First time 110 purchase

Hi,
First time post for a hopeful first time 110 owner.

As a 52yr old I wish it hadn't taken me so long to take a serious look at getting my all time fav vehicle - a 110.
I feel like i've wasted decades driving company cars and latterly, luxury 4x4's and saloons. I'm bored of them and now I don't need a vehicle to travel up & down the motorways every day, I though it was a good time to get a 110.
I don't want a new version and I know very little about them so am looking for some help please.

All I know is that I love the 110's built right up to 2016 when they stopped. I need something that doesn't need a lot of experience in maintaining them. Although I plan to learn about the mechanical side of things, I want something as reliable as possible for my first one. It will be used daily for short journeys, weekends in Wales on the lanes and the occasional 5hr drive down to Cornwall.

I understand there's a lot of models and choices so I guess I need to know what is the most reliable and best option for a first timer. I see 2013/2014 2.2 TDCI's with 40k-60k miles for good prices, older 2.4 Countys but for more money and TDCI XS which look great but £10k more expensive.

Any sensible advice welcome please. I know much of it is down to personal taste but I really want something I can use daily, I expect Mtce to be a learning curve for me so the most reliable I can get (I know LR have a reputation) and something that won't kill me cost-wise in repairs.

Spend anywhere from £20k to £50k I guess......

It matters not which model you go for with regards reliability. Any from the 200tdi to the last TDCI will be good as long as it has been serviced and cared for in its life. Later models have a bit more comfort but earlier are simpler to maintain. Most important is condition of chassis and bulkhead any thing else can be replaced/repaired.
Have you driven one? It is not everyone's cup of tea. I have been driving Landys since the 70's and still like driving my Ninety.
Find someone who knows Defenders to come and view any you fancy and do not be taken in by super shiny body/interior its the bits underneath that count the most.

tottot said:

It matters not which model you go for with regards reliability. Any from the 200tdi to the last TDCI will be good as long as it has been serviced and cared for in its life. Later models have a bit more comfort but earlier are simpler to maintain. Most important is condition of chassis and bulkhead any thing else can be replaced/repaired.
Have you driven one? It is not everyone's cup of tea. I have been driving Landys since the 70's and still like driving my Ninety.
Find someone who knows Defenders to come and view any you fancy and do not be taken in by super shiny body/interior its the bits underneath that count the most.

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Thanks so much for responding.
Yes, I have driven them. Did some green-laning in an old 90 mostly with my Brother in law. I agree they're not for everyone....it's part of why I love them. I've avoided up to now due to practical reasons & nothing more. Now, I'm never in a rush for anything so want to scratch an itch I've had since a child.
Great advice on 'the bits underneath' being the most important. I guess I'll set a budget and get the best I can for that.
Thanks again.

GibbRover said:

Spend anywhere from £20k to £50k I guess......

Click to expand...

With that sort of budget and with the desire to learn how to maintain it you could get a 300tdi that has been rebuilt by one of the reputable companies with galv chassis, galv bullhead etc. This will give you a reliable starting point but still leave you with a vehicle that is fully mechanical and therefore able to be completely rebuilt and repaired with "no" special tools or computers on the driveway by a home diy mechanic.

@tottot is correct condition is far more important in terms of reliability than age or mileage. and regardless of what others may say about them any model form the tdi onwards is capable of being a daily driver and covering large motorway distances. I do about 30k miles a year in my 200tdi.