Not another Noob question....

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GreyArea

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Hi all.
I've had a look around the net and this forum, but I couldn't find what I was looking for.
I live in Clapham, sometimes it rains here and there's a hill ,so I've decided what I really want is a land-rover Defender. I don't have loads of money, so it's either that or a ford fiesta and I've always like the basic style and simplicity. Plus I hate fiestas. (yeah. I know a fiesta would be more practical, I did mention where I live yeah?)

I have a couple of points.
I don't ever want to take it off road (I did say where I live, right).
I don't want one that looks nice and shiny. It's got to be tatty, preferably with a couple of dents, scrapes and the blood of a Porsche Cayenne owner on it (I live near Chelsea, I can get that aftermarket...)

So I've got a couple of questions (I'm a bit ignorant. sorry).

can you hit speed bumps at high speed?
how much would a tatty, but mechanically sound, 90 cost me? and where's best to look?
what's the average (sorry, I understand the futility of this question) price of insurance for a 27yr old with 1 year ncb?
is there a "buying-guide" thread on here or at least some good place to pick up some tips before I throw loads of credit card at something that will likely fall apart cos I'm an ignoramus?
can you lower the suspension? I'm not talking fully max-powered, but I think it'd be ace to get it lower. (I did mention where I lived yeah?)
how good are these things on the motorway? I know it's got the aerodynamics of a brick, but I want to travel to manchester a couple of times a year. will it get over 60mph? what kind of mpg will it get with the diesel engine?

I think that's about it. I just want something to chuck my bikes, tools, girlfriend, etc in the back of and maybe go tour europe in. I know I'm missing out not taking it off road and all that, but it was this or buy a fiesta with go-faster stripes and spoilers and stupid stereo, etc.

I understand that a lot of these questions have probably been asked a few brazillion times, a few pointers to places, threads, etc would be great.
thanks in advance.
:eek:
John.
 
Speed humps.... a 90 will have you hitting the roof and breaking your neck... Get something with soft suspension for taking bumps at speed i.e. a Range Rover.
Lowering a 90.... Not a good idea at all, as you may need to fork out for modified propshafts etc etc. Plus theres probably a very good reason no-one else has lowered one.....it'll look silly.
Motorways... get a 200/300tdi or td5, steer clear of a 2.5n/a.
Price...anything from £3k up for one that doesnt need major repairs.

Now if you want a beast of a machine:D, fully sorted, fully refurbed 300tdi a Real Head turner, you can buy mine for £8.5k. Its a 1996 90 Defender.. and yes... its better than most 98/99/2000 reg vehicles. Got reciepts for £6.5k worth of work from the last 6mths.
 
Sorry for being childish... :eek:

Have you had a look at any of the Landrover magazines? Landrover monthly, landrover enthuisast? etc... all the same really but you'll get a great idea of what you want. Plus it has lots of nice pictures

Sounds like a plan, nobody really like those porshe drivers either. few simple things set a landrover off nice and make it look intimidating in the towns.

1. Big wheels - Bigger the better, Kuhmo AT or MTs are good for the road and look the part, try about a 285/265 in size, and they are not too ££
2. A-Frame on the bumper with some nice spots in the middle?
3. a little chequer plate on the wing tops and sills?
4. Raised air intake and snorkel?
5. you said bikes? so a decent roof rack. more spots on there...

all that won't set you back to much with plenty time spent shopping around. Avoid ebay, it tends to end up being too expensive. All those people getting cuaght up in the heat of the moment.
 
Well, I've just bought a E-reg 90 pickup for £4k, mechanically in excellent condition, retrofitted 300TDi (so I can confortably do 70mph ;) ), decent bodywork (a few dents, faded paintwork but nothing T-cut can't cure). Speed bumps at speed are fun, even with heavy duty springs on the rear I can still go over speed bumps much quicker and more comfortably than I do in my SEAT Ibiza FR, but that has got ridiculously hard suspension. The 90's are bumpy 'cause of the sort chassis, but I haven't found it too bad so far. Insurance, well I'm 26 and just paid £215 thru Adrian Flux without any no claims (but 5+ years NCD on my car policy which they 'took in to account') and declaring the engine mod, bull bars etc., so they are at least cheaper to insure than a Fiesta ;)
 
he he, no new minis are cool.. and to be honest I'm a bit of a fan of the old 928 as well as most of the more originals as done be carmin ghia. mmmm
 
Now yer not just saying that are ye? Nowt wrong with ye olde 964 3.6. Wish I'd never sold it now.

What's a Porsche Karmann Ghia btw? I know about the VW which was a hatchet of the Beetle, but wasn't aware of any porkers.:confused:
 
the geezer who designed the Karmann Ghia, who worked for the Italian company Ghia, did alot of work for porsche mid-late 50's. not to sure on his name though, I'll call him carman ghia, why not. although Karmann was a coach builders.
 
Don't get me wrong, I like porsches. I was just quite upset when they brought out a 4x4. I used to ride through chelsea every day and I now go the long way round so I don't have to deal with the twits in the flip-paint job cayennes. still, there was a lovely Carrera GT outside claridges last week. and if it was gonna be a porsche it's GOT to be a speedster. 356 james dean version. aaaaaanyhoo. and I have one word to say about new Minis. "Foxtons".
and back on topic.
If I do get a 200 or 300 am I ever likely to get over 25mpg out of it? and is it simply going to be a money-pit. And the last thing, is it going to be hundreds of pounds a month keeping it out of the junkers?
I know it's going to be more expensive than a car to run, I just don't want to be spending loads to keep it from rotting.
Oh and Komenda, Genius.
 
yeah 25-35mpg is possible. as long as everything in the engine department is fine and you drive it reasonably. As for maintainance, is it possible for you to do any of this yourself? its not that hard as long as you have paitence and a big hammer.
 
Alistu said:
Sorry for being childish... :eek:

Have you had a look at any of the Landrover magazines? Landrover monthly, landrover enthuisast? etc... all the same really but you'll get a great idea of what you want. Plus it has lots of nice pictures

Sounds like a plan, nobody really like those porshe drivers either. few simple things set a landrover off nice and make it look intimidating in the towns.

1. Big wheels - Bigger the better, Kuhmo AT or MTs are good for the road and look the part, try about a 285/265 in size, and they are not too ££
2. A-Frame on the bumper with some nice spots in the middle?
3. a little chequer plate on the wing tops and sills?
4. Raised air intake and snorkel?
5. you said bikes? so a decent roof rack. more spots on there...

all that won't set you back to much with plenty time spent shopping around. Avoid ebay, it tends to end up being too expensive. All those people getting cuaght up in the heat of the moment.
Click to expand...


1) bigger wheels are better, bollocks,
2) why?
3) and some furry dice and a chequer plate windscreen.....**** off
4)do you really intend going that deep
5) if you want lots of spots i'll lend you my 14 year old..he's ****in covered in them
 
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