Funny that you should go from comfy to barnyard!, I am in the process of going the other way!.

Like you, I was pretty nervous about the practicality of owning a defender as a daily drive. I have to say that it has been with no doubt in my mind, one of the most defining, inspiring, frustrating and adventurous periods of my life, all at the same time.

Mechanically, what you see on the outside of the cab, is what you see on the inside. It is a cold car in the winter if you dont have a webasto or the such installed. By the same token, if you dont have AC on the car, then you will be hot - Unless you are moving, in which event you will be able to open the awesome flaps under the windscreen! (not on post MY07 models)

Noise levels are substantial inside the cabin at anything above 60mph, making conversation not impossible, but a challenge at times. The driving position is pretty cramped between the door and the elbow, but generous on the inside of the transmission side. Its worth noting that taller drivers have problems as the steering wheel is fixed in position, and there is only so far you can slide a seat back, they are not hight adjustable.

If you surf, or intend carrying anything longer than 1.5m, then you are looking at some cabin intrusion, the 90 is not big, but for a driver and a passenger, you will get plenty camping gear in the back. Sleeping in the car, is not impossible with the passenger seat folded forward and a DIY boxjob in the back.

Common problems are actually pretty minor gripes.. I had a MY02, (the td5 engines prior to that had head problems, so stay away) In the two years she stood outside marking her territory, I managed to drive her 120,000km, through most of scandinavia and beyond. In all that time, the common problems I had (read annually) were;

Failing Light switches,
Failing clutch cylinders,
MAF sensor (I was using a k+n air filter, that I attribute to the failing)

As per any car, rust on the chassis is going to be a major issue. Everything else is pretty much fixable by yourself, and parts.. they are really cheap... I mean... silly cheap!

Would I buy one again? - well, I sold it for something more comfy. The TD5 only has 5 gears.. it screams trying to drive at motorway speeds, and as a result drinks fuel as it pummels its way through the air. It was the sensible choice to sell it for me.. but now.. I am looking at the issues the FL2 is having, and I really miss my little defender.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words, so heres a few of me and my ex...

http://www.gobeyond.se/pictures/deffi.jpg
http://www.gobeyond.se/pictures/winter-3.jpg
http://www.gobeyond.se/pictures/winter-2.jpg
http://www.gobeyond.se/pictures/air.jpg

chicken george wrote:

happy memories excluding maybe when Irolled one on a public road aged 16

Great pics, LRswe!  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Liking the pics a lot.. Especially the 3rd one down in the snow with the lights.

Fantastic photo's LRswe Difficult conditions handled very well

Oooh, thanks guys! : )

I managed to get them on a couple of LR calendars and an LR parts supplier asked if they could use them on their site, so I said sure!, a week later I got a mug with a print on it! : )

The third one with the lights is actually a little deceiving... When I took the shot, it was actually snowing and I think the shutter was open 30 secs : ) give it a shot next winter, the results are brilliant.

Only 4 more weeks until the LR2 is here, then I am up in Norway for a week with it!! Lets hope for sunshine! : ) I cant wait to start sending in pics for the photo competitions, I have seen some real beauties in there from you guys! - I have access to a military training area that makes for some fun shots and driving!

I loved mine...drove it for 10 years all over Europe. Never had any real problems with it or ever had it nicked. Yes the LR2 is a loverly comfy civilised car which can still cut it off road but you can't go here with one:-

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated