Aaaaargh! Head vs heart.

[LimaDelta]

So, my old legacy is gone, my Disco 4 is gone, and soon (I hope) my XJ will be gone. On paper this is easy. The Subaru wins hands down; It's faster, more comfortable, more reliable, won't leak, quieter, more practical, more secure, has ISOFIX, petrol engine, auto box, big glass roof and probably cheaper to run too.

So why do I still want a Defender? 110 SW TD5 is the pick for me. The two cars seem so different but will essentially fill the same role, namely family adventures, winter hack and occasional second car general duties. I've owned a Series III and a classic RR in the past so I know the reality of owning (slightly older) Land Rovers, and it's not a fashion thing for me but rather an obsession which started in childhood. Even the wife thinks we should go for the Defender, but I think the first time it fails to start on a winter school run, or the first long motorway run she'll be having second thoughts.

There don't seem to be any other options on the table - I've considered them all from ordering a new F-Pace, to another temporary shed. Not a fan of Audis, and I don't think I'll ever be excited about owning a Volvo. Same applies to BMW really. We live quite rural and the wife has already got the MINI stuck once (not really her fault - idiot going the wrong way up a one-way drive forced her into a ditch) on the school run this year and it hasn't even snowed properly yet! The Outback on decent winter rubber does seem the perfect choice, it's just...

[rb5er]

I can't ever see the need for a rattly old defender unless taking up offroading as a hobby.

[LimaDelta]

rb5er said:

I can't ever see the need for a rattly old defender unless taking up offroading as a hobby.

Because it is a quintessential icon of the Great British countryside. Because it has character, and faults and Britain loves an underdog, and (probably the only rational benefit over the Subaru) it will maintain it's value, and perhaps even increase.

[vernonderby]

No-one will force you into a ditch if you're in a Defender!

[GravelBen]

Are Subarus not also a quintessential icon of the countryside?

[normalbloke]

vernonderby said:

No-one will force you into a ditch if you're in a Defender!

Don't believe it....

[Axionknight]

LimaDelta said:

rb5er said:

I can't ever see the need for a rattly old defender unless taking up offroading as a hobby.

Because it is a quintessential icon of the Great British countryside. Because it has character, and faults and Britain loves an underdog, and (probably the only rational benefit over the Subaru) it will maintain it's value, and perhaps even increase.

You sound quite taken by them, so I'd go for the Defender.

[Ilovejapcrap]

Once it's worn off and you get into it one day just as a tool which really cars are, you will be so annoyed with lack of room/ noise etc.

,I'd go legacy. But it's your life

[Hungrymc]

Defender, they're great fun.

[RizzoTheRat]

Out of interest, why not a Forester?

[rb5er]

LimaDelta said:

rb5er said:

I can't ever see the need for a rattly old defender unless taking up offroading as a hobby.

Because it is a quintessential icon of the Great British countryside. Because it has character, and faults and Britain loves an underdog, and (probably the only rational benefit over the Subaru) it will maintain it's value, and perhaps even increase.

Then get one. If the rattly character is what you want then theres little other choice.

[LimaDelta]

RizzoTheRat said:

Out of interest, why not a Forester?

Just the looks personally, that and many moons ago the OH test drove one and didn't like the driving position.

[LimaDelta]

GravelBen said:

Are Subarus not also a quintessential icon of the countryside?

Absolutely! Just not quite as British.

[The Moose]

You obviously want the defender so just buy it

[mr_tony]

I was looking at this recently ins thread in the off-road section. I quickly realised that unless the Defender image is what you want And you're prepared to pay a premium for it, then there are better more capable options. I went for a Nissan Patrol (for personal reasons mainly as I had fond memories of been flung about in them in Africa and the Middle East a decade or so back) but if I'd wanted to spend a little more then a VX80 land cruiser diesel would have been the only choice. (I'd set a 2.5k budget in the end)...

[Axionknight]

The Moose said:

You obviously want the defender so just buy it

[LimaDelta]

Axionknight said:

The Moose said:

You obviously want the defender so just buy it

But, but...

[ORD]

Either buy a vehicle to use or some bizarre fashion icon / status symbol (the Defender).

[LimaDelta]

ORD said:

Either buy a vehicle to use or some bizarre fashion icon / status symbol (the Defender).

It would be my fourth Land Rover covering a period from a 1979 SIII (in 1996) to a brand new D4 (in 2011). It's not on my shortlist because they are currently 'fashionable'.

They would both be 'used' in exactly the same way. (assuming the Defender was running at the time).

[ORD]

But your reasoning in favour of the Defender is some kind of aesthetic appeal. You are focusing on what it means rather than what it is. No amount of blah about the countryside etc makes a Defender any less terrible as a vehicle.