I really don’t get the way anyone would want to drive a 70 year old car design with poor performance no refinement whatsoever just because it will probably be able to drive down a muddy potholed country road. Any Toyota Land Cruiser will do that in considerably more comfort at a far better price.
Had a defender 110 with 300tdi engine. Bought it from somebody who was going to scrap it, spent a few weeks doing rust repairs and making it good mechanically. Then used it as my daily driver for 7 years and even drove it to Italy and back. Sold it and immediately regretted selling it.
Say if you were to pick one up now would cost you a few Bob .... my 1988 Land Rover 90 with a 300 Tdi R380 gear box , transfer box & rear axel from a disco is my daily drive ... was going to drive to Rimini this year in it only for the 🦠 bugger it next year hopefully 🙏..... truly they give you a giggle.... if you look after them , change all the oils gearbox, transfer box & diff oils regularly & wax oil the chase keep an eye on bushings eg your good to go anywhere!
I was going camping 🏕 with my daughter few years back , my starter motor was giving me a bit of jip but said I’ll get the trip out of it .... anyhow we were in the middle of no where off the west cost of Ireland I pulled over to look at the GPS , anyhow it cut out .... did the usual hammer 🔨 crack nothing .... looked at the connection to the starter lot of oil .... my daughter was saying dad how are you going to fix it ... she was ten ... give me a rag & that can of “ links “ WHAT .....she said ..... I was thinking 🤔 the alcohol in the links will clean the connection.... jump into the driver seat & turn the key ..... ahhhhhh music 🎶 to my ears to hear that 300 Tdi tick over ..... it’s something she always talks about.... memories...... 😆
So true. I've driven a good few, and everyone had different foibles and feel. Yet each one puts a smile on my face. Even better, I've taken them off-road properly a few times. One of my kids best childhood memories is taking a 130 to the summit of the Scottish mountain behind our older house. Yet they are terrible. And I'd never own one. But they are fabulous.
@@HighPeakAutos Matt in Norway these motors are revered as tough as the countries topography blooming hard. One of my neighbours has a silver ten year old model I asked him if he would sell it to me,his dog was near by he looked towards him and indicated that he might go sooner than the Kandy. You get the drift. Hope to be over to the old country soon as we head over the High Peaks we might see you at the garage, as long as the tier three controls allow. By the way is crumpet castle I mean Breaders C.C.and Hotel still up and running. Keep the good work and content up. Your Venlig kompis Norge John.
Every time I go out in my 90 pick-up I wish that I had taken my Disco Sport instead. Yet by the time I get home in it I have a smile like The Cheshire Cat :) Love it.
I think your videos are honest, down to earth and totally with our interests in mind. I think you have made a customer of me and so I will be looking to visit from north of Scotland when we are allowed to post-covid and you having something in stock of interest. Thanks for your amazing manner and service. Legend!
That wave is true wherever you are in the world, the only other vehicle that gets that is the Morgan, which also sells for twice it's new price, it is because we love them !
I'm 22 and bought a 2013 110 when I was 19 here in Australia. I've since put 60k kms on it and I reckon I could easily sell it for the same amount that I bought it for. I've been offered more, but I'll never sell it. I love defenders
brought my 2001 110 double cab for $25,000 nzd in late 2015 seen a couple sell for $36,000 -$43,000 nzd about a year ago will never sell mine though is my dream truck going to build it into a beast
Holy crap, Look at all the likes and replies. I bought it for myself. I saved alot of money and make good money for my age. Being able to afford $51,000 At 19 is crazy. I'm definitely lucky. I use it for work aswell. So in some ways it makes me money😁
One of my favourite videos Matt and have watched many times. The TD5 is a tractor compared to the Puma's. My 2015 has only 17000 miles on the clock and I wonder why people put extra sound proofing in them. They will do 90 mph (if your brave enough) and can easily be used as a daily driver. I bought mine in 2016 and now the dealer price is worth £10000 more than I paid for it. I will keep mine for as long as I can still climb into it!
Pumas have short life engines, nasty electronics with unreliable sensors, poor quality gearbox and transfer box and weak diffs.Yes they are faster, until they snap and quiter too.
My sentiments exactly! I have a td5 90 as my only vehicle for the last 10 years. The thing I love about these is that it puts a smile on your face every time you take it out. Passengers laugh at the comedy windscreen wipers, washers and 'heater'. The noise, the squeaks, the draughts, the cold and damp. I love it, my dogs love it and it makes me 😊. What more could you possibly wish for?
Been a defender owner for 12 years, its my daily driver, I have a '94 110 300tdi station wagon model, I always find watching these types of reviews entertaining, yes it leaks, in fact it doesn't it marks it's territory, yes they're noisy, most cars are take away the sound proofing, yes it breaks, but then again even newer cars breaks down, but the real gem of the Landy is that it can be fixed on the side of the road and with just a handful of tools, no computers, if your that way inclined no overly priced Garage Bills, for example last week I replaced 2 front calipers, 2 front vented Brake Disks and obviously brake pads, total cost under £300 and 4 hours of my time to complete the job, this has transformed the ride, yes it drives like an oil tanker in the open ocean and yes the Turning Circle is, well, doesn't exist unless your in a large Car Park, but how many cars do you know where the driver sees another Defender driver and immediately acknowledges his presence with a flash of his headlights or a wave??, Yes it's an icon, a British Classic that's been built on it's past, 70 years in production and they are still on the road, not many cars have that accolade, oh and it's not a car, it's a Landy or a Defender and you may be able to get away with calling it a truck, its not a car, certainly is not a Jeep (spit on the floor) like some have called mine, nothing Pi$$es me off more when someone refers it as a Cheap Jeep, I love my Defender always puts a smile on my face while driving, and it's still gets that 2nd look (stare) while it's passing some pedestrians.
I love how you’re so excited and lively for this one, partly because you genuinely have strong feelings for the car, and also because you have to fight the car(loud engine, uncomfortableness) to get your voice picked up be the camera. Also, Land Rover owe a lot of their success to the Defender, and the world is better off because of it’s continued existence.
I drove loads of them as a copper in the RAF in the late 80s/early 90s. They were brilliant. 3 quick memories. A mate drove one head first into a ditch at 40mph and barely dented it. I saw a 110 get skewered through the rear cab and lifted into the air by a tractor fork lift with 6 blokes in the back, 1 of whom had the fork go straight between his legs, the lucky bugger. But my favourite was the open top sand coloured 1960s 90 with a drop forward screen that I used to drive in Cyprus. Wazzing along in desert fatigues in the sunshine. Happy days!
A guy I know had a V8 version and he fitted Jaguar XJS front seats. It sounded great and I don't remember it feeling that uncomfortable being in the passenger seat.
Spot on review Matt. Glad you mentioned the security aspect. My father in law had 2 Defender 90's stolen in short succession. One even had his 2 dogs in it (the dogs were found safe and well) but the Defender was never recovered. The more security there is the better. Also, the V8 special edition Defender is rather nice (if you're not doing many miles).
My mate has 2 of them, a very old 110 thats been restored called Frank and a 90 he bought new in the last 18 months of manufacture. A very wise buy indeed!
Brilliant 'review' of the Land Rover - all so very true. Really accurate and amusing script you had there! Well done. As a long time Series One owner, I can relate to everything you said. Cheers. (Didn't realise I wasn't subscribed, now am).
This episode really had me chuckling, you keep getting better. I won’t be able to look at the central cubby box now without thinking it was screwed together by a granny!
Wonderful and perfectly accurate commentary. I'm an American. I drove Land Rovers, the Series vehicles, from 1964 to 1994. These vehicles will always be my favorite "car" to drive.
Great video as always! Defender's were great to drive in terms of enjoyment but not experience . It's an addiction though as I was introduced via a 200tdi and now have Defender, Discovery 2 and about to buy a Range Rover Classic
Got my 90 new in 2003... love it, never lets me down... pulls trees out of ditches and takes me across Europe ... a bit tiring on long journeys but wouldn't swap it !
Hi Matt. At 67 we were thinking, do we get something sensible or have one last Land Rover... You summed up everything we think about them and really made us laugh as well. They jusy make you smile like a kid! So, I think you've made up our minds for us: : )
I've been driving one every day for 30 years, have a 2002 crewcab at the moment, will never sell it. Everything you said is true, it's truly a love hate relationship 😁
I remember one of those pulling me out of the snow in my BMW 525i back in 1982. Since then I love them. Now turning 70, Im really considering buying one, even though there is not a single reason I would need that car.
This review is simply golden. Could hardly restrain myself from beating the floor out of laughter. Made my day Matt. Would it be worth it to buy an old beaten up defender and restore it?
The defining memory I have of being in my mate's defender was piling into a half metre deep puddle at 40mph and getting drenched as water flew in through the hole for the gearstick. one of the funniest moments of my life. Also had great fun going on offroad courses in it
In 2008 I bought an '85 Defender 90, one of the first ones to be actually called a Defender and not a '90'. It had a 200tdi, rear brake drums and a heater that was kaput. What it did have was a galvanised bulkhead and chassis and being a bit of a Tonka Truck there was loads of things I could do to and with it. Everything was £80. New windscreen? £80 quid. As was a new fuel tank, a new front prop shaft, a new rear one. The handbrake acted on a disc attached to the rear prop. There is a thriving and diverse number of Defender owners forums with a huge collective memory on how to update or repair stuff on them. In ten years ownership it never once broke down on me and although 65 was it's top speed, it returned a steady 35mpg whatever driving I did. The sense of achivement was incredible when I installed things like a new dashboard and centre console, a discreet and undetectable immobiliser. Cold in winter, surnburn to the right elbow in summer, parts bin BL instrumentation of questionable quality. Not much in the way of safety equipment, the aerodynamics of a shed, squeaks and rattles you could never track down and just lived with. It was noisy, old and slow but had soul, presence and character like no other vehicle I've owned, the only car the wife would go to sleep in ten minutes after setting off. It's more like driving a small truck than a car and teaches you to be patient and to plan ahead. I traded it in for £3k more than I paid for it after ten years and immediately regretted it.
Oh dear, just seen your vid and have always wondered why these vehicles that were originally designed to tow a plough, seen throughout the world in the outback of beyond, up mountains, or dropped out of aircraft on military manoeuvres, became a mud pluggers' Chelsea tractor. Strangely I always wanted one for some reason and recently took pity on my late collegue's low mileage 06 td5 90 and bought it from his daughter. I now can see the reason why. I forgive its querks and foibles - its just an endearing machine that bimbles round the lanes and keeps up with the lorries on the A12 quite happily at 60. Its absolutely true you develope a Cheshire cat grin driving it, and you always get a wave or a flash of the headlights from others in the same marque. Mine is a bling free standard example, and yes it wants a few jobs doing on it, and I don't really want to alter it. Splendid! We've lost so much of our heritage over the years, and long may they continue - they are a classic British icon that should not be cast aside.
I had to sit with my knees touching the steering wheel because the seat didn’t go back far enough. Same as yours the clutch was made from stones and the gearbox was made from lead. The heater decided to heat up after 20 miles to luke warm and didn’t get any warmer. The lights didn’t have bulbs they were candles. This was a 2013 model! I hated it really hated it but like yourself I loved it!! Never had that feeling about anything before.
"I had to sit with my knees touching the steering wheel because the seat didn’t go back far enough." I never knew they had adjustable seats - other than the option of sitting on the cushion or not.
You can get a smaller steering wheel & remove the middle bulkhead to make more room for driver easy fix .. so many options for comfy seats , I used Alfa Romeo seats game changer / Saab / Volvo or RX7 seats are also popular... mine is a daisy drive... the most important thing with them is bushings & chase , bulkhead, rear crossmember, out riggers.... wax oil chase or go galvanised! If you have a well maintained on the hold their money! Like fine wine 🍷
I use mine every day (Puma) and I love it. It’s my third one. Yes, you need to spend money on them to keep them up to standard, but it’s worth every penny. Perfectly imperfect.
Here in N Z I used to help out a mate when he went on a holiday from his hill country farm. Really I was only meant to feed the dogs but it always ended up with me driving his Defender 90 down every track on the farm....just in case.
Great video, spot on with every comment and agree with everything. The Paula Radcliffe comment was best descriptive use of language. I still wouldn't change my Defender.
@@HighPeakAutos Keep up the good job. And to be specific about my first comment: I like the way you bring in your comments a blend of knowledges not coming from the automobile's world, that what makes your channel interesting. All that in a very spontaneous and articulate way. I am also myself in some media in France and China, English not being my mother tongue.
As someone else quoted. “ landrover, been turning drivers into mechanics since 1948. “ There’s very little you won’t be able to do yourself mate. Enjoy!
As a defender 90 owner you seriously made me chuckle at the list of reasons why you would not buy because every one was spot on, you either love'em or hate'em and yet we won't part with them had mine 22yrs galv chassis, bulkhead, doors, brake calipers gear box the list goes on either replaced or repaired. Then driven to the Arctic Circle in Norway with my best mate.
@@beaufighter245 That's just not true, how many 50 year old Nissan Patrols do you see on the road, and there's the problem people judge defenders that were past the lifespan of all other cars on the road when they bought it, the defender in this video is 15 years old, what other vehicle would have a test drive done on it at that age, i had a TD5 new in 2000 and kept it for 10 years without any major problems, i biggest regret was selling it.
Haha! This is so spot on! I use my 2007 td5 everyday and have done for the last 5 years. AWFUL in the winter, and horrible to drive BUT there is nothing like it. It never fails to make me smile when driving it (unless it is raining / dark / cold...) It has immense character and is completely unpretentious. There are so many aspects that are completely comical but add to the overall charm. Mine is a 2007 with wind up windows!? The passenger side handle fell off so anyone unfortunate to be a passenger on a warm day had no way of opening their window. There are not many 'normal' cars that attract attention from others when you park it up. I absolutely love it and could not part with it even though it is a constant battle against rust and bits falling off. I think I will get a 2009 RR tdv8 to balance things out!
But ... two prominent cupholders. And no mention! I've only ever once been in the Defender (back seat). Never again. It's so ... so ... agricultural. Cheers, Matt!
Love the look of these but they have gone up in value. Ended up going for a 300tdi discovery 1. I appreciate the extra refinement and still quite capable.
I once went up a mountain in the back of a Land Rover to see a bonfire being lit. It was the Queen's Silver Jubilee and a chain of them were lit across the country. As soon as you saw the preceding one you lit yours. I was ten. There were about eight of us in the back. I was squeezed up against my mum's pal. I thought she was beautiful. I could feel her thighs pressed against mine. Warm. Comfortable. The Land Rover rocked and thudded along the track. I stared into the blackness between my feet and wondered if she knew what I was thinking. Embarrassed in the darkness. Anyway to get back to this, the beauty of these things is proportional to how much shit and mud they're covered in. Valeted versions are just wrong!
I think no one on RUclips described a defender as you did. This is the only car which you hate and love it soo much at the same time. I remembered a lot of great memories seeing this video. Thanks.
Great video 😀 I agree 100% with everything you’ve said. My 110 TD5 is the worst truck I’ve ever owned in so many ways but I love it. Makes no sense but there it is 😜
I’ve had my 1991 defender for nearly 18 years now, it’s got over 300,000 miles now and it’s been a great work Horse, it’s had a few problems over the years but only ever let me down once when the clutch exploded... if you look after them and keep the underside clean, use good quality parts and service them regularly and drive them like a Land Rover should be driven....they will last a lifetime!
I absolutely love mine it’s 1988 300 Tdi R380 gearbox & transfer box , rear axel out of a discovery, new callipers all round , vent up front, new bulkhead, 2” lift new shocks & springs... Alfa Romeo seats... my ever day drive... I love it’s charm
Put sound proofing in when I did the bulkhead, took the roof liner down put Dino Matt & then the map 🗺 of the world up inside looks class .. got a wooden floor in the back & wooden top dash in Irish ☘️ ash ... have it 9 years.... had so many cars over the years & my 90” just moved into my life .... absolutely couldn’t sell it ... my daughter drove it at 10 on a beach, I said if you can drive this you can drive anything... yes theirs newer stuff out their but the just don’t have that appeal .... new Defender.... being the one I am talking about... they really are a modern classic & hold their money if looked after... easy to fix . With basic tool box
When I was in the Military I drove one of these as fast as I could down a disused runway and put it over a small hill at the end, I got air but rapidly found out they are front heavy, it plowed into the ground nearly nose first, the grill fell off and the headlights never worked again. Great fun.
IMO, this is the sort of vehicle that, if you had the space, you would leave in your garden/driveway under a tapr most of the year and just dig out when the weather is really bad. That said, I'd rather have a P38 Range Rover for that role.
My 109 has no pas , no servo brakes, cart springs Non adjustable seats and absolutely no demist, anywhere. Especially the screen. But ilove driving it. I drive it pretty much every day, and I miss it if I don’t. I’ve got a constant mental checklist of things to check, fill ,adjust: which as soon as you’ve ticked one off the top, another is added. But piloting it along a nice single carriage way A road at about 50, looking at the road unreeling in front of you, bowling along on a road that existed when it was built (61) is probably the most Zen thing I do. I love it.
"I thought about getting a Land Rover but I'm getting old so I wanted something a little more comfortable and quieter so I got a Massey Ferguson 135 instead" my friends comment when looking at my 90.
Agree with sentiment 100%. BUT, they are simply lovely. Would be in my fantasy garage of 5 vehicles (series 1 to 2A as a preference so cute). Now googling serial killers & Land Rovers.
Couldn’t afford to pay for a good Defender or lose my teeth rattling around in one, so bought the second best thing, a 2007 Freelander 2. Totally underrated and still seems to ooze a little of that Landy charm and classlessness - absolutely love it 😍
I used to drive one at work and they are back to basics and loads of fun.Like you say if your still a big kid you'll love it, I guess I am,I'd love one.
An icon that will never go out of style. Great video as usual. I find myself waiting for your latest videos with much anticipation, glad I discovered this channel. I had a V8 county 90 for a few years as a toy. Great machine, although a bit cramped. Sounded amazing with the centre box removed from the exhaust. Keep them coming.
My old series 3 and my old mini are the only two cars I’ve ever owned that I was able to sell for the same money Inpiad for them having had good use out of them... cheapest cars I’ve ever owned 👍
Next door neighbour bought 1 recently. He just wanted one. I got advice for him and it was the same as you. I took it for a spin and I concur with your view on the clutch. It is for an enthusiast who won't need it as an everyday driver.
Hopefully never ... Matt reviews cars whereas Top Gear is just a tv aired stag night session with 3 children that happens to have some cars in the background. A tv show doing exactly these reviews, like this would be a winner for adults but probably bomb in this day and age.
I drove a 110 td5 from Hampshire to Paris on holiday and loved every minute of it! And the amount of looks we got was unbelievable, Germans French and everyone in between. If I had room I would have one without question. Also it feels like it won't stop for anything,, seriously hardcore 💪🏻
These old defenders are already pulling the ‘new defenders’ out of ditches
I bet
most ridiculous thing I have heard today
RUclipsr Fast lane car had their land rover defender break down after 300 miles.
@@EinkOLED That's 100 miles further than most people ;)
I really don’t get the way anyone would want to drive a 70 year old car design with poor performance no refinement whatsoever just because it will probably be able to drive down a muddy potholed country road. Any Toyota Land Cruiser will do that in considerably more comfort at a far better price.
Had a defender 110 with 300tdi engine. Bought it from somebody who was going to scrap it, spent a few weeks doing rust repairs and making it good mechanically. Then used it as my daily driver for 7 years and even drove it to Italy and back. Sold it and immediately regretted selling it.
I bet you made a profit on it! Good stuff
Say if you were to pick one up now would cost you a few Bob .... my 1988 Land Rover 90 with a 300 Tdi R380 gear box , transfer box & rear axel from a disco is my daily drive ... was going to drive to Rimini this year in it only for the 🦠 bugger it next year hopefully 🙏..... truly they give you a giggle.... if you look after them , change all the oils gearbox, transfer box & diff oils regularly & wax oil the chase keep an eye on bushings eg your good to go anywhere!
I was going camping 🏕 with my daughter few years back , my starter motor was giving me a bit of jip but said I’ll get the trip out of it .... anyhow we were in the middle of no where off the west cost of Ireland I pulled over to look at the GPS , anyhow it cut out .... did the usual hammer 🔨 crack nothing .... looked at the connection to the starter lot of oil .... my daughter was saying dad how are you going to fix it ... she was ten ... give me a rag & that can of “ links “ WHAT .....she said ..... I was thinking 🤔 the alcohol in the links will clean the connection.... jump into the driver seat & turn the key ..... ahhhhhh music 🎶 to my ears to hear that 300 Tdi tick over ..... it’s something she always talks about.... memories...... 😆
Are you sure it wasn't a landcruicer...? I've never heard of a defender successfully completing a full journey. So un-British... lol 😊
Driving a defender at the national speed limit is like reentering the earth atmosphere in apollo 13
The 2007+ models have sound deadening. It's actually not bad.
If Apollo 13 ever existed!!
Completely spot on about everything. Easily the worst car I've ever driven, yet easily one of my favourites. Absolutely no logic 😂
Haha I know
So true. I've driven a good few, and everyone had different foibles and feel.
Yet each one puts a smile on my face.
Even better, I've taken them off-road properly a few times. One of my kids best childhood memories is taking a 130 to the summit of the Scottish mountain behind our older house.
Yet they are terrible. And I'd never own one. But they are fabulous.
@@HighPeakAutos Matt in Norway these motors are revered as tough as the countries topography blooming hard.
One of my neighbours has a silver ten year old model I asked him if he would sell it to me,his dog was near by he looked towards him and indicated that he might go sooner than the Kandy. You get the drift.
Hope to be over to the old country soon as we head over the High Peaks we might see you at the garage, as long as the tier three controls allow. By the way is crumpet castle I mean Breaders
C.C.and Hotel still up and running.
Keep the good work and content up.
Your Venlig kompis Norge John.
Almost like a Dacia Duster!
@@DaciaProject mate if you want to talk about that peice of... go somewhere else XD
We love our 90, it’s an event every time we drive it and it’s a part of the family. A true icon that everyone should drive at some point.
Well said
Every time I go out in my 90 pick-up I wish that I had taken my Disco Sport instead. Yet by the time I get home in it I have a smile like The Cheshire Cat :) Love it.
Haha yes I can relate
I think your videos are honest, down to earth and totally with our interests in mind. I think you have made a customer of me and so I will be looking to visit from north of Scotland when we are allowed to post-covid and you having something in stock of interest. Thanks for your amazing manner and service. Legend!
Wow, thank you!
Needs to open up a branch in Kent !
That guy is such a decent bloke. Keep going! Best Regards from Germany!
Thanks! Thanks for watching!
Top fella 👍🏻
As soon as I saw that you had reviewed the defender in my feed I rubbed my hands together and got the popcorn ready! I must say it did not disappoint!
Thank you! I appreciate it
You owe me a new keyboard and monitor, they have coffee all over them from the Paula Radcliffe comment.
Haha sorry...
And there's another with fluid retention issues ;)
yep spat my coffee out as well at that comment
That just slipped in there out of the blue and I nearly spent my oral load lol
It's very amusing seeing switchgear that was fitted to BL stuff in the 70s still in use in 2005. Would still have one any day
You forgot to mention we give each other a little wave when pass another Land Rover 🤚
Ah yes! The LR club
Soooooo true lol
🤚
Wave at the roadside?
That wave is true wherever you are in the world, the only other vehicle that gets that is the Morgan, which also sells for twice it's new price, it is because we love them !
They are just getting more trendy and iconic as the years go by,
They certainly are
Only to people who've never run one.
And they're becoming a magnet for thieves.
@@EinkOLED and thats why id never buy one. They are affordable but can be stripped too easily. Too desirable for their own good now.
You nailed that, learning to drive again is exactly what it feels like to drive and why its so fun
I'm 22 and bought a 2013 110 when I was 19 here in Australia.
I've since put 60k kms on it and I reckon I could easily sell it for the same amount that I bought it for.
I've been offered more, but I'll never sell it.
I love defenders
Good for you. Good choice
@Just Gofish Unkind comment. At 54 you should know better.
brought my 2001 110 double cab for $25,000 nzd in late 2015 seen a couple sell for $36,000 -$43,000 nzd about a year ago will never sell mine though is my dream truck going to build it into a beast
Holy crap, Look at all the likes and replies.
I bought it for myself. I saved alot of money and make good money for my age.
Being able to afford $51,000 At 19 is crazy. I'm definitely lucky.
I use it for work aswell. So in some ways it makes me money😁
Never sell it, you would regret it.
One of my favourite videos Matt and have watched many times. The TD5 is a tractor compared to the Puma's. My 2015 has only 17000 miles on the clock and I wonder why people put extra sound proofing in them. They will do 90 mph (if your brave enough) and can easily be used as a daily driver. I bought mine in 2016 and now the dealer price is worth £10000 more than I paid for it. I will keep mine for as long as I can still climb into it!
Pumas have short life engines, nasty electronics with unreliable sensors, poor quality gearbox and transfer box and weak diffs.Yes they are faster, until they snap and quiter too.
My sentiments exactly! I have a td5 90 as my only vehicle for the last 10 years. The thing I love about these is that it puts a smile on your face every time you take it out. Passengers laugh at the comedy windscreen wipers, washers and 'heater'. The noise, the squeaks, the draughts, the cold and damp. I love it, my dogs love it and it makes me 😊. What more could you possibly wish for?
Been a defender owner for 12 years, its my daily driver, I have a '94 110 300tdi station wagon model, I always find watching these types of reviews entertaining, yes it leaks, in fact it doesn't it marks it's territory, yes they're noisy, most cars are take away the sound proofing, yes it breaks, but then again even newer cars breaks down, but the real gem of the Landy is that it can be fixed on the side of the road and with just a handful of tools, no computers, if your that way inclined no overly priced Garage Bills, for example last week I replaced 2 front calipers, 2 front vented Brake Disks and obviously brake pads, total cost under £300 and 4 hours of my time to complete the job, this has transformed the ride, yes it drives like an oil tanker in the open ocean and yes the Turning Circle is, well, doesn't exist unless your in a large Car Park, but how many cars do you know where the driver sees another Defender driver and immediately acknowledges his presence with a flash of his headlights or a wave??, Yes it's an icon, a British Classic that's been built on it's past, 70 years in production and they are still on the road, not many cars have that accolade, oh and it's not a car, it's a Landy or a Defender and you may be able to get away with calling it a truck, its not a car, certainly is not a Jeep (spit on the floor) like some have called mine, nothing Pi$$es me off more when someone refers it as a Cheap Jeep, I love my Defender always puts a smile on my face while driving, and it's still gets that 2nd look (stare) while it's passing some pedestrians.
Okay. Loved this comment.
I love how you’re so excited and lively for this one, partly because you genuinely have strong feelings for the car, and also because you have to fight the car(loud engine, uncomfortableness) to get your voice picked up be the camera. Also, Land Rover owe a lot of their success to the Defender, and the world is better off because of it’s continued existence.
Hahah thanks!
I drove loads of them as a copper in the RAF in the late 80s/early 90s. They were brilliant. 3 quick memories. A mate drove one head first into a ditch at 40mph and barely dented it. I saw a 110 get skewered through the rear cab and lifted into the air by a tractor fork lift with 6 blokes in the back, 1 of whom had the fork go straight between his legs, the lucky bugger. But my favourite was the open top sand coloured 1960s 90 with a drop forward screen that I used to drive in Cyprus. Wazzing along in desert fatigues in the sunshine. Happy days!
Man this was great! Makes me proud to drive my own Land Rover Defender Wolf
YOU ALSO HAVE ONE. Who would have thought
A guy I know had a V8 version and he fitted Jaguar XJS front seats. It sounded great and I don't remember it feeling that uncomfortable being in the passenger seat.
Spot on review Matt. Glad you mentioned the security aspect. My father in law had 2 Defender 90's stolen in short succession. One even had his 2 dogs in it (the dogs were found safe and well) but the Defender was never recovered. The more security there is the better.
Also, the V8 special edition Defender is rather nice (if you're not doing many miles).
My mate has 2 of them, a very old 110 thats been restored called Frank and a 90 he bought new in the last 18 months of manufacture. A very wise buy indeed!
Yes he'll be sitting on a lot of money there with those two
My 2004 td5 90 best car I’ve ever bought and would never sell 💯
Brilliant 'review' of the Land Rover - all so very true. Really accurate and amusing script you had there! Well done. As a long time Series One owner, I can relate to everything you said. Cheers. (Didn't realise I wasn't subscribed, now am).
Thanks for subscribing! Nice choice with a series 1. Cheers
This episode really had me chuckling, you keep getting better. I won’t be able to look at the central cubby box now without thinking it was screwed together by a granny!
Great review. I sold my Range Rover Sport and bought a 90. I love the thing and can comfortably say I have no regrets.
Had a 03 TD5 90 pick up from 2012 to 2018. 3 seats in front for me and two young sons. No room for mrs 😉. God I still miss it.
this is probably the best car review i’ve ever seen
I've had my 65 plate for just over 3 years and I LOVE it .🙌
Wonderful and perfectly accurate commentary. I'm an American. I drove Land Rovers, the Series vehicles, from 1964 to 1994. These vehicles will always be my favorite "car" to drive.
Great video as always! Defender's were great to drive in terms of enjoyment but not experience . It's an addiction though as I was introduced via a 200tdi and now have Defender, Discovery 2 and about to buy a Range Rover Classic
Got my 90 new in 2003... love it, never lets me down... pulls trees out of ditches and takes me across Europe ... a bit tiring on long journeys but wouldn't swap it !
Simply the best review yet
Glad you think so!
Hi Matt. At 67 we were thinking, do we get something sensible or have one last Land Rover...
You summed up everything we think about them and really made us laugh as well. They jusy make you smile like a kid! So, I think you've made up our minds for us: : )
Quite possibly the most enjoyable car review I've seen in a long time, awesome!
Wow, thanks!
Loved the Christoper Columbus turning circle bit...proper chuckle there. Nice one Matt!
I've been driving one every day for 30 years, have a 2002 crewcab at the moment, will never sell it. Everything you said is true, it's truly a love hate relationship 😁
Wives of defender owners are really considerate.... Competes on so many levels
I remember one of those pulling me out of the snow in my BMW 525i back in 1982. Since then I love them. Now turning 70, Im really considering buying one, even though there is not a single reason I would need that car.
This review is simply golden. Could hardly restrain myself from beating the floor out of laughter. Made my day Matt.
Would it be worth it to buy an old beaten up defender and restore it?
Haha thanks! It would definitely be worth it if you can find a decent one and the right price
The defining memory I have of being in my mate's defender was piling into a half metre deep puddle at 40mph and getting drenched as water flew in through the hole for the gearstick. one of the funniest moments of my life. Also had great fun going on offroad courses in it
Noisey, rattly, but as tough as old boots, sounds just like me grandad! Bless him 🙂
In 2008 I bought an '85 Defender 90, one of the first ones to be actually called a Defender and not a '90'. It had a 200tdi, rear brake drums and a heater that was kaput. What it did have was a galvanised bulkhead and chassis and being a bit of a Tonka Truck there was loads of things I could do to and with it. Everything was £80. New windscreen? £80 quid. As was a new fuel tank, a new front prop shaft, a new rear one. The handbrake acted on a disc attached to the rear prop. There is a thriving and diverse number of Defender owners forums with a huge collective memory on how to update or repair stuff on them. In ten years ownership it never once broke down on me and although 65 was it's top speed, it returned a steady 35mpg whatever driving I did.
The sense of achivement was incredible when I installed things like a new dashboard and centre console, a discreet and undetectable immobiliser. Cold in winter, surnburn to the right elbow in summer, parts bin BL instrumentation of questionable quality. Not much in the way of safety equipment, the aerodynamics of a shed, squeaks and rattles you could never track down and just lived with. It was noisy, old and slow but had soul, presence and character like no other vehicle I've owned, the only car the wife would go to sleep in ten minutes after setting off. It's more like driving a small truck than a car and teaches you to be patient and to plan ahead.
I traded it in for £3k more than I paid for it after ten years and immediately regretted it.
Christ a few years ago you could’ve got one of those for a few grand, I wish I’d have bought one now, they really are appreciating.
Yes you and me both
Love mine, easy to upgrade or improve yourself, love working on it and driving it, so much character.
Dead cow reference, love it.
Aha!
Oh dear, just seen your vid and have always wondered why these vehicles that were originally designed to tow a plough, seen throughout the world in the outback of beyond, up mountains, or dropped out of aircraft on military manoeuvres, became a mud pluggers' Chelsea tractor. Strangely I always wanted one for some reason and recently took pity on my late collegue's low mileage 06 td5 90 and bought it from his daughter. I now can see the reason why. I forgive its querks and foibles - its just an endearing machine that bimbles round the lanes and keeps up with the lorries on the A12 quite happily at 60. Its absolutely true you develope a Cheshire cat grin driving it, and you always get a wave or a flash of the headlights from others in the same marque. Mine is a bling free standard example, and yes it wants a few jobs doing on it, and I don't really want to alter it. Splendid! We've lost so much of our heritage over the years, and long may they continue - they are a classic British icon that should not be cast aside.
I had to sit with my knees touching the steering wheel because the seat didn’t go back far enough. Same as yours the clutch was made from stones and the gearbox was made from lead. The heater decided to heat up after 20 miles to luke warm and didn’t get any warmer. The lights didn’t have bulbs they were candles. This was a 2013 model! I hated it really hated it but like yourself I loved it!! Never had that feeling about anything before.
Thats right. It doesnt make sense
"I had to sit with my knees touching the steering wheel because the seat didn’t go back far enough."
I never knew they had adjustable seats - other than the option of sitting on the cushion or not.
You can get a smaller steering wheel & remove the middle bulkhead to make more room for driver easy fix .. so many options for comfy seats , I used Alfa Romeo seats game changer / Saab / Volvo or RX7 seats are also popular... mine is a daisy drive... the most important thing with them is bushings & chase , bulkhead, rear crossmember, out riggers.... wax oil chase or go galvanised! If you have a well maintained on the hold their money! Like fine wine 🍷
I use mine every day (Puma) and I love it. It’s my third one. Yes, you need to spend money on them to keep them up to standard, but it’s worth every penny. Perfectly imperfect.
On fire 🔥 Matt. Another great review with class comedy lines
Glad you enjoyed it
Thanks for the morning laugh, I think this one is one of your best reviews so far, British dry humour at its absolute best.
Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers
depends how solid your fillings are in place,,,,enough said.
Here in N Z I used to help out a mate when he went on a holiday from his hill country farm. Really I was only meant to feed the dogs but it always ended up with me driving his Defender 90 down every track on the farm....just in case.
"More space in the middle seat of a Ryanair flight" lol
Lol🤣🤣
Great video, spot on with every comment and agree with everything. The Paula Radcliffe comment was best descriptive use of language. I still wouldn't change my Defender.
They're brilliant cars. Great review Matt!
Cheers
I watch your channel not because I have an interest to buy a car, but for your vivid language. You have the talent of an entertainer.
Thanks! I appreciate it
@@HighPeakAutos Keep up the good job. And to be specific about my first comment: I like the way you bring in your comments a blend of knowledges not coming from the automobile's world, that what makes your channel interesting. All that in a very spontaneous and articulate way. I am also myself in some media in France and China, English not being my mother tongue.
Thats interesting. Thanks for the feedback.
I've just bought my first! Wish me luck
Welcome to the club, Brother...🤟🏼🤟🏼🤟🏼
As someone else quoted. “ landrover, been turning drivers into mechanics since 1948. “
There’s very little you won’t be able to do yourself mate. Enjoy!
@@highdownmartin been driving it since Saturday past... loving it. Haven't been over 55mph, but smiling every mile lol
As a defender 90 owner you seriously made me chuckle at the list of reasons why you would not buy because every one was spot on, you either love'em or hate'em and yet we won't part with them had mine 22yrs galv chassis, bulkhead, doors, brake calipers gear box the list goes on either replaced or repaired. Then driven to the Arctic Circle in Norway with my best mate.
95% of Land Rovers ever built are still on the road, the remaining 5 % have reached their destination 🤣🤣🤣
I thought that Landrover guy from Canada, with the racoon on his lap, stated this was nonsence, just a myth
I don't think you get the joke.
You want to drive into the desert then buy a land rover. But, if you want to drive out of the desert best buy a Nissan Patrol.
Hilux 100% . Defender has soul.
@@beaufighter245 That's just not true, how many 50 year old Nissan Patrols do you see on the road, and there's the problem people judge defenders that were past the lifespan of all other cars on the road when they bought it, the defender in this video is 15 years old, what other vehicle would have a test drive done on it at that age, i had a TD5 new in 2000 and kept it for 10 years without any major problems, i biggest regret was selling it.
Haha! This is so spot on! I use my 2007 td5 everyday and have done for the last 5 years. AWFUL in the winter, and horrible to drive BUT there is nothing like it. It never fails to make me smile when driving it (unless it is raining / dark / cold...) It has immense character and is completely unpretentious. There are so many aspects that are completely comical but add to the overall charm. Mine is a 2007 with wind up windows!? The passenger side handle fell off so anyone unfortunate to be a passenger on a warm day had no way of opening their window. There are not many 'normal' cars that attract attention from others when you park it up. I absolutely love it and could not part with it even though it is a constant battle against rust and bits falling off. I think I will get a 2009 RR tdv8 to balance things out!
But ... two prominent cupholders. And no mention!
I've only ever once been in the Defender (back seat). Never again. It's so ... so ... agricultural.
Cheers, Matt!
Haha can’t believe I forgot the cup holders. Must have been busy trying to drive it
My mother is 78 and claimed it was very comfortable in the passenger seat.
Hahaha. OMG I love your sense of humor. The part about the turning circle and Columbus was hilarious :)))
Cheers
I liked that one too🙌🙌🙌🙌
Very good review of defender. I work for a british army contractor called Van Kappel in Kenya. And I can't agree more!
Big fun here.
Love the look of these but they have gone up in value. Ended up going for a 300tdi discovery 1. I appreciate the extra refinement and still quite capable.
Even here in Uganda and Kenya.
they are quite iconic..... simply love their ragged look. Never out of style.
Thats quite right :)
I once went up a mountain in the back of a Land Rover to see a bonfire being lit. It was the Queen's Silver Jubilee and a chain of them were lit across the country. As soon as you saw the preceding one you lit yours. I was ten. There were about eight of us in the back. I was squeezed up against my mum's pal. I thought she was beautiful. I could feel her thighs pressed against mine. Warm. Comfortable. The Land Rover rocked and thudded along the track. I stared into the blackness between my feet and wondered if she knew what I was thinking. Embarrassed in the darkness.
Anyway to get back to this, the beauty of these things is proportional to how much shit and mud they're covered in. Valeted versions are just wrong!
I think no one on RUclips described a defender as you did. This is the only car which you hate and love it soo much at the same time. I remembered a lot of great memories seeing this video. Thanks.
Thanks for watching!
Legend has it that they were made to be uncomfortable on purpose so you kept the speed to a minimum when you went off road.
So true- I just bought a 90 2003 TD5 defender - I prefer it to any car money could buy !! Mad
Great video 😀
I agree 100% with everything you’ve said. My 110 TD5 is the worst truck I’ve ever owned in so many ways but I love it. Makes no sense but there it is 😜
I’ve had my 1991 defender for nearly 18 years now, it’s got over 300,000 miles now and it’s been a great work Horse, it’s had a few problems over the years but only ever let me down once when the clutch exploded... if you look after them and keep the underside clean, use good quality parts and service them regularly and drive them like a Land Rover should be driven....they will last a lifetime!
I agree
i agree phil mine lives outside and its used every day just about and it keeps them right laying up a deffender is not a good plan
The Best car review on your channel ;)
Haha Thanks! 😃
My grandpa had one. I've learned to drive on one of these. So many memories
Nailed it - great review. The magic to me is they make every journey feel like a mission.
Which would be great...if it was 1951, not 2021
I absolutely love mine it’s 1988 300 Tdi R380 gearbox & transfer box , rear axel out of a discovery, new callipers all round , vent up front, new bulkhead, 2” lift new shocks & springs... Alfa Romeo seats... my ever day drive... I love it’s charm
Put sound proofing in when I did the bulkhead, took the roof liner down put Dino Matt & then the map 🗺 of the world up inside looks class .. got a wooden floor in the back & wooden top dash in Irish ☘️ ash ... have it 9 years.... had so many cars over the years & my 90” just moved into my life .... absolutely couldn’t sell it ... my daughter drove it at 10 on a beach, I said if you can drive this you can drive anything... yes theirs newer stuff out their but the just don’t have that appeal .... new Defender.... being the one I am talking about... they really are a modern classic & hold their money if looked after... easy to fix . With basic tool box
Love this design. It's an absolute classic. Glad they made them up, until recently. Prices should hold up.
Prices on these will keep rising. My Landy is 29 years old it's doubled in price since I bought it 12 years ago. Who needs an ISA
It's like a Jeep CJ, or a G-Wagon, antiquated but iconic. Love to have one.
If your sadomasochistic you will like the defender.
*you're*
I'm a sadist. I prefer to watch others drive it.
It's a great excuse to tinker in the garage away from 'er indoors.
@@snapdragogon69 Good point and you definitely will be tinkering with the spanners owning one, but a lot of fun. 👍
Diamonds in the rough; sold my 90 TD5 HT after 18 years and 200k miles, never let me down - I still see it locally and always give the guy a wave
We used the defender to pull the hi lux's out every time they got stuck the defender always got them out
Thats interesting to hear
When I was in the Military I drove one of these as fast as I could down a disused runway and put it over a small hill at the end, I got air but rapidly found out they are front heavy, it plowed into the ground nearly nose first, the grill fell off and the headlights never worked again. Great fun.
Hahaha
Classic car. Class Matt awesome review buddy awesome ✊👌👊 and spot on
The mirrors work brilliantly & there's plenty of space for shopping
IMO, this is the sort of vehicle that, if you had the space, you would leave in your garden/driveway under a tapr most of the year and just dig out when the weather is really bad.
That said, I'd rather have a P38 Range Rover for that role.
I have a P38 and love it, but I'd love a Defender 90 if I can put a kidney on Ebay first 🤣🤣👍
My 109 has no pas , no servo brakes, cart springs Non adjustable seats and absolutely no demist, anywhere. Especially the screen. But ilove driving it. I drive it pretty much every day, and I miss it if I don’t. I’ve got a constant mental checklist of things to check, fill ,adjust: which as soon as you’ve ticked one off the top, another is added. But piloting it along a nice single carriage way A road at about 50, looking at the road unreeling in front of you, bowling along on a road that existed when it was built (61) is probably the most Zen thing I do. I love it.
"I thought about getting a Land Rover but I'm getting old so I wanted something a little more comfortable and quieter so I got a Massey Ferguson 135 instead" my friends comment when looking at my 90.
Haha very good
I was also thinking about getting a Defender, but since I already have a MF135, maybe I'm just sticking to it. 😂
Agree with sentiment 100%. BUT, they are simply lovely. Would be in my fantasy garage of 5 vehicles (series 1 to 2A as a preference so cute).
Now googling serial killers & Land Rovers.
Couldn’t afford to pay for a good Defender or lose my teeth rattling around in one, so bought the second best thing, a 2007 Freelander 2. Totally underrated and still seems to ooze a little of that Landy charm and classlessness - absolutely love it 😍
Spot on, I used to drive one for work. It was terrible but has been my number 1 favourite vehicle since. Always wanted to buy one.
Land rovers used to be known as tough. Now, they're only tough on your bank account.
Modern LR are the worst to maintain. Old style defender are not too bad as lots of new and used parts around and lots of work you can do yourself.
I used to drive one at work and they are back to basics and loads of fun.Like you say if your still a big kid you'll love it, I guess I am,I'd love one.
Haha me too. Good point
"If it doesn't leak oil, you better check your dipstick because it's probably dry." 👍😂
An icon that will never go out of style. Great video as usual. I find myself waiting for your latest videos with much anticipation, glad I discovered this channel. I had a V8 county 90 for a few years as a toy. Great machine, although a bit cramped. Sounded amazing with the centre box removed from the exhaust. Keep them coming.
My old series 3 and my old mini are the only two cars I’ve ever owned that I was able to sell for the same money Inpiad for them having had good use out of them... cheapest cars I’ve ever owned 👍
Next door neighbour bought 1 recently. He just wanted one. I got advice for him and it was the same as you. I took it for a spin and I concur with your view on the clutch. It is for an enthusiast who won't need it as an everyday driver.
When will you become the main star of Top Gear?
Hopefully never ... Matt reviews cars whereas Top Gear is just a tv aired stag night session with 3 children that happens to have some cars in the background. A tv show doing exactly these reviews, like this would be a winner for adults but probably bomb in this day and age.
@@onenoodles fair point.
I drove a 110 td5 from Hampshire to Paris on holiday and loved every minute of it! And the amount of looks we got was unbelievable, Germans French and everyone in between. If I had room I would have one without question. Also it feels like it won't stop for anything,, seriously hardcore 💪🏻