Thread: DROVE my first 2007 Defender yesterday..

Lucky you! I got to look at one at the Adelaide dealer but wasn't allowed to drive it. Hopefully they will have a demonstrator in two weeks or so.

I just wanna drive the 130

Originally Posted by agrojnr

What the is the Rangie going to go

The new model still drips water on your right knee too

Also the father in-law rekons they are better offroad than the TD5


Adam

G'day mate, how's the new addition going? our best wishes to you and Sal.

There is NO WAY the RR is being 'retired'. In fact, it is slated for a Tanami and Kimberely trip next year.

We'll be down the coast to Perth then also, so I'll catch you 3 then!

All the best A, we'll phone to check up on you lot again soon.

JC and all.

I had a look at one today on the way home. Very interesting. The front seats are the same as mine, but the back seats are very different. The positive is they have a lap-sash centre belt. The downside it they are further back into the load area, so there will have to be new cargo barriers designed for them. Because of this there will also need to be new child restraints made as they still haven't fitted them.

In the engine bay is interesting. It looks like there is less room than the td5 somehow. Snorkels would need to be bespoke I would think (at least internally).

As to the inside, I'm not sure I really care all that much about the dash. The AC will definitely be better, but loosing the flaps will mean you'll need it lots more.

I guess the real star of the whole equation is the engine and gearbox performance. I didn't get to drive it but it's much quieter. I rode in a transit though, and it seemed quite peppy. The interesting this was how much better it revved.. really freely. I really can't imagine it being any faster than the chipped td5 though.

In summary... if I was buying one now I'd jump at it. However the only real pos for me would be the quietness of the motor. Given we've only just got our car set up now we'll wait until 2010 and make a decision then by looking at what is here 2011.

Originally Posted by justinc

G'day mate, how's the new addition going? our best wishes to you and Sal.

There is NO WAY the RR is being 'retired'. In fact, it is slated for a Tanami and Kimberely trip next year.

We'll be down the coast to Perth then also, so I'll catch you 3 then!

All the best A, we'll phone to check up on you lot again soon.

JC and all.

Mum and son doing well glad to see the rangie will still be going

So I take it you will buy the 130 for work then


Hope I will get a forby soon and drive over some time


Adam

Well after seven months I finally got a decent test drive of the new Defender and all I can say is it's a good thing I left the chequebook at home. My wife was no help either - she was meant to be the steadying influence in the whole exercise but she just kept saying how much she wanted one "right now".

First gear takes some getting used to. Second is a wee bit too high to use all the time, just on downhill starts. First, however, winds out very quickly so on the whole starts happen at about the same rate as the Td5.

It is easy to forget that sixth is there since even in fifth freeway driving is relaxed. Having said that, in sixth at 2000rpm and 100km/h there is a reassuring amount of torque to overtake (not that we're speeding mind).

The BIGGEST improvement enginewise is the noticable lack of flat spots all the way through the rev range. There is really nowhere the engine bogs down. By comparison the Td5 is a constant challenge to hit optimum revs in each gear.

The gear change is easy but takes some getting used to. Nice and tight but my current 02MY is as well.

The interior changes have been well documented everywhere so I won't go into them. My summary is yes, it IS that good to drive. HOWEVER, getting back into my vehicle I would have to say, it is NOT THAT BAD either. The Td5, which is is excellent condition if I may say so, still feels comfortable to drive - just different.

In the end, if it was up to me alone, as nice as the 07 Defender is, yes, I want one but I have a hard time justifying the financial penalty of changing over. Once you factor in the domestic gestapo's opinion however, then it is a done deal! Bugger - I thought today was going to be just a bit of idle tyre-kicking.

If anyone is in the market for a well kept, low mileage (69K) 02MY Defender - PM me. I'll post the details in the marketplace and probably put it on carsales or something and see what transpires.

Bugger
bugger
bugger!!!

$55k is not cheap, given you can buy a new car for about $15k, but it's cheap money for what is probably the best new 'real' 4wd...

It'll be interesting to see a true test of the new 'fender, the equally ancient but recently refurbished V8D 70s 'yota... and a Hummer H3, all about the same $$$...

...just need an impartial tester, now there's a challenge...

GQ

Well for starters, the Hummer H3 actually is not in the same price bracket, let alone size. On the road a Hummer H3 is well over $60K, I know, I'm ashamed to say I asked.

The Toyota is the only other vehicle realistically worth comparing the new Defender to - but they are BUTT-UGLY and also well over $60K on road so that rules them out too.

Yep, the Defender now looks like REAL value for money. Fully specced for low to mid $50K. And even though you CAN get a new car for $15K, 3.5 Hyundai Getz' don't equal one Defender.

DAMMIT, DAMMIT, DAMMIT - I've got to stop talking myself into this INSANITY!!!