2020 Defender
- Thread starter Roverlady
- Start date
It's still around. Here it is as sold today, just not here. Could it compete here now? Not with today's safety and efficiency standards, and not in numbers great enough to justify the trouble.
Huh? This is the current version of the Land Cruiser. I don't know of any two-doors being made.
And it's got a shit-ton of electronics, 18" wheels and IFS, too!
The LC200 is part of the Station Wagon line, an evolution of the 55, 60, 80, 100 models. The 40 evolved into the 70 in the Heavy Duty line, still sold in various configurations around the world.
I just replaced another cracked expansion tank....but I think I have this problem fixed for good now. Then, while replacing the tank, the plastic fuse box cover crumbles to pieces. The roof gutter plastic is falling apart - especially those damn front rain gutter corner pieces over the A-pillars. They are no longer available so I mixed up a 2-part epoxy and repaired the disintegrating pieces. As I'm sculpting it, sanding it down, and painting it I'm thinking, "What the fuck am I doing?" I also noticed that my rear quarter window seals and alpine seals have turned to dust and are leaking. Time to recaulk those. The plastic fender linings are cracked and falling apart. Etc. etc. etc. It can all be repaired/replaced but it's getting annoying. It's almost a 17 year old truck now and it's showing it's age.
Attachments
This is the Land Cruiser (78 series? 76?) that I have booked for my trip to Botswana this winter:
I think it's still running the 1HZ engine, which makes a 300TDI Defender look like a Ferrari in comparison, but it's simple and can run on low quality fuel. I'm looking forward to crossing the Nxai Pans in this vehicle...slowly.
I think it's still running the 1HZ engine, which makes a 300TDI Defender look like a Ferrari in comparison, but it's simple and can run on low quality fuel. I'm looking forward to crossing the Nxai Pans in this vehicle...slowly.
I guess I'd be in the minority here because I look at it and wonder why it wouldn't sell. The thing that also occurs to me, there's a theme running through this thread, when discussing why the Defender, or now this truck, isn't offered here is safety and emissions. I guess I'd wonder what Jeep knows these companies don't. They seem to not have a problem meeting these requirements and sell a shit ton of units in the process.It's still around. Here it is as sold today, just not here. Could it compete here now? Not with today's safety and efficiency standards, and not in numbers great enough to justify the trouble.
I think what the previous 2 pages are inferring is that Jeep, being domestic, gets a winkwink-nudgenudge pass by the government on those issues.
Not quite
https://www.thedrive.com/news/28300...wrangler-after-one-star-safety-ratings-abroad
Their reckoning is coming.
That's fucking cool. Can't have people spending their money how they want or enjoying themselves. Or a company giving the consumer what they want and making a profit. Let's kill it. Anyway, like the article said, unless some of this stuff is mandated it isn't going to matter. I mean every year CR list the Wrangler in it's top 20 worst. How has that affected sales?
Interesting article.
The agency also dinged the JL Wrangler over its lack of standard passive safety systems including automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and hood airbags for pedestrians.
That's the kind of crap people don't care about. Hood Airbags!!?? What a crock.
It was also interesting that despite being exempt from side impact testing in the US, the Wrangler performed very well in side impacts in Aus.
Huh? This is the current version of the Land Cruiser. I don't know of any two-doors being made.
And it's got a shit-ton of electronics, 18" wheels and IFS, too!
Yeah, that's the one we get... They pissed me off so much with that damned 4Runner I wouldn't touch a Land Cruiser 200 with Dan's dick and Erover pushing.
It's a boat, anyway. Toyota simply does not take this market seriously. I understand that they don't have to, but damn.
The real Land Cruiser could compete here if they got it past Uncle Sam; which they absolutely could. It's far closer than the Defender ever was. They'd have to upgrade the interior and fit one of their more powerful engines, but in the end it would work if they took a few years to build up the brand again before giving it a shot.
They'd be ready right at the peak of this new rumble in the mid-size 4WD segment; and they'd certainly win the payload battle.
Cheers,
Kennith
I think LR is betting it will be soon enough, or already is, among their global markets.
Meanwhile at Mercedes..
https://carbuzz.com/news/2019-mercedes-g-class-crashes-its-way-to-5-star-safety-rating
This (1969 FJ40) is at my local Toyota dealership, for only $28k. I have to keep telling myself to just walk away, every time I'm in there for parts.
https://www.toyotaofbristol.com/use...istol+tn-1ec51d420a0e0a6b0156e18078eac0c0.htm
The people that want to do outdoorsy stuff aren't going to buy the Defender. They're going to buy a Subaru, or Jeep, or maybe a 4Runner. The new Defender isn't even going to dent that market. This model isn't going to pull in any NEW customers. No one is selling their Jeep to buy a new Defender.
They made a vehicle that is a jack of all trades, yet master at none. Its luxurious, but not as much as a Discovery or Range Rover. It can be offroaded, but can't be modified enough for most serious off roaders. It can be outdoorsy, but the price tag will be prohibitive for a lot of people that acutally use them for hauling bikes and kayaks and such.
Land Rover has built a vehicle they think people should want. The reality is most people want a Wrangler. It has enough tech to keep most people satisfied in regards to bluetooth etc. It can be heavily modified to take on ridiculous trails. The doors and top can be completely removed for beach running or just cruising around. Its a FUN vehicle that people WANT to drive; and they're willing to deal with the somewhat rudimentary interior and less tech.
t have any better 4WD capability that a D1, and its probably not super comfortable. But its a vehicle that, after you park it and lock it up, you'll look back at as you're walking away just because its cool.
Simply put, the Defender won't be FUN to drive. It will be like driving any other milk-toast SUV on the market.
They made a vehicle that is a jack of all trades, yet master at none. Its luxurious, but not as much as a Discovery or Range Rover. It can be offroaded, but can't be modified enough for most serious off roaders. It can be outdoorsy, but the price tag will be prohibitive for a lot of people that acutally use them for hauling bikes and kayaks and such.
Land Rover has built a vehicle they think people should want. The reality is most people want a Wrangler. It has enough tech to keep most people satisfied in regards to bluetooth etc. It can be heavily modified to take on ridiculous trails. The doors and top can be completely removed for beach running or just cruising around. Its a FUN vehicle that people WANT to drive; and they're willing to deal with the somewhat rudimentary interior and less tech.
I'm guessing you are tempted to buy it because its cool looking and would be fun to drive? Let's face it, a 1969 FJ40 isn't exactly cutting edge technology. It doesn
t have any better 4WD capability that a D1, and its probably not super comfortable. But its a vehicle that, after you park it and lock it up, you'll look back at as you're walking away just because its cool.
Simply put, the Defender won't be FUN to drive. It will be like driving any other milk-toast SUV on the market.
