Making a change from a Defender... - Page 1 - Car Buying

Original Poster

126 posts

250 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Hi

All help appreciated!

Having had a few life circumstances throw some spanners in my normally well resolved approach to car buying I have a few boxes to tick, cars to try, intangible and tangible considerations to address.

Health: I know I have C. Time is limited. But hopefully not immediately so!

I know I like bikes; they are all sold and replaced with an eBike. An amazing, joyous purchase. It’s saved my life.

Two dogs that need to be carried to the woods and beach a couple of times a week. A couple of mountain bikes to carry as well, but not at the same time. Tow bar works best for the bikes. Probably not best for the dogs. So an estate or hatch?

Currently loving my 300tdi Defender. On a new chassis and basically sorted. Quirky. Always wanted one and happy to keep whilst I shop no rush to move on.

Wife has a Golf R. Suits her and me. This is staying.

Son and I have an MX5. I have previously had 3. Possibly buy his half of him in September. Is an NC. Would be the fun car.

So thinking of selling the Defender for something a bit easier to manage. I love it, will miss it but I think something to drive that’s a bit easier will be an advantage in the future.

So what to buy?

Budget 9-11k give or take

Cars I have had and enjoyed:

Scooby Wagon PPP😊
Lotus Elise 😊
Discovery 2
Discovery 3
A few Golf GTIs
BMW Estate 330

What do I replace the Defeaner with?

Or wait till the summer, get a Boxster/ Cayman/ Elise and sell the MX5 and get a shed ( Focus for 1.5k??) for dog duties

All very first world problems. No rush. It’s a distraction from all the other idiocy and problems in the world.

Mileage 6k a year, now I work at home

Thoughts appreciated

covmutley

3,350 posts

218 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

6k ish Volvo Estate and take the nc to bbr and also get the suspension and geometry sorted! Sounds a nice combo to me!

Original Poster

126 posts

250 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

The family would die laughing, I sold a V70 estate to buy the Defender. For 6k.

The MX5 is already lowered and has just had new springs. 👍

Terzo123

4,725 posts

236 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

A Jeep Grande Cherokee in V8 flavour.

I had the 3.0 diesel and it was a hoot. I can only imagine the v8 is more so.

Original Poster

126 posts

250 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Thanks, I’ll look on autotrader👍

Fatball

645 posts

87 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Terzo123 said:

A Jeep Grande Cherokee in V8 flavour.

I had the 3.0 diesel and it was a hoot. I can only imagine the v8 is more so.

These look quite good value at the moment.

snowandrocks

1,054 posts

170 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

A hilux or other double cab?

Feels like a truck to drive like a Defender but comfortable for long journeys and will be much less hassle to run.

Our current Hilux was bought to use for towing/off road/snow but I enjoy driving it so much I now just use it for everything.

ZX10R NIN

30,484 posts

153 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Original Poster

126 posts

250 months

Tuesday 22nd December 2020

Will look at HiLux and Cayenne. Polar opposites!

OMITN

3,029 posts

120 months

Wednesday 23rd December 2020

I keep returning to this thread and then feeling that I have very little to add OP.

First, sorry to hear your news, though your attitude is an example to all of us..!

Second, I wonder if the question is actually not about what you might replace the Defender with (as you clearly love it and driving it isn’t an issue) but more of what do you really want?

There will be a time for sensible, of course, but maybe the answer isn’t sensible but it’s about getting the best out of what you want before you are forced to be sensible.

Answer that question and you’ll have your decision..!

Original Poster

126 posts

250 months