Defender with £5K to spend...

[johnphiladelphia]

Dear all,

I really would appreciate some advice. Just moved up from London, to next to the Peak District in Sheffield, and would like to buy a Defender. Currently have a Merc CLS (2014) but this is a rear wheel drive and not the most capable even with a slight dusting of snow.

I will be commuting to Grimsby and Shorpe for the next 12 months, and therefore wanted a Defender with which to cane the miles, as well as go off road on during the weekends. I understand it will be uncomfortable and noisy, but that i do not really care about - I have the other car for comfort if needs be.

I know Landy parts are cheap, and cosmetically I can make improvements very easily just getting stuff off of ebay and getting a local garage to fit them in.

I need some advice purchasing the car itself though. What sort of engine to look at? I would need to commute at 60mph fairly easily, but never approach 70mph on the motorway usually anyway. Anyone else also recently made a similar purchase. I would like the "Chelsea Tractor" look as much as possible (being young and vain!) but i have always wanted a Defender as long as I can remember, but never had the opportunity. Till now.

I have seen a few examples on here, such as:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l... (price seems too good to be true?!)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l... (more like it)

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l... (seems a botched job)

Advice would be appreciated...

Thank you!!