Considering a GX550 or Defender for my wife

[TexasHusker]

I have a LX 600 and she doesn't want something that "big", although the GX isn't that far off on dimensions. I am reading a lot about disappointments with the GX on ride quality and noise levels. Meanwhile, I thought I would never consider a Rover product again, but the Defender owners seem to be mostly happy. The ride quality is superb.

Now, my wife needs a luxury SUV about as much as I do (these are just play-pretty cruisers - nothing else), but cars are my love language.

Any first-hand owner accounts out there to help me out?

 

[Specialeyes]

I have a LX 600 and she doesn't want something that "big", although the GX isn't that far off on dimensions. I am reading a lot about disappointments with the GX on ride quality and noise levels. Meanwhile, I thought I would never consider a Rover product again, but the Defender owners seem to be mostly happy. The ride quality is superb.

Now, my wife needs a luxury SUV about as much as I do (these are just play-pretty cruisers - nothing else), but cars are my love language.

Any first-hand owner accounts out there to help me out?

Between those two, buying one right here, right now? Defender. The GX needs more time in the oven.

I’ve driven a Defender 110 (P400 S) and it blows anything Toyota offers away on road manners and driving dynamics. Also have not heard of any serious mechanical problems from people who have owned them, it’s been mostly electrical/tech gremlins but those can also be a PITA.

 

[stridertexas]

I owned 4 Cruisers before jumping into a 2020 Defender HSE. Owning that vehicle was like owning a boat. The day I bought it and the day I sold it were the two best days of ownership.

The vehicle was amazing to drive. Probably the best vehicle I’ve owned. Way better than the 100s and 200 I owned. Seriously, it’s amazing.

Mechanically they are are great, but there’s coolant leaks and electric glitches galore. Even my rear passenger door locked shut and couldn’t be opened and had to have the dealer wipe the entire computer and reflash it to make it work. Defenders are SO overly technically complicated, but that’s what makes them amazing when they work.

But it had what I estimated to be $16,000 worth of repairs during the first four years of ownership. I thought I was confident to own it outside of warranty, because my dealer was amazing to fix things so quickly and the loaners are very nice. But the pure hassle of going there 2-3 times a year coupled with the potential of extreme repair bills just had me walk away after learning a real extended warranty was about $7,000 for only an additional 2 years of coverage past the factory warranty.

I’m glad I got it out of my system. But my wallet is still hurt and healing from the depreciation hit.

 

[TexasHusker]

I owned 4 Cruisers before jumping into a 2020 Defender HSE. Owning that vehicle was like owning a boat. The day I bought it and the day I sold it were the two best days of ownership.

The vehicle was amazing to drive. Probably the best vehicle I’ve owned. Way better than the 100s and 200 I owned. Seriously, it’s amazing.

Mechanically they are are great, but there’s coolant leaks and electric glitches galore. Even my rear passenger door locked shut and couldn’t be opened and had to have the dealer wipe the entire computer and reflash it to make it work. Defenders are SO overly technically complicated, but that’s what makes them amazing when they work.

But it had what I estimated to be $16,000 worth of repairs during the first four years of ownership. I thought I was confident to own it outside of warranty, because my dealer was amazing to fix things so quickly and the loaners are very nice. But the pure hassle of going there 2-3 times a year coupled with the potential of extreme repair bills just had me walk away after learning a real extended warranty was about $7,000 for only an additional 2 years of coverage past the factory warranty.

I’m glad I got it out of my system. But my wallet is still hurt and healing from the depreciation hit.

Do you think some of it is that you got the 2020, the first model year? Would you have one if you have a comprehensive warranty provided by Land Rover, and a Land Cruiser 200 as a spare car? That's where I'm at.

 

[MeWantLC]

Wait a sec... Did you sell the Defender !? . What did you get then instead of it. ...

I owned 4 Cruisers before jumping into a 2020 Defender HSE. Owning that vehicle was like owning a boat. The day I bought it and the day I sold it were the two best days of ownership.

The vehicle was amazing to drive. Probably the best vehicle I’ve owned. Way better than the 100s and 200 I owned. Seriously, it’s amazing.

Mechanically they are are great, but there’s coolant leaks and electric glitches galore. Even my rear passenger door locked shut and couldn’t be opened and had to have the dealer wipe the entire computer and reflash it to make it work. Defenders are SO overly technically complicated, but that’s what makes them amazing when they work.

But it had what I estimated to be $16,000 worth of repairs during the first four years of ownership. I thought I was confident to own it outside of warranty, because my dealer was amazing to fix things so quickly and the loaners are very nice. But the pure hassle of going there 2-3 times a year coupled with the potential of extreme repair bills just had me walk away after learning a real extended warranty was about $7,000 for only an additional 2 years of coverage past the factory warranty.

I’m glad I got it out of my system. But my wallet is still hurt and healing from the depreciation hit.

 

[stridertexas]

no, because all the problems I had were the same ones affecting 2021-2023s that were out when I stopped reading on the rover forum.

The only real glitches I believe I had due to being a 2020, were the need for numerous software resets and reflashes. Once the Pivi got to 4.0 that was much better and stable.

The problem with the warranty is the only real warranty is what comes from LR. Any third party warranty excludes tons of electrical things on LR.

I think if I had to do it all over again..,I’d probably just lease it. Because then I’d know the actual cost of driving it. The deprecation hit was the final uppercut to my ownership experience.

Having a 200 as a backup isn’t anything because the dealers give loaners quickly and generously for when the car is in for repairs.

 

[stridertexas]

Wait a sec... Did you sell the Defender !? . What did you get then instead of it. ...

Yes I sold it to a broker.

I got a 250 premium. Went back to Toyota, which was always my plan. Just not as soon as I thought it’d be.

 

[VLX]

The GX550 is junk. The Defender is nicer, but is extremely unreliable. I would just go for the LX600 and be done. I own both the GX550 and LX600 so I have real-world experience and I am now seriously considering trading the GX550 for another LX600 and throwing off-road tires on it.

 

[MRego]

I owned 4 Cruisers before jumping into a 2020 Defender HSE. Owning that vehicle was like owning a boat. The day I bought it and the day I sold it were the two best days of ownership.

The vehicle was amazing to drive. Probably the best vehicle I’ve owned. Way better than the 100s and 200 I owned. Seriously, it’s amazing.

Mechanically they are are great, but there’s coolant leaks and electric glitches galore. Even my rear passenger door locked shut and couldn’t be opened and had to have the dealer wipe the entire computer and reflash it to make it work. Defenders are SO overly technically complicated, but that’s what makes them amazing when they work.

But it had what I estimated to be $16,000 worth of repairs during the first four years of ownership. I thought I was confident to own it outside of warranty, because my dealer was amazing to fix things so quickly and the loaners are very nice. But the pure hassle of going there 2-3 times a year coupled with the potential of extreme repair bills just had me walk away after learning a real extended warranty was about $7,000 for only an additional 2 years of coverage past the factory warranty.

I’m glad I got it out of my system. But my wallet is still hurt and healing from the depreciation hit.

Literally my exact same experience owning a Defender. Even to the same 2020 model year and warranty cost estimate. Like dating a high maintenance slutty super model. NEVER marry one. Lease = date, Buy = marry

 

[hoot504]

The GX550 is junk. The Defender is nicer, but is extremely unreliable. I would just go for the LX600 and be done. I own both the GX550 and LX600 so I have real-world experience and I am now seriously considering trading the GX550 for another LX600 and throwing off-road tires on it.

If my 200 was taken away from me tomorrow I think I'd just go with the LX600 overtrail when it comes out. I recognize that not everyone wants to throw that kind of coin at a vehicle, especially one that does see dirt roads regularly. I would definitely test drive it first though. I think all cars and manufacturers are declining in quality.

 

[185]

Thinking out loud here, but with the defender offering a v8, and Toyota's own GR division is launching an all new twin turbo v8 shortly...

a fan can dream

 

[izzyandsue]

I have a LX 600 and she doesn't want something that "big", although the GX isn't that far off on dimensions. I am reading a lot about disappointments with the GX on ride quality and noise levels. Meanwhile, I thought I would never consider a Rover product again, but the Defender owners seem to be mostly happy. The ride quality is superb.

Now, my wife needs a luxury SUV about as much as I do (these are just play-pretty cruisers - nothing else), but cars are my love language.

Any first-hand owner accounts out there to help me out?

I currently have 3 land cruiser including the 250, but have also owned LR in the past. My wife's beloved LR4 engine gave up this past Spring, truly awesome vehicle until it dies. She had a budget to get something new and she liked the new Defenders, nice and comfortable. I reached out to folks I know who own a large LR shop in the southeast, owners I have a personal relationship with, to find out which combination Defender (year, engine, etc) they recommended for her, since they knew her LR4 well. Answer was none.

 

[hoot504]

I currently have 3 land cruiser including the 250, but have also owned LR in the past. My wife's beloved LR4 engine gave up this past Spring, truly awesome vehicle until it dies. She had a budget to get something new and she liked the new Defenders, nice and comfortable. I reached out to folks I know who own a large LR shop in the southeast, owners I have a personal relationship with, to find out which combination Defender (year, engine, etc) they recommended for her, since they knew her LR4 well. Answer was none.

Which is a shame. I love bashing s*** cars but more competition in this space would be nothing but good.

 

[izzyandsue]

Which is a shame. I love bashing s*** cars but more competition in this space would be nothing but good.

True in general, and Land Rover are awesome to drive. Just not for long term ownership. I may get a Series 2A one of these days, love the shape and how they drive off road. This was updated today by Consumer Reports:

Car Brands Ranked by Maintenance and Repair Costs Over Time - Consumer Reports

CR reveals the differences in maintenance and repair costs among 28 car brands at five and 10 years of ownership, based on member data.

www.consumerreports.org

If you look at the bottom, costlier cars to maintain, LR….

 

[MeWantLC]

Thank you Izzie !

What are your thoughts on Tesla, Lincoln, and Buick as 1, 2, 3 above Toyota? Like, REALLY? I am a Toyota fanboi, but looking for gifting me a nice brand new car.... I do not like EV's, and used to like the Lincoln Towncar.... But really, Linconl and Buicke?

Thanks for sharing !

True in general, and Land Rover are awesome to drive. Just not for long term ownership. I may get a Series 2A one of these days, love the shape and how they drive off road. This was updated today by Consumer Reports:

Car Brands Ranked by Maintenance and Repair Costs Over Time - Consumer Reports

CR reveals the differences in maintenance and repair costs among 28 car brands at five and 10 years of ownership, based on member data.

www.consumerreports.org

If you look at the bottom, costlier cars to maintain, LR….

 

[izzyandsue]

Thank you Izzie !

What are your thoughts on Tesla, Lincoln, and Buick as 1, 2, 3 above Toyota? Like, REALLY? I am a Toyota fanboi, but looking for gifting me a nice brand new car.... I do not like EV's, and used to like the Lincoln Towncar.... But really, Linconl and Buicke?

Thanks for sharing !

Holy crap! Whispering; Does your doc know you are off your meds?

 

[Thx1158]

I have a LX 600 and she doesn't want something that "big", although the GX isn't that far off on dimensions. I am reading a lot about disappointments with the GX on ride quality and noise levels. Meanwhile, I thought I would never consider a Rover product again, but the Defender owners seem to be mostly happy. The ride quality is superb.

Now, my wife needs a luxury SUV about as much as I do (these are just play-pretty cruisers - nothing else), but cars are my love language.

Any first-hand owner accounts out there to help me out?

Personally we have had two. One was bullet proof which led to the second that was a nightmare with electrical issues. I couldn’t get out of it fast enough.

 

[krice118]

Get the Lexus TX 550 performance…..