Just back from my (not that) local agent after having the door seals fixed (I hope) and about four recall issues dealt with. It stop/starts now. Who knew! No Grenadiers on the forecourt but plenty out at the back. They've sold two in the past two months and the service managers says they're thinking of giving up the sales franchise although the repair and service side will stay.
He was sounding pretty hacked off with INEOS HQ who he says are totally uncommunicative. He says the rumour is that Ratcliffe has pumped massive financing in to sustaining the Grenadier. There's some conjecture, also, that he will be trying to do a buyout deal with Recaro Automotive to maintain seat production (what's the alternative?) I was kind of disappointed with that because my only hope of extracting some resale value down the line is if these early models attract some interest as museum pieces. If the current model continues it has to be improved in several areas. A smoother road car with internal comfort that can match the new Defender might give it a fighting chance in the lifestyle off-roader market (that is people who want them for the dogs/fishing/the occasional shoot - like me - but don't plan to take it anywhere stupid where there be lions and boulders). In the long run, however, I can only see a future for it as a niche farming/commercial rough-and-ready overland vehicle which would need to be super utilitarian with a competitive price to match. The new commercial is still expensive.
But when they can't even stick in a decent radio, I don't hold out much hope. For all that, I still like it. I'm just a bit sick of my wife/kids/various others claiming I was foolish (OK, they may have point) to get one. As for the long term test/comparison with my New Defender, the Defender has done 24,000 faultless miles so far and it's proving a great workhorse, gets me to the north of Scotland from the south comfortably in one go and just about one tank. I tend to do local journeys in the Grenadier. OK, the sills filling up with water was a bit disappointing but otherwise it's been fine. It just has nothing like the refinement of the Defender. But that's not supposed to matter, is it. The Grenadier was built "on purpose" whatever that means. It's as solid as a rock and the doors close with a hell of a clunk, seems it's built to last. It cost me about £64,000 a year and-a-half-ago and now, according to Autotrader, it's worth £47,700. That's more than £16,000 depreciation in 18 months. I've done 5,000 miles. That's a lot of money per mile when you factor in fuel costs.
For sure, it looks good. But so do a lot of other cars and some, like the Discovery 4, are holding their value well in the second hand car market.
Do I regret buying it? Can't give an honest answer to that, far too painful! Would I go in to the second hand car market to buy one at £40,000 plus? I honestly don't know. Right now I'm hoping my car buying forays are well in to the future and new cars are out. After all that, the truth is I'd be sorry to sell my Grenadier. I remain a proud owner!
