Defender in the city

[RRMICK]

Hi All,

I am interested in getting a defender 130 as a bit of a upgrade from my current daily. I have gone for a few test drives in some but still havent managed to spend some time using one to actually decide if it is right for me. Therefore I am wondering if any one could put my mind at ease and help me with my two biggest problems.

1st. this car will be mainly used as a daily to get to work which means driving through peak hour brisbane traffic every day. Has any one found this to be a major pain. I know no matter what big duel cab 4wd i pick it will be annoying to drive through this type of traffic but one thing i did notice is how heavy the clutch is in the defenders compared to say a toyota.


2nd. being 6 foot 6 the leg room is a little tight, i am aware that you can extend the seat rails but i am scared that when i do it means i will be looking at the side pillar everytime i want to check the mirrors. Also having the seat so close to the window i will loose the ability to hang my arm out the wnidow.

3rd. when i get the option to use the car for it's weekend warrior purpose it will be on long drives 3hrs + how does this vehical compare with other 4wds? I do realise that the 130 is comonly used for touring so overall it must not be that bad??


In short i do realise that due to my height and my work my vehical option list is quiet limited but i am just after some advise on some mods i could do to try and fix these problems. I have searched through the internet for hours but ahvent found similar post but if any one can please point me in the appropriate direction.

any help would be appreciated

Cheers,

[chook73]

I can possibly help with points 1 and 3

1. I have a 110 as a daily driver and I love it, I don't care about having to put he clutch in and out the only thing that has ever bothered me is the backlash and even that you get used to. Having said that even with a 110 I have had to learn where I can and cannot park it, I would imagine a 130 would be even more difficult in a city. Whilst I am in Sydney I also know Brisbane quite well and it would depend on where you were driving to each day.

2. I am 6' and at times find it a little cramped but mainly after many hours at the wheel, I cannot comment on the seat extensions as I don't have them because like you I am worried that I will be looking at the pillar. All of the tall peeps on here have highly recommended the Mulgo seat rail extensions

3. I used to own a nissan pooootroll and I find the Puma so much more comfortable on long drives, Mainly because of the upright driving position. I have a 3 year old Puma and the seats have fallen apart but surprisingly it is still comfortable. I do some very long drives (well and truly over 3 hours.....) and the only thing I ever have a problem with is stopping and getting out, I just love driving it.

From my perspective parking will be your only issue, if you can work this out then you won't look back.

Regards
Iain

[Don 130]

I'm 6'1'' and I 'fit' into my truck. I don't use it in the city, but often have to motor through heavy traffic and don't find it a problem. I love it as a tourer and even though I have arthritis in by back, the standard seat in my truck suits me, and I can comfortably drive all day without trouble. Mine is a '97 build so the clutch may have a different feel to a newer one, I don't know. I think you may be right about looking at the b pillar if you fit seat extensions, but somwone who has them may comment on that. My two bobs worth.
Don

[carlschmid2002]

I find the low first gear helps in traffic. I have a MY 12 90 and I am 6' 2". I have fitted the seat rail extensions and love it. I haven't driven a 130 but it has the same drivetrain. The seats are different at first, but much better after long trips than my Patrol that I did 277000 km in. Only done 6500 so far in the 90.

[RRMICK]

Thank you all for you replies, from what it sounds so far is that if i decide to go with another 4x4 i would have much of the same issues, parking will not be a massive hassle as i don't park it in the city as such but have to commute through it to get to work. I am currently using a small holden barina and oddly find it kind of cosy being that cramped up but then again i suppose i haven't had the chance to own a car where i could finally stretch out. At the end of the day i am lucky that the defender is pretty well a bolt together car and i could manufacture a few items that would help me enjoy the drive a bit better.

[Greyfox]

My 2000 TD5 is my daily driver, I use it in Sydneys CBD most days, and I love it.
The main problem that I can see with a Defender in any city is finding a car parking station with a heigh that will let the Defender in, Luck in my office I have a loading dock to park in.
The clucth, I hear a lot of people complaining that it is heavy. On mine I do not find this at all (compared to some of the cars I have driven).
Anyway you will get use to the clutch pressure in no time flat.
I do a lot of long trips in the Defender, over 3 hours , longest 14 hours to Phillip Island and both my front seat passanger (the minister for war and finance) and myself thought the trip was a lot easier on the back and legs that in our Ford Explore we had before.
The Defender seats do not look all that inviting, but my standard seat are very comfortable and Iam extremely happy with them.
Another thing about driving in Sydney is how many Defenders there are actually driving in the city!!!
Good driving Allan

[newhue]

I drive my 130 as a daily driver through the city or close to every day. I find the city hard work no matter what I'm in. However its due to being a manual rather than clutch weight. But for traversing in general in a 130 is fine.
I find because it doesn't take off fast, and because it's just fun to drive I'm more relaxed in traffic. I just poke along and if I hold people up well thats their problem. Being a tradie I usually have crap parking options, and often small sloping streets. So turning circle is irrelevant as everyone does 5 point turns. Under cover parking is a problem however.

As a tourer it works great. The all round coils work together beautifully, as opposed to IFS and leafs. And after driving for several hours I feel in better shape than the previous jap vehicle left me.
I find the mirrors will let you see the blind spot, so don't bother about the B pillar being beside your head or hiding shoulder checks. The pillar can be problimatic in an accident though.

[ezyrama]

I use my MY12 Deefer as a daily driver, admittedly I avoid Brisvegas like the plague, but I dont have any problem driving it where ever I have to go, It's a very comfortable vehicle to drive and I have covered nearly 9000km in the last 11 weeks since I bought it. As far as a heavy clutch goes, I have a series 2a and a series 3 so the clutch in the Tardis is a dream as is the steering. The turning circle leaves a bit to be desired when compared to some other vehicles out there, but at the end of the day, who cares, I love it, the kids love it, it gets some great comments from others (including some toymota driving mates) and most of all it makes me smile whenever I drive it:)

[rainman]

I have a 130 Tdi dual cab which is regularly driven in Brisbane north side peak hour traffic, more often by my wife than me and she doesn't complain :cool:.

I agree with all comments so far. Something to add though is that the height actually works for you when you're out in the traffic. It's much easier to see over the top of most things, and for a long way ahead so it's much easier to pick the best lane, etc. I certainly notice the difference when I jump back into my Smart Roadster after being in the Defender.

James.

[slugworth]

The main problem I find is not being able to fit into covered parking lots.

Most around me have less than 2.2m clearance.

[butundede]

My 2005 Td5 110 is my daily driver and i'm 6'6. I don't have seat rail extensions and I drove the vehicle from Brisbane to Melbourne in one long stint and didn't get a sore backside. Unlike my wifes Peugeot in which I did the same drive and was very glad to get out of. I don't do any City driving, but I do drive 160 km every day to work and back and never have a problem.

[tonic]

Been driving my mates (work 130) since new in 98 and my 110 since late last year. I am 6'.

Drove 17 hours once in the 130 and went straight to a party. I was in my mid thirties then.

Drive them in all traffic conditions and dont have any trouble. The 130 has not got the turning circle of the 110.

Dad had a Nissan GU for a while. Find the 110 not much different except that the 110 has better seats and driving position for me anyway.

They are just a bigger car and like anything it is what you get used to.

My only concerns are car park heights and teaching the wife to drive it:o

[J.D.]

I drive a 2007 dual cab 130 daily & I have no problem in traffic, you soon get use to it. As the Guys have said the biggest problem in city driving is parking station heights & getting use to parking & the turning circle of the 130 as they are a big truck ;)
When I got mine the Guys here recommended a reverse camera & let me tell you it's worth the money especially in crowded car parks & city driving.
I've driven a lot of different vehicles over the years & was a toyota driver till my last car which was a Dodge Nitro then I got my 130 Defender & love this truck :D If you like the look of the 130 find one take it for a drive just to make sure you're comfortable in it (as most of the Guys have said they are very comfortable to drive) you'll soon fall in love with the Defender & you won't look back.
Good luck.
JD

[RRMICK]

Just on the Height issue, How hight does a standard 130 sit? what underground carparks can't you get into?

[ant_schomacker]

My 130 is 2100mm tall at the top of the headboard on the tray from the dealer. I used to park under Carindale regularly, some areas there are 2200 clearance. The other big tip from me is it's alot easier to reverse into the parks!
Ant

[danske]

Hi

Great car choice , i drive 120Km's a day in my SVX PUMA and love it , but occassionally I drive my 91 Vogue classic Auto and it is a nice change , but the deefer keeps pulling me back.

Im 6'2" and with the seat extesntions it is OK. But at 6'6" I woud say that would be pushing the comfort levels . I am relatively broad accross the shoulders and that bothers me being on the pillar.

Maybe ou should get one for a day or see if you can speak to a local club member and borrow one or search for a hire one soe you can spend some extended time to work it out before you invest.

Not wanting to discourage you , as they are awesome trucks , but IMO , best to have a real good think based on your size.

good luck