Finally got the Defender!!!!
Submitted: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 12:34
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Chump
Hi all - The search is over!
We finally found a Defender at a decent price, and couldn't be happier. I'll post some rig pics in a couple of days.
If only it weren't mothersday this weekend, it might actually get a bit of a try out..... Oh
well..
Reply By: The Banjo - Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 13:58
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 13:58
Good on you Chump......if you love it, that's all there is to it.....but I still can't appreciate how an owner could be confortable in there......for the record, could you share your height and weight ? I'm 180cm in socks, and 95kg out of the shower (ok...I eat too much) and having sat in one, could not imagine being comfortable....handbrake, driver's door, central hump, wheel etc all seem to intrude on what other vehicles provide as the driver's space ! If it was not for that, I may
well have bought one, because I know they are tough, economical and highly capable.
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Follow Up By: Chump - Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 14:10
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 14:10
Banjo,
I am about the same as you, only about 10kg heavier (ummm....it is all muscle....
well...most of it....lol....).
I seem to fit OK - I am blessed with my fathers short legs and long body.
I do believe I am lucky though - I can see how someone of a different build would have problems. My legs fit OK with the
seat about 3 quarters of the way back, and my head is just above the top of the seatbelt. I can reach the handbrake and gearstick OK as
well.
I do agree - there is little space to move, but that is not a bad thing. I have come from a series 2 Disco, with heaps of room - I actually enjoy sitting in and driving the Defender a lot more. My right leg leans against the door, and my left just touches the handbrake when it is on - there is heaps of room when it is off.
The
seat itself is pretty comfy, but I assume this would not be so for everyone.
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Follow Up By: The Banjo - Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 14:34
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 14:34
Thanks for that considered comment.........I've seen Les Hiddens during his BTM days in the 110, but was mindful of the fact that Les probably never bought one....drove it in the Army and then promoted it for Landrover ! Cheers..........
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Follow Up By: Rod - Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 13:40
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 13:40
errhh... I believe Les did in fact own a County as has been seen driving around
Townsville in it. More recently though he has been seen driving Discos.
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Follow Up By: The Banjo - Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 14:09
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 14:09
I yields to your local knowledge Rod.......
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Reply By: Member - John- Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 21:51
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 21:51
Good onya! You have to think different to appreciate a 110. I am 182cm and 100kg and fit just fine in my 110.
It seems awkward to get into, you do seem rather crowded, it is noisy (Isuzu diesel) but it just grows on you. The seats don't look much but my old 110 is the first fourbie I can drive all day in low range rough stuff and get out feeling just fine.
I think about driving my father's old 1951 Morris Commercial 1.5t truck around the
farm and realise what a luxury limo my 110 is !! It's all relative... right??
No other fourbie, past or present straight off the showroom floor (or 20yrs old) will allow you to carry a huge payload (1070kg) in relative comfort all day across rough country and you can get out for a stretch and feel just fine.
There are a few things you can do in the driver's space to improve comfort.. The dedicated L-R chat groups can help you there or join a L-R Owners Club near you.
JohnS
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Reply By: Martyn (WA) - Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 21:54
Wednesday, May 05, 2004 at 21:54
Chump,
I took an Extreme out for a
test drive then I eventually bought my GU, it was an interesting drive, I wasn't to sure about the driving position where you appear to be jammed against the drivers door, the dealer told me the driver was that far over to allow easy viewing of the outside of the vehicle when doing the hard stuff, which I gave some credit to, my Range Rover has a similar driving position and yes it is good and very handy sometimes, that is one of the really good things I like about it to make up for lets say the oil leaks........ One thing I wasn't to keen on, I used to drive a 1965 series 1 landy, the dashboard is still similar, plus the air vents are still the same. If the GU ever outlives it's usefulness I would seriously the Defender or an Extreme, they are just that bit different, my wife thought it was great. Just some thoughts.
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Reply By: BenH - Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 17:10
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 17:10
Hi Chump,
We will very soon see just who is more comfortable after a full day out in the rough stuff with 2 whinging kids in the back and a grumpy wife in the front
seat (we have these as standard extras in both our vehicles.........bugger)
I very much look forward to many challenging drives with the Patrol and the Defender in the years to come,
I will see you soon, I think we should put some money on who gets stuck first!!!!!
BenH
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