Another Defender hint?

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Davidinseattle

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Those of us that love our LR4 but won't be taking it past 150K miles. At 150K miles I'll need another set of control arms, many fluid changes including transmission, another set of brakes, probably a new hub or two, another water pump, new tires, new battery, etc. That may be the point where I stop "investing" thousands of dollars into a vehicle worth $10K or less.

Plus I use my vehicle for work and can deduct part of the new Defender expense. My LR4 has been fully depreciated.


I guess. Different strokes for different folks. IMHO, if it didn't look like a KIA Soul and cost a ridiculous amount of money, that'd be another story. My guess is most people who are buying this are looking for cool points as this is really a cheap looking imitation of the Defender. Not saying that is what you are doing. Just saying, this really looks cheap and one would expect it to be cheap to buy, but when you see the price, it is not cheap. Just leaves one scratching their heads. Not that JLR would do that, but that someone would actually pay that...

Don't get me wrong, I love an expensive vehicle as much as the next. I'm the guy who bought an $80k pick up truck. But I can tell you, the diff between my truck and this is breathtaking. That said, I did put my name on the list for a Grenadier, so as soon as they start taking deposits, I am putting one down. That thing looks awesome.

Sorry to all you JLR Defender folks out there. I'm just trying to wrap my head around it. Usually, when you spend this kind of money on a vehicle, you get to brag to your friends about it. With this thing, I would be hiding what I spent. My friends would never stop teasing me about spending FU money on a glorified KIA Soul. I bet if you debadged it, people would ask you if that's what it is.

Just sayin.
 

umbertob

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If you are happy with the 300 HP engine and keep options to a minimum (it comes pretty well equipped even in basic form), you can get a new 110 S, loaded with all the available off-road goodies and packs, for less than 55k. That's not what you'll find at most dealers currently, but not all new Defenders start at 80Ks.
 

CaliDisco

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Clearly LR residuals were integrated into Defender2 pricing... the launch mix is also skewed towards higher spec units. Add in the dealership markups and the value equation leaves you scratching the head..
I also have to admit the design isn’t bad. It just comes across as a bit plastic and lacking the rugged authenticity of some key competitors. It also isn’t different enough to command a premium. Too early to say if it’s missed it’s mark but I think it’s safe to say it probably won’t be a runaway hit. Unfortunately LR could really use one right now, and between covid and Bronco the D2 will face significant challenges.
 

namenda

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This thread reminds me of when the re-designed RRS came out in 2014. There was almost universal derision for the new model in this forum, particularly with it's base price of almost 70k. Today, every other LR vehicle I see on the streets is an RRS.

The D5, however, is a totally different story.
 

Quijote

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This thread reminds me of when the re-designed RRS came out in 2014. There was almost universal derision for the new model in this forum, particularly with it's base price of almost 70k. Today, every other LR vehicle I see on the streets is an RRS.

The D5, however, is a totally different story.

I liked the new RRS the moment it came out. It's a sharp-looking vehicle. RR's are expensive and always have been. What did people not like? I only visit this sub-forum.
 

Davidinseattle

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This thread reminds me of when the re-designed RRS came out in 2014. There was almost universal derision for the new model in this forum, particularly with it's base price of almost 70k. Today, every other LR vehicle I see on the streets is an RRS.

The D5, however, is a totally different story.


Huh? That's not the way I remember it. The redesigned RRS was a hit from the word go in my mind. I had friends flocking to buy one. It looks well built. It looked like an expensive vehicle. I don't have any friends talking about the Defender like that. Not one.

FF to now. You just can't tell me that this vehicle looks like and $80k or $90k vehicle. It looks cheap. I'd rather drive a Telluride any day of the week (disclosure: I've driven one and they are nice). The fenders look silly. The materials look cheap like something you'd see come from China. Don't get me started about the quality as we have already seen some blog posts of new owners commenting on that.

As for the D5, well that's just a shame too. JLR has simply lost its way. And I am not sure there's a path forward long term for them (15-20 years). Their bet with the Defender and its pricing is simple, they are betting there are enough people out there who will make a vanity purchase just to have one. That's it. You don't create something like this at this price point thinking your old Defender and LR4 owners will jump on en masse. No, you do it because you are trading on your brand and know that the brand has become a status symbol for the nouveau riche. If you need anymore evidence of this, simply look at the year after year quality rankings for Land Rover. Quality is not even on their radar as something to fix.

Fact is, we'll likely keep our LR4 Lux until the wheels fall off. I can't get my wife to give it up as she has no interest in any other vehicle at any price. I had hoped the 130 would be an option but wife laughed at the Defender as "cheap" and "silly" looking. I told her I put my name on the list for when Grenadier is taking deposits for a new ride for me. I showed her the Grenadier and she said, "you mean for me."

Maybe I'm an outlier and this vehicle is going to be the best thing since sliced bread, but I doubt it. I think it's going to eventually find the same fate at the original only faster. My guess is, but year three or four, after the novelty wears off, this will be right about where LR4 sales were in 2015 unless they drastically reduce the price and fix the styling.
 

DonMitsu

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I love the look of the Defender, but after driving the vehicle, it was a no brainer. I've put my order in for an Indus Silver HSE. This car is absolutely amazing. Quieter and more powerful than my LR4. Modern electronics and equipment. The only complaint I have is I wish it had more cargo space, but the new Defender really is head and shoulders above the LR4. As much as I love our LR4, it has been my favorite car that I've ever owned, everyone should test drive this new Defender before passing judgement.
 

Jimmy Brooks

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This is my toll on this whole thing: JLR is at a completely different place now, vs when they made the LR4. My 2010 LR4 HSE LUX With all the options, except power folding mirrors as well as the 360° parking cameras, Was sticker priced at $58,000. The LR4 was one of the best price for value deals of its era. The LR4 in my mind is the perfect mix of luxury, capability, performance, and styling. JLR will never make a car like the LR4 ever again. No car ever will live up to the LR4 in my mind as well as some of yours. JLR hit the luxury and capability points on the D5 but totally missed the styling and performance end. As for the new defender they nailed capability and performance numbers and the styling is eh but they totally missed the luxury stand point when priced as high as 80k. Later down the road the styling of the defender will grow on us and if they throw in the 5.0L V8 the offer would become tempting but with its plastic door panels and non leather dash, the defender will Always miss the luxury stand point. And for that reason, I’ll stick to the LR4 for now.
 
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Davidinseattle

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This is my toll on this whole thing: JLR is at a completely different place now, vs when they made the LR4. My 2010 LR4 HSE LUX With all the options, except power folding mirrors as well as the 360° parking cameras, Was sticker priced at $58,000. The LR4 was one of the best price for value deals of its era. The LR4 in my mind is the perfect mix of luxury, capability, performance, and styling. JLR will never make a car like the LR4 ever again. No car ever will live up to the LR4 in my mind as well as some of yours. JLR hit the luxury and capability points on the D5 but totally missed the styling and performance end. As for the new defender they nailed capability and performance numbers and the styling is eh but they totally missed the luxury stand point when priced as high as 80k. Later down the road the styling of the defender will grow on us and if they throw in the 5.0L V8 the offer would become tempting but with its plastic door panels and non leather dash, the defender will Always miss the luxury stand point. And for that reason, I’ll stick to the LR4 for now.


Exactly. Few reasonable off-roaders are going to pay $80k just because it performs well off road. You can get a used jeep that does that for a heck of a lot less. I agree with all your assessments. As I have said, JLR is betting there are enough posers out there to make this profitable. Enough people who are fine paying $80k+ to say they drive a Defender. That's the bet because this is a cheap looking, and probably cheaply made vehicle. Not sure how that could be subjective. I've seen them in person. I would have thought it was a Chinese knock off.

JLRs bet will likely be a good one in the short term, but will be a poor one in the long term. This vehicle, at this price, with the poor look and feel of materials and the pedestrian nod to the old defender will have a very short shelf life IMO.

JLR execs need to get their heads out of the sand.
 
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avslash

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And here I sit patiently waiting for the Bronco reveal tomorrow.

I'm not in the market for anything currently, but this Bronco has my curiosity piqued more than any vehicle in recent memory. Especially as a comparison to the D2.
 

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