Fossicker
Hello,
New to the forum so be a little gentle,
We currently own a 2005 Jeep Wrangler and its been a great vehicle. Drama is legally, it can't tow more than 900kg (it does, and has in the past but thats not the point). Reason this has come to the fore, is that we're looking at a camper purchase and the low tow capacity is really constricting with what we can choose from. The Jeeps also 11 years old now, so maybe its time for an upgrade.
So in the past few weeks I've been doing the test drive thing and to be honest, nothing is doing it for me. If we'd like to stay with a SWB vehicle our only options are a new Jeep (with only a 1000kg tow capacity) or a used Defender 90.
Found a near new Defender to test drive yesterday, and was pretty chuffed with how it was finished with the heated leather seats and the like. My last Landrover was a 110 County that to be honest that wasn't the most reliable car I've ever owned but I have fond memories of it. Anyway, after a taunting from the sales guy at the Landrover dealership (do you really want to drive this, it's not good to drive in the city) we set off.
After the initial shock of it being far more raw than the even 10 year old Jeep is, after a distance I was starting to enjoy the drive and feel its still on the shopping list.
I'm questioning how the 2.2 is at towing though, driving it I was feeling it had a distinct lack of power, although we seemed to be making good forward progress at the various speed limits. I've only ever owned one diesel previously and that was a long time ago, so maybe its more my mindset than what the vehicle is capable of. Say with a 13-1400kg loaded camper on the back would it cruise at 100 and not become a mobile chicane on hills?
It's a damn shame that Landrover is not releasing details of a replacement Defender, as a subtle upgrade could make this our perfect 4x4.
ChatterBox
SubscriberCan't comment on the 90, but in the 110 the 2.2 tows well.
The small diesel is a very different beast to a 6 cyl petrol motor. It's not overly powerful but torquey and well geared. It will pull all day but doesn't do anything very quickly.
Cheers,
Jon
Fossicker
This is what I was thinking might be the case this morning.Originally Posted by jon3950
With the torque of the diesel I presume once your up to speed it shouldn't slow down too much on hills?
Fossicker
Agreed with above. I currently have an 2015 130 so the biggest of the bunch with the 2.2l . I have had most brands of 4x4's through work over the past decade or so and have found that the defender was still my personal choice for my own vehicle. I regularly tow my rally car , bobcats , building materials etc etc. my 130 works hard to earn its keep. With the rally car and gear for example when racing the whole towing setup inc what I put in the tray weighs in around the 2.2t mark. At this I will see 5th gear up bigger hills on the highway but doesn't drop me below 100kph. It tows great and the low first gear is an absolute dream when towing. Also to note that when reversing you can pop it straight into low range and let the engine idle along easily so no extended riding of the clutch which will help prolong its life and also make your parking easier.
Hope this helps somewhat.
Image1462420216.596153.jpg
ChatterBox
SubscriberI'm sure that's a very nice Bobcat, but a photo of the 130 towing the rallycar would be much nicer
Cheers,
Jon
Fossicker
Thats really good info, thank you.
First opinions it seems are definitely deceiving.
Master
What the hell do these guys think they are doing? It is such a common issue that has been reported by several forum members.
When I test drove my first 110, the LR sales guy was so bloody negative I was actually getting angry with him. He completely bagged the crap out of the vehicle and said how terrible they were and said I wouldn't be able to drive it without grinding gears, etc etc.
I had to do a double take to check if maybe he was wearing a Nissan shirt or something else.
He insisted on riding shotgun for the test drive, and after about two minutes his mouth was hanging open in amazement like I was some freak for actually being able to drive the thing!
If I wasn't so committed to my purchase he may well have turned me off the entire brand. In the end I bought a new 110, but NOT from that dealership.
And guess what? I LOVE IT.
Fossicker
I'm sure that's a very nice Bobcat, but a photo of the 130 towing the rallycar would be much nicer
Cheers,
Jon
New phone so very few photos on here haha. Will see if I can rustle some up. I always take photos of the stuff I tow for some reason.
Although I have found an even cooler 130 towing an even cooler rally car.
Fossicker
It got worse, when he was getting the test drive disclaimer to sign I wandered into the showroom and what ended up being the sales manager was joking with the sales guy about "what does he have a mountain to drive up or something".
Typical carsales tossers.
ChatterBox
SubscriberDrool...New phone so very few photos on here haha. Will see if I can rustle some up. I always take photos of the stuff I tow for some reason.
Although I have found an even cooler 130 towing an even cooler rally car.
Watching (and hearing) Jeff David peddling his 911 around the forests has given me an unnatural desire to build one of them.
Cheers,
Jon
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