New Car

[LucyLab]

I find the Legacy to be a really nice drive. Great control and seriously powerful. I do have my heart set on a a defender though, but have never driven one. Are they as uncomfortable as everyone seems to say?

[trekmoor]

Yes.

Wullie

[Bamburi]

Yes.

Wullie

ill second that

[LucyLab]

Yes.

Wullie

Oh

[PERCE]

They're shite

[HD55]

Here goes....and I know I have taken the bait

I have had a few Defenders, and have had my current one for the last 8 years. I am 6' 3" and I find my 110 County Station Wagon very comfortable and exactly what I need. As a family we drive to France in it most years with all our camping stuff loaded in the back and on the roof. It is the most versatile vehicle I have ever driven. One moment I can be in the middle of the most rutted moorland, the next on the motorway. It takes everything in its stride. It is a mistake, however, to look at it as a car. It is an agricultural machine with a reasonable car-like body, and its design doesn't seem to reflect that even agricultural machines are now complex and very 21st century. It costs about £500 a year in parts and servicing (I do none of it myself), and does between 22 and 32 miles to the gallon depending on what I am doing. It can hold 7 pointers and setters in the back with ease, and take 5 people from A to B in relative comfort. It will never go fast, drips water from the sunroof on most days, has a rudimentary electrical system, and the doors rot easily....but I wouldn't have anything else.

[Bamburi]

Here goes....and I know I have taken the bait

It will never go fast, drips water from the sunroof on most days, has a rudimentary electrical system, and the doors rot easily....but I wouldn't have anything else.

they are the " marmite" of vehicles I will give you that

dont get me wrong if they were a little more reliable & comfortable I would buy one like a shot but there are many vehicles nowadays that do the job just as well but with far more comfort and economy

[Springfield Pointers]

Interesting to see the "Landrover Debate" is alive and well in it's land of origin. Out here there is a continued confrontation between Landrover and Landcruiser drivers. The Cruisers being the vehicle of choice for many due to it's reliability. I have the fortune of having a foot in both camps and love both brands equally. However when it comes to my daily driver, my Discovery is by far the best vehicle I have ever had the good fortune to own.

With regards the OP, and looking at options for smaller "crossover" vehicles, has the OP ever considered the Nissan X-Trail? They are fantastic little cars and box way above their weight.

[bellypig]

I would rather cut my own heart out with a spoon than ever have another defender- just not worth the money or the hassle.

I never got stuck off roading unless the propshaft dropped off the fuel pump went the electrics packed in or the brakes siezed.......................

[Rookie]

i'm pretty keen on a scooby - are the foresters and legacys a fun drive? I've test drove an impreza years ago (the old bug eyes) and loved the direct steering

Not that long ago I had a couple of days running about in a 8yr old petrol Forester, a 3yr old diesel Forester and a 10yr old Impreza.

The old Impreza was great fun to drive and really stuck to the road. I got out of it and back into the younger Forester and had negotiated a couple of bends before I realised I was going to have to cool it a wee bit. The newer Forester is still a bit of a flying machine compared to the older one and is comfortable to drive, but you couldn't throw it about like you could the Impreza. I don't know how the Legacy compares to either...