 | Home > Puma (Tdci) > Hi there . first post. Thoughts on new Defender as main car |
 
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| Happyoldgit Member Since: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3471   
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While the Puma clutch is lighter than pre TD5 models you still might need to strengthen your left leg muscles if you intend to do a lot of stop start city driving. Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades. Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW. [Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc] http://forums.lr4x4.com I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic. |
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14th Sep 2013 5:53pm |
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| SteveG Member Since: 29 Nov 2011 Location: Norfolk Posts: 659 
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And the turning circle is woeful in the city, parking length can be an issue in some bays, and the height prevents you from using a number of multi storey/underground car parks. Air con is a bit rubbish in a 110 too in the few months of the year that you need it.
It's easy to run one as a daily driver, but you have to want to. Cheers Steve |
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14th Sep 2013 6:35pm |
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| 22900013A Member Since: 23 Dec 2010 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 3149 
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I have run my 110 as our daily car since it was new in May 2011, without any major issues. I don't find the 110 hard to park at all, the mirrors are good and you have to use them. If you drive it like a lorry its an absolute doddle as they are so narrow.
With regards to your security concerns I would recommend the Utility Station Wagon version, as the back becomes almost impossible to see into from outside that way, plus only the one window to pose an breakage risk. I have drive mine all over including trips to France, Holland and Germany all in comfort with no issues. Things like the cold climate pack (heated cab seats and windscreen) and aircon are nice additions, as is central locking. They make great tow vehicles but don't expect supercar performance with a decent weight on the back, anything over about 2 tonnes will see you cruising at not much over 50. MPG does get better with gentle driving, stick in behind and HGV and see low 30s MPG, but when you boot it (and trust me from time to time you will) then MPG will drop quite noticeably. 2011 110 USW 1973 Series III 1-Ton 1972 Series III 1-Ton Cherrypicker 1969 IIA 1-Ton 1966 IIA 88" |
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14th Sep 2013 6:43pm |
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| mk1collector Member Since: 17 Sep 2009 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 6769  
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Does anyone else think its funny that the majority answering this thread say that defenders are woefull at this, terrible at that, noisy, poor on fuel, uncomfortable etc etc but are saying defeinately have one as a daily
 the thing is I have to agree  |
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14th Sep 2013 6:55pm |
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| a13x Member Since: 25 Sep 2011 Location: Burton on Trent Posts: 553
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I find it equally funny how people say how they make great tow cars, comfy for long trips and great as everyday cars etc, probably all by people that have never run a RR or similar as they have no experience to base their opinion on.
The RR/D3/4 makes a better tow car or everyday car by a mile! They are much more refined on a long trip, seats much better, ours has both heated and cooled seats together with air con means its much more capable of keeping you cool pretty much anywhere, easier to park with sensors and cameras. They are even a better off road car for the everyday person. Then there is the issue of corrosion, leaks, frozen door locks and many more with the Defender. That being said, the 1 car that would be kept is the Defender. It's not always about having the most comfortable and equipped car but one that you love to look at, drive etc and the defender wins hands down. It all comes down to whether you have the passion for Land a rovers and whether you can put up with all of its many faults. |
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14th Sep 2013 7:51pm |
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| jeeves Member Since: 10 Jul 2011 Location: lancashire Posts: 91
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We used to have a D3 and used it for towing and day to day family car....it was functional, comfortable etc, etc
BUT every time we drove past a defender we would all shout "Defender!!!" Now we have upgraded to our defender...it's our main family car. Yes it's a bit noisier, but not much, it actually gets more mpg (we have had 22 towing but get 28 day to day) Now we see a Defender and all wave... We have never shouted"discovery" or "Range Rover"... Above all wherever you go, you turn up in a Defender.... Get one you will love it !!!! |
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14th Sep 2013 8:04pm |
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| timbar Member Since: 30 Jul 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 245 
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I can't offer much advice, because we've only had one for about 4 weeks. However -- it's quite possibly the best purchase I've ever made! We now have a used 2009 (2.4) 110 XS.
You _will_ notice your left leg doing an awful lot more work. The kids and the car are already inseparable. My wife sent me a text the other day saying she took it out and came back cackling with delight (after being a bit nervous about it). We've done a few 3-4 hour drives off camping in it so far and it's been great both on country roads (nice and narrow) and motorways -- it's pretty happy cruising along in 6th. Even reverse parking and getting into the occasional supermarket spaces hasn't been the drama we'd been expecting -- trickier, but not desperate. The first day we had it we drove down to the south coast in torrential rain, and found our first standard defender leak -- into the passenger footwell. And just wait until you drive straight into a sudden hailstorm 
It's great. It feels like actually driving a car again. 2009 110 XS Station Wagon |
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14th Sep 2013 8:34pm |
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| Happyoldgit Member Since: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Norfolk Posts: 3471
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Unless you know the motoring history of those that have contributed to this thread that's a bit of a presumptuous statement  Steve.
Owned numerous Land Rover vehicles of all shapes and sizes over the decades. Current Defender: A non tarts hand-bagged Puma 110 XS USW. [Insert something impressive here such as extensive list of previous Land Rovers or examples of your prestigeous and expensive items, trinkets, houses, bikes, vehicles etc] http://forums.lr4x4.com I used to be Miserable ...but now I'm ecstatic. |
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14th Sep 2013 8:38pm |
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| Shep Member Since: 02 Sep 2013 Location: Pwhelli Posts: 88 
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Spot on! A man with no boat is a prisoner |
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14th Sep 2013 8:39pm |
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| lukev01 Member Since: 24 Mar 2012 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 412 
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You won't regret it.
Land Rover once claimed that a Defender was the only "classic car that you buy new". If you have teenagers, they (and their friends) will claim that it is the coolest car anyone has......but be aware that this compliment does NOT apply to the driver. You will still be sad, middle-aged and could not possibly understand what it is like to be a teenager....unless that is just me 
Plus, all the arrogant numpties in their BMWs and Audis will gladly let you out at junctions. I am sure that there are numerous threads on this and the above comments won't be original, I am sure. Overall, though, you have a win-win situation, I reckon. 1970 Series 2A 88" |
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14th Sep 2013 8:46pm |
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| timbar Member Since: 30 Jul 2013 Location: Milton Keynes Posts: 245
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The kids in our village -- younger than teenage -- seem to be queuing up to get in it at the moment 
Gah, didn't spot the direct quote button ... 2009 110 XS Station Wagon |
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14th Sep 2013 8:51pm |
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| LandRoverAnorak Member Since: 17 Jul 2011 Location: Surrey Posts: 11324
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That's fantastic  Darren
110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak "You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia |
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14th Sep 2013 9:05pm |
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| a13x Member Since: 25 Sep 2011 Location: Burton on Trent Posts: 553
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But there are cars out there that make better all round 4x4s, tow cars, everyday cars so why try and cloud the OPs view on changing from a RR? The RR is a much better everyday car for the reasons outlined in this thread. You have to decide whether the character of a Defender outweighs the better features and comforts of a RR/D3/4. Or if you had read the end of my post, you would see that despite the option of a RR or going for a Discovery, I would still pick the Defender. However I probably wouldn't have one as an only car. Similar for when having sports cars. You really need an everyday car as you can quickly lose the appeal of them... |
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14th Sep 2013 9:12pm |
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6295
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for what its worth this is my take on it.....
a rebuilt triumph spitfire will probably turn more heads than a peugot 206 convertible but you need to be an enthusiast (or however you spell it  ) and be prepared to constantly tinker with it if you want to keep it tidy and working well.
actually getting on with it ... in my opinion you'll soon learn to hate it when you around town in traffic and in a rush. drive it like you've got all the time in the world - GREAT. (so long as nothing is breaking or falling off). buy one as a hobby or cos you need one ..... beyond that the only other good reason I can think of is depreciation and tax benefits. I hope its for you cos in my opinion its one of the very few new cars available which you can become involved with. ....and welcome |
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14th Sep 2013 9:16pm |
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