 | Home > General & Technical (L663) > Is it perhaps a great car? |
 
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| Hwalker164 Member Since: 11 Jun 2020 Location: Melbourne Posts: 20  
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the issue isnt people dont like the vehicle for what it always should have been a replacement for the Discovery 4 thanks to the poorly selling Discovery 5. Now they have yet another vehicle that basically competes with their complete range of vehicle which brings no new sales to them. People considering a Defender would have already been in the market for a Landrover product.
They threw away all the long earnt brand heritage when they should have just said the new Discovery 6 and binned the Disco 5 |
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25th Jan 2021 7:31am |
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| umbertob Member Since: 21 Jun 2020 Location: Altadena, CA Posts: 133 
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If it weren't for the new Defender 110, my beloved 2013 LR4/Disco4 would have been my last Land Rover. I couldn't stomach the proportions, rear end looks and overly glitzy/shiny interior of the Disco 5 when it came out as replacement for my LR4, the Sport was too small and "cute" for my family, and the Range Rover, well, has always been out of my price range (with the toys I like.) In my case at least, Land Rover came through in the nick of time with the new Defender, I may have shopped for the new Ford Bronco or some other brand for sure. Could care less about the name, honestly. In time (about a year or two max, as the Defender establishes itself as one of Land Rover's best selling models - it's well on the way judging by the recent numbers), most of the doomsayers crying foul about cannibalization and brand dilution will stop bitching.
In 2005, as a new Land Rover owner I witnessed the same disdain and ridicule of the "loyalists", panties all in a bunch about the letters Land Rover had decided to stick on the hood of its own cars, when I purchased an early Range Rover Sports in late 2005. They were all up in arms and the laments sounded similar, "Land Rover has destroyed its brand heritage by calling it a Range Rover, we know it's really just a chopped off Disco 3 in drags, it cheapens this and dilutes that, how embarrassing for all of us, what a disservice to the automotive world, blah blah". I loved that Range Rover Sport, it made me a big fan of Land Rover. Nobody is bitching about it anymore, but in 2005 Range Rover owners in particular were brutal. I've had the new Defender for 4 months now, driven it on road and off for 7000 miles and, in my somewhat informed opinion built over the past 15 years driving other highly competent and enjoyable models, it is the best and most rounded car Land Rover has ever built. It would run circles around that 2006 Sport, which I loved. Would I feel more legit driving it had they stuck DISCOVERY instead of DEFENDER letters on its front and rear ends? No. To me, it's a ridiculous argument and in the end, money talks. I don't buy the story that all these Defenders being sold are solely cannibalizing sales of other Land Rover models and not attracting new customers - or customers in danger of defecting, like me - to the brand. 2020 NAS Defender 110 HSE 5-seater / Silver / Khaki / Black Pack / Black Roof / Satin Film / Cold Pack / Off-Road Pack / Advanced OR Pack / Comfort + Convenience Pack / Sirius + HD radio / HUD / Meridian Surround |
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25th Jan 2021 8:50am |
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| Hwalker164 Member Since: 11 Jun 2020 Location: Melbourne Posts: 20
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Fair enough lets hope you are right as Land rover sales are a minnow in the world and with current new factory would be way under capacity at current rates of sales. I just dont see it reaching any kind of capacity for JLR to be making $$$ which ultimately is their reason for survival.
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25th Jan 2021 9:00am |
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| DSL Member Since: 20 Aug 2007 Location: Wandering the wasteland. Posts: 837 
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When I sold my D4 2 and a bit years ago I swore never again would I buy a LR, but the new Defender is the only car in the range that would tempt me back. I don’t care what name is on it. Whether I can justify getting one as purely a toy is another matter, we can’t go anywhere and I doubt that will change this year. It’s a lot of money for another drive ornament.
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25th Jan 2021 9:07am |
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| LRSpain004 Member Since: 30 Jun 2020 Location: Elche Posts: 68 
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25th Jan 2021 9:14am |
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| SN Member Since: 29 Jun 2007 Location: SK6 Posts: 729 |
Having never been invested in LR before 2006, I never took any notice of the early grumbles from D1/D2 owners that it was too complicated or not the same/good as their vehicles (and of course never a match for a 'real' Defender off-road)
As a D3 owner though I never really understood why the diesel engined RR Sport sold at all - can only have been for the Range Rover badge as it really was 75% of a D3 for 125% of the price (note I explicitly exclude the petrol engined variants as clearly they went like stink) And after my 5 year LR hiatus with a pickup (which was brilliant for what it was by the way, and 50% price of my Defender) again I'm in the position of an LR about to arrive with NO personal history of its predecessor - I don't care about the "not a proper defender" argument, I don't care that in a perfect world if should have been named "Discovery 6". But (like the swiss watch to 100m deep analogy) I do like the fact it can in theory go anywhere (as already proven by some great YT videos I've seen) even though I probably won't put it quite as close to peril as my last LR's, I will exercise that capability to some degree, alongside (as I posted elsewhere) taking advantage of all its other capabilities. So for me, I think, it IS going to be a great car! Can't wait! Again, just my opinion.
Derek, if I could pick anyone to accuse them of buying a car as an ornament, you would be right at the bottom of my list given where you went and what you got upto with that first D3! Steve N | 21MY Defender  | 08MY Discovery 3 (history) | 06MY Discovery 3 (ancient history) |
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25th Jan 2021 9:27am |
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| Tim in Scotland Member Since: 23 May 2007 Location: The Land that time forgot Posts: 3753 
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Umbertob, DSL and SN, I couldn’t agree more with you all.
I still have my 1996 TDi 300 90 so I really never left the marque, but in 2018 I did replace a 3 year old RRS and bought a BMW Mini Countryman PHEV. My first new non Land Rover in 27 years. The possibility of modern new Defender brought me back to the LR range because I could replace the old one and my day to day car with one vehicle that was as good for the majority of driving I do and more than capable of being the off-road fun vehicle that I bought the TDI300 for. Am I misty eyed that it isn’t what many people hoped it would? No way, because it really is so much better than what it replaces in everyday, general use. Pangea Green D250 90 HSE with Air Suspension, Off-road Pack, Towing Pack, Black Contrast roof , rear recovery eyes, Front bash plate, Classic flaps all round, extended wheel arch kit and a few bits from PowerfulUK Expel Clear Gloss PPF to come 2020 D240 1st Edition in Pangea Green with Acorn interior. Now gone - old faithful, no mechanical issues whatsoever ever but the leaks and rattles all over the place won’t be missed! |
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25th Jan 2021 10:10am |
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| J77 Member Since: 04 Nov 2019 Location: Fife Posts: 3411 
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As others have said, I couldn’t care what name is on the bonnet, for me it’s a good looking, comfortable and capable everyday vehicle. It’s tougher, more hard wearing and less precious than my Velar and as good as my Velar is the new Defender to me just feels right, I’ve missed the nice upright driving position that I’m used to with my previous Discos and I’m counting down the days to delivery. 24MY 90 D250 HSE, Tasman Blue
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25th Jan 2021 10:59am |
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| deaston Member Since: 18 Dec 2020 Location: UK Posts: 150
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[quote="DSL"]When I sold my D4 2 and a bit years ago I swore never again would I buy a LR, but the new Defender is the only car in the range that would tempt me back. I don’t care what name is on it. Whether I can justify getting one as purely a toy is another matter, we can’t go anywhere and I doubt that will change this year. It’s a lot of money for another drive ornament. :blub: :blub:[/quote]
Me too! After selling my Velar last year, I also said no more Land Rovers. And here I am with a Defender on order. No other car is like an LR. The interiors especially do it for me. No gimmickery, no silly swooping shapes - just good, solid design. |
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25th Jan 2021 11:26am |
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| DSL Member Since: 20 Aug 2007 Location: Wandering the wasteland. Posts: 837
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Great fun was had on multiple jollies of varying abuse levels in 20 countries on 2 continents, lots of happy memories. Click image to enlarge However those days are well behind me.  |
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25th Jan 2021 11:29am |
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| Gareth Member Since: 12 Dec 2011 Location: Woodford Posts: 1110 
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It is a brilliant car. Land Rover have scored a direct hit with it. Perfect. It has recaptured the same emotions and feeling of solid invincibility that the Series Land Rovers, the original 90/110, and the Defenders that followed all have as their main attraction.
They lost their way amongst a certain sector of their market, with the modern day style designs which started with the second generation RRsport. Once the Discovery went down that road, at the same time as the Defender was culled, it didn’t look good for Land Rover at all because it left all those customers with nowhere to go. That was a mistake. Now it would appear they have put that right. I’ve only had the new one a couple of weeks but on initial experience it’s a great car. I also have Series Land Rovers, and have had Defenders and Discovery’s of all types to base my opinion on. 2021 Defender 110 X-Dynamic HSE D300 MHEV 1966 S2a 109 aka Betsy |
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25th Jan 2021 11:35am |
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| discomog Member Since: 09 May 2015 Location: Notts/Lincs Border Posts: 2530 
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Is it a brilliant car? -Yes
Should JLR have named it Defender? -Does it matter? Can you compare it to the iconic Defender ?- Chalk and Cheese Will it diminish D5 sales? - undoubtably Would I buy one? - No, only because SWMBO says I have too many toys Should I divorce the wife and call my JLR dealer? - maybe Defender 90XS SW Mini Countryman Cooper S Morgan Plus 8 |
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25th Jan 2021 12:07pm |
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| Simon Audi Member Since: 19 Nov 2020 Location: Newport Posts: 544
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Should they have named it Defender or Discovery
Defender Why Because eventually it will be available as a 90 a 110 and a 130.... just like its Father... As far as I know they never made different length versions of the Discovery? (maybe they did 3 door on the early ones) But as others have said.... does it matter? Making a new Car and calling it an old name that was dead..... made commercial sense... and fitted with the older model.. |
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25th Jan 2021 12:13pm |
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| Simon Audi Member Since: 19 Nov 2020 Location: Newport Posts: 544
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Think back to the Ford Escort
Was there outcry when the Mk 3 Escort went to Front Wheel Drive compared to Rear Wheel Drive Does it matter..... NO Remember when they changed the Cortina to the Sierra.... why was that not called a Cortina..... because it was felt it was better to start a new Model with a new name and loose the history.... You should be glad that LR kept on the old Defender name... Anyway.... |
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25th Jan 2021 12:18pm |
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