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The correct answer is to get a Land Cruiser.
You'll thank me later.
You'll always get your money back as long as you don't tip it on its lid. Buy a good multi meter and some heat shrink. You may fix it a lot but it is mostly cheap. Just bought two rear lights including bulb h older for 12 quid. Do that with a Land Cruiser.
This one might still be available…
I always had a bit of a hankering for a Defender 90, with all the running gear upgraded, better seats, etc, etc.
The reality is that, given the money, I’d have a Jimny, get it up-engined to something with more power and torque, upgrade all the suspension and running gear, fit an exoskeleton and proper winch and towing eyes, better seats, and have fun with that. I have driven a Jimny, did 130-odd miles in it, and it wasn’t horrible, unlike certain van-based vehicles I’ve also driven.
I was given a six cyclinder petrol LWB to use by Welsh Water. The only vehicle I've driven that compares was a J4 van: both ungainly, unwieldy, heavy, uncomfortable, thirsty, noisy, cold and not even especially good off road in standard spec - happily it came with a winch.
In these parts the emissions zone means they can only be used at the weekend or something like that. I'll rejoice the day they ban the stinking filthy things completely.
Their place is on a farm with red diesel in the tank, anywhere else there's something that will do the job better.
This would make me think twice 😲
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25029688.attempted-theft-land-rover-defender-church-enstone/
There's a pimped Chelsea Truck Company one near me and it's always got two cars parked in front of it on the drive.
Having had one 30 years ago, I'm very keen to get another as a semi retirement project.
Basic spannering is fine, as long as it's not the primary vehicle.
Factoring in galvanised chassis and bulkhead, plus expected work on the (surprisingly expensive) doors.
I also fancy converting to EV at some point, albeit (1) through my ltdCo and (2) when EV conversions become productionised and parts are cheaper/ more plentiful
Many thanks to everyone on this thread for helping to bring me to my senses!
Idea is shelved until I win the lotto.
On the one hand I still want one, and I always knew they would be a lot of work to keep going - I'm a big fan of turbo Subaru's so I know the joy, and the pain that often surfaces. And the expense!
It's definitely a scratch I'll need to itch at some point but I think I'll hold off until retirement when I can spend full days working on it...
On a side note, I have a friend who absolutely loves the new Defenders, Range Rovers, and all variations of them - absolutely LOVES them!
He's a tow truck driver.
Bread and butter work, with many repeat customers...
Cheers!
Having had one 30 years ago, I'm very keen to get another as a semi retirement project.
Basic spannering is fine, as long as it's not the primary vehicle.
Factoring in galvanised chassis and bulkhead, plus expected work on the (surprisingly expensive) doors.
I also fancy converting to EV at some point, albeit (1) through my ltdCo and (2) when EV conversions become productionised and parts are cheaper/ more plentiful
https://www.vintageonvolt.com/
These guys are near me. It's surreal hearing their Landies buzzing around with all the Landie noises except the 2¼ petrol or Perkins diesel. Amusingly enough, there's another company in the same town that specialises in sticking LSs in Landies...
My next door neighbour had a series 3 for a number of years.
We had a shared-access driveway that I own
I reckon I'm sitting on oil reserves at least half the size of the whole of Texas, given how much it dripped. Just got to decide when to start drilling.
I reckon I'm sitting on oil reserves at least half the size of the whole of Texas, given how much it dripped. Just got to decide when to start drilling.
There's a reason we used to get bollocked for not putting drip trays under the green fleet landies!
I'd still love to own a lightweight, airportbale one though. Happy memories of getting tuned in by a very angry MT bod when I put on into a massive ditch on Otterburn training area.
Dammit! I still want one!
Bryan Adams loves them if that helps...
He owns several and has a vintage one as a daily drive... He was once asked in an interview why he doesn't drive something a bit 'nicer' given his huge wealth.
He just looked kinda confused and said 'because I like them' and kinda shrugged lol!
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They are like a reverse tartis, massive on the outside, small inside.
- also drive them for MRT, came here to say the same thing! I’m 5’9” and I’m a neat fit behind the wheel, anyone 6’ plus is struggling.
- i drove it to Torridon for a rigging course a few years back, as I was flirting with buying one - it’s the only time I’ve felt vaguely seasick while driving! We bought a van instead…
He just looked kinda confused and said 'because I like them' and kinda shrugged lol!
Agreed that they are dreadful things - uncomfortable, slow, unreliable, terrible interior space compared to the overall size of them, etc. Anything other than proper off-road and rural work, dreadful. For that off-road and rural, they work.
But then, they do make you smile...
We used to have then on hire with large DofE groups and I knew most of the local landowners around Loch Tay. So of course in an evening a cake delivered to the farm and a request to bob up the track behind with family on board was the done thing...
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/5022/5681153590_252c249154_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/5022/5681153590_252c249154_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9E2p2Y ]Landrover 110[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt[/url], on Flickr
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[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/5107/5681160050_27f7e60af5_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/5107/5681160050_27f7e60af5_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9E2qXm ]Landrover 110[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/5024/5681176144_6ab822b1d5_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/5024/5681176144_6ab822b1d5_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/9E2vJQ ]Noah[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://live.staticflickr.com/8450/8036447471_8eefaf6654_k.jp g" target="_blank">https://live.staticflickr.com/8450/8036447471_8eefaf6654_k.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/df9TRa ]Glen Dubh[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/matt_outandabout/ ]Matt[/url], on Flickr
Prolly as safe as any 1970’s car when something modern hits you.
Dammit! I still want one!
Buy a Cayenne instead! As capable offroad as a Defender, far more comfort onroad, galvanized, reliable, as cool as a Defender, cheap (but increasing in value).
Peak Cayenne is a 957 diesel. Legendary VAG 3.0 V6, low range transfer box, centre diff lock, can be optioned with rear locker.
I have a 955 which has the offroad capabilities but the V6 petrol is thirsty and also a 958 which has the awesome diesel engine but doesn't have the low range transfer box hence the 957 recommendation.
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If you want a Defender, you want a Defender. You don't want a bloody Cayenne.
I'm sure all the rest is true, but as much as I am bemused by the stupid cult behind then, and think they're rubbish vehicles bettered by most modern proper off roaders, I suspect you're in a very small minority thinking a Cayenne is cooler than a Defender :p
I'm a former Defender owner having taken ours to Morocco and round Europe. I loved it at the time but having entered the more elusive Cayenne cult - it's a better vehicle.......and cooler.
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I watched my brother and one of my friends go through their 'Landie' phase.
Both short wheelbase V8s
It was a journey of Pain,Joy and throwing money down a wishing well of dreams.
There were early signs that I should have noticed,they both liked Meccano as children 🤣 🤣
I've just spent 6 months bobbing around the Falklands in a variety of LRs and I understand how they get under your skin. I couldn't however get over the fact that we weren't allowed to drive any of the Ford Rangers into Stanley because the LRs were laid down in guidance as the only safe option - they're a four-wheeled laceration threat, inside and out.
Invest my own money in one (especially ex-military), not a chance.
I’d buy an SJ, you know it’ll be rotten in the corners but you can get the bits from India and it’s way way cooler than a defender. Mines GTI engine swapped…
That was going to be my suggestion. Cheaper to buy, cheaper to run, and almost certainly more reliable!
And less likely to get stolen.
I suspect you're in a very small minority thinking a Cayenne is cooler than a Defender :p
Count me among the minority!
While I agree that old 90/110/Defenders have that ‘dog-eared cool’ quality, if I could afford one, I’d have a Cayenne. Or a Touareg V10 diesel and have all the heavy air suspension taken out and sold, and replaced with a fully independent system with coil-overs.
I'm sure all the rest is true, but as much as I am bemused by the stupid cult behind then, and think they're rubbish vehicles bettered by most modern proper off roaders
Nice comparison of apples and oranges!
I’ve noticed a couple of the new defenders in matt black.
I don’t even need to look at the website to just know that that particular colour option will be called ‘stealth’ by JLR and is specifically aimed at men who wear a Thrudark ‘tactical’ gilet
I suspect you're in a very small minority thinking a Cayenne is cooler than a Defender :p
Count me among the minority!
While I agree that old 90/110/Defenders have that ‘dog-eared cool’ quality, if I could afford one, I’d have a Cayenne. Or a Touareg V10 diesel and have all the heavy air suspension taken out and sold, and replaced with a fully independent system with coil-overs.
I'm with Submarined, Defenders are hateful things with no redeeming features IMO but regardless of my opinion I can appreciate they're cool, like a Jeep or an old Hi Lux.
Cayenne's never have been and never will be, however good they are (except possibly in Rally spec, maybe?).
I have zero interest in owning a LR, but admire them from afar, just out of interest, what’s the consensus on how grenadiers compare?
I’ve noticed a couple of the new defenders in matt black.
I don’t even need to look at the website to just know that that particular colour option will be called ‘stealth’ by JLR and is specifically aimed at men who wear a Thrudark ‘tactical’ gilet
Probably come with an aerosol can of fake spray-on mud as well 😆
Buying an Igneous Grenadine marks you out as the worst kind of gammon, tbh.
It was a journey of Pain,Joy and throwing money down a wishing well of dreams.
As the owner of a classic car I'm not 100% sure this is entirely true.
Yes it's painful when it's costing you £100's in parts even to fix it on the driveway, but on the other hand it's only because it's visible in your bank account. If I'd bought an MX-5 at the same time it would have depreciated to nothing by now and probably still rusted 😂
So while a classic 110 might be a never ending money pit, just consider how much the Jones' next-door are losing on their tax-scam Ford Ranger, Amarok or X-Class? In 20 years you'd still have a classic Landy. They'll be on their n-th lease and have paid the finance company enough for them to buy a decent semi detatched in Surrey.
I agree @thisisnotaspoon mine is 35 years old, and whilst a bit of a Triggers broom it still serves me well. I don’t do huge mileage’s in it but I can do all the maintenance myself, no electronics involved, parts and service requirements are cheap and plentiful.
The only problems that I’m finding is that as I’m getting older lifting the wheels off for maintenance involves some ingenuity, or my mate!
I’ve got a 59 plate 110 XS. It is surprisingly civilised and quite useable day to day- gets used for hauling a couple of fully built up bikes, tip trips, playing taxi for hoards of kids and generally arsing about.
Had it for 4 years and put about 40000 miles on it and only broken down once due to a faulty fuel sensor which was replaced under warranty.
I did a bunch of body work to it last year to keep the galvanic corrosion at bay and it still looks good underneath thanks to regular updates of waxyoil etc. so it’s ageing well.
I was aware that at 115,000 miles it was potentially a ticking timebomb so kept on top of servicing etc., took it to a couple of engine specialists to discuss options for when the time inevitably came to source something else and their advice was to just keepdriving it, keep looking after it, it’ll be fine.
Then about a month ago it started making bad sounds. Took it in quick smart and found the sump full of metal- oil pump had failed and faulty injectors had flooded engine killing conrods and numerous other things- probably killed the oil pump, starving engine of oil. Whilst putting things right we found the clutch was pretty much done as well.
Over 10 grands worth of damage.
Not a great day. Having said that, don’t know what else I’d drive instead.
If you want something good for offroad, it's probably worth looking at what all the actual offroaders are using, and it's probably a Japanese pickup 🤔
I have always fancied a 101. I think they look amazing. (Horrid to drive though I think.)
@zedsdead did you ever scratch the defender itch ?
@walowiz
Not yet!
I ended up listening to my head instead of my heart. However I still very much want to!
I think I need to be sensible and give it a few years, when I have less on my plate and a space to keep it. For now I have an early Impreza which is a love of labour. Enough of rust issues for a lifetime, and the expense and time involved in chasing the fun numbers for bhp etc...
You could just create The KLF's famous moment on Jura - it will cost about the same.
@zedsdead did you ever scratch the defender itch ?
@walowiz
Not yet!
I ended up listening to my head instead of my heart. However I still very much want to!I think I need to be sensible and give it a few years, when I have less on my plate and a space to keep it. For now I have an early Impreza which is a love of labour. Enough of rust issues for a lifetime, and the expense and time involved in chasing the fun numbers for bhp etc...
cool, different proposition to an old defender where chasing speed and up isn’t really an option.
Definitely the other end of the scale, it's been quite a few years already and is always an ongoing thing. I have an end goal in mind for it and that's not too far away now... (famous last words)