Classic Defender 90

[markizok]

Hello

The family are wanting a Defender 90 for dog walks and a bit of adventure. Can anyone recommend reputable dealer / specialist as i don’t want to buy something like this privately - we live in Yorkshire, but travelling is okay (we are looking at spending £15k or less).

It’s also likely it will need to live outside so i assume regular underside protection and a quality cover will suffice - a soft top is top of the list so I know we are making life difficult for ourselves!!

Thank you
Mark

[WH16]

What combination of family/dog are you expecting to fit in a 90? Even though some were built as 6/7 seaters, they are in reality 2 seaters at best, 4 at a push with a very small dog.

[LooneyTunes]

How “classic” are you looking at? I’ve never kept a rag top outside but have left Pumas and S3’s outside as the norm, with no ill effects.

A 90 can get a bit cosy if passengers need to share the rear with a dog, a slightly choppier ride than a 110 but a slightly better turning circle (still awful).

[hidetheelephants]

An acquaintance has a huge weimaraner and drives a 90 with a truck cab; she's not very tall and viewed from the front it can appear as though the dog is driving a LHD vehicle. Not ideal for travelling any distance though, dibble will not approve.

[markizok]

Thanks all. The ones we saw had 2 or 3 seats up front, with benches at the rear. Looked to have plenty of room - it won’t be for long trips!

As for age, i am thinking newer that older - this for example is perfect, but its more than I have to play with right now:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1913811

[LooneyTunes]

3 in the front is very cosy indeed. Bench seats are OK but not the safest... I still have a set for my ragtop S3 though.

Another consideration is whether the dog will remain in the vehicle. Mine are quite happy in the 110, but I don't trust them to go in the ragtop.

There is something fun about a ragtop, especially with the roof rolled up/removed. Mine doesn't do monster miles but I always enjoy driving it. Worth being aware that not everyone shares the love for them: Mrs LT has been in it once in several years of ownership, and that was only for 3 miles!

[Turn7]

Any classic Defender should be bought on condition not age….

Rear cross member, door bottoms, bulkheads are very prone to rust as a starter ….

[markizok]

Thanks everyone. From my research the td5 and 300 look to be good engines, and if I’ve understood correctly, a hard top can be converted to soft top?

[Cfnteabag]

markizok said:

Thanks all. The ones we saw had 2 or 3 seats up front, with benches at the rear. Looked to have plenty of room - it won’t be for long trips!

As for age, i am thinking newer that older - this for example is perfect, but its more than I have to play with right now:

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1913811

Be careful when looking at buying 'refurbished' Defenders from certain dealers, some of them I have seen before have very much been turds rolled in glitter and then sold for a high price to people who don't look below the shiny bits! Not a criticism of any buyer, but a Defender is effectively a classic car from the 70's/80's and should be viewed as such

[markizok]

Fully agree, id certainly get it inspected!

[loskie]

OP have you ever driven one for any distance? They are workhorses plain and simple and not good family cars. Nor are they particularly safe places for your family.

They look good.
Are good off road.
Ridiculously priced.

And that's about it.

What about a twin cab pick up?

[markizok]

Yeah, my cousins have a few older ones and that’s where the interest came from, plus I did a day in the lakes as well - certainly compromised but lots of fun

[camel_landy]

markizok said:

...certainly compromised but lots of fun

Yeah, that 'fun' wears a bit thin in the middle of winter, when it's leaking rainwater and the heater is about as effective as an asthmatic sparrow!!

M

[LooneyTunes]

camel_landy said:

markizok said:

...certainly compromised but lots of fun

Yeah, that 'fun' wears a bit thin in the middle of winter, when it's leaking rainwater and the heater is about as effective as an asthmatic sparrow!!

M

A crap heater is a blessing. It means you can drive further/longer before the icicles hanging from the roof melt.

[hidetheelephants]

The defender heater is adequate with a truck cab, not so much with a hard top. With a soft top I'd advise investing in a good coat, woolly hat and gloves.

[andyb28]

Based in Essex, but a great company run by a father and son. Purchased my first 90 from them.

https://www.telliottlandrovers.co.uk

[markizok]

Sounds perfect haha! I’ll get the kids a set of rechargeable hand warmers!

[markizok]

andyb28 said:

Based in Essex, but a great company run by a father and son. Purchased my first 90 from them.

https://www.telliottlandrovers.co.uk

Wow they have some beautiful stock!

[alscar]

When I bought my first one ( TD5 ) the dealer ( James French ) said it was part Tractor part Lawnmower but it would either get under my skin or i would sell it quickly.
I think this was slightly unfair.
I partexd it for a newer one ( 2.4 ) which had far fewer miles ( 28k on as opposed to £170k ) and also gained a 6 speed box plus aircon which doesn’t appear to do much but heating which is superb.
This had the front facing rear seats which we took out and put in a full height dog guard and the Lab is more than happy with this.
Vet trips , garden centres , tip stuff etc all handled without issue.
Kept in barn so don’t know about leaks although seems ok when it rains and on the move.
Jim Hallam is another dealer with interesting stock of the Classic but as with James French think your budget may be a tad lower than they usually deal with.

[Familymad]

I’ve owned over 20 Defenders of all flavours. I think the TD5 sounds the nicest but have ended up back at the simple and honest 300TDI.

I’ve thinned down my collection but will have an R reg 90 300TDI coming up for sale when the replacement lease car arrives. It’s the right colour and spec in green and is a full factory county station wagon with 7 seats. Galvanised chassis. The bulkhead and footwells are spot on. I also had the seat box replaced as a known area of weakness. It’s just been serviced and had an advisory for rust on rear springs so changed all 4 springs, dampers and turrets. Can belt done less than 15k ago. 108k roughly I recall as I’m out of the country. Send me a message if you want to have a cuppa and a drive !