Newb questions - defender
Discussion
Hi chaps,
Thinking of picking a defender up for lugging stuff about on shoots etc.
-what's a reasonable budget for something that won't need loads of attention to run? (not too bothered about shiney)
-can you fit a rear bench for a child seat (or two?!)
-is the theft problem as bad as the Internet says?
Cheers!
Thinking of picking a defender up for lugging stuff about on shoots etc.
-what's a reasonable budget for something that won't need loads of attention to run? (not too bothered about shiney)
-can you fit a rear bench for a child seat (or two?!)
-is the theft problem as bad as the Internet says?
Cheers!
Budget is literally anything from £500 up to £50,000+!
Seriously, for either a 300 Tdi (1991-1998/99) or a Td5 (1999 till 2007) then £5-7k will get you a useable version of either. Perversely, the older Tdi's are holding their values very well, especially for a CSW model.
I would look for a Td5 on about a 52 plate for the "facelifted" dash with the central stereo pod. That for a CSW should be approx £8k but with all this cold weather then the winter tax is coming in now, much like VW Campers in Spring/Summer.
Vans/pickups are a fair bit cheaper & you can then retro-fit rear seats but remember they won't be forward facing unless you fork out good money with the likes of Exmoor Trim. You will then get into possible insurance implications as it will be a non-standard mod, hence why I have recommended CSW variants.
Good luck!
Seriously, for either a 300 Tdi (1991-1998/99) or a Td5 (1999 till 2007) then £5-7k will get you a useable version of either. Perversely, the older Tdi's are holding their values very well, especially for a CSW model.
I would look for a Td5 on about a 52 plate for the "facelifted" dash with the central stereo pod. That for a CSW should be approx £8k but with all this cold weather then the winter tax is coming in now, much like VW Campers in Spring/Summer.
Vans/pickups are a fair bit cheaper & you can then retro-fit rear seats but remember they won't be forward facing unless you fork out good money with the likes of Exmoor Trim. You will then get into possible insurance implications as it will be a non-standard mod, hence why I have recommended CSW variants.
Good luck!
If you are the sort of person who won't like the lack the elbow room, or complain about the ride, noise and lack refinement. Then don't bother getting one. Buy a Discovery instead. They are almost the same vehicle under the body, but the body design solves all the issues people complain about with the Defender.
All Land Rovers will need tinkering on, that's just a given.
All Land Rovers will need tinkering on, that's just a given.
If that's for VAT/business purposes then you will be v lucky finding a still VAT claimed vehicle at that age.
Most will be privately owned & those that aren't will be worked to death!
Also, try exMOD auctions such as http://www.mod-sales.com/direct/vehicles/,25,46,/9... & go for a 300 TDi Wolf, they are all + VAT!
Most will be privately owned & those that aren't will be worked to death!
Also, try exMOD auctions such as http://www.mod-sales.com/direct/vehicles/,25,46,/9... & go for a 300 TDi Wolf, they are all + VAT!
Edited by piecost76 on Monday 23 November 17:48
Worth reading a few of the online buyers guides for Defenders. Even at £5k, you will still end up buying one with the dd issue, which people will call character...
For £6 to £7k, I'd go for a Discovery 2. You will get a really nice one for that money
The Defender market is also very competitive, so if you decide to go for a Defender, then be prepared to move quickly as the good cheap ones will go very quickly.
I personally wouldn't buy one in the winter. The values can rise by as much as 15% over the winter months.
Best of luck
For £6 to £7k, I'd go for a Discovery 2. You will get a really nice one for that money
The Defender market is also very competitive, so if you decide to go for a Defender, then be prepared to move quickly as the good cheap ones will go very quickly.
I personally wouldn't buy one in the winter. The values can rise by as much as 15% over the winter months.
Best of luck
bakerstreet said:
For £6 to £7k, I'd go for a Discovery 2. You will get a really nice one for that money
100% agree with this. If desperate for a Commercial, they did make them as 2 seater commercials along with a Disco 3 commercial:e.g. http://disco3.co.uk/forum/topic136372.html
or...
http://disco3.co.uk/forum/topic134658.html
Cheers lads,
Good advice.
I will try to keep my trigger finger steady until spring!
Thing with the defender is there are so many tin tops around. This is classed as a commercial which is very important on this one.the discos are great but the commercials I have seen are very pricey, few and far between.
Im getting a bit obsessed with these...
Good advice.
I will try to keep my trigger finger steady until spring!
Thing with the defender is there are so many tin tops around. This is classed as a commercial which is very important on this one.the discos are great but the commercials I have seen are very pricey, few and far between.
Im getting a bit obsessed with these...
My head would say d2 commercial, they are about but bizzarly do seem to be a premium over a stock disco.
many have also been converted to 5-7 seater as its simply a case of unbolting the bulkhead and floor and dropping in the seats and belts !!!! although they are modified then and you should change tax class.
The D2 is a much better car, I've had mine from new in 03 and have no desire to change it....
Having said that my heart would say td5 90. its slower, more cramped, noiser and thirstier than the d2 but its a defender. I still miss my 1984 2.25 petrol csw 90 in white... some 15 years after I sold it an man that was slower than the swb siii cross country hack I had before it.
I still have a hankering for a genuine v8 90 csw to play with
many have also been converted to 5-7 seater as its simply a case of unbolting the bulkhead and floor and dropping in the seats and belts !!!! although they are modified then and you should change tax class.
The D2 is a much better car, I've had mine from new in 03 and have no desire to change it....
Having said that my heart would say td5 90. its slower, more cramped, noiser and thirstier than the d2 but its a defender. I still miss my 1984 2.25 petrol csw 90 in white... some 15 years after I sold it an man that was slower than the swb siii cross country hack I had before it.
I still have a hankering for a genuine v8 90 csw to play with
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