Purchasing a land rover

Hi everyone,
I am thinking of buying a land rover locally, I am looking for some advice on what to look out for, and if it is a good deal or not i will post the ad and a picture

For Sale
1972 LandRover 88" - hardtop with glass.
Over 30 years old so cheap tax, classic insurance and NCT exempt.
(But it still has a valid UK MOT)

New Galvanized coil spring chassis fitted in 2003 when it was totally rebuilt in the UK

Fitted with a Land Rover 2.5 Turbo Diesel engine
New seats - front and back (bench seats in back)
Bull bar + spots
Rear steps + towbar
Defender wheel arches
Defender doors with one piece windows
Dark green (the spray job is not very good but it's just cosmetic)
No rust on bulkhead
This has all the major work done that on old Land Rover will would require.

Drives great
€4500 ono

http://homepage.eircom.net/~gneeson/LR 2.JPG

Thanks for your help,

Hey up 2004michaelm

Can’t help with your query cos’ I’m a landie virgin myself.

I can share info with you as to how I’m going about buying one though.

There’s loads of info on this forum, look at the one I started there’s some good advice from Frosticles, simesy started one in a similar vein about the same time and there’s a good one by Shrek1895 started in June.

If you spend a bit of time looking through the other threads there’s that much info you can’t take it all in.

I would say BEWARE of dealers there as bad as car salesmen (a pox on them they ought to go and get proper jobs). And if you go out of your way to a dealers you’ve looked at on the internet, ring first, what they have for sale isn’t anything like what they’ve advertized. Having said that there must be some good uns’ out there, again look at the one recommended by frosticles and sheddy (don’t know what the reference to brakes means).

There are a couple of local (to me) “back street” landie enthusiast garages who I’ve given my number to, their more likely to come across the sort of thing I’m after and offer good advice (like “do you know what your letting yourself in for” or “get a disco there cheaper&#8221.

Anyway I’m off back to the Auto trader web site (a good place to way up prices).

Let us know how you get on.

GRUNT.

Don't want to alarm you but be vigilant regarding anything on coils that is offered as "tax exempt". Some vehicles offered are genuine, most aren't. If you would like me to clarify on this issue then feel free to reply. I have experience in this area much to my cost.

Regards WP

Hi Michael & welcome.

I'm with Wesley, I'd check really well as to it's tax exempt status & also it's insurability. It certainly looks pretty..........ish, ain't sure about that green mind, but it could be the least of your worries!

Is it really priced in Euros?.........If so, why? & if that's in proper quids that's a helluva lot to pay for a III, even a good hybrid.

Really don't want to p*ss on your fireworks, I know how excited I was a few short months back when I bought my III, but research & asking questions like you're doing is the key to success. I didn't ask questions of people such as the good'uns on here & frankly was just lucky to get a gem, but it could've all gone horribly wrong, easily!

Have a good think about what you want & (importantly) what you want it for. 4500 euros or £3200ish or God forbid £4500 sterling buys a shedload of older Landrover. Any questions, please ask away. There are some knowledgable people in here.........& I'm not one of them!

That said, do get yourself a Landy. I'm still having such a buzz driving mine, whether that's on the black stuff or the wet stuff and it was a result @ £1700!

Regards,
Marcus.

Actually, looking harder at the photo of it I'd want to make really sure it wasn't a ringer. Aside from the plates & the grill/front end, just exactly what is series III? You sure it ain't a Defender with some bolt-ons masquerading as a III for a er...tax dodge? Anyone, feel free to shoot me down in flames here?

Please forgive my ignorance 2004michaelm. But I totaly forgot to welcome you yesterday. A few pints of absolution does strange things and unfortunately code of conduct was affected.

Regards WP (the smoking gun)

Marcus said:

just exactly what is series III? You sure it ain't a Defender ?

Click to expand...

Looks like a series to me. The panels and bulkhead are series, as are the split screen and hinges. (Doors are Defender). Wheelarches are add-ons too.

But that's not the important thing! The important bits are chassis, transmission and engine - these are what counts to the DVLA regarding the identity of the vehicle. They use a points system and panels are worth bugger-all, so if it's had a new chassis and engine chances are it should be a Q reg. Axles are worth a few points too; know what they are on this machine?

High Gareth Coe, here is a breakdown of the points system.
To retain your tax exemption / identity and avoid the SVA test resulting in a Q registration you must retain 8 of a 14 points available regarding originality.

1 point.....Engine
2 points.....Transmission
2 points.....Steering Assembly
2 points.....Suspension
2 points.....Axles
5 points..... Chassis. It must not be modified between the wheelbase as this alters the structural integrity of the chassis.

Fitting coils to a series motor obviously involves a chassis mod and doing away with yer leafs so you've lost 7 points before you start !!!!!. Not simple so you cut down a Rangie, same result minus 7 points !!!!!. Some chassis manufacturers do a replacement coil chassis for a series and as far as I know thats OK because it will come decribed as a proffesionaly built, direct suitable replacement with documentation. If anyone buys such a vehicle its absolutely crutial that documents are offered, if not walk away unless its on a Q with SVA certificate.

There aint a lot out there thats less than 100" and on coils claiming to be tax exempt thats legitimate. If its a cut down Rangie it needs proof of an SVA test.

It isn't easy divulging this as theres going to be some poor soul somewhere realise that their pride and joy has suddenly become a "grey area".

Some will say this is all waffle and hot air. But I do know and much to my cost, I had to declare my Hybrid as sorn to avoid prosecution.

DVLA offer an information booklet (cant remember its code number) and its all in there.

Regards WP.

Thanks Wesley, I knew there'd be SOMEONE out there with the details

Gareth

Try to help when I can Gareth Coe. Doesn't make for easy reading though. My way of looking at it is this. If folk want something to play with thats roadgoing as well, on coils then go for the obvious. The system always wins, sooner or later.

Yeah. Going back to Michaelm's original query, I would steer clear of this particular LR as it's highly modified and might be trouble. Hope you find what you're after


Gareth

Yep, & that green was way yickee!