Speaking of LR and RRs, just saw a Range with the whole car up in smokes, smoke came out of engine bay, not fire I think.... but he just blew and is talking on the phone + starting to pulling over.... I'm passing him on the opposite side of the highway during trip to Vancouver... what a day.

 

I'd forgotten how good looking those LADAs were. Makes the BMWs look dated.

 

Back in the 80s a mate of mine had a LADA Niva - best LADA ever made in my opinion (and yes I know that's not setting a very high bar!). I believe it's still in production.



Surprisingly rugged and capable off-road.

 

I remember these - they were more civilized than UAZes, but didn't match the offroad prowess of the UAZes.

And yes, they are still being produced

 

I'm not sure if the photo above is an ad for LADA or knitting patterns..

 

The chick in the background looks hot!

 

I'm not seeing anything hot on this tread so far.

 

really?
those chernobyl ladies covered in 70s skiing attire in the LADA ad does nothing to u?

lol

all jokes aside, i agree with Big Andy, nothing lasts forever (although a defender physically does last a hell of a long time)
i just hope the new replacement will be a better selling without going all too soft
maybe something like the Mercedes G

 

^ I will my ... hmm, I don't wear hats but you get the idea - anyhow, I have a seriously hard time believing the replacement will be anything useful, if there even is a replacement.

 

 

Mercedes G hasn't gone too soft, but its all too expensive to be used for its purpose. And quite frankly, what these used Defenders sell for on ebay, is too expensive as well.

Wrangler and even the UAZ are far more practical and affordable.

 

Honestly if they sold Defenders in US and Canada they would sell. At least those things from what I hear are way more reliable than the LR and RR.

One thing I would like to see is Toyota sell FJ40 but update the interior. Have the classic look with new brains Have it be like a special limited edition and make like 1000.

 

exactly. The G is still great off road, but who in their right mind would take one off road except me?
What's wrong with selling extremely capable off road machines at a low price?
Not everyone wants leather, wood, 128 way adjustable seats, 6 zone AC, power windows, etc in their off road machine!
used defenders in the rest of the world go for a few thousand but here they're still in the Xteen thousand range at least.

 

They sold the Defender 90 in the U.S. in the 1990s. It came with a V8 and stick shift, and it didn't sell too well.

Here you go. Not by toyota, but by an outfit that specializes in FJ40s. Body is made of aluminum instead of steel and can be had with a diesel or V8 power. It's on my wish list.

http://www.icon4x4.com/

 

^ Probably sould have made an automatic an option. I don't know too many North Americans who would be in the Defender's demographic that are capable of driving a V8 stick.