Thread: The 90 is coming back!

Oh well so much for getting back on topic

Originally Posted by dm_td5

Moving back on topic..

For some reason or other SWB 4WD's haven't been a big seller for the last couple of decades in Australia. We used to have SWL Landy, Pajero, Cruiser and Patrol. LR tried the 90 back in 2003 (?) and Pajero have brought back the 2 door as well, but they are not selling a lot of them.

SWB isn't the best for long distance touring and as mentioned they aren't that roomy for equipment and more than two people. Could be one reason.

The other, I suspect, is they keep bringing them to the Australian market at a stupid price and fully optioned. So in the case of the 90 people look at it and say "well for not much more I get a bigger car" and buy a 110. I remember the last time the 90 came in to the country it was priced $1,500 less than the 110.

In the UK though you have SWB Land Cruisers (Prado's to us), Patrols, Pajero's and the 90.

About the only SWB that seems to sell in Australia is the Jeep Wrangler and I think that's only because its (a) cheap and (b) promotes a certain image with the roof off.

thnig to remember about the UK also derek is that the roads are alot more narrow....in the UK the D1 used to be considered a big car! now I think the D1 in oz is a tiny car.

I think the price that they put them out as is what kills them here. Funny thing is everyone wants a 90 until its time to buy.

I wanted a D3 to replace my disco now I'm thinking...mmmm might get a 90. we shall see

Originally Posted by dullbird

thnig to remember about the UK also derek is that the roads are alot more narrow....in the UK the D1 used to be considered a big car! now I think the D1 in oz is a tiny car.

Forgot that bit, good point!

Originally Posted by dm_td5

...The other, I suspect, is they keep bringing them to the Australian market at a stupid price and fully optioned. So in the case of the 90 people look at it and say "well for not much more I get a bigger car" and buy a 110. I remember the last time the 90 came in to the country it was priced $1,500 less than the 110...<snip>...About the only SWB that seems to sell in Australia is the Jeep Wrangler and I think that's only because its (a) cheap and (b) promotes a certain image with the roof off.

Exactly, that's the problem! I remember reading somewhere that Land Rover have said that the 90 actually costs them about the same as the 110 to make (from memory it was in LRO magazine)...the thing is people expect them to be significantly cheaper. Now, just think how well they'd sell if they were $34,990! I think they'd have problems making enough! OK, back to reality!

Originally Posted by dobbo

How many are used in the Australian comp off road scene?

.

Do you mean LR's in general? Almost none!! There are other countries in the world though!

Even the LR Website suggests that the 90 is far more suited to serious off road use than the 110

Having owned both a D90 and a Jeep Wrangler I think Im qualified to say a couple of things.
First of all they are both enthusiast vehicles and as such you dont really buy them because of their outstanding touring practicality.They are definitely a heart versus head purchase!

Both are great on technically challenging terrain - Dobbo's comments are both insulting and childish - I certainly didn't drive the 90 for any perceived **** value. I admittedly didn't push the envelope in the '90 (altho people who know me know it did get driven) because it belonged to my other half - which is why I ended up with a modded Wrangler as the weekend plaything.

Because they have a less than ideal wheelbase length you do learn to drive the tippy stuff with more respect - but with the right suspension mods you can get great wheel flex and better stability. I would have loved to have gone nuts with that lovely Equipe gear for the '90. Maybe next time

Originally Posted by dobbo

IMHO a 90 is a posers **** mobile, (same as a P38 or a D3). They're more at home on a Britney Speers video that a bush track. Yes they look good, yes they would be relatively quick (compared to a snail, other model Land Rover Defender's or a tortoise)

They're tippy, useless at carrying anything more than a handbag/manbag and the drivers and 1 passengers ego's.

Admittedly there are a few places that a SWB model will get that a LWB won't without a bit of a wiggle about, but 90% of the time it is the opposite scenerio.

They're useless for touring without a trailer, useless as the utility vehicle they are supposed to be(more like a bagged and subwoofered hilux you see 19yr old boys driving), dedicated offroader?????? How many get used for that compared to 110's?

Worth the money, hell no. Give me a 2K Rocky instead. At least you won't kill one of them.

I know of a local track up this way that a 110 or even a 100 inch vehicle struggles on, someone bring up a Defender 90 and prove me wrong, we could time the time spent negotiating obstacles with points taken for rubbing and hits. Word of warning, your panels will get polished by the odd tree and rock. Any takers?

I'll give LR a ring on Monday and tell them not to bother with importing them then.

if i were closer i'd take you up on this and **** all over you.
originally my 90 was going to be a tourer for just me and the missus - no kids and more than enough room in the back to carry our gear.
now it's a dedicated comp truck and does the job really well.
hugely more capable than my 110 and might earn me a few $$ should britnet spears ever decide to shoot a vid in WA
seems to me your a bit of a jealous tosser always spoiling for a fight and know jack **** about anything

Originally Posted by dobbo

IMHO a 90 is a posers **** mobile, (same as a P38 or a D3). They're more at home on a Britney Speers video that a bush track. Yes they look good, yes they would be relatively quick (compared to a snail, other model Land Rover Defender's or a tortoise)

They're tippy, useless at carrying anything more than a handbag/manbag and the drivers and 1 passengers ego's.

Admittedly there are a few places that a SWB model will get that a LWB won't without a bit of a wiggle about, but 90% of the time it is the opposite scenerio.

They're useless for touring without a trailer, useless as the utility vehicle they are supposed to be(more like a bagged and subwoofered hilux you see 19yr old boys driving), dedicated offroader?????? How many get used for that compared to 110's?

Worth the money, hell no. Give me a 2K Rocky instead. At least you won't kill one of them.

I know of a local track up this way that a 110 or even a 100 inch vehicle struggles on, someone bring up a Defender 90 and prove me wrong, we could time the time spent negotiating obstacles with points taken for rubbing and hits. Word of warning, your panels will get polished by the odd tree and rock. Any takers?