AnswerID: 4879 Submitted: Monday, Jul 15, 2002 at 00:00
Definate110
replied:
Thanks Bob,
That is really helpfull mate. Sounds like you know exactly what you are talking about. I must keep an eye out for your posts in the future.... they are a top read after all... And speak with so much experience. Well done!
BTW: Have a read of the following... It might help you sleep tonight.
"This past weekend I have been reading all the Land Rover Defender tests in motoring magazines of the last 5 – 6 years that I possess. Most of these tests were comparison tests and there are a lot of “buyers guides” as well. And once again I was reminded of why I decided to purchase a Defender. It is my second Defender, the first being a 300Tdi CSW, and now a Td5 CSW and although I have been somewhat disappointed here and there with the build quality and after sales service, I still love the vehicle and I think it’s extremely capable off road.
Most of the magazine’s road tests rated a vehicle 1 – 5 off road and 1 – 5 on road, 5 being the highest. I’m not even going to mention the on road scores for the Defender because I believe them to be irrelevant. However, through ALL the tests only 2 vehicles EVER received 5 for off road ability: The Defender and Land Cruiser pickup. It is also noteworthy that both these vehicles have no axle difflocks. And throughout all of these tests (about 6 tests involving the Defender) no one mentions the fact that a difflock was needed or hampered ability etc. In the latest magazine I purchased they discuss over 180 trails and routes you can do throughout Southern Africa and the routes are rated 1 – 5 as well. In the back of the Magazine they rate the vehicles so that one can compare the trails with the vehicles that will be able to complete them. Once again the Defender, Land Cruiser pickup and (for the first time) Nissan Patrol are the only vehicles given a 5 rating as standard.
My point is actually simple. Even with only a transfer case lock (center difflock) the Defender still rates higher than any of the new technology driven vehicles including the Grand Cherokee, Disco and Land Cruiser 100 series (all three received 4). Sure, I’ve seen little Suzuki 4x4s doing better in thick sand than either Defender or Cruiser, but there are always areas where you will pay for weight. The truth is that as far as a serious long range safari vehicle (not a weekend play thing) goes, the Defender is still rated as the one others can only try to measure up to."
Courtesy of G Jordaan.
Sweet Dreams Bob....
Reply 11 of 11
FollowupID: 2166 Submitted:
Tuesday, Jul 23, 2002 at 00:00
Bob posted:
Oh dear ... you obviously believe all you read in magazines. Next you'll tell me you believe all you read in newspapers. Make your judgements on vehicles in situations you are able to observe yourself, speak to owners who have had vehicles. They will almost always say something along the lines of ... it does this or that but "I still love it". I know of one whose 4year old vehicle leaks copious dust, leaks oil and diesel, and had major engine surgery .... but he still thinks it's great!!!
Again ... judge by what you see and hear, not by what is written by people with vested interests driving new vehicles.
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