Originally Posted by
trout1105
Capability and Reliability are two totally different things and this is why there are FAR more Toyota 4WD's on Australian roads and tracks than any other brand.
I Love my Landrovers but Seriously a Defender (including the new D6/Defender) isn't in the same league as a 79 series V8 in the bush.
I'd have to go with you on that, as I've never owned a 79 series V8. For the sake of clarity, can you list the area's where the 79 series is so much better than the defender. I think we can leave the new defender out of this, until some one actually buys one , and takes it bush. As for why there are more Toyotas out bush than land rovers, and I'm talking Discovery here, is the fact that land rover dealers and qualified mechanics were/ are few and far between when you leave the cities. And it took buyers some time to come to grips with the foibles of the discovery. Earlier defenders and series vehicles were basic and easy to work on, the only gripe was the low powered engine. However whereas the Toyota mantra was " give it the berries ", Land Rover Series and defender drivers had to learn how to actually drive their vehicles off road. So, the old catch phrase " Land Rovers, turning drivers into mechanics " should have added to it " And educating those drivers to be capable off road drivers, without ruining the environment". Just my thoughts, of course, not meant to start an argument, just an informed discussion.
I doubt very much that there is any where in this country that a Toyota has been, where a series, or defender Land rover has not . Add to that the stories of modern Toyotas having catastrophic fuel system contamination, for example, requiring thousands of dollars to rectify, and HI-Lux going to limp mode because of dust, [ just a couple of problems Toyota drivers will actually own up to] It becomes clear that modern vehicles will have their problems, no matter the brand. However, it is each to his own. I can understand why people would choose a Toyota out in remote areas where experienced mechanics are thick on the ground, and where parts are readily available. As for the G wagon, the soldiers I've spoken to have said it leaves the old defender for dead off road, and when the RAEME soldiers get their head around the 21st century maintenance requirements, it will probably be the best vehicle they've had. But that could be because of the air conditioning and the fact it won't send them deaf while driving it. Only time will tell. 
I’m pretty sure the dinosaurs died out when they stopped gathering food and started having meetings to discuss gathering food
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