buying a defender...

hi everybody!
i could really use some help here. i thinking about buying a defender.i was talking to m friend the other day and we got in an argument. you see, i told him that i prefer the 90 because it's shortness. i think that would come in handy in my home town because the streets are really narrow and so on.. he disagrees. what do you think? I'm a newbie so help me out...

90 is the same width as a 110 so narrow streets int gonna be a problem. I've had 110's & now have a 90. I miss the extra load space. if you've got little uns or use it for work you will anorl.

Check the length, everyone assumes the 110s are long but they are the same length or shorter than your average family saloon. Think about it, do they stick out of spaces in Tesco car park? They are actually the same length (with an inch or so) as the original Freelander and Range Rover, and shorter than all the newer ones.

Davec said:

Check the length, everyone assumes the 110s are long but they are the same length or shorter than your average family saloon. Think about it, do they stick out of spaces in Tesco car park? They are actually the same length (with an inch or so) as the original Freelander and Range Rover, and shorter than all the newer ones.

Click to expand...

Yep me Mondeo estate was longer than me 110.

90 is more fun in the boonies though.

in my town a mondeo can be pretty tough to park and turn it around...

luko said:

in my town a mondeo can be pretty tough to park and turn it around...

Click to expand...

where do you live toy town?
i have an xtra long wheel base merc sprinter the rear load space is 4.4m long and then the cab aswell and i can park that is spaces you see yummy mummys trying to get there ford clitoris into and then abandon it left half in and half out

has anyone done some long road trips in a defender... how's that going... I currently live 90 miles from my hometown, and I often go home so I was wondering is that gonna work out... ya know, just normal driving, and how fast can it go, and remain comfortable?

wiltshire landyman said:

where do you live toy town?
i have an xtra long wheel base merc sprinter the rear load space is 4.4m long and then the cab aswell and i can park that is spaces you see yummy mummys trying to get there ford clitoris into and then abandon it left half in and half out

Click to expand...

I thought Saabe made the clitoris. I have a 110 and its not a problem to park or drive anywhere including off road and I need all the load space for work.

Bizarrely, I find my 90 to be more comfortable than my last car (Vauxhall Corsa) for long trips. I used to get really bad back ache after a few miles in the Corsa, no matter how I adjusted the seat but I've not had any problems so far with the Landy. I tend to drive on long journeys with my left foot resting on the hand brake. Passengers on the back sideways seats don't find it so comfortable so I wouldn't expect anyone to go for long distances sitting in there.

The only thing I would mention is that the engine noise can be a bit tiring on motorways but a good stereo will sort that out. Mine does 70mph flat out with a 200TDI engine but I am led to believe from reading various threads on here that this is too slow - so I'll need to have a look at that some day.

luko said:

has anyone done some long road trips in a defender... how's that going... I currently live 90 miles from my hometown, and I often go home so I was wondering is that gonna work out... ya know, just normal driving, and how fast can it go, and remain comfortable?

Click to expand...

I have had my 90 300tdi for just 10 weeks. My other car is a new VW Passat. They are completely different vehicles and if I tried to drive the 90 like I could my Passat on roads it would be rather stupid and dangerous. But then I would would not drive my Passat like my 90.
My 90 with original seats is not comfortable for long distance. It 'tells me' it is comfortable at between 55 and 60 on motorways and less on other roads. They are not really built for doing 70+ all day.
I did a round trip of 300 miles in a day mostly on motorways and averaged 35mpg. It was not an easy day but I loved every minute of it.
My opinion is that if you drive it like a truck or a tractor then you should not have any problems.
I you can imagine tying a rope around your chest and tying your right arm just above the elbow into the same knot.... now try driving a car... not that easy. Thats what driving a 90 is like

MrJC said:

I have had my 90 300tdi for just 10 weeks. My other car is a new VW Passat. They are completely different vehicles and if I tried to drive the 90 like I could my Passat on roads it would be rather stupid and dangerous. But then I would would not drive my Passat like my 90.

Click to expand...

The handling certainly takes a bit of getting used to if you have only ever driven a 'normal' car, particularly with big off road tyres. You can't drive like you would in a small car and they can catch you out on corners in the rain...

MrJC said:

It 'tells me' it is comfortable at between 55 and 60 on motorways and less on other roads. They are not really built for doing 70+ all day.

Click to expand...

I agree with that. Mine will sail along quite happily all day doing 50 but gets a little 'interesting' at 70.

luko said:

has anyone done some long road trips in a defender... how's that going... I currently live 90 miles from my hometown, and I often go home so I was wondering is that gonna work out... ya know, just normal driving, and how fast can it go, and remain comfortable?

Click to expand...

Guildford to Grimsby return in a day - 500+ miles in my TD5 90.
Not the quickest journey I've ever done but no dramas and good fun.
Especially the return part as I had it chipped by TD5Alive.

Shifty1962 said:

Guildford to Grimsby return in a day - 500+ miles in my TD5 90.
Not the quickest journey I've ever done but no dramas and good fun.
Especially the return part as I had it chipped by TD5Alive.

Click to expand...

Does chipping not ruin your fuel economy?

not if its chipped for economy, not power.