2007 Defender-what date does it go on sale

[johnnyhayward]

As mentioned above the launch date is the 16th of April, thats what we have been told by Land Rover as a Land Rover dealer.

[w1how]

Ive not driven a new defender yet,has anyone else had a decent on-road drive??Ive been offered a brand new 2.4 90 XS with metallic paint,full uk spec inc 3 year warranty for £23400.I think its an import but this does not bother me as ive imported many cars over the years and never regretted it.Any thoughts??

[w1how]

Also does anyone know if a defender will fit through a standard garage door opening??My garage is attached to my house and in the winter months its nice to drive in/out without having to venture outside!

[johnnyhayward]

I can give you the dimensions from the new brochure, the width is 1790mm(70", the height is 1968mm(77" with 205 tyres and 2021mm(80" with 750/235 tyres. The overall length is 3894mm(153".

Let me know if this is in the guidelines of posting but if you are interested I might be able to get you a full UK car from our dealer for not much more.

[beyond rational]

I read they have a thousand orders.

I really hope this engine/gearbox stands the test of time, so far the reviews have all been positive.

[thinfourth]

w1how said:

Also does anyone know if a defender will fit through a standard garage door opening??My garage is attached to my house and in the winter months its nice to drive in/out without having to venture outside!

its a defender

You won't even have to bother opening the door

Seriously apart from in height a 90 is actually a small car


Or get a kenlow heater and you can plug the car in and it is nice and toasty before you even turn the key

Edited by thinfourth on Friday 13th April 09:13

[w1how]

Went into a Land Rover dealer today and despite a salesman leaving me a voicemail last week saying that last weekend was the launch weekend and to come down and have a look,there were no new defenders anywhere when I called in today.I was also promised a brochure and pricelist a few months ago which never arrived.A waited around the dealership for a while and despite there being no other customers in there I had to search round for someone to 'help' me.The person I eventually found didnt know for definate when cars were due to arrive.Im rapidly going off the idea now.

[RayVonn]

Apparently, they are selling like hot cakes at the moment. Mine arrived just over a week ago. Perhaps try a different dealer?

[superlightr]

So how are the new Defenders going? What are they like. Any niggles, positive suprises etc?

Im thinking (nee talked myself into getting) a 110 defender and note that perhaps a 2000gbp off may be on the cards? Am I barking?

PS I want mine in metalic red. not that Ive speced it up or even going to buy one, or dribble every time I go past a showroom - you know.

[JohnnyHayward]

They do seem to be selling really well at the moment, Will has had his for a few weeks now so will hopefully be able to let you know what it is like to live with.

[loveice]

Had a brand new 90XS last week as a courtesy car. Overall it is a better car. I mean the gear feels much better (lighter, more like a car). And with the extra 6th gear I did nearly 70mph on M6! But I must say I can see the point of this upgrade really. Coz in 3-4yr time there'll be an all new model. And till that model arrives I don't think the upgrade will help to sell more. I mean in terms of the off road ability I'm sure it's still the same as before. On road performance is better, but just slightly though. The dash board has a different shape (still the same if u ask me). Two rear seats are totally useless now. Coz you cant get in by folding the front seats. So you have to use the back door. But the seats are front facing now...

[w1how]

JohnnyHayward said:

They do seem to be selling really well at the moment, Will has had his for a few weeks now so will hopefully be able to let you know what it is like to live with.

Yes Ive had mine for a few weeks now and have put 1000 or so miles on it.Compared to the 200tdi I had many years ago it still has all the defender quirkiness which I like but is much better on long journeys/motorway etc.In 6th gear it is only pulling just over 2000 revs at 65/70mph so you can actually have a conversation without the engine noise drowning things out!The engine and 6 speed box are great-I tow a car trailer sometimes and the defender pulls it no problem,even in 6th gear up moderate inclines on the motorway.The back seats arent ideal considering that years ago a 90 could seat 4 in the back but they are better on longer journeys than the side facing ones.I dont find accessing them through the rear door a problem for family use and because you sit quite high in the back my youngest can see the world go by through the window in her car seat.Although the defender shape is now old a lot of people recognise the new model so it attracts quite a lot of attention at the moment because there are not many around yet.
The build quality is still pretty rubbish-a few ill fitting bits and rough edges around but you dont buy a defender for that.I got a good deal and good service from Dovercourt Battersea where I bought it from(thanks again Johnny!).