old defender advice

hi guys, i am looking at getting a defender 110 as a main car for the family, with my budget it will be quite an old one (up to 6k or so)
is it practical to run a 110 everyday, i need the rear leg space for my kids as they are both in child seats so that rules out a 90
my current car is giving me about 28/30mpg, i also dont mind the fact that i will be maintaining it regularly, and from what i have heard the older defenders are quite easy to work on
i love the character of the defender, and want a daily run around that doesnt mind the old knock here and there
any advice for and against would be very much appreciated, before i waste a load of money getting a car thats not suitable (although i would love to run one as a second car/toy but finances rule that out at the moment)

Having just bought a 90 i would say unless you are a mechanic, buy the best you can afford regardless of age.


Lynall

If you're going to run it as your only car - firstly (as above) make sure that what you buy doesn't need a load of work doing on it. Then be prepared to do lots of routine maintenance to keep it ticking along. I've had a 90 for the last year, and there's rarely a weekend goes by that I don't find a little job to do on it - and the "to do" list doesn't seem to be getting any smaller! Neglecting the little things may end up causing something bigger to go wrong - and then you'll be without transport (not to mention having a bigger repair bill!)

Finally - take the family and test drive one. I hate to say it, but you might find that a Discovery is a better option

Are you sure its a 110 you really want? Maybe a Discovery would be better suited for families? They are also about 40% cheaper than a 110. Look for a 1994 to 1998 300tdi, 110 or Disco...they will be in your budget. Drive both before you choose and load em up with the kids and the missus.

I use to have a 110CSW as a daily driver with the wee man in the back in a booster seat, Had to change the rear seats to high backs but apart from that it was ideal got us all around, with factory fitted seat belts for safety.
There are some good CSW around for 6K main things are... TDI engine,good bulkhead and chassis and check the B posts as these are expensive to replace or time consuming to repair.

I have a 90 hard top now, OK it is has more torque better fun off road but i do sometimes miss the fact that when i go off roading my wife has to go in the back and sit on an inward facing rear seat while the wee man is in the front in his booster unlike the 110CSW where all the seats were forward facing.

As for MPG i get about 22-24 to a gallon in my 90 300 TDI hard top but i have mud tyres,winch,snorkel etc . With my 110csw i was getting around the same as it was the old Turbo Diesel engine with all terrain tyres

sorry i havent been around for a while guys, been too busy with stuff
i had a look at some defenders and absolutely fell in love with some of them, but as you guys said take the family and have a look, it isnt that practical to have as a family car, its a little bit too rough (even though i would still have one given the choice)
so have started to have a look at discoverys
i see what you mean by the prices being a lot cheaper, i cant believe the difference in prices lol
i know to look for a 98 plate 300tdi, but how much a different beast is a 2001 diesel, would this have the same engine or have they progressed a lot (i have heard td4, td5, 300/200tdi but have no clue what it would have)
also a lot seem to be autos, are these still good cars or try harder to get a manual?
again any common problems with a 96-01 discovery that i should look out for?
sorry for the massive post guys but i would really appreciate your help

TD4 is Freelander lump, TD5 is Disco II lump. Both have ECU engine management

200/300 Tdi are Disco 1 and the body should be checked for rear end rot. These types of engine are able to use Veggie oil easier.

Auto's are easier for towing but a little more thirsty on the juice.

I would also advocate a Disco for family use

I have a 90 with three kids aged 10, 8 and 4. They love it. So does the dog.

I use to use a 110 csw for every day my wife and the wee man loved it, but he prefers the 90 Hardtop now

I've got a 300 Tdi 110 CSW that I use everyday and if the family all need to go out together, Me, Wife, 3 kids, 1 Baby and 2 dogs the we go in the Landy. Yes it's a bit noisy and draughty, BUT they all love it, well I do, so they better had love it

If you are looking for a fun and practical family 4x4 that is as capable as a defender but a little less rough have you considered a jeep wrangler? Especially great in the summer with the roof and doors off. Much better with a family in my opinion, good seats all round but the rear ones are removable so you can have a large rear space if you need it. Much quieter, especially if you opt for the hard top. Decent mpg and much easier on your clutch leg. I've had one for 5 years and it's never broken down or had a fault. My defender I've had for a year and a half has given me no end of headaches, still love the thing though.

i have looked at other cars, but i really dont like the styling of the jeeps
had a look at a 51 plate disco td5 thats going for a good price, full service history and is very clean inside and out
only thing putting me off is its an auto
i heard if the auto goes wrong its very expensive to fix

depends where you have it fixed ,most will sell you recon ,when really alls thats needed is a clutch pack or one way clutch

cheers for that mate, so really an auto box as long as its maintained well should run quite nicley and reliably?
i dont mind working on it to keep it running, just dont want to have to be replacing major parts frequently lol

I don't think you'd go wrong with a 110 or a disco as long as you found a good example. A shogun/pajero is a good choice too I think.

hi mate, i've got a 110csw change it around now got a crewcab style no windows in the back for my tools, landys are great but they are very demanding all your time and spare money, ive change engine back to a 2.5 200tdi love it, working on her is fun but sore, would not live without her, there is loads you can do and have fun,