To buy or not to buy

[brumby.phil]

Hi all,
I'm brand spanking new to this forum and I'm here to ask all you land rover lovers which defender I want.
Firstoy I can't figure out why I want a defender
They look great, awesome 4x4 but comfort is non existing
Turning circle is like a road train. Infact I'm pretty sure cab over trucks have a better turning circle.they aren't the best value for your money, very basic...... verrrrry basic and noisey ... I could go on...
I can't point my finger on why on earth I want one.
Nevertheless I'm going to buy a 110 crew cab for practicality.

So is the 2.3 better then a 2.4?
Should I look at a wagon 2.5??

I have heard reliablity on all defenders are either greator horrible .
People have told me to buy a defender New with warranty then replace every 3 years.

I sure people on this forum would have asked these questions
And welcome the friendly banta

Phil

[vnx205]

They might not as comfortable as some other vehicles to sit in for a short time, but some of us find them much more comfortable to drive long distances than other vehicles.

They do what they are built to do better than others on the market.

If you plan to use the vehicle the way it was intended to be used, you will be happy.

If you use it most of the time for things it wasn't intended to be used for (like parking in underground car parks or trying to beat boy racers at the traffic lights), you might be unhappy.

There are advantages in being basic. Things that are not fitted cannot break down. I know I am not going to have the electric windows or heated seats fail on my defender because they aren't fitted.

The most important thing is don't believe anything you are told about Defenders by anyone who has never owned one.

On that basis, you can see from my signature that I am qualified to to make an informed comment.

[BilboBoggles]

"I can't figure out why I want a defender"

That's the first step in owning a Defender.

Comfort - The latest Defender model - especially if you option up the seats is actually quite good. Even the basic seats they had back in the days of the 2.5l TD5 were pretty good. I can't drive anything else now.

Reliability - If you have the money - I'd second getting the brand new one - especially if you work for a large company and can get the corporate discount with 3 years servicing for free.. Nothing like knowing you have no maintenance costs for three years! The latest one is perhaps the best of them all from a day to day use perspective. As with any vehicle buying second hand is a risk. Some Defenders go for years with no issues, and some are in need of constant tinkering. A lot of this depends on how particular you are. Some people will get annoyed at slight rattles and then spend a lot of money fixing things. If you are like this you'll probably spend a lot of time listening for things that need to be fixed, and then spend a fortune chasing them... (I'm a bit like that unfortunately.)


They are the best value for money - Quite simply there is nothing out there that is equivalent in capability and repair-ability.

[JDNSW]

Hi all,
I'm brand spanking new to this forum and I'm here to ask all you land rover lovers which defender I want.
Firstoy I can't figure out why I want a defender
They look great, awesome 4x4 but comfort is non existing
Current models are not too bas, and as mentioned, seats have always been good.

Turning circle is like a road train...

Not really. With a bit of practice you can maneuver the 110 most places in everyday driving - The 130 is a bit long and does have a larger turning circle, and the 90 is comparable to most medium sized cars.

I can't point my finger on why on earth I want one.
Nevertheless I'm going to buy a 110 crew cab for practicality.

I have heard reliablity on all defenders are either greator horrible .

Like any car, varies. Probably on average no worse than others.
People have told me to buy a defender New with warranty then replace every 3 years.
In three years you will not be able to buy them. The last will be sold in Australia perhaps as early as the end of this year, mand production is scheduled to cease next year. The replacement is unlikely to be anything resembling the current vehicle except cosmetically.
I sure people on this forum would have asked these questions
And welcome the friendly banta

Phil

There are a few points about the Defender you need to bear in mind, if you are considering buying.

1. They are the end of the line of development starting with the first Landrover in 1948. The last major restyling was in 1958, and many panels are still interchangeable back to then.

2. Unlike every other mass produced car built today, they are essentially hand assembled, bolted together. This makes it not only possible to have many different body styles, but to actually change a particular vehicle from one body style to another with nothing other than hand tools (ADRs etc limit what you can do today!) This bolt together construction, however, means that they are more prone to water leaks, rattles etc than more modern designs.

3. Despite the small motors, they have a higher disposable load and towing capacity than almost all of their competitors.

4. Offroad performance is superior to almost all competitors.

5. Hold their value very well - and with production ceasing soon, this is likely to continue.

6. Most parts are available for older Landrovers, even going back to 1948, and parts are generally cheap compared to other makes.

5. Most, but not all dealers seem to come in for a lot of criticism. And dealers are in short supply away from the major cities. But there are quite a few non-dealer specialists, some very good.

Hope this helps,

John

[rijidij]

...... "I can't figure out why I want a defender"............

I agree with Bilbo, this statement is a good indication that you should buy a Defender.

Go and have a test drive to confirm

Cheers, Murray

[rangieman]

I have owned 2 both bought 2nd hand a 300Tdi gone to heaven and a Extreme Td5 gone due to a marriage breakup , Both fantastic cars no issues with reliability and also comfortable .

I have driven many ks in both and never felt the need to get out to recover.

I still want one and will get another when the ex is done with
In the mean time im suffering in a D2a Td5 too quiet and too many gadgets cruise ac that cools a heater that works ect HDC , ABS , TC Lecky windows and the list goes on
Simplicity is a god send all because every other car out there has all the mod cons does not mean they are by far any better

Us landy tragics are inderviduals and enjoy the simpler things in life we dont do or follow what the crowds do . So at the end of the day go with your heart not what mod cons that others have.
Your choice mate

[dawsey]

As a 110 crew-cab owner myself. I think there the most versatile landy they make..I also thought long and hard about parting with my money. But over a year later I cant see why I left it so long..130 to big for me, and I'm not a wagon person (looked at a black 110 wagon, to me it looks like a funeral Hurst to much tin) My crew cab fits my needs perfectly. a few pics with smiley faces to help you make your decision easier. good luck!

[brumby.phil]

Wow
What great replys !!!
Ok so I'm definitely going to buy a crew cab 110
Silver😋

So have any people on this forum had a chance to try out the the 2.2 or the 2.4.
I believe the 2.2 has the dpf filter and I'm trying to stay away from that.
I can't notice any different between the 2 except for the engine cover and That maybe the 2.2 ran smoother.

Phil

[DeanoH]

Great shot Dawsey.

A handful of very happy looking vegemites


Deano

[dawsey]

Mines a 2.2lt , 2013my no dfp filter

Wow
What great replys !!!
Ok so I'm definitely going to buy a crew cab 110
Silver😋

So have any people on this forum had a chance to try out the the 2.2 or the 2.4.
I believe the 2.2 has the dpf filter and I'm trying to stay away from that.
I can't notice any different between the 2 except for the engine cover and That maybe the 2.2 ran smoother.

Phil