Took a new Defender for a test drive overnight

[disco2hse]

Well, I took the new Defender for a test drive overnight last week. Sorry no photos, but you know what it looks like. Drove for at least 3 hours straight on good roads, dirt roads, hilly roads and through a couple of paddocks :D

Really nice driving, good acceleration and great on the hills, but there are some niggles:


There is an annoying flat spot when you put your foot down until the turbo spins up. This could be an issue when you expect to get power and there is none
The gear lever has a spring thing that centres it between gears and if you're not quite quick enough you lose where you were, gear-wise
Having the reverse up beside 1st wasn't very entertaining since getting into first requires a push to the left and reverse a slightly harder push
Reverse gear is slightly high ratio'd, so the speed is too fast
Low range first doesn't seem slow enough to me. I can see a market for under-drives
Some finishing wasn't too good for a vehicle with its price tag; exposed wires in the cabin, glue smears, that kind of thing
Power tops out at around 3500 rpm, but there seems to be more there that could be applied.
It seems to be stuck in a middle ground of not being quite comfy enough for the soccer brigade and not rugged enough for the serious workhorse.


I didn't have time to pull the boat unfortunately, but I imagine it'd do ok there (weighs just shy of 3t) but not at any great speed.

In the end, after driving it and considering what we have now I don't see that there is any compelling reason to go out and buy one, especially new at $68k. Maybe I've been associated with computers too long, but the "never buy the first version" seems to apply here. To my mind LR needs to do more work on this to get to where it needs to be.

Just a few thoughts.

[spudboy]

Good feedback - thanks.

BTW - the price won't be $68K (I think a 110 is $50K + ORC).

[Quiggers]

$68K?

The LR website shows the new 'fender at $48,990 (plus onroad).

NSW reg all up: $700
Stamp duty approx: $1470
Dealer delivery: $??????

A bit over $51k, rolling, by my reckoning....

http://www.landrover.com.au/au/en/Vehicles/New_Defender/price_list.htm

GQ

[Quarks]

Try NZ$68K ;)

Then it's totally believable.
http://www.landrover.co.nz/nz/en/Vehicles/Defender/prices.htm

And where in Oz would anyone be able to get an '07 Defender to stop still long enough to take it for a 3hr test drive?? :eek: :D

:)

[spudboy]

Well the New Zealand Shekel isn't holding up is it :o

[Frenchie]

Try NZ$68K ;)



Wow that's only about AU$23.50 isn't it??

Might be worth importing a few. :D

[disco2hse]

Wow that's only about AU$23.50 isn't it??

Might be worth importing a few. :D

:D:D:D

It wasn't just 3 hours. It was overnight, and that was just the first drive :p;):D:D

[disco2hse]

The other annoying thing is that they are only trying to sell the 90 and 110 suburban configurations. I got all the fancy-schmancy brochures and the whole range of body and seating styles is available but there's no prices. They're trying to limit the colour ranges too.

The NZ market is just too small and so they (LR NZ) are trying to bulk order to cut their costs and increase margins for the agents.

Compare these with Toy*** 70 Series (http://www.toyota.co.nz/Apps/WebObjects/SIBWeb.woa/2/wa/NewVehicleDA/gotoVehicle'vehicleSIBID=VQGdoZsNNJUKyJ9R&wosid=lVVexASGxEzmbmR8b9B0J0&primaryArea=NewVehicle) and you can see why they aren't keeping up in the market. Price difference is only a grand, but boy you get a whole lot more.

[disco2hse]

With Ford trying to flick off Landy with Jaguar and with the Chinese sniffing around, what do you reckon the chances we might end up with a Dong Feng diesel and noodles in the loom are?

[FenianEel]

The other annoying thing is that they are only trying to sell the 90 and 110 suburban configurations.

You lucky baaaaaaastards, we don't even get the 90, they won't even do it on 'special order' - I checked:mad:

Might have to 'back door' one from NZ:D

[disco2hse]

You lucky baaaaaaastards, we don't even get the 90, they won't even do it on 'special order' - I checked:mad:

Might have to 'back door' one from NZ:D

Do you one for, lessee $23.50 + ahhh. Lets do $25 :D

[muddydigger]

With Ford trying to flick off Landy with Jaguar and with the Chinese sniffing around, what do you reckon the chances we might end up with a Dong Feng diesel and noodles in the loom are?

If the chinese buy land rover I think Ill loose the will to live!

[harro]

Well, I took the new Defender for a test drive overnight last week. Sorry no photos, but you know what it looks like. Drove for at least 3 hours straight on good roads, dirt roads, hilly roads and through a couple of paddocks :D

Really nice driving, good acceleration and great on the hills, but there are some niggles:
There is an annoying flat spot when you put your foot down until the turbo spins up. This could be an issue when you expect to get power and there is none
The gear lever has a spring thing that centres it between gears and if you're not quite quick enough you lose where you were, gear-wise
Having the reverse up beside 1st wasn't very entertaining since getting into first requires a push to the left and reverse a slightly harder push
Reverse gear is slightly high ratio'd, so the speed is too fast
Low range first doesn't seem slow enough to me. I can see a market for under-drives
Some finishing wasn't too good for a vehicle with its price tag; exposed wires in the cabin, glue smears, that kind of thing
Power tops out at around 3500 rpm, but there seems to be more there that could be applied.
It seems to be stuck in a middle ground of not being quite comfy enough for the soccer brigade and not rugged enough for the serious workhorse.I didn't have time to pull the boat unfortunately, but I imagine it'd do ok there (weighs just shy of 3t) but not at any great speed.

In the end, after driving it and considering what we have now I don't see that there is any compelling reason to go out and buy one, especially new at $68k. Maybe I've been associated with computers too long, but the "never buy the first version" seems to apply here. To my mind LR needs to do more work on this to get to where it needs to be.

Just a few thoughts.

Thanks for the comments Alan, just wondering how many and what configuration Defenders you have driven before this one? (ie; Year, 110, 130. wagon, ute, standard or chipped etc).

Cheers,
Paul.:twobeers:

[disco2hse]

Thanks for the comments Alan, just wondering how many and what configuration Defenders you have driven before this one? (ie; Year, 110, 130. wagon, ute, standard or chipped etc).

Cheers,
Paul.:twobeers:

Hey whoa there paul :eek: I'm not putting myself up as any kind of expert and this ain't intended to be in any way scientific.

From my profile you'll see I only have a Series 2 Disco (new and comfy) and a Stage 1 (ex-army and not so comfy). I've driven oooh maybe several Deffies and ummm mostly diesels. But for godsake don't go asking me for years and stuff - I don't wear an anorak.

[disco2hse]

If the chinese buy land rover I think Ill loose the will to live!

Well you know it's not that far from reality. They already have Rover, so why not. :(

[DirtyDawg]

If the chinese buy land rover I think Ill loose the will to live!
What he said..
but they make Mercedes there..can't be all bad;)

[harro]

Hey whoa there paul :eek: I'm not putting myself up as any kind of expert and this ain't intended to be in any way scientific.

From my profile you'll see I only have a Series 2 Disco (new and comfy) and a Stage 1 (ex-army and not so comfy). I've driven oooh maybe several Deffies and ummm mostly diesels. But for godsake don't go asking me for years and stuff - I don't wear an anorak.

Sorry Alan, just if I'm in the market for a new one in the future I was interested in a possible comparison.
No implications intended.:D

Cheers,
Paul:twobeers:

[solmanic]

If the chinese buy land rover I think Ill loose the will to live!

If the Chinese buy Landrover, at least they will have some models that pass crash testing.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Wow that's only about AU$23.50 isn't it??

Might be worth importing a few. :D
No $NZ68K = $AU56,324.02 (source XE.com (http://www.xe.com/))
Diana

[landyfever]

Well, I took the new Defender for a test drive overnight last week. Sorry no photos, but you know what it looks like. Drove for at least 3 hours straight on good roads, dirt roads, hilly roads and through a couple of paddocks :D

Really nice driving, good acceleration and great on the hills, but there are some niggles:


There is an annoying flat spot when you put your foot down until the turbo spins up. This could be an issue when you expect to get power and there is none
The gear lever has a spring thing that centres it between gears and if you're not quite quick enough you lose where you were, gear-wise
Having the reverse up beside 1st wasn't very entertaining since getting into first requires a push to the left and reverse a slightly harder push
Reverse gear is slightly high ratio'd, so the speed is too fast
Low range first doesn't seem slow enough to me. I can see a market for under-drives
Some finishing wasn't too good for a vehicle with its price tag; exposed wires in the cabin, glue smears, that kind of thing
Power tops out at around 3500 rpm, but there seems to be more there that could be applied.
It seems to be stuck in a middle ground of not being quite comfy enough for the soccer brigade and not rugged enough for the serious workhorse.


I didn't have time to pull the boat unfortunately, but I imagine it'd do ok there (weighs just shy of 3t) but not at any great speed.

In the end, after driving it and considering what we have now I don't see that there is any compelling reason to go out and buy one, especially new at $68k. Maybe I've been associated with computers too long, but the "never buy the first version" seems to apply here. To my mind LR needs to do more work on this to get to where it needs to be.

Just a few thoughts.


I had a drive in a 07 Defender today & I think its a massive leap forward in Defender terms.

The biggest improvement for me is the new dash & the air con. It also uses a D3 instrument pack & has proper face vents :eek:

Rear seats are nice & fold forward.

The gear change is a bit fiddly to start with but I soon got used to it.

Its no quicker than a Td5 but the gearing is better with a shorter 1st gear & a 6th gear for high speed cruising :cool:

Top speed is limited 131kph because of the speed rating on the tyres ;)

The 'build quality' is still the same. But who cares.

If I had the money I would buy one tomorrow.

[camel_landy]

The build quality has actually improved quite considerably... The body is now built on a jig & the pannels now fit properly!! In theory, water leaks should be a thing of the past.

Gearbox... It's the sort of thing that you'd soon get used to. Having driven the R380 for sooo long, I'm still getting used to reverse being next to 1st again!

As for the need for an underdrive??? I don't know if you noticed but the gearing on the Defender is now sooo low in Lo-Range. For example, when in 1st, the idle speed is actually raised a touch to help prevent the car sliding on slippery hills!!!!

M

[disco2hse]

Sorry Alan, just if I'm in the market for a new one in the future I was interested in a possible comparison.
No implications intended.:D

I was just yankin' ya chain ;)

But then its like he said.


I had a drive in a 07 Defender today & I think its a massive leap forward in Defender terms.

For me though, I'm happy with what I've got for now. I'll probably wait to see what mechanical problems show up before buying so I know what to expect. I'm also interested to see if Tata do buy LR, in which case would the Transit engine be orphaned?

I doubt it of course, but you never know.

[camel_landy]

I'm also interested to see if Tata do buy LR, in which case would the Transit engine be orphaned?

I doubt it... After all, it's only in the last 12mths that Land Rover have stopped using the old BMW engines.

M