I have experience with a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 and 2006 Toyota 4Runner 4x4 and a bit of off roading in the USA. Mostly farm applications where there is just a field, technically there’s no road. So I have a few years left in Dubai and really want to trade in a BMW 330 before major maintenance on its 9th birthday. I always kick myself in the arse for not buying the last year of the original Defender 110 in 2016. I always loved that vehicle. I was frugal at the time and opted for a car that was sensible for where I now live. I like to go off-roading a few times a year but that’s easily accomplished here with a rental vehicle or friend.
Incredible is the engine and transmission are very similar to my 330 so it works very well and familiar.
Nine years on I find myself at a crossroads. I desperately want to offload my BMW and get something useful for the next stage. The Adamas Motor company are offering 20% down, 2 years 0% interest and 3 years 2.7% interest financing on a 2023, maybe 2024 wagon. My shelf life for working here is about 5 years before retirement then I want to go back to Spain and take up light farming again in my second career.
My problem is I can just but a new vehicle in Spain in 5 years and sell the maintenance intensive BMW now and buy a cheap Toyota.or I can buy a Grenadier and export it for relatively low cost after the payments are done and I’m ready to leave the UAE.
My ask of the forum is to ‘sell me the 2024/2025 Grenadier”
This is a fair ask. Many of us in here have been with the INEOS Grenadier story since the beginning. And I mean beginning, when the idea of a standard was still being discussed. We had no idea what the engine might be. Dana axles? So, way back.
What I present may not “sell” you on the truck but here is what I was looking for.
1) Durable. Road worthy tractor if I am being totally honest. Check.
2) Lasting. After years of watching grainy Camel Trophy videos and owning several LRs, I learned one thing. I could buy an old Defender, put an old Cummins in it and that puppy would continue on. Shy of crash, they last and are iconic whether LR stay in business or goes under. The Grenadier has the same lasting qualities as the best old series, disco or defender—but way better built.
3) Safe. I actually pity the fool that crashes into this truck. I used to investigate very serious collisions for a living—height and heft are two factors that undoubtedly save lives. At least that was my experience.
4) Capable. Without a doubt. We have narrow log roads in the NE (USA). This vehicle is phenomenal.
5) Phase out. There seems to be an endless series of regs that are going to phase out combustion engines. The Grenadier may not be available for purchase in Spain in 2029. In the USA, we may not be far behind. I was hoping mine wouldn’t have the nanny cam put in but, alas, they had to. It’s not overbearing but I fear that situation is only going to get worse.
That is my two cents. I absolutely love mine. Heading up to Maine later this month. Can’t wait! Best to you.
