Aaaaargh! Head vs heart.
Poll: Aaaaargh! Head vs heart.
Total Members Polled: 64
Discussion
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...
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 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.
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 said:
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.
Absolutely, hence the dilemma. Humans are emotional beings after all. I'm not for one minute doubting the Outback is the better car, as I stated in my OP. Sometimes it's nice not to be completely objective or rational when making decisions.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff