Desicions, new or near new

[matt39788]

I have a problem, I am on my way back from Australia from my few months away travelling the globe, and it's time for me to purchase my next LR when I get back. I am weighing up weather to buy a new Defender or a low milage TD5 and spend a bit more money setting it up with goodies. I was wondering what are peoples opinions on the 2.4 motor and the new dash does it outway the old one at all, I used to own a 300tdi Disco before and was very happy with it, but need more room for extended trips away, so a defender is the next size up.

Some opinions from owners would be appreciated, is the 2007 Defender so much better than the TD5's it replaced.

Matt

[CapeLandy]

would love also to hear some replies. I am on my way on Friday night to fetch my new Puma 110 but am still jittery due to repayments. (10 hours drive away from here)
Might have a quick look at the second hand lot if i'm not 100% sure and spend probably a lot less. Depends on the replies that i'm sure will follow in the morning when you blokes wake up. about 3 hrs from now I thinks.

cheers
James

[Greylandy]

I don't think the improved interior is significant enough to justify an upgrade BUT ... If I was to upgrade from a TD5 to a new one, it will be for the following reasons:

Engine: Smoother and more torque
Gearbox: Six gears (Must be more enjoyable cruising at 120kph)
3 Year LR warranty (Gold!)

Not sure if these items are worth 10-15K over a late model TD5.

Late model TD5's are priced from 35k - 42K. Chances are most will come with some gear on it already.

Parting Thoughts: If you are going to buy a landy to keep for the next 10 years .. get a new one.

[Xavie]

IN my opinion it is not worth going new. Not for the extra money. You can buy some extra warranty for an older model that has no factory warranty left.

Xav

[Quarks]

I must first say that I'm biased (see my sig!),

We went for a near new td5 Defender, rather than go for a new td5, or wait for the current model to come out.
Part of the decision was that the td5's problems are more or less all known and testing has been done (on the early models! ). But then you have to weigh up whether that set of problems is better than the ones that come with the new one.
But I do like what I'm hearing about the driveline of the new Defender.
The dash doesn't (didn't) do it for me, and we wanted vents (previously we had a 110 County without them).

[rumman43]

Mate I hear what you are saying..
I'm losing sleep over whether a new one is worth selling my current 02 xtreme with all the fruit for...
My biggest downer is we are having a baby...
Mywife and i went away for the aust weekend here in perth..a long hot high speed drive..
the wife is not happy that our car aircon and noise are up to scratch..
Her Frind has a new PRADO and loves it..
yep you guessed she wants a new one..
Anyhow managed to get her into the DEFENDER demo hare in perth...
was a 37 C day...had the aircon speed on 2 could talk and was nice and cool..,
went out on the freeway..2000rpm at a hundred..heaps of legs left..
The warrenty is three years with roadside assist (anywhere)... SHe said big improvement in creature comforts ..now to see what we get.
for 30000 you'll geta great TD5 for 56000 you'll get a new beastie.
If money is tight go a TD5 they are still awesome in my book..
If money is not the problem go NEW....
ab

[solmanic]

I went with a new Defender for the following reasons:

1. The engine is soooo much smoother and more pleasant to drive in traffic. Torque is so linear and starts from so low down that I rarely find myself revving over 2500rpm.
2. The 6th gear is so much higher that highway driving is far less stressful. Most of the time is spent pootling around on IDLE.
3. The clutch and gear shift action are not so heavy and truck-like (this is really what sold it to my wife).
4. The air conditioning (when it is working) is so much better that the old one and necessary - particularly in Qld.
5. The cabin sealing is heaps better than the Td5 - no leaks, no dust, less noise generally.
6. The back seat is capable of carrying actual human beings.
7. The general interior design feels like something from this century - a much nicer place to be when sitting in traffic.
8. It was the right time to trade-up from my 02MY Td5 - the changeover dollars were acceptable.
9. I got the GST back anyway since it is used for work purposes.
10. I just bloody-well WANTED IT!

The things I miss about the Td5:
1. It was a hell of a good car in great condition.
2. I feel like I've gone "soft".
3. I miss the extras I had on the old one - but they will come in time.
4. I miss the idiosyncracies of the old Defender dash.
5. I miss the opening vents - but with the new A/C that is now really only me being nostalgic.

I hope this helps with your decision - but just take a new one for a test drive and, if possible, do it back to back with a Td5. A test drive will probably convince you - it convinced my WIFE.

[Michael2]

Matt, why not run around in a 300Tdi Defender for a couple of years and wait to see what improvements will be made to the current model?

Who knows, a TDV6 in a couple of years may well be worth the wait, but a changeover to that from an '07 won't be as economically viable as a change over from a 300Tdi. A good 300Tdi Defender shouldn't see too much depreciation in 2 years.

[Greylandy]

Matt, why not run around in a 300Tdi Defender for a couple of years and wait to see what improvements will be made to the current model?

Who knows, a TDV6 in a couple of years may well be worth the wait, but a changeover to that from an '07 won't be as economically viable as a change over from a 300Tdi. A good 300Tdi Defender shouldn't see too much depreciation in 2 years.

I doubt we will see an engine change before the all new Defender is launched in 2013. Look at the history;

300tdi 1992-1998
TD5 1999-2006

The only reason to wait for a few years is to see if the current model throws up any gremlins.

[solmanic]

I doubt we will see an engine change before the all new Defender is launched in 2013.

Yeah - why don't you wait for the Tata-tin can Defender. It will be the same basic shape but made out of old Coke cans and bits of street signs. The interior will be more plastic than a TV evangelist's wife and it will probably use an Indian 3cyl deiesel that dates back to colonial times.

Build quality might still be about the same though...