Defender for daily drive?
Discussion
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.
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.
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?
ETA; what's wrong with commuting in the Disco, or is that not macho enough?
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Edited by jeremyc on Wednesday 25th July 22:14
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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. Am I trying too shift to quickly, should I pause mid change?
Really still very tempted.
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.
We ve a Puma 90 XS.
Raise the seat, Momo wheel, leather strap door pulls....that's the driving position sorted.
Noise killer engine blanket, that's dulled the ditch pump in the front.
Decent stereo and 4x decent speakers will at least enable you to listen to some tunes/news etc.
Play with the tyres pressures to get rid of a bit of the bounce ( we've fitted bilsteins all round to improve further).
Job done. Wife drives it daily, never complains on the gear change...hates the handbrake location tho.
Stu
Raise the seat, Momo wheel, leather strap door pulls....that's the driving position sorted.
Noise killer engine blanket, that's dulled the ditch pump in the front.
Decent stereo and 4x decent speakers will at least enable you to listen to some tunes/news etc.
Play with the tyres pressures to get rid of a bit of the bounce ( we've fitted bilsteins all round to improve further).
Job done. Wife drives it daily, never complains on the gear change...hates the handbrake location tho.
Stu
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