Comparing a Defender to a car isn't that simple, after all when buying a car the choice is a simple "does my bum/wad/cod look big in this?" - Whereas Landrover ownership is a bit more of a lifestyle choice, the dream of going wherever you want, the thought of travel in strange places, the independance to do your own thing, rugged reliability.....
After the dreaming here's one persons reality
RELIABILITY is terrible by modern standards - mine, a 1999 110 td5 CSW [pre ford] needed a new air flow meter, injector loom & an injector at 57k miles
- [one up to the detractors of TD5], however it still got me home 120 miles away with no internal damage to the vehicle - and the kids were enjoying themselves so much in the lion enclosure at the safari park
.
INSIDE It's draughty, noisy, cold in winter, the seating position is poor [whichever of the 12 you choose], the carpets and seats are worn, it was manual windows, and the body leaks when it rains. For a huge vehicle there's no where to store items such as cd cases.
OUTSIDE it's starting to get little bubbles of corrosion under the paint, the chasis has surface rust and the plastic grill is starting to fade, the rubber seals around windows are starting to split.
ECONOMY About 24 miles to the gallon and I drive carefully
HANDLING As you would expect it's like an alchoholic lap dancing sumo.
Will I sell it? no way!! A newer one would be as far as I'd go - but even then perhaps in 15 years!
In summary - you either like them or you don't. Don't expect anyone to understand your reasoning 'cause you cannot explain it logically. As said it's a lifestyle choice, your's for the taking. One life - live it and more than anything live it your way!