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Davel
Original Poster
6,872 posts
127 months
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I did have one years ago and loved it.
I've just bought my wife a new Freelander as the family car, so I'm thinking of something to use 5 days a week or so, doing 14 miles each way - and for a bit of fun, so a 90 XS appeals instead ofr watching my Discovery being parked up and plummeting in value.
It might also slow me down a bit and keep my licence clean.
So, what do you guys reckon. Do you use your's every day and how do you find it?
Any pros/cons to consider with the new ones?
I test drove one 10 days ago and am borrowing one for a day from the dealer shortly.
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hidetheelephants
5,598 posts
62 months
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If it's in good mechanical health and the 14 miles doesn't involve a motorway, the only thing I would advise is fit one of those all-in-one floor/transmission tunnel mat things and a bonnet noise absorbing pad(assuming it doesn't already have those) as the noise level at speed is tiring without. Crack on. ETA; what's wrong with commuting in the Disco, or is that not macho enough? 
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Davel
Original Poster
6,872 posts
127 months
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The Disco is excellent really but it's parked up for 99 % of the time.
I'd like something 'fun'!
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budrover
250 posts
73 months
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If you have a sense of humour and a wonky right arm you will be ok.
You either love them or hate them... a bit tedious on the motorway otherwise very practical.
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camel_landy
1,500 posts
52 months
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14 Miles??? Cycle...  M
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Davel
Original Poster
6,872 posts
127 months
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Yes mostly down hill in the mornings but in the evenings?
NFC!
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abbotsmike
382 posts
14 months
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No personal experience but a guy I know has an S reg 110, has had it from new and put 170k on it. It's his daily and he wouldn't have anything else!
The noise does get a bit wearing admittedly, but you get used to it eventually! Done london to dartmoor and back in it (as a passenger) several times with a trailer on in the front, middle and bench seats in the back. I call it character building!
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Lefty
12,283 posts
71 months
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Perfectly doable.
Might want to consider gearing up the transfer box to reduce revs, Ashcroft will do you an exchange LT230 for 500 quid.
I just picked up a 52 plate 90 td5 CSW and have been doing 70 miles a day in it with no problem. New transfer box on order!
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Psimpson7
862 posts
110 months
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I used mine for years to commute in, probably about 20 miles each way... I find them pretty comfortable to drive.
Have done 1100+km in a day more than once in it more recently.
The highrange gearing change in the transfer case is worthwhile if the noise bothers you as already mentioned.
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Paddy_N_Murphy
15,146 posts
53 months
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<cough> old series for winter and MX5 for summer.
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jeremyc
9,678 posts
153 months
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I've been trundling around in a 90 XS on a daily basis for the last few months. It's fantastic!  No problems going anywhere (up kerbs, over speed humps) and a footprint smaller than many medium sized saloons.  It's universally liked, and utterly classless. It is noisy and not especially fast, but perfectly usable. Go for it. 
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Davel
Original Poster
6,872 posts
127 months
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Just picked one up for a couple of days.
Same colour etc.
I like it but the kids want me to buy a Porsche instead!
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Crossflow Kid
4,624 posts
60 months
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Davel said: I like it but the kids want me to buy a Porsche instead! Sell them.
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tomw2000
1,628 posts
64 months
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Go for it.
I've a 53 plate TD5 90 (has Je engineering stage 1+2 remap) - ok, so in the week I only do 6 miles to the train station and back but I love it.
It's basic and enjoyable and non-glamourous and slows me down (-ish...) and other road users actually like me.
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camel_landy
1,500 posts
52 months
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If you want a nice one, check out the 50th editions. V8 Auto... Hmmm... M
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BLUETHUNDER
7,624 posts
129 months
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I had a 50th for 3 years. Loved it. And regret ever selling it. More compliant than the diesel models in respect of noise levels. Smooth changes from the autobox enhance the experiance. I once did a 70 mile dash in it at a constant 100 mph. Basically it couldn't go any faster as it was sitting on the limiter. Near enough emptied a full tank in that distance.
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Davel
Original Poster
6,872 posts
127 months
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Well, dropped her back off at the dealer and back into the Disco.
Loved the Defender but my left arm is aching from all the gear changes.
Great fun and not at all sluggish. Small footprint and much better steering than my old previous one.
Got waved at by loads of other drivers - which was nice!
Even kept my speed down a bit too.
Pondering now.
Couldn't squeeze even one of the kids into the back of a 997 so that option is now out.
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abbotsmike
382 posts
14 months
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I will own a defender 90 TD5 one day! Even if I have to get shot after a year because it annoys me too much lol. Between 03 and 06 is probably the sweet spot for me. still got 4 seats in the back, The TD5 engine is solid, and if I planned to keep it I would get it mapped, bigger IC, disco transfer box and the NAS rear step/towbar. And a few big spots in the front and back, just because
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Davel
Original Poster
6,872 posts
127 months
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So, to those of you who do use one daily, do you get aches from the constant gear changes?
Am I trying too shift to quickly, should I pause mid change?
Really still very tempted.
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jeremyc
9,678 posts
153 months
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Davel said: So, to those of you who do use one daily, do you get aches from the constant gear changes?
Am I trying too shift to quickly, should I pause mid change?
Really still very tempted. I don't have any problems, but then I drive nothing other than manuals.  It's certainly not a shift that can be rushed - maybe just take a little longer over it. I can make most changes with minimal pressure - its possible with just a couple of fingers.
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