Test driving

[Jackson]

I’m interested in buying a field master but after talking to an Ineos salesman on the phone, he highly recommended test driving first. The problem is, I can’t find any for sale within 100 miles of me. Is it really necessary to test drive before buying? And if so, would anyone who owns a field master in the Detroit, MI area let me test drive? Thanks

 

[anand]

What’s your draw to the vehicle? Have you driven solid front axle vehicles before?

If the closest is 100+ miles from you, just remember that it’s the same drive for warranty work or resetting the service indicator… it seems like a short drive to make before the purchase

 

[Jackson]

What’s your draw to the vehicle? Have you driven solid front axle vehicles before?

If the closest is 100+ miles from you, just remember that it’s the same drive for warranty work or resetting the service indicator… it seems like a short drive to make before the purchase

That’s a good point about servicing. I believe they’re building a dealership in the Detroit area but need to check.

My draw is that they look cool. I would love to buy an old defender but worry about the reliability of an old car

 

[CrazyOldMan]

@Jackson - I agree with @anand and your dealer. Most of us are more than 100m from our dealer. This does not drive like a normal modern SUV - there are a lot of folks who bought it because of the retro look and story, but don’t really have plans to use as intended and were surprised (not in a good way) by the feel and experience. Those of us who bought it and where our “checklist” met the design brief are much more enthusiastic. The truck isn’t different - the expectations are. Only way to know is to drive one (or 2 or 3).

 

[Coullabus]

Have you driven old 'proper' Defenders? The Fieldmaster is like that, but much, much better. Doesn't matter whether you test a Fieldmaster or Trialmaster - the drive is the same. Just the spec varies.

If your experience is limited to modern 'pretender' Defenders and other modern Mum's taxi 4x4's, then a test drive is definitely recommended.

Hopefully you can find someone on here from Detroit who can take you for a spin closer to home? Check the Social groups to see if there is one covering you? (Sorry, my geographical knowledge of USA is not accurate enough to point at any...)

 

[AaronS]

@Jackson - I agree with @anand and your dealer. Most of us are more than 100m from our dealer. This does not drive like a normal modern SUV - there are a lot of folks who bought it because of the retro look and story, but don’t really have plans to use as intended and were surprised (not in a good way) by the feel and experience. Those of us who bought it and where our “checklist” met the design brief are much more enthusiastic. The truck isn’t different - the expectations are. Only way to know is to drive one (or 2 or 3).

Well said.

 

[INEOS OG]

What’s your draw to the vehicle? Have you driven solid front axle vehicles before?

If the closest is 100+ miles from you, just remember that it’s the same drive for warranty work or resetting the service indicator… it seems like a short drive to make before the purchase

This answer. I "knew" what my Trialmaster would be like on and offroad for the most part coming out of 30 years of 4x4 trucks and driving both the Fieldmaster and Trialmaster on and offroad at a ride and drive even sealed the deal for me after about 3 minutes of seat time but without that perspective I fear your experience might be different.

 

[TheDocAUS]

I’m interested in buying a field master but after talking to an Ineos salesman on the phone, he highly recommended test driving first. The problem is, I can’t find any for sale within 100 miles of me. Is it really necessary to test drive before buying? And if so, would anyone who owns a field master in the Detroit, MI area let me test drive? Thanks

I bought one without a test drive. It was always going to be better than the Nissan Patrol I had. I did not drive the Nissan Patrol either!