Yesterday, we sold our D2, a 1999 TD5 that we have had from new.
It has been a terrific car over the 22 years that we have owned it. It has only let us down once when a steering pump failed in the Bungle Bungles and we had to be towed to the bitumen and trucked to Halls Creek to wait for parts. The car had done almost 460,000kms and we have spent the equivalent of a small African nation's GDP on maintenance, but only had to do the head gasket at 420,000 kms. The car has seen probably more than 200,000kms of corrugated dirt roads as we have been on long bush trips into the interior for up to 14 weeks each during the last 14 years. The body is suffering from fractures, particularly around the body mounts, but still has a lot of life left mechanically.
We ordered a new defender early March and took delivery 31st August of a 110 D250 S with a few extras.
Because we have had such a good run with the D2, we might be looking at this defender with rose coloured glasses. We have taken it up to the Flinders already and up to now it is going well, but we are struggling with the technology and are yet to put it in low range.
We knew the boot was going to be smaller than the D2 and had checked to ensure the Engel would fit in, but were disappointed to find we could not open the lid to 90 degrees. It is good to drive but emits far too many beeps. This car replaces two cars and will be expected to be a town car as well as being taken to the bush.
IMG_1391.jpgIMG_1359.jpgDSCN2096.jpg We will report more at a later date when we understand the vehicle better. Note the wheels some things do not change much!!
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