Running Costs- D2 vs Fender

[vogue]

Hi all, i'm interested in your opinions on what vehicle is cheaper to own in the longish term.
Budget is $25,000 to $30,000
Vehicle options are a D2a Td5 or Defender Td5
Max 120,000km
Would be keeping for minimum of 10 years- 250-300,000km

I know that they are both very diverent vehicles, with the same engine, but i'm interested in long term costs as km's rise.
Also factoring in that a D2 will be at least $5000 cheaper with similar km's.

Look forward to hearing what you think.

[Slunnie]

I'd guess (as I don't own the Defender) that the Defender would be cheaper as there is less in it and the systems are simple in comparison.

[numpty]

I'd guess (as I don't own the Defender) that the Defender would be cheaper as there is less in it and the systems are simple in comparison.

Yes, but a D2 would usually be more economical. It is only a school building moving through the air as opposed to a block of flats:D

[scarry]

The D2 is way more comfortable ,but will probably depreciate more,but will cost less.

You shouldn't have many more problems with a well looked after D2 than you would with a Deefer of the same vintage.

The 03/04 D2 are by far the best vehicles in the D2 series.

Good luck

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Money should be the last consideration,,
The two cars are poles apart in lifestyle.

If you use a defender for what it was designed, servicing costs will be your major expense,

If you use a D2 trying to be a defender replacing/upgrading broken driveline components will send you broke.

[vogue]

50/50 each way.
Interesting:o

[Jim621]

Mate, i think this is the question you should be asking yourself....



Money should be the last consideration,,
The two cars are poles apart in lifestyle.

If you use a defender for what it was designed, servicing costs will be your major expense,

If you use a D2 trying to be a defender replacing/upgrading broken driveline components will send you broke.

[Bundalene]

We have both. Completely different vehicles in many ways and I would think the choice would be for things other than economy.

As for running costs, our manual Disco -is about 1 to 2 litres per hundred kms cheaper to run. I believe the autos are slightly less fuel efficient than the manual Disco, so the numbers would be similar. Tyres are slightly more for the Defender, but that is neither here or there.

As for maintenance, filter sets, oils, ...... work out the same. As for other items, maintenance will be similar. Defenders need more wheel bearing type maintenance, the Disco needs more door lock, window regulator, ... type maintenance.

If you chose ACE, SLS, ... you may be in for some higher 1 off costs from time to time.

I would say, other than economy, about the same.

Erich

[DeanoH]

....................I know that they are both very diverent vehicles, with the same engine, but i'm interested in long term costs as km's rise.

Look forward to hearing what you think.

I think you are approaching this choice from the wrong direction. As others have noted these two vehicles are designed for different purposes.
I've driven manual Defenders for work (do they come in auto?) and have done many Km's in SWMBO's 2004 TD5 Auto. If I wanted a rugged off road knock about 4WD 'truck' I'd go for the Defender and put up with the noise, cramped interior, poor aerodynamics, comparitively worse fuel consumption and the pain of driving a manual in stop start traffic as a trade off for its excellent off road capability. If I wanted an excellent off road capable 4WD 'car' that I didn't want to bash around but still excellent off road with a comfortable and quiet interior that was also a good commuting vehicle and an excellent tourer I'd go for the Disco and put up with mud/dirt/sand on the carpets, temperamental door locks, occasional auto 'inhibitor switch' failure for a better 'all round' 4WD.
I think selecting the vehicle which best matches your intended use will give you the best overall result, financially as well as in pleasure of use.
We've done 190,000 Kms in SWMBO's D2, a lot of it off road (eg 2 trips across the Simpson Desert, Gibb River Road etc.), outback dirt and bitumen road touring as well being the daily commute vehicle. During this time we've replaced the shockers (by choice not failure), the battery once, fuel pressure regulator once and auto. inhibitor switch twice. these last two items under warranty.
At the end of the day its 'horses for courses'. Matching the right vehicle to your intended use will give you the best overall result.

Deano:)

[stig0000]

thats real hard to pic witch way,,, as others say to totally diff cars,, id love a d2 but for real 4wd stuff too many elecs to stuff up and very exy,

i like the fender for its just got enof elcecs to not realy worry about,, and there is more of a 'make it happen to get home" sorta thing with them, plus its a fender,, the land rover every one wants:D jsut look at the second hand market,, so consider resale to;)

[Michael2]

The Defender is a commercial vehicle, and carries some tax benefits, if you are in a position to benefit from them.

The Defender will also carry more on board and be easier to fit with fuel & water tanks, which may be a consideration.

The Defender also looks better.