Hi Guys,
now first first off, this isn't a thread asking comparisons between a 110 defender and the Hilux. I've owned more landies than you can shake a big stick at and we have several Hiluxes at work that i use on a daily basis.
No, my question is head or Heart. I really do love defenders but, at around my £9000 budget, i'm really looking at a 2002/03 plate, 100k+ miles. now i know from experience that this is around the age that things start to go bandy with solihuls finest.
Now Hiluxes, for the same money, are more likely to be around 07/08 plate, 80-90k. They are reliable and come with mod cons (such as a heater).
There isn't much to compare off-road (yes yes, i know the defender is way better, but how often do you actually go where a hilux would not make it, not very often really), space wise the hilux wins. So even stevens so far.
Now my prob is my heart, i do have a love (misplaced perhaps) for the old landys but should i listen to it, higher fuel bills, insurance, repair bills and discomfort and all, or should i let the head win and upgrade to a modern jap wagon?
Is it the image thing or just the harking back to simpler days without gadgets and gizmos?
All comments welcome.
Cheers
Baggins
I've run both hilux's and landys and like them both very much. Off road ability between the two is just down to tyres. Landrovers require love and a gentle driving style regarding the transmisson and regular maintenance while hilux's just keep going on forever, what ever you do to them.
If I was you I would buy a mint low mileage example of one of the last MK5 hilux's pickups (proper hilux made in japan) made between 2002 AND 2005). These have the D4D engine - 105 bhp and 30 to the gallon and drive like a car. Will cost you about £5,000 or so, for a really good one. The Mk4's (1997 to 2002), are good too, still turbo'd but with slightly less horsepower @ around £3500 for a well looked after one.
Though my personal favourite, is the MK3 hilux (1989 to 1996) is even tougher with leaf spring suspension and 26 to the gallon. Unburstable non turbo engine which regularly does over 220,000 miles - Very easy and cheap to fix, but slower. Cost around £2000 to £2500 for a very good example.
Cheers
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