It’s been a long time since I’ve been on these forums, but I used them to do quite a bit of research before finally settling on a list of ‘must haves’ for a potential Defender lease/purchase...so I figured I should say hello now that I’ve got my hands on one.

My ‘well utilized’ 2007 LR3 HSE was simply becoming too much to maintain for me after sitting in my garage for years (moved from Colorado to Pittsburgh years ago, and bought a car when we got here because driving a kitted LR3 around the city was a pain). We drove the LR3 to a seasonal ski house in NY a good bit this year, and it became evident that it just needs more attention than I’m able to give it these days. It was determined that the time had come to replace what had become perhaps my favorite vehicle ever. I decided that I’d also get rid of my 2019 A6, and just get something brand new...with an eye on the Defender.

Drove the Defender for the first time about 2 months ago, and instantly liked it. Felt the 4cyl was adequate, but can understand the want/need for the torque of the 6 for towing, etc. Ultimately I decided to look for one for myself...and all 15 of the trucks my local dealer had were gone after ~6 weeks. I ended up having to drive about 3.5 hours away to a different dealer, but I took delivery of a 2021 P300 in Gondwana Stone yesterday on my birthday (fortunate timing). Excited to be back in another Rover full time after spending so much time in a car. Looking forward to some light mods on this truck (Frontrunner roof rack is likely to be the first addition) before settling on a final spec for purchase in a year or two...which I’ll build up similar to my old LR3 (dual batteries, drawer system, etc). At this point I’m mainly looking for a rig that can provide access to camping/fishing/mountain biking spots, and get me to the ski hill, regardless of what sort of terrain/weather I have to deal with, and I feel like this new Defender is a great fit.

Thank you to the forum as always for having tons of useful info. I’m sure I’ll be around a little more now that I’ve got a new truck to have questions about.

 

Congrats you are going to love it. Used to live in Fox Chapel, miss the area from time to time.

 

I too went from an LR3 to a Defender, people that compare the Defender to the LR3/4 Discovery have never driven a Defender. A world of difference, not good, not bad, just different. I just sold my LR3 yesterday and was sad to see it go, was a great rig for 10 years.
Congratulations on your new rig, sure you'll like it. If you're looking to upgrade some items, I've found that getting accessories from England is cheaper and quicker than the dealers.

 

Well, it's a few years down the road now - how goes it? How has the experience been? Surprises - good and bad? Did you build it out? She doing good double-duty between city and outdoors?

I'm in a very similar position - love my LR3 and it's got a bit of life left but am starting to look towards a potential update in the next 1-3 years and a new-to-me (but post-first-depreciation-hit) Defender is what I'm leaning towards.

 

Hey - @KH406 - I’d support the jump. I’ve owned multiple LR3 and LR4 and the Defender is better, in every single way except two:

1) The rear cargo area is bigger in the LR3/4. (which is the result of the crash structure of the much safer aluminum Defender being thicker -- thicker walls basically),
2) I always liked the underhood battery boxes for the LR3/4. I think the battery under the passenger seat in the L663 is stupid. And for a 2nd battery setup, you’re looking in the cargo floor area or somewhere not nearly as easy to setup.

Otherwise, there is nothing else on the old platform that I’d say I prefer to the Defender otherwise. Not one.

 

Congrats and happy motoring. I used to have a 2006 LR3 and it was an amazing vehicle. I see your point wanting to unload the LR3 as they do have a tendency to require a lot more maintenance as they age. You will love the P300 Defender. Enjoy it!

 

Sweet - thanks for that. Sounds thick but, I hadn't even considered that the battery might be under the passenger seat. Dang. I hate that, I had similar in a BMW once too.

 

Maybe you meant this in a different way but I'm not sure why you would say this because the Defender is, finally, the most accurate replacement for the LR3/4 line in practical terms as well as design language. Of course it's incredibly different/more modern in its "drive" experience but it is also, again, the most similar and obvious progression from the former.

I still have my 2007 lr3 since new, 19 years now, with 238,000 miles.

 

Like said above, compared to the 110, the LR3 is considerably more functional behind the front row seats due to length, width, and especially the 2nd row seats design to fold truly flush into the floor.

For the cargo space intensive buyer, you'd want a 130 which is actually slightly longer space. If you get the "captain chairs" 2nd row, they also fold down FLAT and snap into place.

The sweet spot for a 130 is to first choose the P300 which on the 130, is actually an inline 6, which is normally found only as a "P400". So, then you can fully option a 130 P300 for under 90k, like 85k. If buying used, any 2026, 2025, and maybe older, 130 as a P300, will be an inline 6, not the 4. This engine can actually be programmed to match the power of how it is set up in the P400 builds.