Confused Brown Man from Down Under

[gannugood]

Hi All
I have been a fan of the Defender and recently of the Grenadier. A couple of weeks back my close friend drove the Grenadier to my house, and I test drove it and since then I have wanted to buy the Grenadier. Have done no 4x4 driving yet but have always wanted to. My heart tells me to go for the Grenadier, but my head tells me it is too expensive, and you will end up just driving it around the suburbs. The war between the head and heart is driving me nuts. Thought, feedback - most welcome.

 

[Clark Kent]

Hi All
I have been a fan of the Defender and recently of the Grenadier. A couple of weeks back my close friend drove the Grenadier to my house, and I test drove it and since then I have wanted to buy the Grenadier. Have done no 4x4 driving yet but have always wanted to. My heart tells me to go for the Grenadier, but my head tells me it is too expensive, and you will end up just driving it around the suburbs. The war between the head and heart is driving me nuts. Thought, feedback - most welcome.

Firstly, welcome to the forum @gannugood.
Secondly, get your mate back for another drive!

If you fear this might only be a passing interest then a new 4WD is an expensive toy to drive around in. Try to get some time doing off-road driving and see if it's the lifestyle you're interested in or just an infatuation with the Grenadier. If it's the lifestyle you want there are far cheaper ways of doing it with a good used 4WD. If you lose interest quickly at least you haven't over invested. If it turns into a passion you can always get into a good used Grenadier a bit later. Some of the early MY23s will be coming off novated leases in the next 18 months or so.

I'm 30 months into ownership of an optioned up wagon and would buy again. I'm using it for towing and touring. I don't do much 4wding for recreation.

 

[Krabby]

Find some free time, sit back, grab a Foster’s and use the search function (upper right corner) and you can discover discussions about anything IG related.

My 2¢ - Despite some poor design choices (ie crap HVAC system) I’m happy with my decision to purchase a Grenadier. It wasn’t cheap and is far from perfect (and a bit far from the “back to basics” thing that drew most of us in) but I’m happy.

With regards to driving around the suburbs-I think most men like to be over prepared and I’m ok with that. I will never dive to 200 meters (I can barely swim) but it’s comforting that should I need to, my watch is up to the task.

 

[Tazzieman]

I will never dive to 200 meters (I can barely swim) but it’s comforting that should I need to, my watch is up to the task.

Pack a snorkel, as your raised air intake won't suffice

 

[Shopkeep]

Hi All
I have been a fan of the Defender and recently of the Grenadier. A couple of weeks back my close friend drove the Grenadier to my house, and I test drove it and since then I have wanted to buy the Grenadier. Have done no 4x4 driving yet but have always wanted to. My heart tells me to go for the Grenadier, but my head tells me it is too expensive, and you will end up just driving it around the suburbs. The war between the head and heart is driving me nuts. Thought, feedback - most welcome.

Expensive yes, but what’s not these days? Buy it, drive it around the burbs and be happy knowing if you ever head off the bitumen you have a very capable 4X4. It’s a very nice piece of kit.

 

[Happyoldgit]

Life is too short to worry, I am (up to now) a cancer survivor and try not to fret too much (but still do!) Buy a low mileage used example but accept the hit and pass it on if you find it’s not for you.
Simple.

 

[Tomdoc]

I bought my IG before they actually existed. It still makes me smile whenever I get into it even if it's just for a short errand. It's a personal choice and I get comfort in knowing that it's such a capable vehicle when I need it to be, (I live in remote Scotland and our weather can be brutal), That's a comfort - like owning a good tool or a capable camping system. By once cry once. It's not for everyone and I think, as suggested, a second test drive is in order - perhaps somewhere rugged if your mate will allow it. Good luck and welcome.

 

[TheDocAUS]

It is more expensive to buy up front, but the fit-out is a lot cheaper, because it is so well appointed. Plus the build time is much shorter.

A great all round tourer.

Let Ronny help you decide (Ronny ended up buying his own QM):

View: https://youtu.be/x-Y7DNMUwAI

View: https://youtu.be/5JP6U7twA3Y

View: https://youtu.be/4Q3l-FAsKiE

View: https://youtu.be/iXkk2tM1cN8

Thread here on Ronny's QM

Thread 'Ronny Dahl Bought a Quartermaster'

Jun 28, 2025

View: https://youtu.be/SgP2NBEOukE?si=OXcLkIvFKlE3Dlva

• Greasemonkey
• new quartermaster video
• Replies: 193
• Forum: Grenadier Quartermaster Pickup

• 
• 

 

[parb]

If it makes you happy go for it. Yolo!

 

[CrazyOldMan]

As a couple other members mentioned, there is or will be used options coming onto market, so if you just find that it’s fun and you like how it feels, you can probably find one for a pretty reasonable price in the not-too-distant future. Whether you really do a ton of off-roading is almost beside the point. A lot of members have theirs built out for the end of the world - they will almost never use most of that junk. But they’re having fun. That’s the primary thing. If it does that for you, and you don’t mind some of the little stuff, then who is to say it’s not a great choice for you? My personal opinion is the world has been taken over by boring egg pod cars driven by bots while their idiot “drivers” text at the wheel. A little more irresponsible decision-making is a good thing. We could all do with a little less tepid and timid pragmatism.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

 

[bigleonski]

I’ve always had the thought that the IG isn’t really a first timer’s 4wd, and newbies are better off buying a ute or something like a prado or an everest. Master that, then get into a grenny.
I would say the same thing about a proper land cruiser.

 

[TheDocAUS]

I’ve always had the thought that the IG isn’t really a first timer’s 4wd, and newbies are better off buying a ute or something like a prado or an everest. Master that, then get into a grenny.
I would say the same thing about a proper land cruiser.

It certainly takes longer to learn and master.

 

[RY-Journeyman]

Or get an old school Land Rover first to go back to basics then upgrade to the grenadier.

 

[NQ94]

I’ve always had the thought that the IG isn’t really a first timer’s 4wd, and newbies are better off buying a ute or something like a prado or an everest. Master that, then get into a grenny.
I would say the same thing about a proper land cruiser.

That would be the worst sales pitch for Grenadier ever.

 

[bigleonski]

That would be the worst sales pitch for Grenadier ever.

I can live with that.
I liken it to a learner driver buying a porsche as a first car, a new skeet shooter a top of the line baretta, a five yesr old getting a full spec gaming laptop.
You have to learn to walk before you can run.

 

[Coullabus]

If you have driven one: If you liked it, and can you afford it, go for it! Life is too short, so make hay whilst the sun shines!

 

[Logsplitter]

If you have driven one: If you liked it, and can you afford it, go for it! Life is too short, so make hay whilst the sun shines!

Well said. I always say I don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard.

 

[Coullabus]

Well said. I always say I don’t want to be the richest man in the graveyard.

‘there are no pockets in a shroud’

 

[NQ94]

If the missus and family are as keen on the Grenadier as you are the decision is simple. Like any one new to caravans, boats and 4x4s you can take your time and learn along the way and drive off road tracks you like. The more you learn and enjoy the car the more you will use it for it's ability.

I can live with that.
I liken it to a learner driver buying a porsche as a first car, a new skeet shooter a top of the line baretta, a five yesr old getting a full spec gaming laptop.
You have to learn to walk before you can run.

It's a Grenadier nothing that special when compared to other live axle 4wds from the 80s and 90s with diff locks from ARB or other brands can do.. A lot of us older folk learnt 4wd techniques in old live axle Landrovers, Range Rovers, Land Cruisers, Hilux, Fords and Chevs back in the day with no diff locks or long travel coil springs. I would say any old series Land Rover or Land Cruiser on full leaf springs with no diff locks or old school non diff locked IFS is harder to get the best out of than any live axle 4wd with diff locks and traction control these days.