Defender

Find the telephone number for an automotive mechanic in Alice Springs, Birdsville or some other distant spot. Give them a ring and ask what common repairs they are asked to do on LR vehicles !

Steve - like any vehicle, the cost of repair is relative to the use/abuse ratio. You'd be surprised how cheap some parts are for the Land Rover, and, like some other Japanese brands - how expensive they can be too. I have Jeeps, Nissans and Land Rovers - and my favourite is the Land Rover. All makes draw noften-unwarranted negativity when it comes to reliability, and Land Rover is no exception. Granted - they probably aren't as reliable as your average Toyota - but that doesn't mean that they are on the workshop hoist every other day either. That notion is just pure nonsense.

In its previous life, my Defender has done 170,000 of outback travelling. It has spent its entire life travelling the Kimberly, Cape York and other tracks such as the Gunbarrel and Oodnadatta transporting two adventurous Dutch women around the country for three years. The only failures they had were the rear drive shafts - they've been through four of them. Luckily they are only about $160 to replace, so that's good. I'll replace them with MaxiDrives and that'll be the end of that. Other than these problems, they performed normal scheduled services and didn't have a problem other than the shafts to contend with. Right now I have a stoofed clutch master cylinder - and at 170,000km that's not too bad at $54.00 to replace. If you go with a Tdi, then they are relatively simple (still) to work on. The Td5 requires the proper diagnostic gear, but then again, how many bush mechanics can easily look after a modern Toyota engine? Simple mechanical injection has GONE, in case no-one noticed.

Mechanically I think that they are built pretty well - and although you'll get people saying "but you can see the road through the gap in the doors" - so what? They are designed as a UTILITY vehicle, and are not built to compete with the likes of the "curvy set". They are designed to be used hard on a farm. The fact that some of us like them so much and use them day to day is neither here nor there. The factory didn't mean us to - otherwise they would (and could) give us vehicles that had panel fitment and finish more like a Bentley. I don't understand the criticism on this issue. It only adds to the appeal in my book. As far as strength goes, the chassis is strong enough to take whatever you need it to without damage. Have you had a look at one? It's box section us huge. Body support outriggers can be replaced - cheaply - if they are damaged.

The other thing I love is the ease with which you can fit accessories. You are bolting/screwing onto flat aluminium panelling. It doesn't rust. It can be replaced cheaply. You think that there are a pile of accessories available for Toyotas and Nissans? Try Land Rover - worldwide, access to accessories are BOUNDLESS. There are literally thousands of companies producing bolt-on heaven for the humble Land Rover.

Running costs? I run a roof-top tent and am fully-laden most of the time. I get 10.25:/100km average. That's with the Td5. The Tdi's get even better economy.

Whatever you decide, go to

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and ask there. These are Australia's home for Land owners, and you'll get great advice there.

Cheers
Chris

For what it's worth, I looked at all the new 4wds when buying new recently- I ended up with a 2door Defender 90 TD5!!- mainly because I wanted diesel/economy/2doors/offroad abililtyetc- the 2 doors obviously counted out most of the rest but I tried them- they're all v. competent (and they're comfy), but I traded that off against 10litres/100kms and a smaller vehicle for 2 people- I have had 1 recall item (oilaffected wiring harness) and a stuffed mudflap! I cant understand why a factory cant build a vehicle that doesnt leak water in the windows/doors in heavy rain though- Dealer has been excellent- 100,000kms/3yrs cover also. I reckon all new vehicles are pretty complicated but I intend to do the major treks all the same- first up in this vehicle will be Kimberley via Tanami for 6 weeks soon- Plus, people tell me I'm driving an icon!!whatever that is..
ps. I'd have a long drive in one first, as they are-by comparison- noisy, poor seating adjustments, oldfashioned interior- horn on a stalk etc.- But I reckon I'm pretty happy and would only get rid of it if it starts to give me any trouble. Cheers TonyT

Is there a new model out soon?

i have always liked them and have taken 2 for drives but each time the combination of the handbrake jabbing into my calf and my shoulder hard up against the door glass wass too much for me...but i would still love one

I would still encourage you to seek out the mechanics ! Most people on this forum have entrenched ideas and will not be swayed from them.

I will say no more.

I can't answer "will changing to a Defender solve my problems or create more?" but I know that parts prices are not a concern. My experience is they are not expensive - there are so many specialist British Auto type stores around.

And just incase anyone questions why I know about parts prices, no I don't know parts are cheap coz I have to keep replacing them. I am generally curious and I have bought spares.

I've never owned any model Landrover & I never will, I know people that own 'em and they wished they hadn't. I used to work on Landies as a mechanic years ago and the basic design hasn't changed much. The drive shafts (half shafts) are bigger on a Ford Cortina than those on a Landy. The gearbox is a PIA to repair and I've seen 'em drive good mechanics to near suicide. Overrated and overplated.

They're OK for taking the family out bush fer a day out and a barbie but serious work - hopeless.

A very well known prospector here in W.A. of "English Extraction" had one from new. His purchase was mainly based on "loyalty to the old country - queen and country" and all that nonsense. I met him up around Nullagine on the 5 Mile Sandy Creek and "rhetorically" asked him how his Defender was going. He replied that he was sick of being towed in with broken drive shafts, broken transfer cases, broken gearbox, broken clutch, burst shockies etc,etc. He had a Sat Phone and Landcrover Australia were paying the bill on it - he'd made that many phone calls from 'beyond the black stump". His ambition was to wake up one morning and find out it was all a bad dream and his Landy had turned into a Landcruiser - his words not mine. I did tell him that I did TELL him!!

He now owns a Troopy and his mental health and bush confidence is returning.

If ya want to take yer rubbish down the tip buy a Landy. If ya wanna go bush buy a Landcruiser or a Nissan. Mining companies and "cockies' don't use Landrovers. Speaks fer itself.

Bilbo

just google > landrover defender tdi >> read what owners have to say !!

OK wanna see my Landy in action, well here she is, this is no town car and i give her heaps everywhere.

AND she's never let me down


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Good! Good!. All good stuff guys. The pro's and cons of Landrovers - that's what Steve wanted. But don't attack me personally because I have a contrary opinion.

Steve, who started this thread asked for opinions about buying a Landrover. You've given him and your opinions and I've given him mine. They differ radically. That's expected.

If I was to tell Steve, that I think Landy's are the duck's guts, I would be lying to him wouldn't I? If was to tell Steve that my experiences with Landys were all rosy then I'd be doing him a disservice again.

So he now has all of your opionions and he has mine. Now he can make his own mind up.

I don't see Steve on here giving me a verbal hiding for expressing an opinion.

Bilbo

Thanks to everyone for your honest opinions regarding the Defender. It appears that it has a cult following, and that it has appeal for some despite its limitations/faults. It has been a very fruitful discussion !