New Toy, Land Rover Defender 90, Hauler or Beach Cruiser, can't decide....


GTMikey

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2008
519
Lake Tahoe
God these things are beasts. If you lock the differential there is not much it will not run over or go up. I have tested her thoroughly here in San Diego on some off roading areas recently. Many areas entrances are now are blocked by boulders, it just runs over them:lol

If I need to haul a couple cars, it will be fun with the top off...
 

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Magic

GT Owner
Mark IV Lifetime
Mar 13, 2010
742
Fredericksburg, TX
God these things are beasts. If you lock the differential there is not much it will not run over or go up. I have tested her thoroughly here in San Diego on some off roading areas recently. Many areas entrances are now are blocked by boulders, it just runs over them:lol

If I need to haul a couple cars, it will be fun with the top off...
Nice looking Defender. :cheers

Before I moved overseas, I owned a 2005 LR3. Great vehicle to play around in even though everything is controlled electronically. Took it out to Moab for a week, hire a guide and had a blast learning about all the wonderful things Land Rovers could do and where they could go.

At one point in Moab, we stopped so the guide could help a group of quad ATVs riders rope their rides down rock outcrop. When finished they said thanks and he replied back that we'd see them down below shortly. They asked if we knew a different route to take the Land Rovers down and he said no we'd drive ours down where they just had to use ropes. Got a lot of laughs initially and then when we started down it got very quite. Made it down with no dents or scratches to either vehicle. They were amazed. Since then I've been sold on Land Rovers. :biggrin

About a month ago took a trip to the South Island, New Zealand and hired a Defender for the day with a guide/driver and wife and I spent a wonderful day in the mountains. Would recommend to anyone who enjoys Land Rovers.

Magic
 

Chris A.

GT #32
Mark II Lifetime
Feb 6, 2007
1,244
Ortega Mountain, CA
Very cool!

I had a White 97 D-90 w/ both tops....so annoyed with myself for selling it. Hope they reintroduce them to the States someday. A timeless design.
 

Neilda

GT Owner
Oct 19, 2005
3,559
London, UK
Defenders are pretty bullet proof. I used one recently to pull a truck out of a ditch on my property - with the diff lock on and pulling at a 30 degree angle. Amazing.

I have a Range Rover as a daily driver, so I'm a fan.

Yours is looking suspiciously clean!! :cheers


PS Have you thought of putting an exhaust snorkel on it? They're good fun under water!!
 

Kingman

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 11, 2006
4,072
Surf City, USA
The Newport Beach Lifeguards used to use these. Theirs were a bright yellow that looked really cool.
 

GTMikey

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 4, 2008
519
Lake Tahoe
The Newport Beach Lifeguards used to use these. Theirs were a bright yellow that looked really cool.

Bright Yellow 4 spd for sale in Del Mar on high end used lot.
 

texas mongrel

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
May 3, 2009
1,676
Houston Texas
My daily driver is a 2007 Range Rover HSE Supercharged. Up until three weeks ago I would have told anyone it is by far the best four-seater I've ever owned - rock solid, fast, quiet, and fun off-road when I'm up in the Hill Country. Then..... I took it in for its 37,500 mile service on April 12th and mentioned a couple of irritations I had with it (a growly rear and squeaky belt). Its been there ever since, getting; new radiator, new power steering pump, new rear differential. Still waiting on parts. Still, I can't think of any other vehicle that could actually do all the things it can, so it would be a difficult call to switch to something else.
You can still buy new Def 90s in UK - they're pretty cheap. You can also buy an effectively brand new one built on an older chassis - this saves a ton of tax, plus I imagine you could easily import to the US (pre 67s don't have to meet any safety or emissions rules?)
 

FB GT40

GT Owner/B.o.D
Mark IV Lifetime
May 30, 2006
812
Folly Beach, SC
Defender

I'm a great Defender fan and have used them widely. I have two 110's in South Africa and do many safari's in them. Never been let down. They are a bit quirky from time to time- but that's part of the charm. Stateside I have had 3 LR-3's and now have an LR-4, which is superb. The 375 bhp motor and suspension are steets above the old 3's. He's a photo from last November...
 

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Kingman

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Aug 11, 2006
4,072
Surf City, USA
My daily driver is a 2007 Range Rover HSE Supercharged. Up until three weeks ago I would have told anyone it is by far the best four-seater I've ever owned - rock solid, fast, quiet, and fun off-road when I'm up in the Hill Country. Then..... I took it in for its 37,500 mile service on April 12th and mentioned a couple of irritations I had with it (a growly rear and squeaky belt). Its been there ever since, getting; new radiator, new power steering pump, new rear differential. Still waiting on parts. Still, I can't think of any other vehicle that could actually do all the things it can, so it would be a difficult call to switch to something else.
You can still buy new Def 90s in UK - they're pretty cheap. You can also buy an effectively brand new one built on an older chassis - this saves a ton of tax, plus I imagine you could easily import to the US (pre 67s don't have to meet any safety or emissions rules?)

Think American....Think Escalade!
 

SYCO GT

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Sep 9, 2006
5,043
California
Had some great times in my 2005 LR3 (I almost got stuck in this very slick mud, but made it out fortunately). It would not have been fun digging for the covered tow hook ring.

Sold it to a friend, and then I picked up a 2008 Sprinter. I miss 4WD. The Sprinter actually gets better MPG and fits a lot more people and cargo.

211888441_NgtMare_Gulch-31.jpg


Following a friend up.

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It's definitely a bummer that the Defender is not currently sold in the US.
 
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