Thread: D5, Defender 110 or LC300

I’d probably go LC300. Maybe new Ford Ranger V6 diesel.
But I’ve got another 80k before I catch up to you.

I've been watching a number of reviews, whilst I am definitely biased, I believe I can offer some balanced thoughts.

The LC300 will have the best resale and backup support.

It is better on fuel than its predecessor.

It is ugly (imo).

It is not as good a tow vehicle as many of the other options including the defender.

If resale and cost doesn't bother you, the defender would be a fantastic vehicle.

If you like to cover your tail, the "safe" and probably "underwhelming" choice would be the LC.


If I was new car shopping and had wads of cash, I'd go defender.

The only real failing I see is the undersized boot.

I've ignored the "New Discovery" as I feel if you are picking between that and the Defender, the Defender is a runaway winner...... Again except boot space.

The 79 Series are still available new with the 4.5l V8, If you are towing heavy it is a great choice and much cheaper than the other 3 options

It depends on your priorities in a vehicle.

All are very capable off road, including a new 70 series (76 series as we are talking wagons).

I think all would be roughly equally reliable over the next 5 years at least. If your priority is best value all round high performer and you will turn over in the next 5 years, my rating would be:

1. Defender - as best value all round performer on and off road. Probably reasonable re-sale after 5 years.
2. 300LC - a close second, a good performer on road, and off road, with a very solid track record for resale.
3. D5 - probably equally good all round performer on and off road to Defender, as pretty similar under the skin. But probably not as cheap or as good resale as a new Defender.

The 76 series is much cheaper than all the others and a very capable vehicle off road, but is no comparison to the others on road, both for comfort/features/handling and safety features. But the 76 series has a lot of old school appeal, and I almost bought one recently myself.

Thanks for the interesting responses so far.
I’m in the fortunate position of being able to buy what my heart desires not what my head suggests!
The comments on the LC 70/76 series are also interesting, but neither my heart nor my head are listening. I hired a 70 series ute a couple of years ago to complete a fishing trip to the NT after the D4 had a tantrum in Mt ISA and got a piggyback home on a tilt tray. It was a pathetic tow vehicle compared to the D4!

My heart seems to have the high ground ATM, and is yelling, “Defender”!

Originally Posted by Barraman

Thanks for the interesting responses so far.
I’m in the fortunate position of being able to buy what my heart desires not what my head suggests!
The comments on the LC 70/76 series are also interesting, but neither my heart nor my head are listening. I hired a 70 series ute a couple of years ago to complete a fishing trip to the NT after the D4 had a tantrum in Mt ISA and got a piggyback home on a tilt tray. It was a pathetic tow vehicle compared to the D4!

My heart seems to have the high ground ATM, and is yelling, “Defender”!

If money is no object... Just do it!

It’s a tough choice if your in the market to spend $120k. I until recently had a tdv8 L322, I test drove a new Defender, and found them to be pretty similar to drive. So the Defender is very good, and D5 is probably similar.

For me, I could afford but struggled to tie up that much money in a vehicle. Ultimately I decided to settle on two vehicles for the next few years:
* buy a near new diesel Subaru Outback Premium, economical, comfortable, very safe, reliable and very good for general touring and ok for some light off road work;
* invest some money into our D1 300tdi for more occasional serious off road work, as coil sprung, permanent dual range 4WD that is economical, comfortable, capable and simple/reasonably reliable (but old).

Originally Posted by Barraman

Thanks for the interesting responses so far.
I’m in the fortunate position of being able to buy what my heart desires not what my head suggests!

Stick a low km TDV8 in the D4?
Disco 4 Turbo Diesel V8