I’ve been seriously thinking about moving from my ‘17 Range Rover Sport to the new Defender. Having 2nd thoughts now with the move. If anyone is considering a Defender, you’d be wise to watch the fiasco that TFLCars has experienced, now on their 3rd Defender. Also, you should take a look at this video from John Cadogan, an Australian reviewer and so called expert. Both sights are very entertaining and may cause one to pause and think before you pull the plug on the Defender. Links below.

 

Motor Trend and Top Gear both named it Car/SUV of the year, but Australian Guy With a Youtube says DON'T BUY. I'm convinced.

 

Must not be reading all the issues listed in the forum. First year builds in a new factory are tough.

 

You posted the same thread twice and it's a repeat for about 20 threads ago (see page 2). Could ya do us a favor and delete one of them? Or mods, maybe merge this recent thread with the other?

Danimal, I get it, you're on the fence. Super. Make a decision, or don't, I really don't care. It's insane to me that anyone thinks that ANYONE online cares at all about their purchasing decisions, but that's an aside. In any case, posting and reposting and then responding that those of us who have made a decision are drinking the kool-aid is juvenile.

Nate

 

Danimal, I fixed your post. Here is a video from Shedlock 2000 a Defender owner who is not incentive to create Youtube videos. Watch his videos as he drives the Defender to the Arctic circle. https://www.youtube.com/user/shedlock2000

 

I was on the fence and I wanted to buy a “tough” SUV that I might do some off roading stuff occasionally.
The Jeep Wrangler is not really comfortable daily driver for me. MB GLE was too frilly with needless controls and lighting stuff. Lexus felt like Toyota with make up and the the 4 runner felt good but everything felt outdated. I could settle for an old fashioned but reliable 4 Runner or drive the exciting but unknown Defender. I knew I would kinda regret not buying the Defender so went for it. Everyday I wonder if something might not work but so far it’s been a fun experience. We went for 1000 mile trip and the trip was super comfortable although the car is pretty thirsty.
So there you go. I m a first time Landrover owner.
saravs

 

Sherlock is also on his second Defender due to issues with his first one. He would give you the same advice, Danimal, pass on the car if you’re worried about being fed kool-aide. LR including your 17 RR sport is dead last for reliability. No one is being tricked into buying a Defender.

 

The video by John Cadogan was so bad I could not make it through after watching for several minutes. It felt like a parody video.

TFL sensationalizes their videos to attract viewership. I like their video's because they are entertaining, but they are what they are. They have a few videos regarding the issues with the new defender, and now can make more showing the off road capability. Seems like they got content out of it especially with LR's poor reliability record.

You gotta want to buy a new defender because of the history of the vehicle and realize as with any other Land Rover product that you will likely have more issues than other brands in one way or another. Set your expectations lower.

 

I find it hilarious that anyone cares about what anyone says on you tube. The only people who care about us are Simon from Powerfuluk. His videos actually help us. Anything else is simply entertainment or hot air.

I can’t believe you make decisions based upon what other people think? Buy one if you want one or don’t buy one. We don’t care.

 

We bought a CPO G550 for my wife earlier this year. Ok, we bought it for me as well because I’ve always liked them... Glad we bought a CPO because it’s been to the dealer 3 separate times. First was to replace the Command module (central computer) because we were getting random static popping sounds from the speakers. Second trip was to replace a window regulator (known problem). Third trip was the best - because we’d seriously just gotten the Gwagon back from the second trip. When I went to open the rear passenger door to get one fo the kids out something internal in the door failed. Couldn’t unlock the door or open it. So now we had a car with only three out of four doors in working condition.

Now it gets even better. While my wife was driving the loaner SUV from Mercedes (brand new with 800 miles) she gets a check engine light and it begins to idle extremely rough. So the new loaner goes onto a flat bed tow truck back to the dealer. Found out a few days later that it had an ‘internal problem’ and needed a new engine... We still like the Gwagon, just glad we made sure to find one with a CPO warranty. But imagine the fun I could have as a YouTube reviewer...

As for me? I can’t wait to get my 2021 Defender when it arrives sometime late January!