Jeep advice - landrover defender '01 or kia sorrento '06

paddi22

paddi22

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Was hoping to get some advice about which would be a better jeep to get for towing. Theres a choice of 2 for sale near me - a landrover defender 01 or a kia sorrento 06. Milage, and price are similar on both.

Which one would you go for if you had to pick? Are landlovers longer lasting than kias? or is it better to get the newer one?
 
Defender - every time. (And I have both a defender and a Kia). The Kia's simply don't have the power of the defender and you may find you struggle in mud or when loaded to the Kia's axle weight limit. You will be very hard put to exceed the weight limit with a defender. They are easy to maintain and parts are relatively easy to find second hand. They are a bit harder on the feul consumption - but much better overall to tow.
 
ah brilliant, thanks so much. Everyone kept saying to go for the newer one, but the defender sounds like the one to go for.
 
I always have a defender 90 my current one is a 2000 plate it works very hard it's been tough and reliable its amazing in snow and got me out of here every day in winter two years ago when everyone esle was stuck well my range rover was getting out as well but mainly I drove the defender because it would be cheaper to fix if damaged.
Things about an older one get the rear cross member of the chassis checked they are prone to need replacing especially if they have towed a lot .
Likewise the clutches but it's not expensive to fix these .
They leak around the doors they all do at some point check the carpets in the front foot wells for evidence if this if its going to wind you up perhaps it's not the vehicle for you .
They are fun to drive and great to tow with but a bit agricultal for long distance comfort .
I would never be without one they haul huge wieghts about the place bring wood out of our wood up what looks to me like impossible slopes .
My current ones diesel .
The heaters take ages to get going you need proper clothes in winter.
I don't know anything about sorrentos so can't compare.
Don't buy one that been doing boat work you will have problems with rot if it's taken boats into the sea.
 
I have a Land rover 110 56 plate xs

It looks smart its been used as a wedding car twice now with ribbons and bow

Its good on diesel mine done a trip with trailer Hampshire to Somerset then Wales back to Somerset and then home to Hampshire towing all the way on £80 of fuel

heaters yes a bit slow to warm up but heated seats are a must can purchased from www.exmoortrim.co.uk lots of nice bits for all land rovers and if you can one with aircon is good

The best thing is a good land rover does not lose money i have had free motoring for the last 3 years i can sell it for more than i bought it for

I had a new Toyota Hilux and i would never go back to a truck again

One thing to watch do not buy one that is any more than a 06 plate as they changed the tax and do not by a land rover 07 plate on wards as they changed the engine to a transit
 
In my experience age is largely irrelevant in a defender ;) I have a '99, on a T-reg, defender 90 hardtop and its my absolute favourite car I have ever had. She has got a bit of 'extra' off reading spec and looks the business, plus I think she's fun to drive, relatively economical for the size of vehicle, and goes absolutely anywhere pulling anything you like behind her. Stuff sometimes goes wrong, but generally if you have a friendly mechanic who likes tinkering with landys, it's not too expensive.
The sorrento is a bit of a different animal I would say - if you need a commuting/smarter car and want driver comfort, maybe that would be a better bet, but for fun, towing and going absolutely anywhere, the landy 100%!
 
Going to buck the trend here but part exchanged my Defender for a Kia Sorrento!

I just found the Defender too 'agricutural', and having a young child at the time, needed the safety features of the Kia.

Towing wise have had no problems with the Kia but only have small horses - undoubtedly the Defender is the better tower, but I also like the luxuries and driveabilty of the Kia, especially on longer journeys.

We live in a remote area of the Shropshire Hills and live up a steep single track lane, but have yet to be snowed in with the Kia.

Found both 100% reliable and the Kia suprisingly economical for a 4 x 4.
 
Another for the Defender.

I had Peugeot 504 pick ups for years and was put off LRs by the price. But they are like Leggo and there are several LR forums which offer excellent advice. Parts are readily available and not expensive.

Wish I'd gone Landrover years ago!

TD200, TD300, and now Td5...all Defenders. Get someone knowledgeable to check the vehicle out if buying secondhand. Rusty chassis are a problem.
 
My landy's 1993 and still going strong. As others have said great fun but uncomfortable if it's your only vehicle. And they hold their value, mine's probably worth pretty much what I paid for it 5 years ago. Apparently 70% of all Defenders ever made are still running!
 
for me, if you want to use it for things other than towing as well, kia is the best - very economical to run, brill warranty and can cope with towing when needed.
 
Sorento definitely, love mine and it was brilliant in mud and snow. Fantastic to drive and I've pulled 2 large horses and a 505 with mine. Have had a box now and was going to down size my car, but can't bare to part with my Sorento as I love it!
 
I have a kia. It's fab at towing my horses. However with that model of Sorrento you are looking at some have a problem with the engine. I know, mine did, I needed a whole new engine, which is NOT covered by the warranty and Kia were very cagey about offering any sort of goodwill gesture. Mine had only done 48000 when it died :( And they've just had a recall on the rear brackets so make sure that it has been checked by Kia, as they were replacing if needed or putting an extra protective coating on if ok (all for free)
 
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