Thread: Which Car? 90's Wrangler or a Defender?

since only D110s were available then, the choice is chalk and cheese:

SWB with a 6cyl petrol

LWB with an economical 4cyl diesel

The wranglers of that model are not too bad, and every bolt-on mod you can imagine is available ex-us.

I wouldn't recommend a Land Rover to my friends, unless they had the capabilities to do their own servicing and effect the majority of repairs themselves.
There are just not enough Land Rover dealerships or workshops available Australia-wide to provide security of repairs for the average non-mechanically minded owner. I certainly wouldn't own a Land Rover if I couldn't repair or maintain it myself. I also wouldn't recommend the Jeep for mostly the same reasons.
I love my Land Rovers because I am a qualified mechanic and enjoy working on my cars, but LRA is it's own worse enemy, closing dealerships, it's no wonder L/R's arent selling cars, they (LRA) don't seem to realise that after sale service and repair is a big part of the average buyers criteria. I guess that makes us L/R owners above average, Regards Frank.

Depends what their "daily drive" is?
If they go to the city and park then it must be a wrangler as defenders height rules it out off most multi-level carparks. (midget architects)
But if they work in the burbs and intend going long distance bush defender all the way!

P.s, kids also= defender as wrangler from 90's 2 door and only 2 seats in back (try lifting a toddler over seats and strapping them in wet = new contortionist move's + several visits to a chiropractor!) with urchins under either 9 or 12 not allowed in front passenger seat cause off airbag.

A friend of mine had a Wrangler which I had the opportunity to drive a few times. Very quick and nimble and easy to drive but I found it struggled a bit off road with maintaining traction (something to do with the 4+ Litres and no weight). I also found it to be a bit uncomforatble on highway stretches as it was a rag top and required earplugs when the canvas got flapping.
The other thing to remember here is the load space in the Wrangler is miniscule compaired to a 110. I suppose that's where the trailer comes in.

The Wrangler looks better with a surf board on the roof but the more practical solution would be the Defender. But then I own a 110 so what do you expect me to say.

Originally Posted by Tank

I wouldn't recommend a Land Rover to my friends, unless they had the capabilities to do their own servicing and effect the majority of repairs themselves.
There are just not enough Land Rover dealerships or workshops available Australia-wide to provide security of repairs for the average non-mechanically minded owner. I certainly wouldn't own a Land Rover if I couldn't repair or maintain it myself. I also wouldn't recommend the Jeep for mostly the same reasons.
I love my Land Rovers because I am a qualified mechanic and enjoy working on my cars, but LRA is it's own worse enemy, closing dealerships, it's no wonder L/R's arent selling cars, they (LRA) don't seem to realise that after sale service and repair is a big part of the average buyers criteria. I guess that makes us L/R owners above average, Regards Frank.

I agree with this.....i know someone looking for a 4wd to buy I have steered her away from landrover simply becasue I will not recommend them to anyone that possibly couldn't do some of the owrk themselves or simply don't have the money to put it in a garage when little things go wrong.

the last thing I would want is someone buying a landrover through my recommendation only to find they reisent having to pay money out on it all the time and there for start telling everyone how crap they are.......apart fromt the newest models i believe landy's are for the money'd or the tinkerer

Originally Posted by dullbird

I agree with this.....i know someone looking for a 4wd to buy I have steered her away from landrover simply becasue I will not recommend them to anyone that possibly couldn't do some of the owrk themselves or simply don't have the money to put it in a garage when little things go wrong.

the last thing I would want is someone buying a landrover through my recommendation only to find they reisent having to pay money out on it all the time and there for start telling everyone how crap they are.......apart fromt the newest models i believe landy's are for the money'd or the tinkerer

While an early naughties 110 might need some work, so might the same age Wrangler. They should both be expected to have over 100,000km, possibly more. Either might have had a rough life, either by being used as inteneded or owned by someone not interested enough to maintain. The 110 is the tougher beast in design, but as we know it also has some frailties.

IMHO the key question will be whether they want a SWB or LWB (and that comes down to what sort of daily driving, 4wding and camping they do.) A 110 has acres of luggage space: with all seats occupied it would still exceed the boot space of a two-up Wrangler.

To throw a spanner in the works, what about other vehicles? I'd buy a Suzuki Jimny as a camping/commuter vehicle before a SWB Wrangler. Only slightly smaller, proper hard top, just as many seats (if required) and a lot cheaper for what you are getting. Plus plenty of hard-core bits if required. Same SWB/LWB arguments apply.

Here is one, a 90 200tdi import that might fit the bill..

Only problem is it's in QLD compared to your inner west..

carsales.com.au

Originally Posted by series3

Here is one, a 90 200tdi import that might fit the bill..

Only problem is it's in QLD compared to your inner west..

carsales.com.au

Not just Queensland - Townsville!