Defender 90 - X Tech Edition
Discussion
Been a long time since I posted in here, and this machine is very different to my last car/s (VX220 Turbo / Golf Mk5 R32). I moved to Australia 5 years ago selling the aforementioned toys I owned in the UK. As I only planned to be out here for 18 months, I decided I should do without a car especially upon finding out anything European is basically twice the price it would be in the UK thanks to luxury car tax. After being here a couple of years and a failed relationship with a motorbike, it was time to get a car. Originally an E46 M3 cab seemed liked just the ticket for motoring in the sunshine (despite starting at equivalent of £20k). Upon hunting down limited examples available, they were 95% SMG (Aussies love auto) and poorly maintained. I needed something with a stick to actually drive.
Given that Sydney is a Nanny State and speeding is verboten and cruising the beaches and National Parks is the best type of motoring, the hunt changed to something to enjoy cruising in. Seemed like time to scratch the 911 itch. I got close to buying an '85 factory wide body Carrera coupe in white, and then a white 964 C4 coupe (both only around $50k / £25k at that point). Both cars I spoke to the owners within an hour of the cars going online and was beaten by buyers who could get to them before I could get out of the office. I started looking at 996 cab's, but wasn't mad about them.
Change of direction again. This time I started looking at another icon I'd always wanted to own- the Defender. I went and spoke to Land Rover and test drove a 90XS. They were offering a $5000 discount (surprisingly) and as they did not qualify for luxury car taxation unlike most European cars, so they were fairly reasonable. However, as they were not strictly allowed to sell them (due to not meeting Aussie legislations) they had to be bought before build, which meant a lead time of 3-6 months. I had a look around and found a 2011 X Tech limited edition with all the toys and only 15k on the clock. Took it for a test drive and put a deposit down.
Had it for over 2 years now and absolutely love it. Perfect for knocking about Bondi in and doing a few roadtrips. Whilst not that practical in the sense it is too high for the garage at the office / shopping centre /gym, I'm not so worried about having an interior full of sand like I would be in a sports car. Had so much fun in it and it's amazing how much attention and love it gets. I've done a bit of beach exploring and some off-road trails, which were incredible fun. I can't imagine life without a Defender in the garage now. It may not be the most practical of cars and it's certainly not fast, but it's great fun and a true icon. For once I've not tinkered with it too much other than a few small bits (new bumper, sump guard, rear step, new badges, full Alpine stereo and sub, gloss mirror covers, respray of corroded rear sill). Parts are very expensive in Oz so I tend to order my own from the UK where possible.
I'm planning to move back to the UK in spring 2017 so no real plans to do any more with the car than enjoy a few last great roadtrips. So many great memories made with this car, which to me is what owning a fun car is all about.
Just after I first picked her up. Hated the big Roo-bashing front bumper it had.
Sydney sunsets... (Note how the rear sill was starting to corrode)
Removed the Roo-basher and fitted a standard bumper. Brand new off a local car for 1/10th the cost that Land Rover wanted. First trip off-road. Had a house in the country for the weekend and it had a 2km track leading up to it, which I utilised as a rally stage for the weekend.
Utilising it's capabilites and parking it on a 30 degree rocky slope when the car park was full.
Sydney's famous golden hour doing it's thing
Fits 2 road bikes with front wheels off
Just about fits 2 mountain bikes with front wheels off, but they intrude into the front cabin a lot. Amazing how little space there is inside them considering how big they look from the outside.
Exploring a remote beach in the Great Lakes. Could not believe how much air I had to let out of the tyres to get traction.
Sunset money shot...
Happy as a pig in....
Whilst I have been away, my brother has accumulated 2 Defenders back in the UK...
Given that Sydney is a Nanny State and speeding is verboten and cruising the beaches and National Parks is the best type of motoring, the hunt changed to something to enjoy cruising in. Seemed like time to scratch the 911 itch. I got close to buying an '85 factory wide body Carrera coupe in white, and then a white 964 C4 coupe (both only around $50k / £25k at that point). Both cars I spoke to the owners within an hour of the cars going online and was beaten by buyers who could get to them before I could get out of the office. I started looking at 996 cab's, but wasn't mad about them.
Change of direction again. This time I started looking at another icon I'd always wanted to own- the Defender. I went and spoke to Land Rover and test drove a 90XS. They were offering a $5000 discount (surprisingly) and as they did not qualify for luxury car taxation unlike most European cars, so they were fairly reasonable. However, as they were not strictly allowed to sell them (due to not meeting Aussie legislations) they had to be bought before build, which meant a lead time of 3-6 months. I had a look around and found a 2011 X Tech limited edition with all the toys and only 15k on the clock. Took it for a test drive and put a deposit down.
Had it for over 2 years now and absolutely love it. Perfect for knocking about Bondi in and doing a few roadtrips. Whilst not that practical in the sense it is too high for the garage at the office / shopping centre /gym, I'm not so worried about having an interior full of sand like I would be in a sports car. Had so much fun in it and it's amazing how much attention and love it gets. I've done a bit of beach exploring and some off-road trails, which were incredible fun. I can't imagine life without a Defender in the garage now. It may not be the most practical of cars and it's certainly not fast, but it's great fun and a true icon. For once I've not tinkered with it too much other than a few small bits (new bumper, sump guard, rear step, new badges, full Alpine stereo and sub, gloss mirror covers, respray of corroded rear sill). Parts are very expensive in Oz so I tend to order my own from the UK where possible.
I'm planning to move back to the UK in spring 2017 so no real plans to do any more with the car than enjoy a few last great roadtrips. So many great memories made with this car, which to me is what owning a fun car is all about.
Just after I first picked her up. Hated the big Roo-bashing front bumper it had.
Sydney sunsets... (Note how the rear sill was starting to corrode)
Removed the Roo-basher and fitted a standard bumper. Brand new off a local car for 1/10th the cost that Land Rover wanted. First trip off-road. Had a house in the country for the weekend and it had a 2km track leading up to it, which I utilised as a rally stage for the weekend.
Utilising it's capabilites and parking it on a 30 degree rocky slope when the car park was full.
Sydney's famous golden hour doing it's thing
Fits 2 road bikes with front wheels off
Just about fits 2 mountain bikes with front wheels off, but they intrude into the front cabin a lot. Amazing how little space there is inside them considering how big they look from the outside.
Exploring a remote beach in the Great Lakes. Could not believe how much air I had to let out of the tyres to get traction.
Sunset money shot...
Happy as a pig in....
Whilst I have been away, my brother has accumulated 2 Defenders back in the UK...
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