Reply With QuoteThat's a great trip. Looking forward to getting our Defender out there too.
Master
SupporterJust back from the Kimberley, WA ... A great trip. Perth to Broome, Cape Leveque, Gibb River Rd, WA/NT border region, Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) and then back down to Perth (because covid junked our NT plans). 1 month, 8,600km and 1.2t of fuel.
Our fully-loaded 110 did well - a family of 4 plus all our kit (no trailer) - our only issues being a shredded tyre on the Gibb, plus both our rear brake mudshields failed and fell off. Nothing unsurviveable, which was a great outcome given all the effort and money expended preparing for the trip.
But I am left wondering where all the Defenders were...? Prime Defender-country (I would have thought), during the busiest tourist season ever, and perhaps only 6 or 8 were spotted.
A plague of Landcruisers, though. The top end groans with endless thousands of them.
It made me contemplate wether this is the (inevitable) final demise of the Defender*, as a capable touring vehicle with widespread appeal? I say inevitable since even the newest examples are now 5 years old - whilst the LC continues to be churned out.
* and i'm excluding, for now, the [statistically irrelevant] New Defender, of which I saw only one
Is this the end? Is it just the die-hards left? (i.e. us). Perhaps there's truth to the 'Chelsea Tractor' cliche - with lots of Defenders existing only in the city, as a hobby, lifestyle statement, or investment - tucked up clean and warm in the suburban garage overnight.
pic2.jpg pic1.jpg
I see parallels with the VW Kombi marque from the early 2000's-on. When this icon became desired by the affluent middle classes, prices rose sharply - meaning those who actually used and enjoyed them sold up, and they disappeared from the road. I saw exactly 1 on this trip.
Which leads me also to wonder... If something awful happened and my Defender was written-off, what on earth would I replace it with?
A great trip in our Land Rover.
Cheers, Sam
That's a great trip. Looking forward to getting our Defender out there too.
Wizard
We have just come back from a 8500km trip through SA and the Deserts of the NT and we only saw a hand full as well...
They still the looks from everyone though
Master
SubscriberSimilar here. We only saw two on our Western Qld trip. One at Muttaburra and one near Quilpie. People still came up and chatted about the 130 though.Originally Posted by Robmacca
We have just come back from a 8500km trip through SA and the Deserts of the NT and we only saw a hand full as well...
They still the looks from everyone though
Master
SupporterSo not many out there then. This was our first remote trip for a while, so in fairness I can't compare our experience with recent others. Maybe there's never been a lot of Defenders 'out there', compared to Cruisers, say.
Maybe there's a practical aspect - the 110 is numerous for sure, but also not particularly large in touring terms, so a bit limited. We found ourselves dreaming of a 130 and its increased carrying space... maybe others think same (and opted for a LC instead, the 130 being pretty scarce).
ChatterBox
SubscriberMy rear brake shields are still up there somewhere! I haven't missed them. The ones off my RRC, that did our second trip up there, travelled home in the camper trailer and got repaired but the ones off the Defender got abandoned when they fell apart. And you're right- the 130 shines on those trips- and I don't think I've seen another on our 4 extensive trips up there.
Master
Supporter2 or 3 of my Defender sightings were 130’s. They look proper good in the Kimberley.
When the first rear brake shield failed and started scraping around down there we were on the Bungle Bungles access road. As luck would have it, the next car that came along as I was trying to get the thing off was a Defender.
When they stopped and asked if we were Ok, they told us they’d just lost both of theirs as well!
Master
SupporterSounds like a great trip.
We are struggling with vehicle choice at the moment. In about 18 months I plan to semi retire and hope to take off on an extended trip. We planned to take the Disco with a trailer but have since decided we don't want to tow.
A defender 130 makes the most sense to me for its load carrying, practicality and ability. I've got a spreadsheet comparing different vehicles GVM, cost etc. While not always the cheapest option I keep coming back to the 130.
Decisions, Decisions....
Master
SupporterTravelling on your own or with others?
I think a 110 or Disco would be fine for individuals or couples travelling, but I reckon a single or dual cab ute with a well-designed box on the back would be the better set up, giving more storage space and therefore more options for extended travel - which leads to the 130 (or Landcruiser equivalents).
Most seem to have reached similar conclusions - the ute+box being the most common touring setup we saw. Very practical and convenient
Master
SupporterJust two of us, it will be an extended trip and just us on the trip.
As you say many people are using utes as they are so practical. I can see pros and cons to each setup.
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