new defender 90, what are they like?
Discussion
Hi all,
Im thinking of buying a new 90, but I'm still yet to find anyone that owns one, so finding it hard to get impartial advice, rather than that of the stealers!
I had a TD5 on long loan from a friend, which we loved but it was so loaded with kit that I didn't really get an idea of what it was like to drive on motorways etc....
I drive 60 miles a day, some on the motorway, could I cope with it, or would I be driven nuts!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks........
Im thinking of buying a new 90, but I'm still yet to find anyone that owns one, so finding it hard to get impartial advice, rather than that of the stealers!
I had a TD5 on long loan from a friend, which we loved but it was so loaded with kit that I didn't really get an idea of what it was like to drive on motorways etc....
I drive 60 miles a day, some on the motorway, could I cope with it, or would I be driven nuts!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks........
I drove a new one for the first time a few weeks ago, and while it's definitely much more refined than the Td5 it's all relative; the 6 speed box is great (knocks a few hundred rpm off your motorway cruise), engine smoother, new dash tidier, heater better etc. But if you think a Td5 would drive you nuts then I think the new one still would to be honest. Brilliant car, just maybe not for a 60 mile motorway commute! Just my 2p of course.
Ive owned or had experience of every 90 since around 1990 and currently own a 2007 90XS 2.4tdi(transit engine).If you've never had any time behind the wheel of a 90 then I would say they are an acquired taste-from the shoulder against the door driving position to the on road handling and dynamics.There is no other vehicle quite like them and they have a character all of their own which people either love or hate(obviously im in the former camp here!).Despite what others may say the latest defender is the best one yet in terms of usability every day(6 speed gearbox,better ventilation,tweeked suspension settings for road use comfort,better insulation against noise etc).My advice to you would be an extended test drive preferably 24hrs or even a weekend to see if it is suitable for you and what you want to do with it.
Many thanks for your advice, I had also decided that an extended test drive was going to be the next thing to do.
If we like it all we have to do is convince Landrover that they should throw in aircon and alloys, as so far all they have offered us is a 2k under guide valuation on our current vehicle, steel wheels and no aircon!
If we like it all we have to do is convince Landrover that they should throw in aircon and alloys, as so far all they have offered us is a 2k under guide valuation on our current vehicle, steel wheels and no aircon!
leonski said:
Many thanks for your advice, I had also decided that an extended test drive was going to be the next thing to do.
If we like it all we have to do is convince Landrover that they should throw in aircon and alloys, as so far all they have offered us is a 2k under guide valuation on our current vehicle, steel wheels and no aircon!
I got a cracking deal off Johnny(Hi Johnny-not ready for a new one just yet!),give him a ring and see what he can do.If we like it all we have to do is convince Landrover that they should throw in aircon and alloys, as so far all they have offered us is a 2k under guide valuation on our current vehicle, steel wheels and no aircon!
5 wh said:
leonski said:
Many thanks for your advice, I had also decided that an extended test drive was going to be the next thing to do.
If we like it all we have to do is convince Landrover that they should throw in aircon and alloys, as so far all they have offered us is a 2k under guide valuation on our current vehicle, steel wheels and no aircon!
I got a cracking deal off Johnny(Hi Johnny-not ready for a new one just yet!),give him a ring and see what he can do.If we like it all we have to do is convince Landrover that they should throw in aircon and alloys, as so far all they have offered us is a 2k under guide valuation on our current vehicle, steel wheels and no aircon!
find out when their end of bonus period is and have they got anything in stock that you fancy...
in 03 i walked into a dealership 3 days before the end of the month to ask about disco commercials. everywhere else had an 8 week delivery, they had one in stock to the right spec.. 4 days later I drove it home.... 2k under list for the base model with 3k in extras....
in 03 i walked into a dealership 3 days before the end of the month to ask about disco commercials. everywhere else had an 8 week delivery, they had one in stock to the right spec.. 4 days later I drove it home.... 2k under list for the base model with 3k in extras....
The 'new' Defender is very good and continues the evolutionary progress.
I did a day on/off road at Eastnor Castle, and had a demo for a couple of days, and I've subsequently ordered a new 90 CHT to replace my '02 90 CHT Td5.
The main differences are the new engine and gearbox, both of which are superb and really suit the Landy (although the engine lacks the familiar noise), and the new dash layout, switch gear and heater are much more user friendly. There are numerous other little improvements and upgrades. On road ride and handling are great fun. You can shuffle these vehicles along very swiftly.
But people who think of the Landy as a trendy alternative to a conventional SUV are missing the point. It is really a working vehicle and you buy it for its capabilities. There is nothing else quite like it and, for many owners, nothing else will do.
I did a day on/off road at Eastnor Castle, and had a demo for a couple of days, and I've subsequently ordered a new 90 CHT to replace my '02 90 CHT Td5.
The main differences are the new engine and gearbox, both of which are superb and really suit the Landy (although the engine lacks the familiar noise), and the new dash layout, switch gear and heater are much more user friendly. There are numerous other little improvements and upgrades. On road ride and handling are great fun. You can shuffle these vehicles along very swiftly.
But people who think of the Landy as a trendy alternative to a conventional SUV are missing the point. It is really a working vehicle and you buy it for its capabilities. There is nothing else quite like it and, for many owners, nothing else will do.
Ive had a new defender since they came out and a td5 for 110k before that(i had the td5 from new so average 25k per year). for what its worth i dont think the new one is much better than the td5 had them both chipped and i found the td5 way more fun, the new one is slightly more refined but if i didnt do so many miles i would go for one of the last td5s and spend the money saved on upgrades and more power, for the record my old td5 was chipped to about 160 hp from new and never had any real problems apart from exhaust manifold bolts.
I'm not ready to upgrade from my TD5 90, but when I am I reckon I'd miss the front air vents. I'm always using them and there's something about the rawness and basic nature of them that I just like.
The transit engine / gearbox seems like a good move. But the new dash just makes me ask whether the new Defender is getting a bit too much like other SUV's. I'd prefer to see instead some form of diff locking development as standard so that I reduce the amount of times I get stuck on wet grass or 1" mud.
Moto
The transit engine / gearbox seems like a good move. But the new dash just makes me ask whether the new Defender is getting a bit too much like other SUV's. I'd prefer to see instead some form of diff locking development as standard so that I reduce the amount of times I get stuck on wet grass or 1" mud.
Moto
It is a shame that there are no longer flaps on the new 90(its one of the things I liked about the 90's I used to own in summer).At this time of year however(when its bloody freezing!)the new ventilation system makes the cabin toasty warm-a lot better than defenders of old and less squeaks,rattles and draughts too!
Moto said:
I'd prefer to see instead some form of diff locking development as standard so that I reduce the amount of times I get stuck on wet grass or 1" mud.
I might be talking nonsense here, but doesn't electronic traction control these days make locking front / rear diffs irrelevant? (Or perhaps it's just not standard on the 90??)Ruari
Psimpson7 said:
Not really. Its a good feature on its own for a while but to be able to lock each diff independentley when you want to, or both together is much better that a computer applying the brakes to which wheel it wants to.
Applying the brakes, to me, goes against everything i know about offroading. When in the mire you want full power, not the brakes on!I have done a fair few miles in my Fathers 2002 90 TD5, not really my cup of tea to be honest and I think they are grossly overpriced and underspeced compared to the latest twin cabed 4x4's from Nissan Ford etc etc and are absolutely awfull to drive.
That said the TD5 motor is a real powerhorse for towing and I would say has more punch than the new model, the car is now for sale (see the classifieds)as we have picked up a new 90 and 110 both with aircon funny enough, first impressions are I would agree with that said above the 6 speed gearbox is great on the motorway wheras the TD5 always seemed like it needed another gear, the heater system actually works which is a bonus, and the whole car seems much quiter and smoother, if you have to have one get a new one would be my advice.
I would also recommend trying a 110 over the 90, totally different car entirely, better ride, quiter for some reason, and with proper rear seats and loadspace.
We are selling the 110 with just 1000 miles on the clock (see classifieds again)as its a bit big for my elderly dad and can offer a great deal compared to the new price if you are interested it has aircon and the alloys can be sourced new for about £500 I would keep the 110 and sell the 90 if it were me but it is a bigger and taller car altogether.
Regards
That said the TD5 motor is a real powerhorse for towing and I would say has more punch than the new model, the car is now for sale (see the classifieds)as we have picked up a new 90 and 110 both with aircon funny enough, first impressions are I would agree with that said above the 6 speed gearbox is great on the motorway wheras the TD5 always seemed like it needed another gear, the heater system actually works which is a bonus, and the whole car seems much quiter and smoother, if you have to have one get a new one would be my advice.
I would also recommend trying a 110 over the 90, totally different car entirely, better ride, quiter for some reason, and with proper rear seats and loadspace.
We are selling the 110 with just 1000 miles on the clock (see classifieds again)as its a bit big for my elderly dad and can offer a great deal compared to the new price if you are interested it has aircon and the alloys can be sourced new for about £500 I would keep the 110 and sell the 90 if it were me but it is a bigger and taller car altogether.
Regards
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