern cars perform better and better. There will always be a floor as there will always be collectors and there will always be special miny examples demanding a high price, but most want a car to drive.
I am a Landy nut, I have wanted one since I learned to drive, but I would not consider an old series now even if it was super mint, the new Defender drives so much better, the same will happen with time to it in my opinion. I hope it lasts me out, but if the new Defender performs better without loosing the charm of the old model the prices of the old model will drop big time.
Chris