Defender 90 TD5 as first car?

Defender90td5 · May 1, 2019

Hi all,

I will be turning 17 at the end of this year and I am looking at a 1998 to 2006 Defender with the TD5. I have been brought up with landrovers and love them to bits! The defender has always been my favourite due to its quirks and character. Iam going to be training to become a agricultural engineer so i have no problem in fixing it myself. The main reason I’d like a defender is for going down country lanes (I live pretty rural) and also for towing my dirt bike box trailer as well as off-roading occasionally.

My question for you lot is:

- will £9,000 to £10,000 get me a good TD5?

- Also how much will I be expecting to pay in insurance roughly?

- Is there anything I should consider or know before jumping into them (I know the fuel economy isn’t the best and rust is a big issue)?

- How is the 90 at towing as my trailer weighs about 1 tonne and then I have 2 bikes as well as my brothers 2 so probs all in all around 1.25 tonnes. I will also be towing my fathers trailer which loaded is about 3.5 tonnes every so often up some hills and round the country lanes and nearby town.?

Look forward to hearing from you all,

Robert

Knappster · May 2, 2019

Hi and welcome.

The defender is getting expensive to insure due to their popularity with thieving scumbags. Add to the mix your age and inexperience as a driver and you will be looking at several grand potentially. You can reduce this by limiting your mileage, adding extra security measures, keeping it garages, not modifying it, etc. When I had my Series 3 at 17, I was paying £400 per year and that was 24 years ago!

Your budget will get you a decent Landy, but keep some back for potential issues and running costs, etc.

It will be more than capable of towing the weights you suggest but you will be limited to three-quarters of a tonne on your licence unless you take an additional test. Details can be found on the DVLA website.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

Defender90td5 · May 3, 2019

Knappster said:
Hi and welcome.

The defender is getting expensive to insure due to their popularity with thieving scumbags. Add to the mix your age and inexperience as a driver and you will be looking at several grand potentially. You can reduce this by limiting your mileage, adding extra security measures, keeping it garages, not modifying it, etc. When I had my Series 3 at 17, I was paying £400 per year and that was 24 years ago!

Your budget will get you a decent Landy, but keep some back for potential issues and running costs, etc.

It will be more than capable of towing the weights you suggest but you will be limited to three-quarters of a tonne on your licence unless you take an additional test. Details can be found on the DVLA website.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

Thankyou. I plan on getting my trailers license as soon as I can. Thankyou for your help

Kev12 · May 3, 2019

Suggest you take a look at some of the insurance comparison sites just to get a rough idea, but make sure you are sat down

Defender90td5 · May 3, 2019

Kev12 said:
Suggest you take a look at some of the insurance comparison sites just to get a rough idea, but make sure you are sat down

Im willing to spend upto £3500 on insurance. Do you think that'll be enough?

Kev12 · May 3, 2019

No idea, been a while since I was 17

Shippers · May 3, 2019

Defender90td5 said:
Im willing to spend upto £3500 on insurance. Do you think that'll be enough?

If your asking that on a forum I would suggest you go and ask an insurance company...and tell them the truth...your age\driving experience and what vehicle you intend to buy and what you want to tow with it...I can tell you..but I live in Portugal and will mean nothing...get proper advise from who will insure you when you buy...

Defender90td5 · May 3, 2019

Shippers said:
If your asking that on a forum I would suggest you go and ask an insurance company...and tell them the truth...your age\driving experience and what vehicle you intend to buy and what you want to tow with it...I can tell you..but I live in Portugal and will mean nothing...get proper advise from who will insure you when you buy...

Yeah to be honest I was just wanting someone to give me a rough outline without making me look like a tool when I ring a company up

Shippers · May 3, 2019

Defender90td5 said:
Yeah to be honest I was just wanting someone to give me a rough outline without making me look like a tool when I ring a company up

Youv'e done the right thing asked for advice here...youv'e been given pointers re what you want to do...we all started out as a young buck once...you know what you want and you know what you want to do with it get on the phone and speak to insurance companies...eg my 101 FC here in Portugal 73€ per year basic insurance...but agreed value of 15k€ to include all overland equipment subject to inspection is 520€ comprehensive to include recovery...insurance is a mine field
But I spoke directly to my broker...hope that helps...

Turktowner · May 3, 2019

I think maybe you're over thinking this.
I'm 52 , I was once you. I overthought, I didnt.
Stuff (life) happened. My tratter was my 50th birthday present to myself. After the failure of my marriage.
My advice?
In all things. If you can, do. Now.

Or....
Fuggit man, you know you want it!
Now is the time..!

Knappster · May 3, 2019

It might be worth getting a year or two no-claims and driving experience in a cheaper vehicle first if the insurance is prohibitive. This should bring the cost down considerably.

Chalky. · May 4, 2019

Do it, and to hell with the cost!

I use my td5 90 to tow at least twice a week with chipper/1.5 ton digger with grab, all good!

Plenty other vehicles would probably do the job but I love swb Landies, have done forever, that's the main reason I drive mine!

I bought my 88" series 3 when I was 18, go for it, you won't regret it!

Defender90td5 · May 4, 2019

Turktowner said:
I think maybe you're over thinking this.
I'm 52 , I was once you. I overthought, I didnt.
Stuff (life) happened. My tratter was my 50th birthday present to myself. After the failure of my marriage.
My advice?
In all things. If you can, do. Now.

Or....
Fuggit man, you know you want it!
Now is the time..!

True i should probably just go for it!

goonarmy · May 4, 2019

3 and a half k for insurance???!! Kin ell. If you got the money go for it. Shop around and try the specalists, id guess most wont cover you but it'll pay to try, especially at that price.

Defender90td5 · May 4, 2019

goonarmy said:
3 and a half k for insurance???!! Kin ell. If you got the money go for it. Shop around and try the specalists, id guess most wont cover you but it'll pay to try, especially at that price.

Yeah I’ll look around.

Defender 90 TD5 as first car?

Defender90td5

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Knappster

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Defender90td5

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Kev12

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Defender90td5

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Kev12

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Shippers

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Turktowner

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goonarmy

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