Advice on buying First Defender
- Thread starter Dave
- Start date
-
Hey Guest, Early bird pricing on the Summer Moot (29th July - 10th August) available until April 6th, we'd love you to come. PLEASE CLICK HERE to early bird price and get more information.
My advise.......dont.
Get something less agricultural and more comfortable and quiet.
I cant stand them, just the lack of space between the driver and the door, never mind the lack of sound proofing, crap heating, expensive parts, rust issues, underpowered engines, no aircon or radio.
I could go on.
I have seen too many friends from the 4x4 club spend a fortune on them.....then sell them on a year later because they broke too often or generally hated them.
There are many more 4x4 out there that will do everything a Defender can, but in style and comfort and with half the price tag.
Get something less agricultural and more comfortable and quiet.
I cant stand them, just the lack of space between the driver and the door, never mind the lack of sound proofing, crap heating, expensive parts, rust issues, underpowered engines, no aircon or radio.
I could go on.
I have seen too many friends from the 4x4 club spend a fortune on them.....then sell them on a year later because they broke too often or generally hated them.
There are many more 4x4 out there that will do everything a Defender can, but in style and comfort and with half the price tag.
I'd look for a Land Cruiser.
Seriously, if you are a competent mechanic and welder can do the maintenance yourself, then Defenders make some sense, otherwise, it doesn't.
Seriously, if you are a competent mechanic and welder can do the maintenance yourself, then Defenders make some sense, otherwise, it doesn't.
I love mine. It's a poverty spec 300tdi 90 truck cab that I bought from a farmer who'd had it from new and had never once cleaned it inside or out. My wife drives it to work every day and it gets put to good use on weekends. I keep saying we should sell it and get something more practical but it's just too useful. Could get expensive to run though if you're not very handy with the spanners (and hammers).
Dave, I'm not sure where in the UK you are, but my best suggestion to you is to find a local independent dealer to go and have a chat too, and try some for size. Personally my current everyday drive is a naturally aspirated 2.5 diesel 110, I like the seating position intact "normal" cars seem uncomfortable to me, I like the driving position, the heater is fine bearing in mind it's in a soft top (or two seater convertible according to the DVLA) never had an issue with not having aircon, however some models do have it fitted. If your anywhere near hampshire you are welcome to have a look at mine and I can point out what I consider pitfalls.
Louis
Louis
Where abouts ? I'm in whitby and have a 1992 defender 110 Station wagon , your welcome to have a look and i'll tell you where i've come unstuck ! they are a labour of love and you'll need an understanding partner ( or be single ) 
I'd be cautious; are you buying one because you need it? Many alternatives and most perform better. Buying one because it's good for off-roading? Again, so do other 4wd. Buying because you want one? Then you'll not hear anything other than your own justifications!
Don't mean to sound crass, but as mentioned, there aren't any real reasons for owning one. I did for about a month; and this was after eyeing them up for ages. Uncomfortable and far to expensive on fuel for me. You'll definitively need an understanding partner if you have one and a deep pocket unless it's a project.... Then you'll need an even deeper pocket! Discovery's are much better economically and as mentioned, land cruisers or other jap motors are better. There's a reason that over landers now sway significantly towards jap motors.
Sent from my hidey hole using Tapatalk... sssh!
Don't mean to sound crass, but as mentioned, there aren't any real reasons for owning one. I did for about a month; and this was after eyeing them up for ages. Uncomfortable and far to expensive on fuel for me. You'll definitively need an understanding partner if you have one and a deep pocket unless it's a project.... Then you'll need an even deeper pocket! Discovery's are much better economically and as mentioned, land cruisers or other jap motors are better. There's a reason that over landers now sway significantly towards jap motors.
Sent from my hidey hole using Tapatalk... sssh!
True words , mine is an expensive luxury , a hobby , great fun off roading and green laning and excellent for camping from with the family .
Downsides 26 miles to the gallon , leaky , rusty , expensive to fix ( especially if you are poor at home mechanics) , increased anxiety around MOT time and depending on age circumstances expensive to insure .
There are other good 4X4 's out there but none as evocative as a landrover defender ........
Downsides 26 miles to the gallon , leaky , rusty , expensive to fix ( especially if you are poor at home mechanics) , increased anxiety around MOT time and depending on age circumstances expensive to insure .
There are other good 4X4 's out there but none as evocative as a landrover defender ........
I once had a C reg 90, rubbish on fuel and underpowered but I loved it and it made me smile every time I drove it ☺ if I could afford a good one now I'd go for a 110 for a bit more room and the modern diesels seem fine. People used to wave, do they still do that kind of thing? It's not just a car you're buying, it's a lifestyle 😉
I've owned a series 3 and I pretty much rebuilt it in entirety, but that was a labour of love and I was young and stupid, after all the work it was just a so-so vehicle.
I bought a brand new diesel Defender 110 LWB, and it was good, however, the maintenance is never ending though not particularly expensive if you DIY everything, but it pretty much takes up a huge part your spare time.
If I was to buy a really capable 4X4 having relatively low running costs, (no presumptions of being able to go fast, very little interior space and limited hauling ability) I would choose the Suzuki Jimny; fit quality (full road capable) mud terrain tyres on it and it is virtually unbeatable.
Most of them have never been parked on grass never mind having been off-road, and very cheap to buy.
I've driven pretty much everything that can be used off-road, I was once an off-road vehicle instructor - for what that may be worth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A7AzZqsrEo
rorymax
I bought a brand new diesel Defender 110 LWB, and it was good, however, the maintenance is never ending though not particularly expensive if you DIY everything, but it pretty much takes up a huge part your spare time.
If I was to buy a really capable 4X4 having relatively low running costs, (no presumptions of being able to go fast, very little interior space and limited hauling ability) I would choose the Suzuki Jimny; fit quality (full road capable) mud terrain tyres on it and it is virtually unbeatable.
Most of them have never been parked on grass never mind having been off-road, and very cheap to buy.
I've driven pretty much everything that can be used off-road, I was once an off-road vehicle instructor - for what that may be worth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5A7AzZqsrEo
rorymax
Last edited:
At work we have a fleet of defender 110s and they are junk, build quality is poor, reliablity is worse. Over the years I have had 5 land rovers ranging from a series 2A to a 90 and the best one was fitted with a Daihatsu 2.8 engine and gearbox. If you are looking for a fun weekend toy and handy with the spanners then shop around and you may hit it lucky with a bargain but if you need daily reliable transport then go Japanese and save yourself and your sanity.
I ran a 110 for four years, I enjoyed owning it, I liked the noise, I enjoyed getting rain in my face and snow in my lap as I drove. It was very expensive to run, very expensive to keep on the road and it depreciated terribly.
Fun at the time, but if I needed another 4x4 it would be a Landcruiser or Isuzu or similar.
Fun at the time, but if I needed another 4x4 it would be a Landcruiser or Isuzu or similar.
Bloody 'ell you dont make it easy lads!
I went to have a look at one today, and really fell for it.
Much like this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291259135367?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
[You wont believe what else happened whilst i was there, jesus what a couple of weeks Im having!]
I went to have a look at one today, and really fell for it.
Much like this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291259135367?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
[You wont believe what else happened whilst i was there, jesus what a couple of weeks Im having!]
Last edited:
We've made it very easy Dave.
They are expensive to buy, unreliable, thirsty and uncomfortable. If you are willing to do all your own maintenance (and there is a lot), you can maintain an old one quite cheaply.
They are good off road and an iconic vehicle.
If you still want one, knowing that to be true, go ahead and buy one. Most of us did, and most of us know now that Jap 4x4s are much better made cars - but we found that out for ourselves
They are expensive to buy, unreliable, thirsty and uncomfortable. If you are willing to do all your own maintenance (and there is a lot), you can maintain an old one quite cheaply.
They are good off road and an iconic vehicle.
If you still want one, knowing that to be true, go ahead and buy one. Most of us did, and most of us know now that Jap 4x4s are much better made cars - but we found that out for ourselves
Bloody 'ell you dont make it easy lads!
I went to have a look at one today, and really fell for it.
Much like this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291259135367?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
[You wont believe what else happened whilst i was there, jesus what a couple of weeks Im having!]
Blimey for that money you could have these.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-Toyo...1912547?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3cea7a2a63
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-Niss...2847568?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a97152150
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Isuzu-Rod...2236394?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3f3b900eea
Similar threads
