I've got my Freelander booked in for service on Monday the 16th. I asked if there was anything different I could try as a loan car. They said that I could have a Freelander, a Fiesta, or a Defender.

Naturally, I chose the Fiesta. Okay, I'm kidding, I asked for the Defender. Apparently, it'll be there for me to use, as long as a farmer doesn't need it for its tow bar

How do you think I'll get on?!

You will love it!!! Just don't drive to far. It does put a smile on your face tho, and other owners wave at you!

Depends what you use it for I suppose.
M/Way etc, don't think so.

I'd love one, don't do any high speed driving anymore so i think a Defender might suit me.

If you thought your FL2 was slow .................!

New Defender has DMF, so i wouldn't buy new. My dealer is fed up with fitting clutches/flywheels.
Lets us know how you get on!! Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Yeah mine eat a few clutches and flywheels!

Td5 90 xs was the best, absolutely flied. I often got asked if it was a V8

I'll have it for my first day back at work after a holiday, so I've no idea if I'll be stuck in the office, or have a 250 mile day! I'm looking forward to it, but hope I'm not going to be on a tight schedule

I actually really fancied owning a Defender when I was about 13 or 14 (though it was probably a "Series 3" around 1978) and it's odd to think that it would be another 34 years until I finally get to drive one!

I'll certainly come back with a write up on it.

They are fun, but tiresome, a great machine for work as you can jump in n out easily, infact just open the door and you fall out.

Ours have been commercials so no roof liner in the rear, the roof panels used to flex loudly as you slowed and sped up. also no sound proofing so very noisy when its raining hard.
surprising nimble though, driving one as a courtesy car was a breath of fresh air after my non steering barge of a ford ranger

best driven with the window open so the door becomes an armrest


If you park it dont forget to check the rear door is locked as its obviously not central locking. If the key wont turn in the lock re slam the door extra hard then it will lock At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Thanks for that CG; I love the comment about falling out

I'm going to take my Day Glo work jacket too. Not only to dress the part, but to make sure that I can keep the window down as much as possible

A local farmer was diving his deafener when the drivers door flew open ( common fault) he reached to reslam the door when a bus hit the door breaking his arm.


the farmer in question is a known muppet, my ex-neighbour he inherited a large farm from his father mortgage free, blew the lot in 5 yrs  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

A local farmer was diving his deafener when the drivers door flew open ( common fault) he reached to reslam the door when a bus hit the door breaking his arm.


the farmer in question is a known muppet, my ex-neighbour he inherited a large farm from his father mortgage free, blew the lot in 5 yrs

chicken george wrote:

the farmer in question is a known muppet, my ex-neighbour

Lot of muppets in your part of the woods is there  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

Absolutely brilliant vehicles..
I get one every time my FL2 goes in for a service, and i want one as a toy, they really are only just a step up from a tractor but i like them!
you will be amazed how refined the FL2 feels when you get back in it after using the def for a while!

Defender:
Noisy, bouncy, thirsty, smelly - plus uncomfortable and very tiring beyond a journey of 40+ miles. And yet the only surviving monster from the Mesozonic era that has the ability to attract totty in Barbour Jackets and Hunter Wellies. Well at least mine did (Blue Td5 SWB) - that was an "optional" extra I was happy to pay the fuel bill for.

My advice is that unless you need one as an every day workhorse (was good for throwing a couple of sheep in the back) do not buy one as you'll soon tire of it. The shine wears off when you discover the wipers don't clear the screen in a storm, the heater might just warm up an airing cupboard but nowt else, when its dark you're better off with a couple of Ever Ready batteries than the std., headlights and, they don't stop on black ice for at least what feels like a furlong or two. Deep Joy.

athelstan wrote:

Defender:
Noisy, bouncy, thirsty, smelly - has the ability to attract totty in Barbour Jackets and Hunter Wellies. Well at least mine did Deep Joy.

Tell us more about the totty Deep Joy in rubber boots - much more interesting  2007 Freelander 2 HSE TD4 Manual with Premium Pack & Moonroof.
Stornoway Grey with Ebony Black Pleather, Clear Indicators, Body Side Mouldings etc.

I just wimped out of planning a 200 mile, in a bit of a hurry, round trip to Dorchester during the day I'm planning on having it!

Looking forward to it, but I won't be trying any inter-stellar trips for sure

A mate of mine uses his for London trips even though he has a FFRR too  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race