Defender 110 - Front leg room

Rhubarb About four years ago I had visions of buying one of these 'icons of the outback'.That is to say until I actually sat in one and recognized the whole product for what it is .The whole car is an ergonomic disaster using components that should have been relegated to a Lada of the 1960's.Sure it may or may not be big and tough but trying to live with the thing and all of the compromises involved would be a nightmare. And for a vehicle costing nearly 60K it represents appalling value for money.

I learn't to drive in a '54 series 11 landrover, this was in the late 50's and not much has changed, still a square box on wheels, sure the suspension has come a long way and better engines, and with chains on all four wheels drove to the top of Bull Run in winter and it could carry 300 rabbit traps, but I would not bother with one now.

Rhubarb

Previous owner changed my seats to have Honda Accord seats welded to the original seat base frame so that the seats sit back slightly. Also had it complianced.

Rod

I am 6'4" and 95kg and have no problem driving a defender. I am on my second one and absolutely love them. Yes it is a bit tighter than normal but that is what you get when you want an upright position to see all corners of the vehicle. The thing with Defenders is that they need to have a place in your heart to make sense. If you are just out there looking to tick off a check list of vehicle requirements it is not going to work, if this is the case buy a toyota. Once you get used to sitting in it there are no problems. I did 6000km in 8 days last year and loved every minute of it. If you learn to handle the seating change and get one then welcome to the world of Defenders...

I agree with the post above : )Defender Extreme

Im at a total loss as to why Land Rover think my knees need their own air con vents. The silly thing is when your 6ft3 your knees push directly into where the cold air pumps out. Takes a good 5 mins to defrost the knees before walking is possible

But as many have said, its a love hate thing, and im obviously an arrogant sub 30's male who cant understand why!

Saying that my parents went round oz 30 yrs ago in a series 1 land rover and dad still raves about the damm things!

Cheers,

I bought a new Defender approx 3 months ago and have just completed my first trip away..... Carnarvon and back to wet and windy Perth. No probs. with the seating and I'm about 6' 1" (184 cms I think) and about 94kg.
Apparently the seats can be set back a bit as I drove a second hand vehicle once which did have more room for drivers, but slightly less in the back.
Yes it is an old fashioned and ergonomically unfriendly vehicle but I can put up with that ..... the body will fit gradually as it has all other types of vehicle in the past. Try sitting in some of these bloody ubeaut utes if you want real seating probs. where seating room is sacrificed for load space.
Anyway. it went well in the dirt, more comfortable than my Discovery was, pulled my van weighing 1.5 tonne easily where the 300 tdi struggled.
Very importantly when road trains went past you heard the blast from their slipstream rather than felt it.
Had a few niggling troubles but these have been made to appear worse by the rotten aftersales service from Barbagallo here in the West.
Overall I'm well satisfied with the it.