[Closed] Land Rover Defender as every day car..Yes or No?

Plenty of other 4x4's that are cheaper and better put together (i am a Landrover fan) and more frugal in my opinion, its more an enthusiasts vehicle rather than everyday, comfort is lacking too it really is a utility vehicle. I couldn't live with my old 90 from years ago as an everyday car ended up with a Discovery in the end, but that was a fair few years ago when i didn't mind getting under the bonnet and low mpg but at todays prices for fuel and servicing, no thanks.

Had one while our freelander was in the shop and it was pretty awful on the road, especially the motorway, lots of play in the steering, noisy, uncofortable seats and position. Good space in the back, obviously great off-road and good for towing. Weekend car, not an everyday car for me.

EDIT: That's probably not want you wanted to hear. I meant they're great, buy one now! 🙂

How clean are your fingernails?

Was chasing an F reg one at 85 in the outside lane of the M^ this morning.

That's 1968 F reg....

I thought the later ones may be a bit better but sounds not to be the case.
The Mrs really wants one and the off-road ability would be good.
Shame, they really do look good and could get round the poor fuel consumption as it will do short distances but cant be having a car thats forever off the road wanting repairs.
I have no knowledge or skills when it comes to car repair so sounds like Im best to shelv that one.

It will be mainly used by my wife on her short country commute.

Two questions. 1) Does this commute involve crossing several fields? 2) If she's the one going to be driving it every day, does she actually want one?

I'd look at other options. What is the (real)reason for wanting a 4X4?

I love them - I really do, but they are horrible to drive and to live with.

Refinement is non-existent. The steering is heavy & vague, the heater blower is rubbish, the ergonomics are terrible, the suspension is gash, the gear change nasty and it'll be awfui to park (its for your wife!!)

Just remember, they were designed in the late 1940s and nothing much has changed

As i said - i absolutly love them - but i also love old Mini's, Escorts and Morris Minors - but i couldn't live with one every day

It's a bit like going out on a riged MTB from the early 90s......

Great fun, but i couldn't do it for every ride! 😀

I wouldn't buy a 90 for any kind of commute unless you will be regularly dealing with snow, trying to get in and out of fields etc. If you're worried about a dusting of snow once a year and really want a 4x4 then 12k will get you a lot newer and more comfortable vehicles than a 90.

This is coming from someone who has driven most types of Land Rover and I own a Discovery 1 (which I don't drive every day). I think owners of proper Land Rovers fall into two categories - Those that need them for the type of work/leisure activities they do and those that are enthusiasts or both

Go and and drive one first. We looked at them a few years ago and after a test drive discounted it as an everyday car on the grounds that they're crap, slow, noisy, vague, uncomfortable, slow, crap, noisy, vague and crap.

Just bought a 21y.o. Defender 90 though as our 'other' car - it's ace.

Get one, but then again don't.

I'd say go for it. I'm massive fan of defenders and for a short county commute they're ideal. Your good lady will be able to see over the hedges and even run onto the verges if some nob in a peugeot tries to run her off the road. As long as she is happy driving one as they have a heavy gearchange/steering etc. I also prefer the TD5 as the new TDCi is much less practical due to having two forward facing seats in the back rather than the normal 4 inward facing (If you're thinking of having any seats in the back that is.....

if some nob in a peugeot tries to run her off the road.

I used to run one everyday and they're great, but I fall into the enthusiast catagory. Even I found them hard going if you're just driving to and from work in them. I now run a car for my commute and this at the weekend

[img] [/img]

Have we met?

😆 Personal experience mate, I drive half an hour to work each morning on very small lanes, I often have to throw my car into the hedge to avoid some tit in a 306 who seems to find it acceptable to do 70 round blind corners.

I wanted one a few years ago but the missus vetoed it. Whatever you do, don't compromise and get a Freelander - we did (not Freelander 2, they might be better) and ended up with the worst of both worlds!

Now our two boys are approaching the age where we can go camping etc I'm starting to yearn for a 110. Eeeh, summer holidays, load it up with all you could possibly need and more, then drive to a field somewhere and set up camp. After dropping the missus at the nearest 5 star spa hotel that is!

This is not an easy question:

I have a Defender as my everyday car, I only do about 2000 miles a year though.

Noisy, cramped, thirsty, leak, etc.

I love mine it makes me grin ear to ear when I drive it.

However, much better cars on the Market etc...

Drive one, do some distance in it, make your own mind up. But go with your eyes wide open.

I have had a couple of Landrovers and they really must be a labour of love otherwise they will cause no end of grief. As a commuter i wouldn't use one but they are huge fun for this 😀

[IMG] [/IMG]

To OP. The answer is No to Defender ...

My friend was so into Defender 90/110 until I introduced him to Toyota Landcruiser. No comparison ... Toyota wins hand down.

He paid £15K for it and he was very surprised that the Japs could build such good 4x4 ... 🙄

If you don't have the time to mess around with your 4x4 then go for Toyota Landcruiser.

My favourite is old Toyota FJ40 which is not produced anymore but I just hope Toyota will produce an updated version of this in future.

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Personal experience mate, I drive half an hour to work each morning on very small lanes, I often have to throw my car into the hedge to avoid some tit in a 306 who seems to find it acceptable to do 70 round blind corners.

I've used them for work in fact I've pretty much driven every 4x4 in the UK and what I say is this "People drive landrovers then try another 4x4 and don't drive them again."

Even if you use them off road day to day as I did there great at one thing only off road, there crap at carring anything (not enough room) and really heavy on juce.

If you want a tool for work go for a Hilux other than that I'd have a look at the car mags and see whats recommended. For a personal vehicle I had a dicovery for 12 month and I had more hassel with that than a Vitara I had for nearly 10 years!

I drove one last month for the first time since passing my driving test in one round Colchester in 1994. Noisy, slow, awful steering, uncomfortable......felt dangerous to drive tbh. Pal at work lent me his, he's an enthusiast, has this orange monstrosity pimped out to the max. I really wouldnt.

As above, love them, but crap for general road work, just not the tool for the job. However for lower average speed short journeys they are fine and even fun, so long as you readjust your expectations. A eurobox they are not. They don't constantly break down, they just need to be looked after, that's all.

Agreed, I had one and for a short commute it was fantastic, I loved the feeling it gave me every day when I climbed in. I actually looked forward to driving to work!! However when my commute increased and involved motorways, things changed and I soon replaced it with a golf! However this was four years ago and the TDCi ones are miles better than my TD5 was for motorway work.

Friend bought the 2005 Toyota Landcruiser 90 series or Prado like this one.

[img] [/img]

If you can find one with the spare tyre underneath the rear boot go for that one because those with spare tyre on the rear door might become too heavy for the rear door in the long run, as well as blocking rear vision a bit.

I've know a few country lane drivers (ref above comments)and what tends to happen is one day/ night you, if your luck is in, will wake up in a hospital bed or if your luck is out don't ever know what happend to themselves.

I've on more times than I care to remmber helped recovery teams pull vehilces out of woods, fields streams and rivers.

After the air ambulance/ parmedics have carted off the smart arse who though they were gods gift to rally drving on public roads.

Ummmmm..
A lot of good advice and very contradictory.
We do live out in the sticks a bit and have had experience of having to walk the last two miles when my car gets stuck in the snow (Peugeot 307 SW) so defender would be good from that point of view. Have no intention of doing any proper off-roading but like the idea of it not mattering if it gets a few 'war wounds'.
Wife currently destroys alloy wheels on her Audi and it is constantly full of rubbish after trips to dump or garden centre etc, so thought the LR would do the job. She had a series 2 for 10 years or so before I met her and had a 1975 beetle until I bought her a proper car so is well used to no heater poor handling, leaking etc..etc. She does do a fair bit of horse riding too so that often involves muddy fields and piles of hay in the back of the car. She commutes mostly on country roads into local town.

In that case I'd say either go for a Land Cruiser type or 10k on a new car and 2k on a 4X4 for the really crappy days.

Sounds like she knows what she is getting into, so go for it. I'd probably go for a late 300tdi one though and save some of the cash. Worst case is you have to sell - and you'll get your money back.

Sounds like she'd get on just fine with a defender in my opinion.

specialknees - Member

Ummmmm..
A lot of good advice and very contradictory.

Just buy a Landcruiser and drive carefully is all you need.

It is not illegal to own and to drive a 4x4 so I don't see any problem with driving one everyday for school runs, shopping, cruising etc ... If others want to drive into your 4x4 that's their problems.

🙄

How about a TDi Toureg in V10 form? Plenty of them for £12k, can't possibly imagine why

Looking at a TDi 2008 tomorrow, mileage is a bit high at 80k but its just within my price range.
Seller says its great on the motorway (he would though wouldnt he) and has six speed gearbox.
Its a station wagon 90 so six seats I think but forgot to ask.
Aparently has central locking, electric windows etc so seems prety modern...for a Land Rover.
Then again?

Remember to let the Mrs test drive 'her' car 😉

Let's us know how it drives ... 😀

Then try out a Landcruiser ...

if it is 2008 it'll be a TDCi, same engine as a transit. Superb engine and less problematic for high miles than the TD5's 6 speed box makes them much quieter and easier to live with than the older engines. As I mentioned before though, when the TDCi model came out (you can tell a TDCi by the hump in the bonnet!) it had to comply with EU safety regs and couldn't be fitted from new with inward facing seats. makes them much less practical with two full size front facing seats in the back.

If its for country lanes they are great. Who care about body work. All the stuff about comfort is relative. Of course they are not Range Rovers but I would rather take my 110 to Scotland than my Dads's 1950's Daimler.
Who needs 70+ except dimwits who speed?
Fuel consumption will hurt though. Try a few out first. Buy a landrover mag or join a forum. Try difflock.com

Thanks guys, some good advice there.
I will let you know how I get on with the test drive.
Mrs is already driving it in her mind so its going to have to be really bad to talk her out of it.

This could be the start of a life changing experience I didnt really need.

How bad is Bad fuel consumption?
She currently drives an Audi 3.2 V6 Auto, Surely not as bad as that??

Personally, as an everyday car I wouldn't recommend one for all the reasons given by others. I'd agree with what others have said about them being an enthusiasts car - if you love 'em, you love 'em! Worth bearing in mind that they're quite a different drive to most old cars/car designs - quite agricultural compared to a beetle (even my mates 'old scrote' beetle!).

If your OH is still really interested in a Landy, try and get a decent long demo of one, or even better, hire one from a specialist for a day or two. If she wants the Defender look, but wants something a little more refined, and much better built, you could have a look at a Mercedes G-Wagen - or, much as it pains me to say, get a Toyota.

p.s.

This could be the start of a life changing experience I didnt really need.

Resist at all cost! 😀

dont listen to the crap above - buy one.
My daily driver for 6 years is my 1991 110. Im 6'6", comfort is fine, heater is fine in winter, 100% reliable,
Wife likes driving it, tows our 3.5t Ifor trailer no probs, easiest car I've ever owned to service. Plenty of specialist garages for repair work, massive online community.

However they are complex bits of kit, lots of oily bits and service items - gearbox, transfer box, 2x diffs, 2x hub swivels, 2x propshafts etc etc. Unreliable ones are ones that have been abused or neglected.

Buy one now - BUT make sure you look at lots - and take someone with you who knows them inside out, if you dont like it sell in autumn and dont loose any money. Or keep it wait till the kids leave home and drive to Capetown in it.

Mine
[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7289188564_1b48382cb8_b.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7089/7289188564_1b48382cb8_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/laralookfabulous/7289188564/ ]DSC01495[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/laralookfabulous/ ]Laralookfabulous[/url], on Flickr

Toyota = heavy and expensive on parts.
G Wagen - heavy and rust on the back ends plus expensive parts

panda (4x4) ?

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igmc.

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An Icon Bronco? If I ever get to live the Beckham life, this'll be mine!

Just checked, the one I am looking at tomorrow only has two seats in the back, so not ideal.
I have lined up a few more to look at. One of them is not a genuine station wagon aparently but has windows and still seats four in the back + the two up front. I suppose it must be a converted van? not sure if that makes a difference though.
Been doing a bit of research and all the late (Puma?) ones have the front facing rear seats and only two so now looking at up to 2004.
Seen a real nice 2002 one with low miles but sides look a bit rippled. Guy selling says most people expect that but I dont on an otherwise nice looking car. Also a friend of a friend has a V8 for sale.I took a look on the way home from work, I know im mad but as it will do very low miles I like the sound of it (literally). Didnt drive it as not insured but he took me up the road in it and it was well..strange but I liked it. Mmmmmm....tempted.!

meh, a colleague or two owns them and every other person drives them (110's) round here. I have one outside on hire again this weekend for work.
For driving up hillsides, carrying dogs and sheep, pulling outsize trailers or razzing around as part of MRT team (colleague has one with flashy lights and searchlights and everyfink) they are ace.
For drving on road, paying the bills, reliability, noise etc, no, no, no.
But they do put a smile on your face. Usually wiped off by a visit to [url= http://www.lixtoll.com/ ]Lix Toll[/url] for the next bill.

my mates sisters an archaeologist, and is regularly given the use of a decent/recent (2006 or newer?) 110 with the monster TD5 engine in it, she has a 15-30mile commute in it from where she drops her corsa c off and runs the landy.

She hates it, its a menace to manhandle (or girly handle, and she is very girlie, and tiny, has to practically hang her entire body weight off the steering wheel to get it to turn), she literally physically cannot manhandle it into a space let alone any other factor. and once in a bogged out field, its not that much easier!

Often, unless its been raining for days she just takes the standard 1.2 corsa C and just charges the muddy patchs of the fields to get on and off site each day.

If you HAVE to have a 4x4, make sure its one she can get to grips with. Disco 3's are nice, and bargain cheap already, early Disco3 + TD5's are popping up at well under £10k even on dealer forecourts.

How about a HiLux Surf? Fully covered, which does discount the .50cal or rocket pod in the back, but almost indestructible, and your classic insurgent's vehicle of choice.

I know nothing about Defenders, apart from that they look awsum. Sorry for OT, but shurely Landrover would clean up if they found a way to mate the Defender body with a modern 4x4 underneath?

Matt - does lix toll still have the tracked one and the big wheel one ?

[img] [/img]
[url= http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3634/3575657581_7ea44b10e7_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3634/3575657581_7ea44b10e7_z.jp g"/> ?zz=1[/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/homer----simpson/3575657581/ ]HBW 956D - 1966 Land Rover Series IIA- Forest Rover @ Lix Toll[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/homer----simpson/ ]homer----simpson[/url], on Flickr

my God there is a lot of flannel and bulls**t on this thread!

I ran a 1996 TDI 110 as an 'everyday' car for 6 years between 2000 and 2006, I then ran a Discovery as my only car from 2006 to 2009.
I've also had a lot of experience with Td%'s and various other 4x4s.

The Defender was awesome at some tasks (towing, off-road, camping and other 'jobs') but tough-going on long motorway hauls.. however I did drive it home from Germany to London in one hit, so it is possible to do long days.
If your wife only has a short commute it will be OK.

The important point is that it isn't your only car - so won't be needed for long runs.
only bit of advice I'd give is unless you are either a business user (who buys or leases new) or stinking rich, you need to be an enthusiast.
If you just take it to a dealer/specialist everytime something goes wrong it'll bleed you dry.
They do need more looking-after than some other vehicles, but can be very reliable if you get a good one, and look after it.
Go and look at a few, with an open mind...

(Faps at TJ's pics)

She had a series 2 for 10 years or so before I met her

It is already in her blood - there's nothing you can do now but buy a set of spanners and a Haynes manual.

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ah well, thats it then, if she could put up with an S2 for 10years then she is made of sturner stuff than we are giving her credit for.

Get a decent TD5 90 and a constant supply of tea, biscuits and swarfega, and she'll be in her element.

Seen a real nice 2002 one with low miles but sides look a bit rippled.

I thought they all came rippled from new as a default factory extra 🙂

Try a few, they all drive different. The access team 110 TD5 is at true lemon, slow clutch, bad brakes, shaky steering, sticky turbo, whilst the 110 HCPU ran lovely before we sold it. Our 90 is pretty tidy, although has suffered from some heavy towing. My main work driver is a new 130, but that is a pretty big rare tool. Would happily drive them all the time if never went more than 50 miles, but our 130 tdci is pretty comfortable further.

And the key thing about the 08 is the quantum leap in heater performance

Just checked, the one I am looking at tomorrow only has two seats in the back, so not ideal.
I have lined up a few more to look at. One of them is not a genuine station wagon aparently but has windows and still seats four in the back + the two up front. I suppose it must be a converted van? not sure if that makes a difference though.
Been doing a bit of research and all the late (Puma?) ones have the front facing rear seats and only two so now looking at up to 2004.
Seen a real nice 2002 one with low miles but sides look a bit rippled. Guy selling says most people expect that but I dont on an otherwise nice looking car. Also a friend of a friend has a V8 for sale.I took a look on the way home from work, I know im mad but as it will do very low miles I like the sound of it (literally). Didnt drive it as not insured but he took me up the road in it and it was well..strange but I liked it. Mmmmmm....tempted.!

The 2 seats in the back jobbie is a TDCi (Puma), have a look at it anyway as the dash/heater set ups are a lot better than the TD5's and previous and more like a eurobox.

Forget the V8, the last factory fit V8's were 1986/7ish, so is someones conversion of unknown quality.

All Defender have ripples in the panelwork, its the way they are made unless its localised damage/dents in the soft Birmabrite (aluminium) panels.

Find yourself a nice, as late as possible, unabused TD5, mileage is unimportant but condition and history is.

Don't forget 50th V8

Im on my second defender,

My first was an ex mod 110 ffr tum, basically a military spec 110 on a better chassis but with a 2.5na engine and squaddie interior , not uncomfortable but slow and firsty and very green, miss it ,

Just bought a 2010 puma 110 xs , leather seats , disco dash all the trimmings , lovely powerful engine , fantastic to drive
Really refined , the intake roar takes a little getting used to but would hugely recommend the tdci's,

Still leaks though 🙂 and only does around 450 miles to a tank full of derv, but smiles all round

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OP I'm an offroad nerd and they're pretty decent in the muck but terrible as a car. Just get yourself an old Subaru Forester, it will last forever and cost peanuts.

Well, I have done it.
Bought a 2002 TD5 90. Its got all the bits on it and has only covered 35K miles.

It drives like a tractor as far as Im concerned but wife loves it. Running cost will remain to be seen, it has just been serviced so got a while before it needs another.

Time will tel.

Thanks to all those that have contributed.

Congratulations!

Time to buy the spanners and:

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Good luck, I have a '96 110 and at the moment would not dry it daily but hoping to get that fixed soon. The TD5 though should be a better engine although this could probably be debated here for a week! 😆

If you have the injector harness problem just email me as I can fix it permanently.

I have also been advised that it should be chipped but only the basic upgrade (circa £500) to give it a little more power.

I will be upgrading soon to a 110 like yours so if anyone would like a 17 year old 300TDi 110 then email me - mail in profile.

the thing is if she did 10 years in a series 2 shes obviously a nut ....

i love driving in my 90 , no matter what fast cars ive been in nothing puts a smile on my face like my 90.

trying to mate my 2.5TD with blowing piston ring 90 up to a disco v8 - proving harder than i thought to find a v8 that isnt ****ed or lpg'D !

ran that as a daily driver for a year and it was fine. i think id buy a 110 if i was doing it again though.

Congratulations!
Mine is a 2002 90 as well and im off home now to replace a faulty wiper motor (removed the dash last night) and re-bleed the clutch. What a pig of a job that is!
Like people have said though, you either love them or hate them. I absolutely love mine and would never be without it!

Oh, and now we need pictures of course!

trying to mate my 2.5TD with blowing piston ring 90 up to a disco v8 - proving harder than i thought to find a v8 that isnt **** or lpg'D !

TrailRat - try Bankhead Discovery Spares 07969961385. Last time I was in there they had a Disco 1 with a 3.9V8 they were breaking. BDS are next door to the Lesloe Bike Shop in Thornton Fife. They know their onions. They also have a huge stock of Discovery TD5 parts.

They also trade under bankhead.caravans on ebay.

''shes obviously a nut''

Yep,
Certainly not all the ticket.
I desperatly tried to talk her out of it, took her for a test drive for the second time in a Porsche Boxster S and she prefered the Land Rover, Aparently Its more Her.! Whatever that means.

So Got the Haynes Manual on order. Found a Greese gun in the garage, so...
Bring it on.

OT, and totally irrelevant now given the OP's last posts, but...

not Freelander 2, they might be better

Freelander 2's are much better than the 1. They also come in useful for towing out 'proper' Jap 4x4s when they get stuck:

[img] [/img]

Nice one 😀

They're ace!

Nice try with Boxter, it must mean your missus prefers an old overweight unreliable Brit over a faster German model

To OP, enjoy the 4x4 ... take it off road. 😀

zokes - Member

OT, and totally irrelevant now given the OP's last posts, but...

not Freelander 2, they might be better

Freelander 2's are much better than the 1. They also come in useful for towing out 'proper' Jap 4x4s when they get stuck:

LOL! That looks like a Nissan Petrol in the pic ... errmm ... in certain part of the world that is not a proper off roader ...

My friend used to drive a Nissan Petrol and we thought he was driving a tank ...

[i]Freelander 2's are much better than the 1. They also come in useful for towing out 'proper' Jap 4x4s when they get stuck:[/i]

1's are fine (and cheap now), and tbh I'd have suggested that your wife drove a couple before you bought the 'shed'. My Misses has nearly 100k on now and drives pretty well, plus able to tow a box 2 horses across fields etc.

Did you really spend £12.5k on a 10 year old Defender?

LOL! That looks like a Nissan Petrol in the pic ... errmm ... in certain part of the world that is not a proper off roader ...

Well, in the hot, dry, sandy (yet perennially flooded) Great Southern Land, it seems the only thing LandCruiser or Patrol owners can agree on is how crap our beloved Land Rovers are - especially Freelanders. I'm still not entirely sure the driver was happier for being rescued by a Pom in a 'toy' 4wd, as opposed to us just leaving him there. I think his mates were making this an even larger dilemma for him 😉

zokes - Member

Well, in the hot, dry, sandy (yet perennially flooded) Great Southern Land, it seems the only thing LandCruiser or Patrol owners can agree on is how crap our beloved Land Rovers are - especially Freelanders. I'm still not entirely sure the driver was happier for being rescued by a Pom in a 'toy' 4wd, as opposed to us just leaving him there. I think his mates were making this an even larger dilemma for him

Well, it's a Nissan Petrol ... petrol drinking monster ...

It's a Nissan Petrol like this one or also known as Ford Maverick or
Nissan Safari ... [img] [/img]

I can bet you even beauty saloon Suzuki Vitara can get out of those situation easily ... 😆

I've used one for my commute for 4yrs now.

They are cold, damp, smelly, uncomfortable, noisy things.

You've really got to want one, and if you do, nothing else will scratch the itch.

The Defender is about as comfortable as trying to pogo stick down the road on a garden spade. My Dad had a 90, and he sold it a few weeks after he bought it because it was horrendous. And he's a farmer...

They are cold, damp, smelly, uncomfortable, noisy things.

Great Basin Rover's t shirt sums it up well;

I can bet you even beauty saloon Suzuki Vitara can get out of those situation easily ...

Well, he was up to his sills, but I think that was mostly driver error. Still quite impressed to have got him out though - over a ton of weight difference between the two, and he was very very stuck...

The trick with sand is to keep moving. His problem is he stopped...

zokes - Member

Well, he was up to his sills, but I think that was mostly driver error. Still quite impressed to have got him out though - over a ton of weight difference between the two, and he was very very stuck...

The trick with sand is to keep moving. His problem is he stopped...

The person needs a lot of skills to drive that heavy gas guzzling monster, and if I can recall it does not come with a power steering too so it's like going to the gym when you drive it. However, it is very fast on the road but off road is entirely a different matter. 😆 I remember my friend told me his father bought it purely on economical terms i.e. cheaper than Toyota Land Cruiser, and that cheaper price was off set by the gas guzzling nature of it ... LOL!