A nice dilemma - advice please

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Thanks as always folks. I think a few of you have got me bang to rights - I do want a new one.

The depreciation isn't really going to be a problem unless I come to sell it in the first few years of ownership. I intend it to last as my work vehicle for at least 15 years, which is why a new one makes a bit of sense to me.

We've seen a few folks we know who were not much older than us die in the last couple of years and as the old saying goes, there's no pockets in a shroud, so now feels like it's the time.

I've always had second hand cars and swore I'd never buy a new one as I'd hate to lose the money, but this is a bit different.

It won't be my only transport as we have a relatively new Fiesta as the family car.

Anyhow, a mate with a 2006 TD5 double cab pick up is going to let me have a good drive later in the week, so that should remind me of what they're like, as it's true, I've not driven one since my MoD apprenticeship back in the early 1980s, and they were mostly SIIIs.

I'll probably be back asking what you know about the newer Berlingos after that! Only trouble is, I'm working near the local LR dealership tomorrow....

All the help and thoughts are much appreciated.
 
Nicola and I have been toying with the idea recently too.
We've been for a drive and I cannot get over the difference between the 110 we drove and the S2a and S3 we had.
The current defender drives much more like our Discovery 1.
Infact, we kept spotting parts that are definitely ex D1 / D2 - infact the number plate light cover is exactly the same as the one on the back of our 1979 MGB Roadster!

Despite the parts bin nature, it was quite endearing. We've settled on a 110 County with aircon. The main reason being neither of us can stand heated front screens which come as standard on the XS model and the base model looks a bit spartan.

To be honest, I couldn't get over how nice it was to drive compared to a series vehicle. It was awesome. There's also a lot more room than a series vehicle. The heater actually works and it was a real novelty to have electric windows. It was, in a word, awesome.

There are two issues for us... me being quite tall (for a landrover owner at least) struggles a bit with the throttle pedal. It makes my calf ache on a short journey and the B post is in a really stupid place for dealing with roundabouts.
Nicola, who is quite small is much better placed than I to drive it. So, in reality, If we bought one I probably wouldn't drive it much.

The other issue is that they are finishing them soon so it makes sense if you're going for a new one to hold off ordering one a little while - they will no doubt release some sort of special edition which will be worth having and keeping.

The third issue for us is that she's wanted an E type since she was a little girl. The spec we've chosen for the Defender would buy a really nice V12 coupe and I quite like the idea of the challenge of converting an E to run on fuel injection.

The dealership rang today and told me that they've got a 2014 model arriving in 2 weeks for us to look at so we'll have to go and see what happens...
 
Thanks for that.

Mine, if I go for it, will only be the 'van' (ie solid hard top, three door) version, so it won't have too many luxuries as they can start to cost quite a lot extra and that might cause slight "domestic grumbling".
 
JoethePlumber said:
Thanks for that.

Mine, if I go for it, will only be the 'van' (ie solid hard top, three door) version, so it won't have too many luxuries as they can start to cost quite a lot extra and that might cause slight "domestic grumbling".
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joe.
if you are going to buy new and keep it for 15 years etc.buy the one you want.not the cheapest just because your doris will moan.;):D
 
Mrs JtheP's absolutely wonderful I can assure you. She's been brilliant about this and I don't want to kick the botty out of the arrangement.

The van is the one I want. If it was to be a vehicle for pleasure rather than purely as my work vehicle, I'd be looking for a much older one.
 
MGBGTV8 said:
neither of us can stand heated front screens ..
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Are you mad !!!! One of the most important developments in car design in the last 20 years IMO :D you cant beat coming out on a frosty morning while all the neighbours are scraping their cars, jump in, turn on, wait a minute then drive off :)

I was always in the 'never buy new' camp but I now drove a brand new Focus ST :D The fact i get a good discount helps as i dont loose much in depreciation but I do love the fact that if it goes wrong then i just take it to the dealer and they fix it. I dont mind messing about with the Landy as its not my main car but it annoys the hell out of me fixing dailys :(

Once you get that 'new car' idea in your head its hard to shift so go for it :) The car industry needs a boost so the more people going out there and buying new cars the better, keeps me in a job for starters :D
 
Tuskenraider said:
Are you mad !!!! One of the most important developments in car design in the last 20 years IMO :D you cant beat coming out on a frosty morning while all the neighbours are scraping their cars, jump in, turn on, wait a minute then drive off :)
Click to expand...

I can't stand them. I find the little lines incredibly distracting. It looks like the screen is covered in muck and my biggest pet hates when it comes to driving is a dirty windscreen!

Besides, a can of de-icer is cheap enough. ;)
 
I'd buy a super clean TD5 one, add lots of bits you want to it and a galv chassis, bulkhead and doors or anything else metal on it that can rust. Fill it to the gills with rust proofing, seam sealer and cavity wax then especially where any metal and aluminium are in contact with each-other

Granted, there's abit of work involved so if you didn't want to do it yourself, it would probably still work out cheaper and in my opinion have a much better vehicle than if you just took a brand new one off the dealer.


That just me though and I'm biased as I prefer the TD5 to the transit lump and the later TD5 dash is also my favorite.
 
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I spent some time at my local LR dealer today. I had a look round and sit in a 90 hard top van they had in the showroom, and I'm having a two hour test drive in their 110 XS Station Wagon demonstrator (they don't have the basic van I'm after) on Friday.

Amazingly, I was in the market for one of the "cheapest" vehicles they sell, but the Jags at £50K+ did look nice. Fortunately, the spectre of the Workhouse following purchase prevented me placing an order for one of those.

If I go for a new 110 as a result of the test drive, it will be a 2014 model which comes with ABS and traction control included as standard (albeit at a bit higher price than the 2013 model). It seems 2013 models are thin on the ground.

Last time I discussed spending so much money with a salesman (back in the 1980s), I got a lounge, two bedrooms and a bathroom and kitchen as part of the deal!

I think I can feel which way my decision is going, but if I hate the test drive, I may stick with the van I've got and go for a classic LR in future. Whatever the outcome, delivery wouldn't be until March next year for a 14 Reg, so I'll have to be patient. Ironic really that I'd have the perfect vehicle for Winter in Spring.

Roll on Friday.
 
The 110's are definitely much more roomy than a 90. I found the 90 uncomfortable to sit in let alone drive. Although, I gather you can have the bulkhead deleted on the 90 if you order a van top so you can move the seat back a bit further?
Having said that, I would have thought a bulkhead would be useful for you given it's a work truck if you're set on a 90?

Personally I think the county spec is the best "all rounder". You get nice little touches like colour coded trim and alloy wheels and you don't have the silly 3rd row seats (standard on the XS) which take up almost as much space when folded away as erected.

If you've ever had the pleasure of owning a classic land rover you'll be blown away by just how civilised they are to drive. Although they do feel incredibly tiny if you're any taller than 5'6"!
 
JoethePlumber said:
<snip>
, delivery wouldn't be until March next year for a 14 Reg, so I'll have to be patient. Ironic really that I'd have the perfect vehicle for Winter in Spring.

Roll on Friday.
Click to expand...

March 2014? #### that! I had to wait 2 weeks for an aprilia once; that seemed to last forever.
 
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