It's interesting to read the reviews here and then compare them with the corresponding "ratings"........mainly, because I feel exactly the same way! These trucks are leaky, they rattle, they have all sorts of driveline noise, etc., but would I get rid of mine? NO WAY! There's just something about a Defender 90 that's difficult to put into words. Thankfully, mine has been very reliable, but even if it weren't, I would still love it. They look great, and they sound even better! I get more people inquiring about it than I do with my Ferrari! If you ever own one, you'll know what I mean about all this! (Also, I'm not aware of a car that holds its value better than a Defender!
Best Features
Great looks (though similar to a Jeep, I'm surprised at how many people notice it's something different); great sounding/running all-aluminum V8; coil sprung, so it rides remarkably good for a vehicle with such a short wheelbase
Worst Features
Better door hinges (they rust and they rattle); better oil seals in the drivetrain
I bought this Land Rover new in 1995 and still driving it 13 years later. It's noisy, leaks not only rain water but oil as well. Has done that since new. It's awesome off-road. I have driven almost all the off road trails in Washington state and it's incredible what it can do. I have put a new canvas top on it, new seats, bigger tires, removed the sway bars, longer suspension. After 88,000 miles its runs as good as it did the day I first drove it home. It does what it was built for extremely well and some. I know that the suggestion used pricing on here is close, but I have been offered $30k for it in the last year. Not for sale!
Best Features
I love its looks. It has no rust anywhere. It rides pretty good for a full time 4X4. I hope to pass it down to my son when I am too old to drive it.
Bought new. The only negative this
vehicle has is Edmonds for insulting
Defender 90 owners regarding resale
value. I do not know of anyone who
would sell their D90 for less than
$28,000. It has the highest resale
value of any SUV sold in the U.S., bar
noen.
Best Features
Character, brute strength, mountaingoat
ability, off road.
Worst Features
Make soft top more form fitting. Add
one piece fiberglass top like Jeep
Wrangler, where unfit Land Rover
mechanics cannot put the multi sheet
top on correctly.
A great vehicle for offroad use with
little or no consideration given to
highway driving. This truck is a
noisy, leaky, dripping, rattling,
uncomfortable block of scrap
metal...but the weird thing is I love
it! Expect continual maintenance and
numerous after market modifications to
make it more user friendly. Also expect
to fill this car up with gas every
other day as it's a guzzler with a
really small tank,
Best Features
I can throw my dirty dog, salty
surfboard, muddy mountain bike, slushy
snowboard, wet kayak, and musty camping
gear into it and go. I can also hose
of the interior. This car will pretty
much put most stock SUVs to shame on a
trailhead.
Worst Features
I would improve the door seals, better
noise reduction, more comfortable
seating, and add some more Gwagonesque
amenities.