buying a new defender

**big dave** · 6th December 2011, 03:32 PM

gday kbgold

we have a 2010 110 defender, bought new, we have had patrols, bmw's and this is just as good as any of them, the seating position is a little different, but im 6'2" and 112 kgs and have no problem with it, the only slight problem is doing quick turns with the window up with the right arm, i just use the left, once you have this sorted its all good, every time we drive it it is fun.
so far we have got the usual stuff, arb bar, snorkal, dual battery, gme radio, haniball rak, awning, tent, we took all the rear seats out and have a black widow draw system in place, so we cant take passengers, i can put the swag in the back and sleep in there if necessary,
wouldnt swap it for anything, its good to drive something with substance,

cheers

dave

**Chops** · 6th December 2011, 06:00 PM

We came out of a D2 V8, and jumped into a new 110 C/C ute, and I was a little concerned about a few things at first. But now after three weeks of driving her,, hmmm,, you couldn't pay me enough to get me out of her,,

I'm 5'11" and ummm a bit umm,, well, I've got good girth anyway,, and she's a very comfortable drive. The hand brake is no issue at all (I thought it might have been), I'm an elbow out the window kind of guy,, but its no problem when its raining and the windows up (or SWMBO is cold).

A 400 k trip north the other weekend, and to my suprise, I reckon I climbed out feeling better than in the D2, or my old D1 for that matter. The only thing I miss is cruise control, and I guess you could get that sorted too. She's got heaps of power, and she's rather smooth too.

Other than having a snorkle fitted at purchase, and fitting a tow bar and UHF myself, the only mods I will probably get will be a bullbar for my winch and driving lights, duel battery, a swingaway spare wheel carrier, and extra fuel tank. Were going to build a camping canopy for the back if you class that as a mod.

So all in all, I couldn't be happier with the choice to get the 110. Like Mudnut, we were looking at the 130, but same deal,, just too big for the city, and what we really need.

Good luck with your choice,, you wont be disapointed with a Land Rover, whichever one you get,,

Chops

**The Cone of Silence** · 6th December 2011, 08:40 PM

I have a 2008 Defender 110 and it's also my first 4x4.

I once read a report describing how it "handles like a wheelbarrow full of walruses" and my test drive proved them right....but it's not an uncomfortable ride. It's noisy compared to a lot of other 4x4s out there but it's not like you'll be deaf when you reach your destination.

The interior is clunky but tough and frankly, if you buy one of these cars for the ride, handling, interior finesse and ergonomics, you're a fool. You buy the Defender because you love the look of it, the history, the style, the dependability of the engine, the ability to modify it to suit whatever you want to do with it and most of all, because it will take you wherever you want to go.

As previously suggested, test drive and if it's the car for you, see what it'll do straight out of the factory - you'll be very surprised.

First mods for me were a bullbar and UHF, driving lights, Mulgo Ex Box, Safari snorkel, spare wheel carrier (get some of the the weight off the back door), chequerplate protection and new wheels and some AT tyres. Next jobs will be storage and long range touring related bits.

In all honesty, this isn't the best place for an independent opinion. We all love our Defenders here and we'll harp on about them all day. See what you can find online in terms of reviews.

Bobby

Thread: buying a new defender

Thread Tools

110 Defender,, you'll love it,,

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions