What should i buy?
Discussion
Hi, i know almost nothing about landrovers, but i'm thinking of buying a 3rd car for the following pupose:
very occasional use, say 2k pa max
able to tow a horsebox
can carry 4 people (without too much discomfort, but over relatively short trips).
can chuck push-bikes in the back/roof (and dogs...).
capable of moderate off-road (ie. fields, not mountains!. We live on part of what used to be a farm).
am not worried about age/mileage or running costs, but must be reliable, and always start/be robust even if not used from one month to the next.
Was thinking of a Defender, and spending between 4 and 7 grand.
Any ideas as to what would suit, and whether the budget is realistic?
Any help much appreciated, Nick.
very occasional use, say 2k pa max
able to tow a horsebox
can carry 4 people (without too much discomfort, but over relatively short trips).
can chuck push-bikes in the back/roof (and dogs...).
capable of moderate off-road (ie. fields, not mountains!. We live on part of what used to be a farm).
am not worried about age/mileage or running costs, but must be reliable, and always start/be robust even if not used from one month to the next.
Was thinking of a Defender, and spending between 4 and 7 grand.
Any ideas as to what would suit, and whether the budget is realistic?
Any help much appreciated, Nick.
Defender would suit you sir 
but have a look at Disco's and Rangies for the extra comfort and trim levels. Even (dare I say it) look at the competition :awaitsaflamingsmillie:.
If running cost's aren't an issue go for a V8, I saw a cracking Disco V8(full leather etc) go for 4k the other month.
HTH Matt
but have a look at Disco's and Rangies for the extra comfort and trim levels. Even (dare I say it) look at the competition :awaitsaflamingsmillie:. If running cost's aren't an issue go for a V8, I saw a cracking Disco V8(full leather etc) go for 4k the other month.
HTH Matt
Discos are much cheaper than Defenders for the same year, and not much more complex. Rangies are similarly priced to Discos (if not cheaper) but much more complex and likely to break, especially off road. A 110 Defender is the ultimate for chucking bikes etc in, whereas a 90 is the best off road, but I have found a Disco generally more comfy for 4 people (and nicer to drive) and still OK off road with the right tyres. Discos are more expensive to insure, however.
Mat. You are going to struggle with a budget of 2k. Most Defenders at that price will be nails and you will be limited to the N/A Diesel (simply woeful performance) 2.25/2.5 petrols (will do 70mph but thirsty) and early TD's (similar to the petrols). Depends on how comfortable you want to be on the motorway, I previously owned an 90 2.5 petrol that happily chugged along at 65 (slow lane driving becomes quite chilled after you get used to it). However, you could spend a long time looking before you find a decent one.
Avoid Range Rovers at this price, most will have intergalatic mileages and will be very rough around the edges. My advice, see if you can find an early 1990's Discovery 200 TDI. Saw a really nice one (FSH from new) in this months Land Rover Monthly that was for sale for £2k. Disco's last well if taken care of, can carry 4 + kit without problems and can still keep up with motorway traffic. My next door neighbour owns an L plate 200 TDI that he has had from new and he still has no intention of trading it in. If a Land Rover is defo your car of choice, then a Disco 1 would be the best option.
Avoid Range Rovers at this price, most will have intergalatic mileages and will be very rough around the edges. My advice, see if you can find an early 1990's Discovery 200 TDI. Saw a really nice one (FSH from new) in this months Land Rover Monthly that was for sale for £2k. Disco's last well if taken care of, can carry 4 + kit without problems and can still keep up with motorway traffic. My next door neighbour owns an L plate 200 TDI that he has had from new and he still has no intention of trading it in. If a Land Rover is defo your car of choice, then a Disco 1 would be the best option.
he's going to do 2k miles a year budget is £4-£7kIve just had the pleasure of having a 50th Anniversary V8 Defender 90 to drive around in for a week.Fell in love with it.Thought about putting the P38 up for sale and buying one instead of an L322,just for the sheer simplicity of it.No complicated electronics to worry about.My only gripe.As with all defenders,theres no poxy elbow room for your arm when driving.
open the window 
.Just a note for anyone who has ever seen some one driving a defender around with the window down and arm on the ledge.Its not because they are trying to look cool,its because there is no f**king elbow room.i disagree, for £2k you can get a fairly decent Range Rover classic, mines been great and it had 180k on the clock, engines solid, bodys not rotten, Vogue SE with everything in, so very comfortable, and i bought it for off roading, and to tell the truth its been great off road, just tray and avoid water though
nickb55 said:
Many thanks for all the advice. There's a small independent L/R outfit locally to me, so gonna check it out either this wknd or next, with a defender in mind. Other than that, i'll just hunt around all the usual places.
cheers
Nick
cheers
Nick
Nick If you're in the east anglia region drop me an email and i'll warn you off a couple.
A defender is just perfect for what your looking for!
I run a 2003 Defender 90 as my main car and while it is newer and has the full extras pack of air con, heated seats etc. It is just a great car, you can throw all sorts in the back, carry 6 people if you need to and tow the world when required! Plus only some "soft roaders" it won't get stuck on wet grass when you taking your horse box to pony club etc.
for your budget you should get an older well looked after example, have a look at the following:
www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/865/ma
www.reidlandrovers.co.uk
www.landroverman.com/
buy a copy of Landrover Owner International magazine and search Autotrader and the PH classifieds as well as Ebay if you can buy a decent one on there!
Avoid projects as Landrover can take seriosu time and money to restore if they have been thrashed or not looked after. Also try to avoid any examples that have been owned by construction companies etc as concrete dust etc eats through the chasis even quicker than normal!
I run a 2003 Defender 90 as my main car and while it is newer and has the full extras pack of air con, heated seats etc. It is just a great car, you can throw all sorts in the back, carry 6 people if you need to and tow the world when required! Plus only some "soft roaders" it won't get stuck on wet grass when you taking your horse box to pony club etc.
for your budget you should get an older well looked after example, have a look at the following:
www.dealer.autotrader.co.uk/865/ma
www.reidlandrovers.co.uk
www.landroverman.com/
buy a copy of Landrover Owner International magazine and search Autotrader and the PH classifieds as well as Ebay if you can buy a decent one on there!
Avoid projects as Landrover can take seriosu time and money to restore if they have been thrashed or not looked after. Also try to avoid any examples that have been owned by construction companies etc as concrete dust etc eats through the chasis even quicker than normal!
Edited by moresauce on Tuesday 23 January 18:03
moresauce, that's extremely helpful.. and i must admit that buying something older and spending some money on it to improve it had crossed my mind. So i'll forget that idea!
i was going to start looking this week... but it's a bit bloody late! ...part of my driveway is on a slope, and having narrowly avoid sliding backwards and re-arranging the side of my house at 6am this morning, i then slithered up the lane that we live on, which is both quite steep, and ungritted... wasn't easy in a rear-wheel drive merc, with fat tyres and 500bhp !
cheers
Nick
i was going to start looking this week... but it's a bit bloody late! ...part of my driveway is on a slope, and having narrowly avoid sliding backwards and re-arranging the side of my house at 6am this morning, i then slithered up the lane that we live on, which is both quite steep, and ungritted... wasn't easy in a rear-wheel drive merc, with fat tyres and 500bhp !
cheers
Nick
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