Originally Posted by
blackrangie
It's funny the Toyota reliability marketing, they don't put this in the ads [emoji23]
As most know, the track massively(4inches!) different front to back
Uncomfortable and restrictive leafs that hang under rear axle housing.
Fix both above $10k
Alternator that fails on nearly every decent offroad trip(Last a few weeks in mines) $3k fix to watercooled
Starter in valley fails if you get water into bonnet vent as it doesn't drain out and starter dies. No fix I've heard and very very hard to get to.
no auto option, trucklike manual* high rpm @ 110kph auto fix but good conv $20k
fake snorkel factory let's water in, safari 4inch fix
bad handbrake, Nissan patrol Mark's 4x4 fix.
Injectors are very susceptible to dirt and water, need high quality pre filter.
Basically fundamentally badly engineered driveline leaves you fighting two different ruts on beach and unstable rear on hills, fundamental parts of engine are unreliable due to location of Alt and starter and fuel setup, snorkel that is meant for water crossing causes engine failure if not fixed. Handbrake can cause death.
They lift front wheels like crazy on steep hills especially when loaded and gets even worse with 79 traybacks that get heavy canopy added by most.
Injectors can leave you stranded in the outback.
Most above fixable but you must add all that onto the purchase price if you want to use it offroad properly. Above is already around 35-40k.
Real price new is 100k if you want to address some of the issues, thats before you start the real mods that everyone does to them to try and keep up with the landies in the ruff stuff ha.
125k easy with mods.
In Gwagon commercial territory now.
Now defenders have their problems too, but I don't remember them being anywhere near as long or as fundamentally bad as the above.
Or for 100k you could get a good LR shop to build a very reliable big lap capable low k 2015/2016 defender with all the fruit.
For 125k you would have a dream Defender,Disco, Rangie with LS3/6L80 or your choice of desiel/auto, Ford 9 rear and all the fruit.
Just my take on reality, don't mean to offend, just what I've heard from others and mechsnics that work on them, maybe Toyota has fixed some of the above, however they are certainly not a step up from a built defender if real 4x4 and touring is what your into imo.