Help - Wife wants a Patrol, I am heart struck on Defender

[GlennWA]

Yesterday My Wife and I did the car yards looking for a new 4x4 family car that will seat 7. Firstly we were not impressed by Toyota and they will definitely not get our business. At the end of the day we had test driven the defender 2012 2.2L and patrol 2011 3.0L TD ST.

We had not seriously considered the patrol previously but the salesman, although not entirely pushy, did his job well and put a fantastic deal on the table. The patrol is about on par in price with all the options we want, but the defender may go over this price when options are added based on RRP, but we have yet to sit down and talk business with LR whereas Nissan was trying to sell their car today.

I am in two minds. I enjoyed the test drive of the defender and my wife thinks its cute. I test drove the Nissan and it felt par on performance and noise with the defender. Fuel consumption seems alike. Defender, I think has a better 3rd row of seats. To be honest I can't fault the Nissan and I can pick out faults with the defender easily due to my previous research eg space between door and seats and fuel tank size. BUT I still like the Defender and the Patrol just didn't inspire me.

My wife has fallen in love with the patrol. Comfort, car like seating, roomy driving position although she acknowledges the mirrors are better in Defender. Big point with the wife is that we both have to reach over to the gear stick whereas the nissan's is in a more natural position.

She also wants me to note to you that she has put up with Utes and Panel Vans of my choice for the last 8 yrs and thinks she deserves a little more comfort!!! (ugh her words not mine)

How can I convince her that comfort in the Defender is not a bad as it seems and that around town and on the hwy travelling interstate the defender is not so bad....maybe. The character and cuteness alone doesn't outway the comfort and I need more to convince her.

Help please....anyone.....

[slug_burner]

Defender seats are known to be comfortable for all day driving. You will get out and feel ok whereas many other seats that feel comfortable on a short run will leave you crippled after a day in the seat as they are too soft and don't support where they should.

All that aside you're on a hiding to nothing as we all know that "a happy wife = a happy life"

[vnx205]

Defender seats are known to be comfortable for all day driving. You will get out and feel ok whereas many other seats that feel comfortable on a short run will leave you crippled after a day in the seat as they are too soft and don't support where they should.

All that aside you're on a hiding to nothing as we all know that "a happy wife = a happy life"

A lot of people have discovered that the seats in some other vehicles are designed to feel great when you sit in them for a short time, (about as long as you would sit in them in a showroom. )

A lot of people have found that you don't begin to appreciate how comfortable the Defender seats are until you have driven for several hours.

Tell her that other seats are designed for a short sit; Defender seats are designed for a long drive.

[KarlB]

... The patrol is about on par in price with all the options we want, but the defender may go over this price when options are added based on RRP, but we have yet to sit down and talk business with LR whereas Nissan was trying to sell their car today.

And what are the options Glenn?

[GlennWA]

The main complaint is that the seats are too close to the doors. I notice around a half inch gap. Is there a method to move the seats inboard a tad? A quick search of the forums hasn't turned up anything apart from the 'mud' rails for extra leg room which wasn't a concern at all. Thanks in advance

[MR LR]

Another consideration would be, what is it replacing, if you are gtting out of a P38 rangie into a deefer, it will be a bit of a reality shock. My uncles had a Patrol as his work car for many years, my antie has always used landrovers from th family business, and to her the patrol was horrible, too massive and uncomfortable, i'd hate to park one aswell, bad Jap visibility. just my 2 cents

Cheers Will

[wrinklearthur]

Hi Glenn

Tell those sales bods that you are seriously considering buying their product, but you would like to take a demo vehicle out for a run and then go somewhere that both your and your wife like.

Make your decisions at the end of the day after you have had a run in each vehicle, give your comparisons to the Salesperson as competition does work, a better deal could be also had.

The Patrol is more car like, with a reputation for having a bullet proof transmission and their down side is that spares cost more (IMHO).
The Defender is not quite as bling as a Patrol, but is a easier vehicle to do longer trips in, with more room for fitting out the inside with gear and when the time comes, the resale should be a lot better.
.

[GlennWA]

And what are the options Glenn?

Hello Karl the options I am considering are the tow pack, expedition roof rack, snorkel, sun hatch, bullbar and long range tanks. The last two I believe I will have to go to aftermarket sources.

[wrinklearthur]

The main complaint is that the seats are too close to the doors. I notice around a half inch gap. Is there a method to move the seats inboard a tad? A quick search of the forums hasn't turned up anything apart from the 'mud' rails for extra leg room which wasn't a concern at all. Thanks in advance

JC has done that to his latest Defender, give him a PM.

[Cakez.Hock]

What about a new disco. Personally I'd go the defender as the intercoolers on the patrols are know to burst and that the one thing that in not coved. At lest when LR says warranty it means warranty. Maybe talk to LR and see if you can get a deal if you tell them you like the new Patrol.