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ruben

Member Since: 04 Feb 2021
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 350

No, I wouldn't go back because I not was there, and perhaps I can't give an opinion…Although for work, I have driven it many times, and I've always thought they were magnificent and wonderful cars to see and admire, but not to own... in that sense, it's never seemed like an incredible car to me, or even a desirable one …I must say that I have the new one precisely because it is another story even though it shares its name…To give a clue, I come from the Discovery world…but I will not deny that the new one is worthy of such a legendary name.….thats is what I think and Im must to say sorry if I offend someone!! Defender 110 SE I6 D250 23MY
ExDiscovery 3 TDV6 SE

Last edited by ruben on 7th May 2025 1:32pm. Edited 2 times in total

7th May 2025 12:52pm

Munchie

Member Since: 31 Oct 2024
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 63

I had a 2016 90 XS with all the trimmings which we bought when it was 4 years old as we wanted to try the iconic car. We loved the looks, hated the ride, steering was vague and it was antiquated to drive. We sold it for a slight profit because we were worried about it rotting in rust and getting stolen. The new Defenders are a modern car, lack the character and charm of the old one, but i wouldn't go back and i love "classic cars".

7th May 2025 1:20pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 921

Re: Would you go back to an old Defender?

lightning wrote:
Question for those who previously owned the old model and changed it for a new one.

Would you ever go back to the old one? l've got someone offering me almost a brand new Defender 2.4 XS 110 SW (under 5,000 miles) in exchange for my 2022 90 Commercial.

I am not actually concerned about the financial aspect, l think in the long term it would be pretty much equal between keeping the new one and taking the old one.

Values have definitely dropped for the "Puma" Defender. There was a time when the best ones were selling, or at least being advertised at over £50,000.

lt comes down to which one l would rather spend every day driving, in my business. I have to say the "new" old Defender is tempting!! But l have to be sure l don't let my heart rule my head. Road tax is £700 and the 2.4 is an unknown quantity for me. l've only ever had TD5's.

I've only driven new Defenders, not owned one.

If you like what the old model offers, then sure, why not.

But like many discussions we've had on here and other forums you are on. I truly believe the new model is a different kind of vehicle aimed at a different use in a different market segment.

I'd paraphrase your question a bit like saying, should I swap a 2022 Focus ST for an S1 Elise. Both very good vehicles, with a degree of cross over, but ultimately not intended for exact same use & experience.

If you can live with what an old Defender offers (you have prior experience with a traditional Defender), then it will offer rewards and things the new model can't. But it comes with heavy compromises in other areas.

Observationally, as you've been posting on and off about getting rid of your new Defender for a good while now, I'd suggest that despite the things it does well, it just isn't hitting the mark for you in some way. So maybe a change is in order.

7th May 2025 1:29pm

Chicken Drumstick

Member Since: 17 Aug 2020
Location: Near MK
Posts: 921

Munchie wrote:
I had a 2016 90 XS with all the trimmings which we bought when it was 4 years old as we wanted to try the iconic car. We loved the looks, hated the ride, steering was vague and it was antiquated to drive. We sold it for a slight profit because we were worried about it rotting in rust and getting stolen. The new Defenders are a modern car, lack the character and charm of the old one, but i wouldn't go back and i love "classic cars".

Ride and steering should have been fine on the old 90 tbh.... they easily ride better than most small hatchbacks.

7th May 2025 1:30pm

plumpmoose

Member Since: 14 Dec 2015
Location: North Devon & Oxon
Posts: 119

I have both!

Td5 90 csw and lrd90 hse (23my). Local stuff always jump in the old one. Longer journeys that might exceed 40 mph then the new one gets the nod.

They are so different, but after a while the similar things are very very similar.

7th May 2025 2:18pm

bynxy

Member Since: 08 Feb 2022
Location: magull
Posts: 6

We have had 2 puma 90's and loved them for what they were, would I go back to them yes but as a second car as a bit of fun they don't even compare to the L663 defender completely different level of refinement and love it as a daily drive especially on the long trips

26th Jun 2025 12:48pm

lrFFM

Member Since: 28 Sep 2017
Location: Frankfurt
Posts: 74

2016 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green

I kept my Puma 90. So no need to go back.

But I will sell my New Defender and go back to a RRS or RR. I miss the elegance of the Range Rovers.

26th Jun 2025 1:54pm

Mouta

Member Since: 24 Mar 2025
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 33

Nope.

30th Jun 2025 9:32am

fogbank

Member Since: 30 May 2024
Location: Daylight Savings
Posts: 30

I’ve not had a new Defender but I’ve had various newer Range Rovers, in a heartbeat I’d have a TD5 again or a 300TDI over any of the newer JLR ones I’ve owned.

I hate the size and complexity of the new ones, the only areas where the Range Rovers win was on the motorway, but if I was doing major miles I’d have something like a V6 Cayenne 957 over either.

30th Jun 2025 4:49pm

lightning

Member Since: 23 Apr 2009
Location: High Peak, Derbyshire
Posts: 3262

You could always buy a nice TD5 90 as a second vehicle. l
would, but have nowhere to put it with two vehicles and a caravan already on the drive, and my boat in the garage.

30th Jun 2025 6:52pm

BrickBox

Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 1013

2008 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Zermatt Silver

A classic Defender inc a Puma is a vehicle you can keep for life and it will make it to being Tax & Mot exempt (if the privilege is not taken away from us) I can’t see any new Defender making it to being a classic vehicle. 2008 2.4 110 Utility Station Wagon XS.

30th Jun 2025 7:55pm

ruben

Member Since: 04 Feb 2021
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 350

Click image to enlarge
Does the image raise any doubt?

Click image to enlarge Defender 110 SE I6 D250 23MY
ExDiscovery 3 TDV6 SE

4th Jul 2025 10:01pm

H1Tad

Member Since: 20 Jul 2024
Location: Maine
Posts: 152

I just returned home from a week long trip in Iceland where my wife and I, along with another couple we're good friends with - rented a classic Defender (I think it was a 2015 but I'm not entirely sure).

The truck was perfect for Iceland's rugged terrain where we spent a good portion of our driving time on unpaved, unmarked, washboarded "roads" whose driving surface resembled the surface of the moon. We had room for all of our luggage - we drove up to waterfalls, through rivers and saw some simply amazing landscapes that cannot be captured through a camera lens. It has to be seen in person.

Caveat: The truck we got was a rental and lives its life in a harsh environment. I'm not under any illusions that a privately owned, well maintained and cared for vehicle would be a better experience. That being said, our rental was in incredible shape - everything worked, nothing was broken except for a windshield washer squirter that was misaligned. Our rental company ISAK4x4 were amazing to work with and highly recommend them.

I'd rather do 1,000,000 more miles in my H1 than another 500 miles in that Defender. It's simply a pain box. I'm a tall, solid gentleman at ... *damnit math* 198 centimeters tall and... *damnit more math* 111 kilos. I don't fit in all cars but I almost didn't fit in the Defender. It was a diesel manual which was awesome - but I couldn't operate the clutch safely with my left leg in constant contact with the steering wheel despite the seat being all the way back. So far back that a passenger couldn't sit behind me while I was driving. The clutch itself was binary - it was either engaged or not engaged and it felt like a cracked out donkey was in the back - kicking the rear end every time I changed gears.

The NVH was unacceptable for a vehicle produced in the last 25 years. The HVAC was incapable of keeping the windshield from fogging up when it rained. The windshield wipers were wholly inadequate. The powerband of the engine was so narrow... it didn't start making power until about 1600 RPM and then it dropped off a cliff around 2500RPM - which made gear hunting - especially through traffic circles, a real chore. The handling was so terrible that it required constant steering input to keep it on the road lest it drive itself into the ditch... it was so physically demanding that I was legitimately exhausted at the end of a 2 hour drive.

It's not even a comparable vehicle to the L663. The latter is simply a better vehicle all around than the classic Defender ever could be. Yes the classic Defender is raw and unapologetic about its roots and its purpose - but its a vehicle that simply doesn't compete in any way with modern offroaders that are on the market. The thing is, nothing we did as far as "offroad" in Iceland required a solid axle, super SUV as we didn't go up on any glaciers where the "super Defender" is required. There were TONS of L663's there (something we don't see over in the US) - I saw more L663's and Prados over there than I see 4Runners and Explorers over here but I'd only see maybe one or two classic Defenders. The river crossing we did could have been done in an L663 no problem and it would have been so much more comfortable doing it.

I kept thinking in the back of my head to pickup an imported Defender to replace my rusting and rotting away FJ Cruiser - however this experience cured me of that delusion. My H1 is much more capable, durable and comfortable than the classic Defender is - while our new Defender is in a different league altogether. I now clearly understand why JLR moved on from it.

River crossing video: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DL-orecsUL0/

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge 2022 Defender 110 SE P400 Tasman Blue Expedition and Cold weather package
2003 Hummer H1 P400 Firehouse Red
2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser

28th Jul 2025 1:33pm

BrickBox

Member Since: 05 Oct 2021
Location: Wales
Posts: 1013

I’m completely rose tinted glasses. But the raw, hard work drive is why I love the classic defender. It’s not for everyone. 2008 2.4 110 Utility Station Wagon XS.

28th Jul 2025 1:56pm

AMBxx

Member Since: 24 Jul 2016
Location: York
Posts: 1067

2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Orkney Grey

Definitely. Plus, most of the drawbacks can be overcome - new seats, seat extenders, improved wash/wipe etc.
I was surprised while buying a new Disco Sport just how similar all the LR vehicles were from the inside. Evoque or Disco sport? I couldn't tell the difference from the drivers seat.

28th Jul 2025 2:03pm

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