Wrangler or Defender
Discussion
I am after a cheapish 4x4 toy for both winter and getting into some light offroading. I thought about buying an early current series Rangie, but decided that £10k was too much to spend on something that will be hacked around and neglected (it will never, for example, be cleaned).
I love Defenders - but they are pricey for what they are: but then I guess condition and spec are the clinchers with these vehicles. Some sort of 300Tdi hybrid would be the thing, for anything up to £6k.
Which could also buy me a Wrangler 4.0 Sahara or similar from the early 2000s. Now I know the Jeep is a pratty good offroader, but not in the same league as a sorted Defender. However, and this is the clincher, I suspect that it will be rather a lot more pleasant in normal winter driving than a Defender, especially on the motorway.And it may actually have a heater that works.
Undoubtedly, the Landie is cooler. But is it as good an all-rounder?
And no suggestions for Pajeros/Troopers etc. It's pretty much down to these two: I wanted something a bit iconic, rather than an excellent but bland Jap machine. Those old Land Cruiser Jeeps (as used by Hammond in the Top Gear Bolivia thing) may have been an option but they are like hens' teeth, and seem to be getting on a bit.
Similarly, I think some sort of early Range Rover based offroad special won't do the road driving thing well enough.
Any insights/experiences appreciated!
I love Defenders - but they are pricey for what they are: but then I guess condition and spec are the clinchers with these vehicles. Some sort of 300Tdi hybrid would be the thing, for anything up to £6k.
Which could also buy me a Wrangler 4.0 Sahara or similar from the early 2000s. Now I know the Jeep is a pratty good offroader, but not in the same league as a sorted Defender. However, and this is the clincher, I suspect that it will be rather a lot more pleasant in normal winter driving than a Defender, especially on the motorway.And it may actually have a heater that works.
Undoubtedly, the Landie is cooler. But is it as good an all-rounder?
And no suggestions for Pajeros/Troopers etc. It's pretty much down to these two: I wanted something a bit iconic, rather than an excellent but bland Jap machine. Those old Land Cruiser Jeeps (as used by Hammond in the Top Gear Bolivia thing) may have been an option but they are like hens' teeth, and seem to be getting on a bit.
Similarly, I think some sort of early Range Rover based offroad special won't do the road driving thing well enough.
Any insights/experiences appreciated!
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 4th October 14:39
rhinochopig said:
300tdi Disco.
ETA Because they're close to the rangie in comfort and are more practical on-road, and yet still perform well off-road. There are myriad bolt on toys you can buy cheaply too if you want to make it better off-road.
And it's British, so will be less likely to upset the Morgan.
Disco/Rangie won't fit on my driveway with the other bits on there. Defender or Wrangler it has to be, for size reasons alone!ETA Because they're close to the rangie in comfort and are more practical on-road, and yet still perform well off-road. There are myriad bolt on toys you can buy cheaply too if you want to make it better off-road.
And it's British, so will be less likely to upset the Morgan.
Surely, if I get a Wrangler, off road mod it, never clean it and acquire some dents, it will go from gay to awesome? Hmm?
Or is this just wishful thinking?
Defender is cool. But I don't fancy driving it to a shoot in Devon in the midst of winter. As this would replace my trusty but boring V70R, the new 4x4 will need to be able to do (occasionally) big distance in bad conditions.
Or is this just wishful thinking?
Defender is cool. But I don't fancy driving it to a shoot in Devon in the midst of winter. As this would replace my trusty but boring V70R, the new 4x4 will need to be able to do (occasionally) big distance in bad conditions.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 4th October 14:59
rhinochopig said:
Harry Flashman said:
Surely, if I get a Wrangler, off road mod it, never clean it and acquire some dents, it will go from gay to awesome? Hmm?
Or is this just wishful thinking?
Defender is cool. But I don't fancy driving it to a shoot in Devon in the midst of winter. As this would replace my trusty but boring V70R, the new 4x4 will need to be able to do (occasionally) big distance in bad conditions.
You'd take a wrangler to a shoot. In these parts men have been shot for less. Or is this just wishful thinking?
Defender is cool. But I don't fancy driving it to a shoot in Devon in the midst of winter. As this would replace my trusty but boring V70R, the new 4x4 will need to be able to do (occasionally) big distance in bad conditions.
Edited by Harry Flashman on Monday 4th October 14:59
Acceptable shoot vehicles in order of acceptability#:
Rangie
Disco
110
90
RR Sport - no big wheels though
Shogun
Or a car.
#this assumes driving down the estate road, but not actually off-roading. For off-road use, green, 110, keeper spec, truck-cab with rear cover to keep the labs / springers dry.
Wrangler shouldn't be a problem. They all tend to tool around in beaten up Defenders anyway.
"Commercial" (i.e. work invitation) shoots tend to involve being picked up anyway, so one can drink. Problem solved!
Chaps - I'm fairly comfortable with my sexuality. My "daily" is a baby blue Morgan, for God's sake. YOu don't get much camper than that.
No, I have a budget of £6k. I want the most reliable all rounder I can buy.
Did think of the SJ, but I think it will be pretty rotten on the motorway; bit too small for me I think.
I have always wanted a Defender. But horror stories on reliability led me to consider the Wrangler (another car that I have always had a bit of a soft spot for).
Any owners on here of either breed? The Jeep parts thing has me a bit worried...
No, I have a budget of £6k. I want the most reliable all rounder I can buy.
Did think of the SJ, but I think it will be pretty rotten on the motorway; bit too small for me I think.
I have always wanted a Defender. But horror stories on reliability led me to consider the Wrangler (another car that I have always had a bit of a soft spot for).
Any owners on here of either breed? The Jeep parts thing has me a bit worried...
BatterseaV8 said:
300 TDI Defender, have had one in the family for knocking on 7 years, yes it needs some TLC from time to time and it isn't in its finest hour on the M4.
They are becoming harder to find a 'good one' but there are still some gems out there.
If your down in Devon/London I normally have one kicking about if you want a go?
Battersea V8 - I live in Dulwich, and would love to buy you a pint/curry if you'll meet and tell me a bit more about them and show me things to look for when viewing defenders. From your username, you're not too far away from my stomping grounds.They are becoming harder to find a 'good one' but there are still some gems out there.
If your down in Devon/London I normally have one kicking about if you want a go?
Trommel said:
Just buy a £2k Forester.
To learn proper offroading in? Didn't think they're that suitable for it.Also, this isn't just about practicality. I bought a £2k Volvo V70R AWD as it is practical and good for winter, and OK on the odd muddy track. It's comfy reliable, easy to drive and practical. And I bloody hate it; no soul at all.
braddo said:
mrdelmonti said:
All I'm going to say, and this is as a big Land Rover fan, is make sure you take a drive in a Defender and make sure you can fit comfortably, for anyone taller than 6'2" you'll probably bang your knees a bit and unless you have a very thin and short right arm it's likely you'll end up whacking it on the door every now and again unless you leave the window open.
It'll be just like the Morgan then, right? 
Mars said:
Spend more and get one of these:
It's no limo but is surprisingly good on the motorway, even with those tyres. Does an easy 100mph.
I love this, but am sticking to £6k budget. That looks like a pricey truck. I don't want to spend £10k+ on something that will only be used in winter/rain and for learning offroading. I don't drive to work, and have some not-hugely-cheap non-motoring hobbies that need feeding (like a pair of game shotguns for this season!)It's no limo but is surprisingly good on the motorway, even with those tyres. Does an easy 100mph.
Can you get a reasonable modified Landie for £6k (don't care aboput age - condition/reliability is what I'm after)? What's the difference between the 200 and 300TDi engines?
Also, how easy to put bench seating in the back of a hardtop? And can you put windows in them - or does that get very pricey (lotsof hardtop commercials for sale, but relatively few windowed/rear seated ones at my budget)
Lastly, anyone know any good 4x4 people in SE London/Kent, for maintenance purposes?
Think I've pretty much decided on a Landie from this thread - mainly because it's my personal preference, but also because parts/maintenance seems rather easier on them. But I am going to have to do quite a lot of research, as it would appear that there are some rotters out there...
Lastly, anyone know any good 4x4 people in SE London/Kent, for maintenance purposes?
Think I've pretty much decided on a Landie from this thread - mainly because it's my personal preference, but also because parts/maintenance seems rather easier on them. But I am going to have to do quite a lot of research, as it would appear that there are some rotters out there...
Bill said:
You're probably better asking the specific questions in the landy forum here (or I can move this there if you want...).
There are fans of both engines and (IMO) there's very little to tell them apart. People will tell you the 200 is more robust and the 300 does have (fixable) cambelt issues but both are good engines if maintained properly. The advantages (IMO again) of the 300 is the later gearbox is better and the post 95 (IIRC) Defenders have disc on the rear which saves a load of drum/mud interface issues.
Thanks Bill - would you mind moving it? Wouldn't mind some advice from owners...There are fans of both engines and (IMO) there's very little to tell them apart. People will tell you the 200 is more robust and the 300 does have (fixable) cambelt issues but both are good engines if maintained properly. The advantages (IMO again) of the 300 is the later gearbox is better and the post 95 (IIRC) Defenders have disc on the rear which saves a load of drum/mud interface issues.
loafer123 said:
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...
That'll do it.
Edited by loafer123 on Tuesday 5th October 13:42
Also, say I were to forget fitting this 4x4 on the drive and were content to leave it in the road, is a current generation Range Rover in TD6 spec capable of some light green laning and teaching me the basics? Or is it really just a big fat luxury car that happens to have 4wd?
McSwerve II said:
I love my V8 90, however due to a fleet re-arrangement it’ll be on the market after I get it MOT’ed at the weekend. (£3k to you chap)
Details please...? 
Really like the look of it, but am a beginner about this, and would really appreciate a chat about yours, and what work/upgrades it needs doing, and what is good. I have bought 3 cars from PHers, and it's been a pleasure every time, so hopefully...
I know the diesel is more sensible. But I love V8s. I'll just rent something for long motorway journeys. Sod it.
Please could you PM me your mobile number(for some reason couldn't PM you from your profile), and post a note on here that you have (as I never check that e-mail address...).
Edited by Harry Flashman on Wednesday 6th October 15:15
My mate has said that I can borrow his M3 for when I need to do long distances. All I need to do is swap it for the Landy or Morgan. As he's a very close friend, this is absolutely no probnlem for either of us.
so Defender it is. No nod to practicality required. I guess I just need to get used to maintaining two slighly shonkily buil;t Brit cars.
so Defender it is. No nod to practicality required. I guess I just need to get used to maintaining two slighly shonkily buil;t Brit cars.
Gassing Station | Land Rover | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff