New Defender Rage/Hate Thread
- Thread starter DieselRanger
- Start date
Todd780
OverCamper
Well, I think there is a basis for professionals to own a pick up. Lots of manufactures offer 80K half ton trucks now.
But, that is a different topic.
Was it though? I can't remember that being an option in the last years? I wonder how many of those they sold compared to the already few sold of the Defenders.
Todd780
OverCamper
No clue. I thought recently. Like 2016? Didn't they just use one in a pretty new bond movie?
Don't know about the movie, but I think at least one of those you linked to is a custom jobbie (the crew cab). But since it was built as it was built (frame etc.), it wouldn't be difficult to make it into a pickup. And maybe some of those government (etc.) LRs that stood for 3/4s of the sales in the last years were pickups? Not to sure about it, to be honest. I just don't think they sold pickups (at least to consumers) in the last few years of the old Defender.
EricTyrrell
Expo God
The people who believe the luxury Defender is a joke. As for sales, it sold fine until it was neglected, which was not its fault.
The vehicles being used as examples of vehicle evolution, are solid axle vehicles, so I'm not sure where your confusion arises.
No... read again. See below
Just as the Defender was offered in multiple configurations, more than the Wrangler and Gladiator actually, the example includes this possibility, not just pickups.
Over the original Defender, yes. Just as the JL is vastly more safe than the Jeeps it evolved from in the same time period.
..or Land Rover could have produced a genuine Defender, which would be similar to the Jeeps (it always was), but with..
Yes, they're still unreliable. One must be living under a rock to be unaware of their continued difficulties. The only consistently reliable components of Land Rovers are made of metal.
nickw
Adventurer
It did, just like the original Jeep evolved into what it is today, the Wrangler and the old land cruisers evolved into what we see today, the 200 series. Neither of which are simple, both are more refined versions of what they once were. The Wrangler had SAs, Cruisers IS/SA snd Defender IS....but they are very sim to one another when it comes down to it.
70 series is unique, I think the new Defender is more similiar to a 70 series than a Jeep is, personally. Besides SAs, not much comparable.
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The old defender was offered as hard top and pick up right to the end.
Very last one was a 90 soft top.
During the full model life, from 83 to 16, very little body wise changed.
Seat boxes need a little tweak depending on model and fuel tank location but wings, bonnet, screen, doors, roof etc are pretty much interchangeable from early to late models.
In many ways the defender was a great car, easily customisable, could do many things, reasonably good off road, but in many ways, they are awful.
They are rubbish for any distance driving, crampt cabins, the stock seats are torture, the noise and vibrations are bad, which is a by product of how it’s made.
The moans of a “luxury defender” seem to ignore the fact that there are many companies that will happily retrim or sell leather seats, dashes, door cards, fit expensive head linings, big 18” wheels and tyres and all sorts of suspension and brake upgrades. Twisted, Khan, Mor, kingsman and more. If you think a new HSE spec is expensive, see what some of these companies charge...
Having driven and been driven in plenty of the old ones and likely one of the few posting in this thread to actually have seen, sat in and tried out some of the functions of the new one.
The new car is a defender. It’s not a D5, and it’s not a D3 like what I own.
It’s it’s own car, with plenty of nods to the past model, but correcting many of the stupid flaws of the old one.
Very last one was a 90 soft top.
During the full model life, from 83 to 16, very little body wise changed.
Seat boxes need a little tweak depending on model and fuel tank location but wings, bonnet, screen, doors, roof etc are pretty much interchangeable from early to late models.
In many ways the defender was a great car, easily customisable, could do many things, reasonably good off road, but in many ways, they are awful.
They are rubbish for any distance driving, crampt cabins, the stock seats are torture, the noise and vibrations are bad, which is a by product of how it’s made.
The moans of a “luxury defender” seem to ignore the fact that there are many companies that will happily retrim or sell leather seats, dashes, door cards, fit expensive head linings, big 18” wheels and tyres and all sorts of suspension and brake upgrades. Twisted, Khan, Mor, kingsman and more. If you think a new HSE spec is expensive, see what some of these companies charge...
Having driven and been driven in plenty of the old ones and likely one of the few posting in this thread to actually have seen, sat in and tried out some of the functions of the new one.
The new car is a defender. It’s not a D5, and it’s not a D3 like what I own.
It’s it’s own car, with plenty of nods to the past model, but correcting many of the stupid flaws of the old one.
Okay, I stand corrected. Thanks
I also find my Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro 1989 with 330000 miles very reliable for long distance driving. Very relaxing and comfortable seating position.
Much nicer than most modern cars, including the 2020 Ram Rebel with heated seats I have in my driveway right now.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone - be thankful that this thread lasted that long!
nickw
Adventurer
Like the Rebel? Air sus?I also find my Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro 1989 with 330000 miles very reliable for long distance driving. Very relaxing and comfortable seating position.
Much nicer than most modern cars, including the 2020 Ram Rebel with heated seats I have in my driveway right now.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone - be thankful that this thread lasted that long!
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EricTyrrell
Expo God
Land Cruiser evolved into three lines: heavy duty, light duty, and station wagon. The 200 series is in the station wagon line. The Early Land Cruisers evolved most directly into the HD line where the 70 series currently resides. If the Defender had continued to evolve as the others did, it would today resemble a vehicle similar to the Pajero, JL, Patrol, 70 Series, and Jimmy.
Not to hijack the thread...but I am torn, I like it but the I don't know if I could live with 16 mpg freeway empty.