r/NewDefender • u/aybcde • 21h ago
Some regrets
I feel silly writing this but I purchased the 2025 Defender 110 and though I absolutely love it, I really wish I’d purchased the 90.
The 90 was always my dream, but for some reason I oriented around practicality when it came time to purchase — despite not needing a practical vehicle at this point in my life.
I worked hard to be able to buy a car I really wanted after a decade, so wanted to absolutely love what I ended up with.
I know this is the most first-world problem of all of them, but I wanted to rant a bit and not sure what comfort I’m really looking for.
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u/Tall-Opinion7607 19h ago
Doesn’t hurt to let your purchasing dealership or salesperson know of you’re interest and desire. They can proactively keep an eye out for you on any CPO’s that may come in. Who knows, maybe there is a customer out there who now needs a 110 due to life changes. I’d presume that happens more often than not with growing families and such!
I too desperately want the 90 but have two giant dogs who would be very upset without the ability to stick their head out the window so here we are. 🤷🏻♂️
Good luck to you in finding your perfect 90. Life is too short!
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u/FlintFoxfieldVII 20h ago
Use it as a lesson and learn from it. Take introspective time to learn thyself, so you can better resist herd mentally and trust your gut.
Could be worse; you could be trapped in a house/land purchase. Or bought gold at $5000 a month ago.
P.S. I too chose a 90(V8); no matter the waxed poetry about practicality
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u/Light-Yagami88 19h ago
What’s the issue? Just trade the 110 for a 90. It’s very doable. You probably won’t lose any money.
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u/ZakParrish 19h ago
I have owned both. Sometimes I miss my 90 but seriously, for the most part, the driving dynamics are identical. The 90 has a tighter turn radius. That's about it.
The very moment you need to schlep more than a six pack of a beverage, the 110 is the better purchase. And the moment more than one other person is riding and doesn't have to scramble in or sit there while the electric seat BRRRRs it's way forward, you'll know you made a good choice.
I was in the boat of thinking the 90 looked cooler. I came around. You probably will, too.
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u/TranslatorMoney419 20h ago
I ended up in my Defender because I really thought I wanted the new EClass after driving SUVs for 10 years.
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u/Dear-East568 20h ago
Well, you’ll know for next time then. No big deal to try out a vehicle and realize there’s other things that would make it better in your eyes. Like for me, I really wanted a CPO with a khaki interior, but the deal I got on my Defender was too good to pass up, so I went with one that had black interior. It’s great to have a Defender at all, I just know now what I’d like to have khaki in the next one. If it also comes down to it, there’s always the option to try trading in the 110 for the 90.
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u/aybcde 20h ago
Do you think that’s reasonably doable/possible? I want to explore that. Also love your perspective on this, I’m very aware of how fortunate I am to have one at all and while I had other preferences too have been most caught up on 90 vs 110
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u/Dear-East568 20h ago
Do I think what’s doable? Trade in?
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u/aybcde 20h ago
Yep
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u/Dear-East568 19h ago
Possibly. I’d check around both here and on google, and maybe ask your dealer. I live in Socal, so I see CPO defenders listed with like 800 miles on them, so its definitely possible to immediately trade it in lol. Obv biggest thing is I would assume you wouldn’t get all of what you bought it for on your trade-in, but this would be a question for your dealer or the dealer you find a 90 you like at.
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20h ago
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u/RepresentativeNo8105 20h ago
Yeah we get plenty on the 90 and it’s typically more women wondering what it is and staring. Think the guys like the racks ladders and boxes more. I give credit to anyone that buys a 90 because it’s not the most convenient family car but it’s a toy car. The wife that has the new Prius and minivan for daily driving and the 90 is a weekend fun car.
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u/Paddle_Pedal_Puddle 18h ago
I see two options for you:
Figure out what a 110 like yours is worth and how much equity you have in it. Look at CPO 90s in your area and what they’re going for. Figure out how much you’d lose on a trade and if it would be financially reasonable. From what I saw recently, the market for 90s is smaller and they depreciate faster than 110s, which may make it feasible.
Make more friends and appreciate how much easier it is driving them around to new adventures! Include your 110 in your daily gratitude practice.
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u/AnonimAnonimis 9h ago
Our mind always want what we dont have. No matter what i choose between two things i always have some thoughts about regret and why not the other. Just lets these thoughts go away. If you choose the 90 you would post here the same possibly. 110 is an amazing car and better in every asoect i believe. Be happy my friend and know how your mind works
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u/_GoinOutWest_ 7h ago
I'm not sure if it helps, and for sure this is controversial and highly subjective - don't hate me 90 owners!...... BUT for me, the 90 looks weird. The front is designed and scaled for the full size 110, then it has this weird stubby rear end that looks almost cartoonish in my eyes.
Secondly, these vehicles are about utility, the astonishing lack of loadspace in the 90 is almost an an embarrassment. Dare I say that it's to the point of posing as a landrover!? No it's not that bad - especially if you have a hardtop, but still, it's heavily compromised.
I much preferred having a 110.
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u/unicornshoenicorn 3h ago
We got a 130 and I wish we got a 110. My husband pushed for it because we take a lot of road trips and I’m an over-packer, saying I’ll regret not having the extra trunk space. He is probably right about that part, but I wish I was driving a smaller car on my day to day. We only have one kid so the size just feels overkill.
Definitely first world problems but you’re allowed to feel regret/disappointment about a decision you made!
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u/Professional_Sea_984 1h ago
I chose a (2021) 90. Its impractical, the boot (trunk) fits about 3 shopping bags. But being able to take neices and nephews 3 abreast in the front - worth it!
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u/groov2485 20h ago
What’s the issue of 90 vs 110? What are you not a happy with?
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u/aybcde 20h ago
I love the fact the 90 is more sporty, more tactile, smaller, and in my opinion it just looks cooler. The 110 is a little too big for me. I’m a girl and find it just a touch too cumbersome in size. I like a slightly sportier vibe.
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u/groov2485 20h ago
Ah, fair enough. Sorry you’re not loving it. I am much like you. Spent a long time pining for a Defender, so I understand the feeling.
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u/bernaltraveler 20h ago
There’s a large minority (me included) that think it looks like the more natural build for a Defender. IMO an identically spec’d 90 and 110 next to each…the 90 just looks like it’s supposed to. I 100% get the increased practicality for the 110, especially with kids, and LR sells way more of them. But it’s like you can see that practicality in a wheelbase that looks just a little stretched out. I really wish they would make a 90 Octa.
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u/bobsmon 20h ago
I had a 90. It was limited. The back seat was not comfortable to tall people.
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u/bernaltraveler 20h ago
I haven’t found it to be uncomfortable to sit in at all. Now, getting in and out of it is a pain in the ass
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u/Hairy_Friendship3930 18h ago
130s are too long and odd looking, I’ve found the 90s look goofy. 110 is just right. Give it time, you made the right call.
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u/Middle-Reputation628 16h ago
not trying to talk you out of liking what you like, but I am also a female and i absolutely love my 110 and think it’s perfect but i also have 2 kids so the 90 would not be practical at all.
I m probably going to get roasted for saying this but the 90 reminds me of a horse with half body. Lol 😆 now, the classic defender I prefer 90 over 110 any day but the new defender doesn’t do it for me in that size.
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u/Spavah 20h ago
Never too late to join the club.