| Author | Message | ||
     Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 552 Registered: 01-2003 |
So my disco is now a third vehicle to me. That being the case I've always wanted a defender. Long story short, I found a potential 97 soft top that looks good and could be the one. My question is could my wife live with a soft top d90?  I know I could live with it, but could she? You see right now she loves wheeling with me in my 95 d1. A friend of hers has a soft top 02 wrangler, she's not very fond of riding in it, of course thats around town and never offroad. Would I be better off buying a station wagon instead of a hardtop? I looked at a station wagon today and plan on going to the dealer monday with her to go for a test drive. But any words of advice? I'm not opposed to a station wagon, just like the looks of the soft top better. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 689 Registered: 02-2003 |
Yeah I think with your current situation a SW would be better suited for you, well based on what you said. the soft tops are nice but awful loud on the inside. the SW is a nice alternative but nothing near as plush as your Disco. | ||
| Doug Walker (Dougw) New Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 36 Registered: 08-2003 |
Andy, Wives and Defenders usually don't mix well. My marriage almost ended when I moved from a Disco to a Defender 110. Defender ranks a minus 10 on creature comforts. Defenders are expedition trucks. Gradually, from a point of pure hatred for the Defender, my wife has gotten over the Disco and resigned herself to the new rig. She wheels and travels in it and now rarely complains about the noise, hard seating that doesn't recline all the way, etc, etc, etc, etc. But we NEVER talk about the Disco anymore -- we both know that will ruin our day. If you want to play it safe, you can take your wife out on a test drive in the SW first. If she can handle that, take her for a drive in the ST. Or, if having a Defender is more important than your marriage, just buy the damn thing and hope for the best. You might get lucky like I did, and be able to keep both! ;) Doug Walker | ||
| Pugsly (Pugsly) Senior Member Username: Pugsly Post Number: 280 Registered: 11-2002 |
I think it depends on your expectations, in terms of creature comforts, etc. If you want a vehicle that is as comfortable as the Disco then the Defender is just not going to measure up. However, your wife might like the 'wow' factor of the Defender. I know we enjoy the looks we get, having people come up to us in gas stations, parking lots, etc. All depends on what you're looking for. If you like attention then the Defender wins out over the Disco. | ||
| Craig Dickson (Red90) New Member Username: Red90 Post Number: 5 Registered: 10-2003 |
The only time my wife coplains about the 90 is in the winter because of the gap where the softop and the door window meet. I have about a 1" gap on the passenger side and zero gap on the drivers side-go figure. It tends to get a bit drafty on her side durig the winter months. Fortunetly it does not get that cold here in Colorado. Now in the summer when the top is off she requests that we drive the 90. For long drives or when we have company we take her 4 runner. If the 90 is not going to be your only vehicle than it shouldn't be much of a problem. The reason she may not like riding in her friends Wrangler is that they can't talk as well going down the road because of the noise. | ||
| Art Vigil (Colorover) Member Username: Colorover Post Number: 241 Registered: 02-2003 |
Craig, buy some pipe insulation to close the gap. It blends nicely and works well. Art Vigil Denver, CO | ||
| Peter Carey (Peterca) Member Username: Peterca Post Number: 53 Registered: 10-2003 |
Doug, Or the opposite can happen. My marriage got better with selling the Disco and getting a 110. My wife never really liked the Disco and kept mostly quite about it. It was a bit tall for her, although the 110 isn't really shorter, and the seats weren't quite right for her. Even with all the leather and automatic windows, she likes the 110 better, especially the seats. So I guess it matters on your wife, as usual. After my wife got to test drive the Defender (which she didn't get to do with the Disco, which may be why she wasn't too fond of it) she was really happy to get it. That being said, if I was looking at a 90 and ST vs SW, I wouldn't even try to talk her into the ST. If she didn't like the Wrangler, I believe there may be less comfort in the D90 ST. Now your choice is who's expectations do you lower? Yours, and accept the SW and still get to get a great D90 even if it's not as cool looking in your book. Or hers, and try to get her to like a truck she isn't thrilled about because it's colder and louder on the road? Actually, re-reading your post, you pretty much answer that question. You said "I know I could live with it,..." But I'm guessing to her, like most wives, it's a truck and something she shouldn't have to "just live with". Think of it maybe the other way around with something like a house: you find a house that isn't perfect but your wife thinks it's something she can live with. You on the other hand, think you're better off to keep looking. You would have the 'wow' factor working for you as Pugsly pointed out. I know my wife liked the truck a lot more when she passed another woman driving a Defender 130 and they both waved at each other franticly. It was a special bonding moment for them. pwc | ||
| Pugsly (Pugsly) Senior Member Username: Pugsly Post Number: 282 Registered: 11-2002 |
I've driven a lot of vehicles, some, but only when driving the Defender have I had people come up to me out of the blue (parking lots, gas stations, etc) and say 'wow, that is my dream vehicle'. I always think that is pretty cool. (for a picture see my profile) | ||
| Doug Walker (Dougw) New Member Username: Dougw Post Number: 37 Registered: 08-2003 |
Peter, you called it: "I guess it depends on your wife, as usual." Enuf said. ;) Doug | ||
| Neil Buchelt (Neil_b) New Member Username: Neil_b Post Number: 8 Registered: 09-2003 |
Well, I have to tell you all, I feel like I'm one of the REAL lucky ones. I have a wife who not only likes the Defender, but has owned a 97 Yellow ST since new and persuaded me to buy my 110 which I have fallen in love with, put a whole bunch of blood, sweat and tears into it now have now for a few years. Plush...they are not, but they sure do grow on you, especially once you own one. We like our individual trucks to such a point that we will take trips together in our own truck; out to Moab or where ever we are heading to next. It's a tough call when you are just not sure if the other will like it or not. Good luck and keep us posted. Neil | ||
| Jason Habbal (Jason97d90) New Member Username: Jason97d90 Post Number: 27 Registered: 10-2003 |
yeah i agree. Im in college and got a 97 Soft Top last july and can't believe the looks i get driving it around campus...Its like everything just stops, Not to mention on the road or parking lots...I have seen a guy almost wreck becuase he was looking at my 90 so hard..It makes you feel good..If you can live with the uncomfortable ride and the noise, or shuold i say if your wife can live with it, go for it...If not go for the SW...Its great driving around town and seeing all the attention that yuor vehicle gets....I love mine and would never trade it for anything, except maybe a new 110 or if i could get my hands on a 130.... | ||
| Milli (Milli) Member Username: Milli Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2002 |
It is easier to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission. Don't quote me on that one. I bought my 90sw from a couple from Whales. It was her daily driver and she was very upset to see it go. It fits smaller people well, you are sitting up straight, and it is ready to kick some ass. I have never driven a auto. The manual is a little rough. PS-The thing is a babe magnet. |
