If we listen to pub chat, Landies suck and break down every second mile. Sales figures dictate the opposite. Defenders are seen everywhere in Cape Town and in every conceivable model, shape, trim level or modification imaginable. The narrow, steep alleys of Higgovale, Oranjezicht, Fresnaye, Camps Bay, Tamboerskloof and the like is where they roost at night. Lawyers, doctors, housewives and designers go to work in them. One on the inclines of Elsje's Peak claims to be powered by Linux, sporting a penguin on the rear bumper.

If these are so unreliable, why to they sell so well?

And, given the surrounds, are Defender drivers suckers for punishment, or is the cult belief so strong that owners don't mind making :shock: 34-point turns :shock: in the small roads in Cape Town's Gardens district? Driving a Picanto there, is a challenge top some :shock: Steep inclines, narrow streets and sometimes torrential rains.

How do these folks live with these hardy beasts that were made for the untamed plains of Africa, for conquering the Australian Outback or the South American pampas? How civil can a Defender become and what is it really like living with one, not having parking space for a second car? How does the mind of the typical owner function? And why, would owners say, should one NOT buy any of these when the habitat is restrictive?

Owners, tell me what motivate you, what drives you to be driving a Defender in town? No, I am not sarcastic but I am honestly intrigued…..my wife also has the Defender fever and even comes home with pictures, or sends same to me via Whatsapp. She even approaches owners and discuss Defenders with them, just as she has this thing about Harley's. (No, she is not for sale!) :mrgreen:

People tend to want to get out of your way in town, I get through my local faster than I used to in a 205 lol

Also as Car clubs go, being in a Land Rover Defender says nothing about your wallet, and as a result, Land Rover clubs tend to be some of the most friendly I've come across,

As for reliability, its a wonderful piece of engineering that was designed in the 1940's, its going to have issues others arent going to have,

Most "Issues" can be very easily fixed, but like everything else, buy sub standard parts and expect issues,

In my experience you get out of your Landy what you put in it, I believe there's an adage somewhere, "Made by Land Rover, Improved by me"

Take care of it, it will take care of you.

fenders don't generally so much break down, as need frequent maintenance, most people I know rarely get stranded at the roadside, but frequently need new parts to stop a leak here, a rumble there, a grinding somewhere else.

THIS is why they are popular the world over, they give you notice of needing attention, but will still just get on with the job for a fair while longer till it actually gives up the ghost, that and the barn door engineering that lets you fix it most of the time with nothing more than a socket set, a few spanners and a hammer.

Parts are easy to get, relatively cheap, insurance isn't bad, they have characture and I love em, was my reason for buying after my last lifeless of a kia sadowner.

Xian said:

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Owners, tell me what motivate you, what drives you to be driving a Defender in town? ...

Click to expand...

Simply because it's a Fender!

That's all. 'Nuff said

I was in the army for 9 years, started in the series then the defenders, in all those years and the places we took them never once did they break down or get stuck, yes things broke but they just kept going until they could be fixed.
The biggest problem especially with earlier ones is that they are so easy to bodge, a bit of tape, glue, sealant anything will keep them on the road for those that are too lazy or broke.
I wanted a defender as my army days had proven just how good they are, not the quickest drive of your life but they are just a pleasure to drive, something modern cars lack (character) they are part of the family and if looked after something you can keep for life.
I went for a 200 tdi as the td5 previous was riddled with electrical problems, I'm sick and tired of ecu's, sensors, egr valves, engine light warnings, cats the whole lot in modern rubbish so now have non of that, agricultural though it is I love it and am slowly getting it the way I want, it's personal preference which you choose, all great but wouldn't go for the latest ones as if production stops next year parts will be thin in years to come plus they have been ruined with modern engines and electrical crap they don't need.
Your missus sounds great haha