Thread: Buying 05/06 Defender

I use my 110 for a lot of piddly commuting crap around Brisbane and I must admit it is not the most convenient thing to drive BUT it is ALWAYS FUN! My other car is a classic Alfa Romeo which is fun in a whole different way but I would have to say the choice of which to drive is a coin toss each morning.

Yes, the Defender has the turning circle of a Collins class submarine.
Yes, you can back the Defender over four or five small cars in the Woolies car park without noticing.
Yes, the Defender is noisy and after half an hour in stop start traffic your clutch leg starts to get the shakes.
and Yes, everyone behind you moves to the other lane because they think you'll be too slow off the lights.
BUT
I rarely get worse than 10l/100km fuel economy AROUND TOWN.
I can see over just about everything in front which helps me pick the best lane.
I can help all of my mates move house at once (because the Defender has supreme cargo space, not because I have very few friends).
I CAN keep up with the traffic off the lights.
And I am sure that my drive to wherever is more satisfying than the guy in the Patrol or Cruiser or Soft-roader next to me.

You have correctly identified that there is a feeling about piloting a Defender which you don't get in other 4WDs. You're halfway between a regular car and a truck. If I wasn't a Landrover fan I would admit that driving one in everyday city traffic is sometimes as inconvenient and frustrating as Telstra. But I am (and I think we all are) a Landrover fan so that stuff doesn't apply.

I like the Defender because it is about the only "real" 4WD left on the market. I like the heritage and image of the brand. I like the fact that I have a vehicle with a hose-out interior but keyless entry, electric windows and most of the other mod cons and real load carrying ability which costs as much to run as a Toyota Camry. And I like the fact that other Defender drivers wave at me and I can come to websites like this to find answers to my every question and crap on about how great it is to be a Defender owner.

Well said, but do you mean central locking rather then keyless entry, or did I get gyped when I bought mine?? :?:

Yes - keyless entry. All late model defenders (I think 2002 onwards) are shipped with keyless entry however, due to import taxing or something the fob is not sold with the car (go figure). You just need to get a service centre to sell you a fob and program it and Bob's your uncle. The fob also activates the alarm (which is also fitted but disabled) and immobiliser.

Well strap my face to the side of a pig and roll me in the mud! 8O $50+K and they never even mentioned the option, spose now they"ll tell me 3 years on its too late or to retro fit it costs and arm and a leg and my first born daughter! Any idea on costs??? :?: Sorry about the hijack, but it is relevant as this sort of stuff is all part of the character of LR ownership.

About $200. The fob itself is $170-ish and the rest depends on how nice your authorised LR guy is. I have had two of these done for an 02 and an 03 Defender and each time it took a couple of goes for the programming to "stick". You can also choose whether or not to have a horn chirp or flashing lights etc. Be warned, though, if you are out bush and leave the car unlocked for any length of time, you need to give two presses of the unlock button (or lock the car and unlock it again) to de-immobilise the car when you try to start it.

I think this is not a commonly known feature of late model Defenders and certainly bears thinking about if you're in the market for one. I changed from a vehicle with keyless entry and you sure notice it when it's not there!

Well bugger me gently .......
The keyless bit's a new one on me, I'll be onto the stealer tomorrow :!: :!:

Cheers