Facts on Disco vs Defender

I like the ride of my 95 disco 1. With its A arm rear end and soft springs it rides a lot like a RRC but not quite as rolly. I love driving the d1 but prefer my d2, mainly because the d2 is a manual but also because the d2 is much more nimble in traffic and getting around roundabouts etc at a reasonable clip. It is definitely still very comfortable especially now with a 2in lift and bilstien shocks.

I like deefers if only for their iconic status and shape. I have driven a few including the most honest of them the County. I prefer my d2. The d2 is such a great combination and off road the 100 in wheelbase is a good thing. The travel on the d2 is excellent. In stock form it goes further off road than a stock d1.

I have found that a d2 in manual form with a decent decent exhaust and mild lift makes a great 4wd....fun and truck like because of swapping your own cogs, a nice sound and sitting up but also comfortable. I have very high high miles on my d1 and d2 and the diffs are shwoing no sigs of problems even after plenty of offroad and heavy towing duties. Engines are both excellent. Interior is in good condition in both. I have mates with similar models. These are well built vehicles and are far from falling apart after 10-20 years.

Cheers

Thank you very much for all the responses guys, sorry have not replied as was camping.
For the first few points well I the defender chose me as have been obsessed with them for around 15 years….. So no competition as far as character and appeal goes
As far as interior goes …… if things break and don’t effect driving don’t really care too much
Disco = can set up for one or the other- touring or tough trips – This may be an issue
Fuel consumption = a win for the disco
Defender= longer service life= win for Def
Luggage/ sleeping space= win for the defender
A bit of debate on better for different situations and uses (sorry but did not originally add as didn’t want to come across as just wanting someone to “tell me want to do”:confused: thought I just try weigh up previously unperceived differences so that others could also use info not being specific to a certain situation) but if the offer still stands that would be great and very helpful ……. So anyways intended use and situation=
$$$= low income and am still saving, I am looking around 10k (would love to have more to play with but didn’t want to wait another 5 years)
Intended use= sorry but I one of those impossibly frustrating 4x4 newbies that want everything in 1 vehicle……. I do an average of 800km a week 95% on freeway 5%town (so running costs will be an issue). 4x4 will be used on average once every 2 weeks sleeping in the back….. Frazer, Morton, straddie and lots of hinterland. Am aiming to do Cape York in around a years’ time with the hope of doing the “Big lap” or just extended north and central Aus trip. At moment 4x4 is mainly for access to certain areas but am sure I will no doubt end up getting into the “tough stuff” for fun. My partner need to be able to drive it as well “I want to be able to push the clutch in” so she would prefer the comfort of the D2. As for me I don’t care for luxuries and just want something that doesn’t break (Most things I own are ugly, over- engineered and practicality based)

I do love defenders but find it hard to justify the price difference. This large investment for us as we are also saving for house so unfortunately find it hard to justify 100% more $ for the defender just because it is what I “romantically” prefer. I have also considered the 3.1 jackaroos as they are very reliable and good value for money and the Terracan. Have played with the idea of getting a **** box Hyundai for the Hwy commute and an old series wagon for the weekend but prefer the one car option…….. even considered the Gaylander.
So for the price would be looking at a D2 TD5 manual or a High Km’s TDi Defender.

Sorry to those who saw the thread as a useless waste of time, I did not want to start a my Defender is better than your Disco thread. Just wanted to see if there are points that I had not considered in choosing the right vehicle for our situation.
Once again thank you for all the info guys……. I’ve been spending way too long reading some of the other Tech threads this morning this site is looking dangerous to my productivity :):D

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Originally Posted by 2stroke

Really is a useless thread...
Seriously though I think all 3 are good 4x4s (since we're now including 75 series). The toyotas are durable, reliable but when they go wrong they often do it in a big way and are WAY overpriced and overrated. Disco, cheap buy in, comfy, they wheel well if not carrying a lot of weight but legal tyre options are too small and then there's the body damage. Defender carrys a load well over rough terrain, between the two for comfort, only problem regards body damage is the roof (on mine at least). The brute force thing must be crack related though ;)
On our Canning Stock Route trip I averaged 11.5 L/100 km (in a 300 Tdi Deafener) and the 2 cruisers averaged 16.5 L/100km. No comparison really.
The main thing is the Disco is much softer in spring rate, will always wheel better empty than the other 2, try putting a tonne on it though.:D

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Thanks hadnt thought of the downfall of loading it, as would prefer not to be spendng too much on mods.
Also given the price limitation TDi300 defender would fit the bill well if it wasnt for tho 800km week in Hwy ks..... supose cant have it all eh. But with that amount of ks adding to an already 300000+km ...= trouble???? In comparison to a aprox 150k-200k D2 TD5 for less overhead??????

Not too fussed on how it looks with body damage but i supppose would decrease D2 value alot more if i ever need to sell it

Most springs on d2 are clapped out by now. Just get one with a lift or do the lift and use whatever spring rate yoj want...Go best of both worlds and use a good compromise spring and load leveller bags for extra heavy. I found stock were a bit soft for 300 kg of downforce on the rear bar.

Cheers

Apologies for the "useless thread" comment it came out different than intended. I was just adding to a previous post and that the two are very different vehicles, intended for two very different purposes. Though there are many similarities. One is a truck which can carry a load across broken terrain, available with various bodywork. The other is a station wagon which can carry your family and luggage over broken terrain.
If we're still including the 75 series it's a truck designed for those who are either not interested in cars or not interested in working on their car on a trip.:wasntme:

If $10k is your budget then you'll get a lot more Disco than Defender for that money.

^ I second that. you will struggle to a decent defender for 10k

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

If $10k is your budget then you'll get a lot more Disco than Defender for that money.

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Very true, especially if you intend doing 800km per week, in fact it's probably worth considering getting a little car for that job, though then there's the rego to consider.

if doing 800km a week commute i would think you would be alot more comfy in a disco, some would say you need to be a little 'touched' to own a defender. :o:p:D
the disco would also be fine for a bit of 4x4ing on a weekend with a simple lift and decent a/t tyres and you can get one in your budget. :)

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Originally Posted by MR LR

So basically, what you're saying, is that everyone who owns a Discovery aspires to be like you? With water leaking on your right foot as you drive, wind noise in your ear, and a hunched right shoulder? But because we don't have them we're all poor?

FYI before I got either of my cars, I looked at a Defender, but doing 150 highway km's a day ruled it out, my previous comment about the money is because I don't have that much for a second car.

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I missed the non emotive part in the OP but, No, That's not what I'm saying. Put your pitchfork away, I'm innocent :(

By saying a poor man pays twice is not a reflection on the Disco. I'm suggesting (emotively) that if the OP wants a Defender and is purely put of by the cost then it might just be worth saving for the one he wants outright.

I read the OP as saying

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but if money was not an issue I would happily drop the comfort of the disco for the agricultural bounce of the Defender handbrake and all

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I guess this spoke a lot to how I worded my post.