I'm torn...am I getting softer?

**one_iota** · 12th April 2021, 06:39 PM

I'm placing a bookmark.

My 2008 110 Defender has served me well. It has crossed every state and territory boundary in Australia with very few issues. Many roads and tracks are driven in low first and high range CDL locked. Stuff packed into the back and stuff on the roof. Extra fuel in the add-on tank and extra water on board.

However, like me, it isn't getting any younger...my adventures are less frequent.

An acquaintance remarked: "your vehicle has a lot of character". To which I replied: "Ït is rough, noisy, and dangerous".

Maybe this new Defender is my last new car?

Am I getting softer?

I'm looking to the old fashioned AULRO conversation

**Tins** · 12th April 2021, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by one_iota

My 2008 110 Defender has served me well. It has crossed every state and territory boundary in Australia with very few issues.

That's great.

Originally Posted by one_iota

To which I replied: "Ït is rough, noisy, and dangerous".

Is it any more dangerous now than when it did all of that?

Can't answer the question you ask, but I will say that you will miss the old 110 more than you imagine.

**OldGuy** · 12th April 2021, 08:27 PM

Well not wishing to be sacrilegious but I had a landcruiser 76 series which was a great outback touring vehicle (love that 4.2 V8), I hate to say it but it was as solid as a rock and l had the utmost faith in it. (Look up Dragon Tree soak as a place to visit). However it is what I would call a young man's car. Hard suspension and noisey as heck.

I sold it and got a my15 Discovery 4. We have a couple of outback trips under the belt now and all is good. The difference the ride and corrugated road comfort is night and day, so don't give up. Just look at the alternatives to keep doing what you enjoy doing.

Regards
Geoff

**one_iota** · 12th April 2021, 08:33 PM

Originally Posted by Tins

That's great.

Is it any more dangerous now than when it did all of that?

Can't answer the question you ask, but I will say that you will miss the old 110 more than you imagine.

I miss my Austin Healy Sprites, my Mini Moke, my Renault Fuego and my Alfa 75, and my Disco so maybe I can also miss my old Defender with equal passion and move on.

But I get what you say Tins.

**JDNSW** · 13th April 2021, 05:51 AM

Late production Defenders must be not as durable as the early 110s - mine is 35 years old and getting close to 3/4million kilometres. It is noisy (as it was when new) but still comfortable, and reliable.

Oh, and I will be eighty this year!

**Pedro_The_Swift** · 13th April 2021, 06:51 AM

I once fanged a '75 up the old Highway north of the Hornsby bridge, liftoff oversteer as I remember,,
and Yes. Yes you are getting soft. Deal with it. Buy the new one.

**Tins** · 13th April 2021, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by one_iota

I miss my Austin Healy Sprites, my Mini Moke, my Renault Fuego and my Alfa 75, and my Disco so maybe I can also miss my old Defender with equal passion and move on.

But I get what you say Tins.

I'm the same, miss my Cooper S, about a half dozen FIAT 124 Sport Coupés, my MGB. I wasn't faulting your choice even a little. Put the 110 in the nostalgia basket. Life changes direction constantly. The new car will probably be brilliant at serving your needs into the future. Enjoy.

**RANDLOVER** · 13th April 2021, 11:47 PM

Originally Posted by Tins

That's great.

Is it any more dangerous now than when it did all of that?

Can't answer the question you ask, but I will say that you will miss the old 110 more than you imagine.

Obviously the old 110 is not any more dangerous now vs then, but new cars are much safer. The old Defenders perform very badly in a roll over. The importance of roll cages - Land Rover Expedition

Roll cages, your views | Expedition Portal

**jspyle** · 14th April 2021, 07:07 AM

Look up Dragon Tree soak as a place to visit.

How did you get there?
Dragon tree soak, I mean, not old!

**JDNSW** · 14th April 2021, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by RANDLOVER

Obviously the old 110 is not any more dangerous now vs then, but new cars are much safer.............

Yes - but data from insurer statistics does not support the view that vehicle safety features such as airbags, roll cages, advanced cruise control etc have more than a very minor effect on the statistics. The overwhelming factor in almost all accidents is the driver, not the vehicle features.

As a prime example, the roll cages issue. Certainly, Defenders are vulnerable in a rollover, and are easier to roll than many sedans (although more difficult than some other large four wheel drives). But very few are actually rolled, simply because nearly all drivers recognise the risk and make sure it does not happen.

And while rollovers are relatively rare, they tend to make good pictures, and hence are "seen" to be commonplace. In over sixty years of driving I have seen the immediate results of many accidents, but can only recall four that involved rollovers - all were sedans, one having ended up upside down in the middle of the road, no idea how (straight road, good weather, no other vehicles involved), one upside down after running off the road following a rear wheel locking way over the speed limit on a new car, one upside down after leaving the road (excessive speed for the conditions, black ice and bald tyres), and one right way up after hitting a railway telegraph pole while travelling sideways after leaving the road at a speed estimated by the bloke behind him as about 160, then turning end over end. Driver was, according to the witness, who got him out relatively uninjured, "drunk as a lord".

I have only ever been involved in three significant accidents, none resulted in injury, and all were between two vehicles.

The most common serious accident in Australia is a collision with a solid object, either another vehicle or a tree or pole or other fixed object, and in probably 90% of cases a driver is the major factor. In about 40% of them, alcohol is a factor.

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