Land Rover Defender

[blassy]

So lease on my wife’s X5 is up. This will have been her 4th one and think she’s looking at something else. She seems to have focused her attention on the Defender. Have to admit I like the boxy retro styling but I’ve generally stayed away from all brings Land Rover.
Have a buddy that sells them and says the Defender is a huge seller and that 6 cylinder looks pretty fun.
Anyone here have any first hand experience?

[RRGHOST1]

Unfortunately anything built by Land Rover usually spends more time in the garage being repaired than on the road doing its job. I love the vehicles but would never buy one, one of the most unreliable cars on the road.

[Robison347]

I have owned Range Rovers for 30 years and also have a Defender. I love them. They need more upkeep than a Cadillac, but you should expect that. Mine are not “in the shop all the time” by any means. I’d go for it!

[GB-man]

I had one a year ago. Fantastic interior, some electric gremlins persist contrary to what people tell you. Overall I won’t tell you not to. They are a lot of fun. I had a p400 and it was peppy and well equipped.

[N0trub]

Have a good friend who is land rover/range rover mechanic and he tells his customers all the time “its not a lemon its a range rover.” Wifes best friend has been through 3 in ten years now she has an escalade 600

[2000-NJDEVILS]

Lease it and don’t worry about it for one millisecond - Because it’s completely under warranty for the life of your 36 month lease……

[Moondoggy]

I hear horror stories however I have had four, never had a problem, I admit though they were babied a little.

[ecmgbob]

FWIW, I am on my second trouble free Defender, 110 P400 and now a 130 P400 (6 cylinder). I have owned numerous Land Rovers over the years and only had an issue with one of them that was sorted quickly by the dealer. My wife drove three X5's in a row and each iteration seemed to be more and more disjointed from the road due to the electronic steering, telematics and other nannies. Beyond that, they burned a quart of oil (known problem on the 4.4 liter V8 for every 6-8 tanks of gas. I love the way my D130 drives and recently took my son to Asheville, NC for the 1/2 LR Experience. The most fun you can have under 5 mph!

[brandrea]

Great looking SUV but I have no experience with them. I like 2000-NJDEVILS advice … lease it

[SDGT3]

A Land Rover is like a model in many respects, but you date the model (lease), you don’t marry her (buy).

[toomuchtalk]

I drive my wifes TD5- 16 year old now.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by SDGT3

A Land Rover is like a model in many respects, but you date the model (lease), you don’t marry her (buy).

Well put.

The UK car industry continues to troll the rest of the world.

[dba]

Originally Posted by RRGHOST1

Unfortunately anything built by Land Rover usually spends more time in the garage being repaired than on the road doing its job. I love the vehicles but would never buy one, one of the most unreliable cars on the road.

Unless you want to give personal examples of how they are the most unreliable cars on the road, you're being disingenuous. An old girlfriend of mine had one for 10 years without a single issue. I've had one for two years. Two trouble free years.

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Well put.

The UK car industry continues to troll the rest of the world.

The Defenders are trolling from Slovakia.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Robison347

I have owned Range Rovers for 30 years and also have a Defender. I love them. They need more upkeep than a Cadillac, but you should expect that. Mine are not “in the shop all the time” by any means. I’d go for it!

What is "upkeep?"

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by dba

Unless you want to give personal examples of how they are the most unreliable cars on the road, you're being disingenuous. An old girlfriend of mine had one for 10 years without a single issue. I've had one for two years. Two trouble free years.


The Defenders are trolling from Slovakia.

I'm not saying it's not possible, but 10 years without a single issue for ANY make of vehicle is not probable.

[SearChart]

If you like boxy, have a look at the new Lexus GX. At least it will be reliable.

[1William]

I have owned the Range Rover HSE before. Loved the styling but consistent issues. Traded after a year or so and will never go back. The Lexus GX550. Great styling and Toyota reliability.

[N0trub]

In my family we have four Toyotas and one ford. The Toyotas do break but not like ford which is designed to last around 250k miles. One is a 99 land cruiser and everything works things have had to be fixed but. They are not exciting but are reliable. If you have a second car and there is no financial stress rovers certainly do look nice and are comfortable. I believe a proper suv should have a tail gate. Toyota has dropped the ball on the new Land Cruiser really disappointed here.

[Barbara_C]

I get lots of comments (from men) Jeep/Doge are the worse suv/cars made and will not last etc. I do get a discount because of family works for Dodge and Jeep.....my Grand Cherokee with the 3.6 has never left me on the side of the road in over 20 years.....I have had dead batteries and starter go out at 80k but nothing that would not happen to any other make. I consider the 3.6 bullet proof and makes 300hp with no turbo junk.
I would love to have the 5,7 v-8 in mine but as little as we drive now it would be a waste of money. I say buy what make you happy ....its your money.

[Maleg]

Originally Posted by Barbara_C

I get lots of comments (from men) Jeep/Doge are the worse suv/cars made and will not last etc. I do get a discount because of family works for Dodge and Jeep.....my Grand Cherokee with the 3.6 has never left me on the side of the road in over 20 years.....I have had dead batteries and starter go out at 80k but nothing that would not happen to any other make. I consider the 3.6 bullet proof and makes 300hp with no turbo junk.
I would love to have the 5,7 v-8 in mine but as little as we drive now it would be a waste of money. I say buy what make you happy ....its your money.

I’ve known a lot of people with problems with Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep products. I’ll add you to my list. A starter in a modern car failing at 80k is a defect IMO. I have cars with over 200k on them and no starter problems. For reference, my F250 V8 diesel starter lasted 23 years and 250k miles.

I had a modern Defender. It had a lot of nagging problems, some that left me stranded. I’ll never own another.

[Barbara_C]

Originally Posted by Maleg

I’ve known a lot of people with problems with Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep products. I’ll add you to my list. A starter in a modern car failing at 80k is a defect IMO. I have cars with over 200k on them and no starter problems. For reference, my F250 V8 diesel starter lasted 23 years and 250k miles.

I had a modern Defender. It had a lot of nagging problems, some that left me stranded. I’ll never own another.

My better half had the starter on a 2019 camry go out at 55k.....the camry has had many problems from front break pads going out at 20k to head gasket at 60k....all was covered by toyota except no free rental....seems since we did not get the "ex coverage" your SOL. I know Toyota is well known for their cars going 250k and doing nothing except oil changes.....I had a 1990 corolla ....i bought with 92k and drove to over 200k then i gave it to my brother who drove it to 260k? when he was drunk at hit a tree (idiot) I think Japanese cars hit their super car status in the late 80's early 90's. I came close to buying one but dad would turn over in his grave....dodge had nothing that could touch a camry or corolla then. I bought a green 91 Dodge truck 318 v-8 short bed 4 wd auto.....as far as I know its still running as a farm truck in Iowa with over 300k miles.