Running costs - oh no, not again - FFRR vs D110SW

[LD1Racing]

Ok, I'm 99% certain I'm going to order a new 110 SW shortly, which is primarily for my own use. However, our circumstances have changed and it now looks like the OH will need to use it more often than planned. She likes the 110 but prefers the RRS, so we settled on a kind of compromise of a FFRR and selling her Fiat 500. Anyway, I wouldn't be able to justify a new FFRR so would probably be looking at 3-4 years old.

Anyway, long story short, how much of a difference is there in day to day running and services between the two?

Would you go for the new 110 and keep the Fiat, or buy the s/h FFRR?

Cheers!

[C Lee Farquar]

Has she used a Defender much before? We had a new XS 110 as the main family car and whilst we prefer our cars simple I can see how a non die hard would find it quite hard work. It can be difficult to park in eurobox sized spaces and it's draughty.

However, I'm considering changing but can't think of anything I'd buy other than another one. Our kids think it's the best car in the world.

We've had a couple of things done on warranty but it's never broken down. The warranty runs out in a couple of months but I don't have any concerns about looming expenditure, which wasn't how I felt when I had a RR coming up to the end of it's warranty!

[LD1Racing]

C Lee Farquar said:

Has she used a Defender much before? We had a new XS 110 as the main family car and whilst we prefer our cars simple I can see how a non die hard would find it quite hard work. It can be difficult to park in eurobox sized spaces and it's draughty.

However, I'm considering changing but can't think of anything I'd buy other than another one. Our kids think it's the best car in the world.

We've had a couple of things done on warranty but it's never broken down. The warranty runs out in a couple of months but I don't have any concerns about looming expenditure, which wasn't how I felt when I had a RR coming up to the end of it's warranty!

She test drove a demo 90SW but seems a bit intimidated by the 110 (even though I know it is actually smaller than a FFRR)

I know what you mean about the threat of huge bills, i'm sure a FFRR would be fine but has the potential to be very expensive indeed. I have owned a couple of older Rangies in the past.

I was surprised that the fuel consumption figures seem very similar though, thought the FFRR would have been considerably worse than the D110, though I suppose the additional weight is counterbalanced by the improved aero.

[Vladimir]

We recently bought a TDCi Defender 110XS SW (with 5 seats) - they are definitely priceyish to run - high tax, thirsty, more than I expected to insure, etc for a vehicle that's actually pretty slow! But they really do shine in many areas - very handy for taking clobber, the XS gets some nice extras like heated seats and they are superb for towing and off roading. However as a sole car, we'd struggle with it - noisy, slow and pretty rough. If you have a second car then fine but as an only car, the RRS might suit better?

RRS will cost more to run and will depreciate more - a LOT more!

[C Lee Farquar]

All new Defenders are now classed as commercial vehicles so RFL is @ £200, my insurance is sub £300 with the NFU which I thought quite reasonable.

Unfortunately the RFL for mine is over £400 which is painful, morally if nothing else.

[Vladimir]

C Lee - same here (RFL)- OUCH! Luckily got the first year's tax thrown in when we bought it.