Thread: Defender vs 80 series reliability

Just putting my oar in, i work on lots of cruisers aswell as landies, and patrols too.
Comparing a Td5 Defender in good well maintained condition to an equivalent 80 series factory turbo model, is folly.
The Toyota offering is very much more reliable, stronger in most components, and a much more liveable prospect with that Denso air conditioning and more interior space bla bla.
The thing IT DOES NOT HAVE is appeal, and character.
Over many years of travel i have learnt, and this is my personal view only, that you need to love the vehicle you drive.
After we bought our van, a 21'6" dirt roader , i looked seriously at a 100 series turbo gxl. That evaporated as soon as i drove it. Head said yes, best engine for the job, strong runnong gear and comfortable, heart said boring camry like life from this day forward, so i bought an L322 Vogue instead🙂.

There is nothing wrong with an 80, i would however definitely look for a 1hdt example, however be prepared for a lifetime of mediocrity and boredom travelling some of this country's most amazing places.

Jc

Originally Posted by justinc

Just putting my oar in, i work on lots of cruisers aswell as landies, and patrols too.
Comparing a Td5 Defender in good well maintained condition to an equivalent 80 series factory turbo model, is folly.
The Toyota offering is very much more reliable, stronger in most components, and a much more liveable prospect with that Denso air conditioning and more interior space bla bla.
The thing IT DOES NOT HAVE is appeal, and character.
Over many years of travel i have learnt, and this is my personal view only, that you need to love the vehicle you drive.
After we bought our van, a 21'6" dirt roader , i looked seriously at a 100 series turbo gxl. That evaporated as soon as i drove it. Head said yes, best engine for the job, strong runnong gear and comfortable, heart said boring camry like life from this day forward, so i bought an L322 Vogue instead🙂.

There is nothing wrong with an 80, i would however definitely look for a 1hdt example, however be prepared for a lifetime of mediocrity and boredom travelling some of this country's most amazing places.

Jc

For me a vehicle is to get you from A to B. If it keeps breaking down, i dont call that interesting. If it just works and goes, then its great.

Originally Posted by justinc

Just putting my oar in, i work on lots of cruisers aswell as landies, and patrols too.
Comparing a Td5 Defender in good well maintained condition to an equivalent 80 series factory turbo model, is folly.
The Toyota offering is very much more reliable, stronger in most components, and a much more liveable prospect with that Denso air conditioning and more interior space bla bla.
The thing IT DOES NOT HAVE is appeal, and character.
Over many years of travel i have learnt, and this is my personal view only, that you need to love the vehicle you drive.
After we bought our van, a 21'6" dirt roader , i looked seriously at a 100 series turbo gxl. That evaporated as soon as i drove it. Head said yes, best engine for the job, strong runnong gear and comfortable, heart said boring camry like life from this day forward, so i bought an L322 Vogue instead🙂.

There is nothing wrong with an 80, i would however definitely look for a 1hdt example, however be prepared for a lifetime of mediocrity and boredom travelling some of this country's most amazing places.

Jc

Very interesting perspective JC and I totally agree on the comparative experience of driving a Toyota vs Land Rover. Your expertise and advice as a mechanic working on all these vehicles is invaluable.

There is definately something in the way Toyota manufacture which makes their vehicles more reliable up to a point. But IME that is not necessarily about longevity or financially better.

Living in northern Australia is extremely harsh on vehicles. Most drive Toyotas. My mate drove an 80 series. He swore by it. ...Cut a long story short, I went to the city to buy a vehicle. I test drive a beautiful 80 series with 50,000 on the clock. At the time it was $42k and really stretching my budget. Then I test drive a Defender 300Tdi also with 50,000km. I was blown away by the difference! I felt at home in it immediately. It was quicker off the mark and more nimble and responsive than the 80 series. It was just as solid if not more so. It had more space and a much more efficient engine. It was also $12k less expensive! I was sold. I had my first Defender.

My mate gave me hell for not buying the Toyota. BUT on trips we did together the Defender was more capable, used less fuel and I towed him out of a bog one day that I just drive straight through. A couple of years later he sold his 80 series due to serious cracking in the body. He bought a 100 series Toyota but missed his 80 series. He would never get in my Defender!

The same Defender is still going, albeit old and rattly, it would easily do another stint in northern Australia with a little TLC. His 80 series is long gone. I think Defenders were built tougher than Toyota’s in the long run. Yes the aircon is much better in a Tojo and there may be a few less repairs along the way, but the fuel cost savings negate the extra repairs and in the long run Defenders outlast, are better off road and have significantly more character.

I agree. Driving a Land Rover is much more enjoyable despite a few extra repairs. Toyota’s are boring, expensive and less capable. I’ve also driven new work Toyota’s that have broken engine mounts, diffs and gearboxes due to rough roads. My Defender never broke anything major.

About 6 months ago I was seriously looking at getting a defender to replace our hilux twincab for van towing duities..
I even had the Missus test drive a defender as she is the one that tows the van (I tow the boat) and she hated the defender.
We ended up getting a 79 series V8 diesel ute and it tows the 20 foot van with absolute ease and most importantly the missus Loves it.
I have driven it a few times off road and I begrudgingly have to admit that it is a VERY capable 4WD and it uses less fuel than my D2a V8.
It doesn't however have the same appeal as a defender and they are like arseholes (Everyone has got one) But in all seriousness the 79 series
is at least as strong/reliable as a defender and it is quieter/more comfortable to drive.

Originally Posted by G.man

For me a vehicle is to get you from A to B. If it keeps breaking down, i dont call that interesting. If it just works and goes, then its great.

With all due respect G.Man I suspect you are in the wrong place then, we will all tell you what a great car Defenders are to own and travel with, but will be honest and say they make mechanics and auto electricians out of us...

I have driven 4WD Yotas every day of my working life as well, as reliable as my Kelvinator fridge and just as interesting...

Originally Posted by trout1105

About 6 months ago I was seriously looking at getting a defender to replace our hilux twincab for van towing duities..
I even had the Missus test drive a defender as she is the one that tows the van (I tow the boat) and she hated the defender.
We ended up getting a 79 series V8 diesel ute and it tows the 20 foot van with absolute ease and most importantly the missus Loves it.
I have driven it a few times off road and I begrudgingly have to admit that it is a VERY capable 4WD and it uses less fuel than my D2a V8.
It doesn't however have the same appeal as a defender and they are like arseholes (Everyone has got one) But in all seriousness the 79 series
is at least as strong/reliable as a defender and it is quieter/more comfortable to drive.

Yes if I were towing I must admit I’d have to choose a Land Cruiser. ...but the cost! $80k? + 18l per 100km? More comfortable is definately a matter of opinion - I’ve driven many Land Cruisers and I’d have to replace the seats for a start if I owned one. The cart springs are woeful too IME. But if I were towing a lot? Yes it’s a better vehicle. Touring / non towing bush work? Defender.

Originally Posted by G.man

For me a vehicle is to get you from A to B. If it keeps breaking down, i dont call that interesting. If it just works and goes, then its great.

Yeah A to B - that’s the job of a Corolla. Roving on the other hand - job of a Land Rover.

I just don’t live an A to B life. 😎 if it keeps breaking down, it just needs more TLC.

The 2007 79 series i picked up has 230k on the clock and it cost me 30k, It does about 15 to 16l per 100 towing a 20 foot 2.5 tone van.
I looked at a few defenders of about the same age and milage and they were more expensive.
I use my D2a with a smaller petrol V8 in it for bush/beach work and it does the job with ease and comfort But it uses 18 to 20l per 100 of 98/95 premium petrol to do the job wich makes it more expensive to run than the 79 series.
In reality I should be using a 200 series instead of the Disco for what I do But that aint going to happen simply because I Love driving the Disco.
Economy/reliabillity are something that farmers and mining companies need to worry about, For private use jusy buy the 4WD that gives you the most enjoyment.