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Post by garry on Jun 30, 2021 9:38:10 GMT
Not a drive, but just had a 15 minute passenger ride in a new 110 defender. It was a d240. Guy who supplies our offices with stationary turned up in one. I've taken him for a spin in the Porsche previously, so he returned the favour.
What a fantastic car/truck/thing. The interior (it was in a greenish material with some wood trim) is very smart. It manages to be utilitarian and practical without feeling low rent. There are no carpets, and everything feels a bit rugged, but it works brilliantly and does not come across as cheap, just very cool. It had a pano roof and a third row of seats and it felt like the best family bus I could imagine. The boot has this rugged plastic material that looks like it could take decades of abuse. So for me, it's really cool, immensely practical, plenty of wow. I'm not a farmer but I really couldn't see it as a farm vehicle - its just too nice. But it could work really well for someone like me (kids/dogs/hobbies).
I was even more surprised by it on the road. It's very comfortable and quiet - it rides well and would be a pleasant place to while away many hours. We went on a dual carriageway and it felt a very easy long distance companion. On a country road it's clearly not the last word in cornering but it was fun and chuckable.
So, cool, practical ,fun and I'd imagine very easy to live with. What's not to like.
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Post by michael on Jun 30, 2021 12:21:56 GMT
The price.
That said, I'm waiting for this one:
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Post by garry on Jun 30, 2021 12:39:50 GMT
The price.
That said, I'm waiting for this one:
I guess it depends on what you see it competing against. As a do it all Swiss Army knife of a car that can replace my Etron and zafira I’m ok with the price. I’d have it over a Range Rover. If I was a farmer then it’s a stupidly expensive sheep wagon. |
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Post by Martin on Jun 30, 2021 13:29:23 GMT
I really liked the Defender when it was first launched but am getting less keen as time goes on, although some of the recent changes (black pack inc window panel) do help. I've not driven one, but have had a good look around and whilst I appreciate some of the design features, I didn't get any major 'want'. Like Michael, I think it's too expensive as well. Even sticking to a diesel, a 110 in minimum Martin spec (but some way off my cars FG) would be £86k. Discounts are still fairly small, so that would still be £83k. However, in a lower spec is does make a bit more sense, even though it's still a high £50's car and I get that it would be good at the family/dog/activity bus thing. But if that's what you need, then I'm going to continue to resist Lindsay's desire to get a dog!  |
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Post by Martin on Jun 30, 2021 13:49:18 GMT
Just looked on the configurator and the new V8 is on there. There isn't anything to add to the spec, so list price is £102k and on a 4 year/15k mile a year PCP it would be £1500 a month inc deposit.
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Post by michael on Jun 30, 2021 14:00:43 GMT
I can see why it costs what it does but that doesn't mean I like what they charge!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Jun 30, 2021 16:50:50 GMT
Is VAT still knocked off for a work vehicle? Might make a bit more sense for farmers (Well off one's) to climb on the wagon.
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Post by PG on Jun 30, 2021 20:38:03 GMT
I think Land Rover have totally hit the spot with the Defender. I'd love a Defender 90 to replace our Shogun SWB.
But I think the pricing is putting people off. I'm seeing more Disco 5's on the road around here and less Defenders than I expected. So I do wonder if with discounts available on Discoveries, but not on Defenders, people are going for the Disco on financial grounds?
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Defender
Jun 30, 2021 20:51:37 GMT
via mobile
Post by michael on Jun 30, 2021 20:51:37 GMT
I see a lot of Discovery 5 commercials but they have got popular as people have got used to the styling. Defenders are popular but I wonder if supply is the greater issue.
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Post by Tim on Jul 1, 2021 7:53:10 GMT
I saw a ridiculous number of Defenders in Windermere a couple of weeks ago.
Not sure I've seen a SWB one but that's the one I'd pick.
However, the more I see of them the less I like the treatment of the rear lights. It reminds me of someone with a fat face but eyes too close together.
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Post by Boxer6 on Jul 1, 2021 11:59:26 GMT
I saw a ridiculous number of Defenders in Windermere a couple of weeks ago. Not sure I've seen a SWB one but that's the one I'd pick. However, the more I see of them the less I like the treatment of the rear lights. It reminds me of someone with a fat face but eyes too close together. This. Plus the ridiculous side window boxes - utterly bizarre and (probably) pointless. |
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Defender
Jul 3, 2021 11:49:06 GMT
via mobile
Post by PetrolEd on Jul 3, 2021 11:49:06 GMT
Price and styling put me off and the image is a bit.. it’s like I want to be cool in an original defender but I’m really more XC90
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Defender
Jul 3, 2021 14:02:10 GMT
via mobile
Post by Roadrunner on Jul 3, 2021 14:02:10 GMT
I like them, but I they are definitely not a farm utility vehicle. I saw two in Petworth last week, both occupied by blonde horsey types, sunglasses on head. I see a lot of them in the more fashionable parts of the Cotswolds, too.
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Post by Bob Sacamano v2.0 on Jul 3, 2021 15:24:09 GMT
By the sound of it the Ineos Grenadier is going to clean up.
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Defender
Jul 10, 2021 8:46:28 GMT
via mobile
Post by Alex on Jul 10, 2021 8:46:28 GMT
I like them, but I they are definitely not a farm utility vehicle. I saw two in Petworth last week, both occupied by blonde horsey types, sunglasses on head. I see a lot of them in the more fashionable parts of the Cotswolds, too. I live not far from Petworth and you do see a lot of them round here. They don't seem to have targeted people who bought the previous Defender and I can imagine a lot of people in that market are disappointed at how upmarket and expensive the new one is. But there clearly wasn't a big enough market and enough farmers buying one so I can see why LR took it in a different direction. Its definitely much more popular with upper middle class families who would have had a RR Sport but the kids/dogs keep getting it utterly filthy. This solves that problem and is much more practical in terms of interior space. And for a lot of people in that market it is still a very cool car and the one to be seen in. I'm also missing that 'want one' factor. It's a good car but doesn't leap out at me as something I desire to own. I've not even been particularly desperate to chuck 150 notes in Lego's direction for their model either. |
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Defender
Jul 10, 2021 9:09:14 GMT
via mobile
Post by ChrisM on Jul 10, 2021 9:09:14 GMT
The thing about the Lego one is that you can have all the enjoyment of buying, owning and making one, then re-sell it on ebay for almost what you paid for it. Used prices are crazy!
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Post by Tim on Jul 12, 2021 8:04:23 GMT
I like them, but I they are definitely not a farm utility vehicle. I saw two in Petworth last week, both occupied by blonde horsey types, sunglasses on head. I see a lot of them in the more fashionable parts of the Cotswolds, too. I live not far from Petworth and you do see a lot of them round here. They don't seem to have targeted people who bought the previous Defender and I can imagine a lot of people in that market are disappointed at how upmarket and expensive the new one is. But there clearly wasn't a big enough market and enough farmers buying one so I can see why LR took it in a different direction. Its definitely much more popular with upper middle class families who would have had a RR Sport but the kids/dogs keep getting it utterly filthy. This solves that problem and is much more practical in terms of interior space. And for a lot of people in that market it is still a very cool car and the one to be seen in. I'm also missing that 'want one' factor. It's a good car but doesn't leap out at me as something I desire to own. I've not even been particularly desperate to chuck 150 notes in Lego's direction for their model either. I think the farmer market disappeared years ago - all the ones round here have a HiLux or an L200. If its a big farm there might be a FFRR but those are never dirty. |
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Post by Martin on Jul 12, 2021 8:19:11 GMT
I saw a new Defender 90 towing a livestock trailer on Friday, so either a farmer or someone with a smallholding.
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Post by Big Blue on Jul 12, 2021 9:42:29 GMT
Loads of Defenders round our way for the past fortnight. Something about a tennis tournament.
They look pretty good actually but not really farm-practical as they’re a bit too posh to Deliver a lamb in in an emergency.
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Post by garry on Jul 12, 2021 10:38:29 GMT
They look pretty good actually but not really farm-practical as they’re a bit too posh to Deliver a lamb in in an emergency. Unless it was a leg. From Waitrose. |
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Post by Blarno on Jul 12, 2021 12:56:10 GMT
I saw a ridiculous number of Defenders in Windermere a couple of weeks ago. Not sure I've seen a SWB one but that's the one I'd pick. However, the more I see of them the less I like the treatment of the rear lights. It reminds me of someone with a fat face but eyes too close together. This. Plus the ridiculous side window boxes - utterly bizarre and (probably) pointless. I don't get them either. Not like it's even a nod to the original, seems more like a design cue for the sake of it. |
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Post by michael on Jul 13, 2021 14:46:12 GMT
This may be my next car:  |
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Post by Tim on Jul 13, 2021 15:20:32 GMT
Is that longer wheelbase plus bigger rear overhang?
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Post by michael on Jul 13, 2021 15:39:37 GMT
It's the forthcoming 130 which is the 110 wheelbase but a larger rear which I'm hoping means a Discovery 4 sized boot.
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Post by Martin on Jul 13, 2021 15:49:24 GMT
That rear overhang looks ridiculous with such a short front one. Hopefully the disguise is making it worse and if you need a lot of space it will be a compromise worth making, but it doesn’t look good.
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Post by michael on Jul 13, 2021 16:08:05 GMT
I couldn't say is it looks good or not because it's covered in disguise.
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Post by Martin on Jul 13, 2021 16:13:24 GMT
I couldn't say is it looks good or not because it's covered in disguise. It’s not hidden behind a wall! Or even in one of those disguises you used to see where the car is covered in cardboard boxes (or whatever that did) to really hide the shape. |
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Post by michael on Jul 13, 2021 16:18:51 GMT
The black plastic areas on the lower body of the car form a graphic that, combined with a contrast roof should significantly alter the appearance. To me the extended rear deck will be more in keeping with the last 110 which was my preferred Defender.
In terms of your argument about the rear being too long compared to the shorter front I'd say it is a balance not dissimilar to its Range Rover stable-mate which I imagine it'll share a number of parts below the surface.
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Post by Martin on Jul 13, 2021 16:29:07 GMT
The black plastic areas on the lower body of the car form a graphic that, combined with a contrast roof should significantly alter the appearance. To me the extended rear deck will be more in keeping with the last 110 which was my preferred Defender. In terms of your argument about the rear being too long compared to the shorter front I'd say it is a balance not dissimilar to its Range Rover stable-mate which I imagine it'll share a number of parts below the surface. How very dare you! But if you're right and the balance is similar, then maybe it will surprise me and it's going to be a great looking car when the disguise comes off! We'll see..... |
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Post by garry on Jul 13, 2021 16:45:56 GMT
Can't say I find the 130 objectionable. I'm 80% sure I'll buy a Defender. Most likely a 110 but I wouldn't rule out the 130.
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