is a defender worth getting

[richie barry]

i have been thinking a defender would be a good idea as a first car any advice in buying them or living with or any other alternatives?

[cpas]

There have been loads of forums on this very subject on here recently. Have a search on my name for some of them.

[anonymous-user]

If you really fancy one, get one. They fall in to the same category as Minis and Beetles - people just identify with them - or they don't and live a less enriched life as a result. Their loss.
Pros:
Iconic classic design recognised around the World.
Simple.
Bolted together by hand - so you can take them apart, by hand, yourself.
LOADS of aftermarket spares/support/servicing etc.
LOADS of clubs/forums/days out etc.
Interchangeable parts.
Infinitiely adaptable - soft top, van, tow truck, pick up, campervan.....
Excellent high-up driving position, great in crap weather and traffic jams.
Solid - other cars just bounce off (or at least they've bounced off mine).
Relatively cheap to insure.
Absolutely phenominal off road ability.

Cons:
Expensive (to buy, to run, to service, to repair. I swear I just look at mine and it costs me)
Rattley.
Slow.
Thirsty.
Cold in winter.
Hot in summer.
Not exactly comfortable for a long drive.
Make the Torey Canyon look leak-proof.
Lots of exposed metal edges, bolt heads, screw threads and wiring. Did a job on mine at the weekend and looked like I'd had a manicure from Edward Scissorhands.
Not exactly Thatcham levels of security.
Tree huggers hate them.
So do multi-story car parks.
Oh and crap wipers.

Watch this and you'll be even more hooked

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 23 August 21:50

[x type]

http://www.tanygraig.force9.co.uk/John/vlr/form.ht...

that's more like it

p.s. ignore any computer warnings ,you'll see what I mean

[anonymous-user]

Works in the end though dunnit? Just as soon as you wade through all the IT-indiuced mire?

[300bhp/ton]

richie barry said:

i have been thinking a defender would be a good idea as a first car any advice in buying them or living with or any other alternatives?

In short YES!


I had a 300Tdi D90 as my first vehicle at 17. It was fab and to this day is still the only vehicle I regret selling.

Ok they are a little raw compared to some of today's vehicles. But to me this appeals and I'm still happy driving distance in a 90.

Very tunable and loads and loads of mods available. Ownership can become addictive and once you start you'll probably never want to leave or be without something similar.

Downsides for me were speed though. While it went well and even better when tweaked, I wanted fast.

That said, tuning is a lot more affordable on them today, so chances are its less likely to be an issue if you research first.


Residuals are good too, so long term ownership means it won't fall in price like owning a similar priced Corsa or Astra would.

And while they do suffer some issues, every single part is replaceable. So it means it doesn't matter what happens, it'll always be maintainable.


Landy's are generally reliable, but they do like TLC and do suffer silly little foibles and niggles. Don't let these idiosyncrasies get the better of you, just learn to live with them and enjoy a very rewarding vehicle.






Lastly and often forgotten. Learning to hoon about in a Landy will do wonders for your car control and appreciation of controlled limits. It's amazing how quickly you can hussle one of these along country roads (and very enjoyable), but it takes somewhat more concentration than doing the same in a hot hatch. Ultimately this just adds to the fun though.

[varsas]

x type said:

http://www.tanygraig.force9.co.uk/John/vlr/form.ht...

that's more like it

p.s. ignore any computer warnings ,you'll see what I mean

That is actually scarily accurate...

Since we are posting pro-defender vids...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5yoKzatUkI

[richie barry]

thanks for all the positive comments also has been a real eyr opener

[richie barry]

but witch is better 90 or 110?

[anonymous-user]

90: Very chuckable through corners and in tight bends (especially after ARBs came as standard), easy to reverse in to tight spots, fits in nice little parking spaces. Can be a bit bouncy though as the entire car gets swallowed by holes that a 110 straddles. Won't carry 6' lengths of 4x2 (Even sawn in half). You can't sleep in one.

110: Smoother over the rough stuff, greater load/people carrying capacity. Bit of a supertanker in corners. Too long for a lot of modern car park spaces/garages. You can sleep in one.

[carmadgaz]

300bhp/ton said:

richie barry said:

i have been thinking a defender would be a good idea as a first car any advice in buying them or living with or any other alternatives?

In short YES!

Ok they are a little raw compared to some of today's vehicles. But to me this appeals and I'm still happy driving distance in a 90.

Very tunable and loads and loads of mods available. Ownership can become addictive and once you start you'll probably never want to leave or be without something similar.

Downsides for me were speed though. While it went well and even better when tweaked, I wanted fast.

That said, tuning is a lot more affordable on them today, so chances are its less likely to be an issue if you research first.

Residuals are good too, so long term ownership means it won't fall in price like owning a similar priced Corsa or Astra would.

And while they do suffer some issues, every single part is replaceable. So it means it doesn't matter what happens, it'll always be maintainable.

Landy's are generally reliable, but they do like TLC and do suffer silly little foibles and niggles. Don't let these idiosyncrasies get the better of you, just learn to live with them and enjoy a very rewarding vehicle.

Lastly and often forgotten. Learning to hoon about in a Landy will do wonders for your car control and appreciation of controlled limits. It's amazing how quickly you can hussle one of these along country roads (and very enjoyable), but it takes somewhat more concentration than doing the same in a hot hatch. Ultimately this just adds to the fun though.

I purchased a Landie a few months ago and agree with all of the above. Mines older (a 2a) and shes slow, noisy, thirsty and mahoosive (a 109). Do I regret buying her? Do I hell, shes as much fun to punt along as my MX-5 (in a completely different way but still!). Ridiculously practical and I regularly sleep in the back of mine .