What Landy should i get?

Hi, im thinking between a early defender 90 and a 3 door disco, i want to buy one of them and turn into a off roading car but cant decide what would be better, there is indeed a HUGE price difference (Disco is a CAT write off but idc ), i'm mostly worrying about the fuel bills and prices of parts, could you advise me which of the 2 would be better and how big is the fuel economy.

The defender is the lowest engine spec (N/A) Diesel
and disco id assume is a 2L TD


Thanks

Disco - as long as there is a good chassis underneath it.
Far more comfortable.
Nearly as good off road.
Just as cheap to run.
Cheaper to insure usually.
Don't get stolen as often.
3 door Discos are getting rare.
Much cheaper to buy - put all your spare money into welding supplies.
More room for passengers - usually.
I've got one so I would say all that.

The disco is a 2.5 turbo. And will be the cheapest to buy. It may also be rusted away underneath. The 2.5na isn't great for everyday driving but will be fine for off road, as will the disco. However neither will be frugal on fuel. If that's your concern either don't get an aerodynamic defunct brick as a vehicle or look into veggie oil as a fuel. And off roading gets expensive quickly when you have to repair damage done off road and maintain a vehicle pushed to its limits regularly, not to mention any modifications, accessories and upgrades you wish to make.

goonarmy said:

The disco is a 2.5 turbo. And will be the cheapest to buy. It may also be rusted away underneath. The 2.5na isn't great for everyday driving but will be fine for off road, as will the disco. However neither will be frugal on fuel. If that's your concern either don't get an aerodynamic defunct brick as a vehicle or look into veggie oil as a fuel. And off roading gets expensive quickly when you have to repair damage done off road and maintain a vehicle pushed to its limits regularly, not to mention any modifications, accessories and upgrades you wish to make.

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I was looking into Veggie as i might even be able to get some free, cause i live in scotland would it be advisable to put a heater in the veggie oil ? or would running 80/20 be fine? considering the fact the car will 99% likely never be started in the morning

001LandFan said:

I was looking into Veggie as i might even be able to get some free, cause i live in scotland would it be advisable to put a heater in the veggie oil ? or would running 80/20 be fine? considering the fact the car will 99% likely never be started in the morning

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Straight in should be fine but do a search for better answers. Also if the disco is a 2.0 then it's a petrol mpi. Don't get one of those.

Give us a clue what's your budget as there is a huge price difference?

goonarmy said:

Straight in should be fine but do a search for better answers. Also if the disco is a 2.0 then it's a petrol mpi. Don't get one of those.

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Would a 1983/4 Land rover 90 be worth 1300 (ONO)? considering No Mot or Tax but outside looks mint not sure about the chassis (apparently galvanized tho) but needs some minor repairs. IK they sell for more but this one has been abandoned for 3 years now by the owner

All depends on what you will mostly be doing in it.
Talk to an insurance broker to get an idea on cost, though most mainline companies are crap and wont cover off road so speak to a specialist.
That aside I have a 110 N/A dull on motorways but its my main vehicle and I love it, cheap parts easy to work on and we did a 2000 mile trip abroad last year with over 500 miles of that off road on some tricky tracks and got 28mpg average over the whole trip with it loaded. Not bad for a 2 ton vehicle eh!
Disco more refined and better for road though TDI Defender pretty good too.
Look at a few and dont rush in! be VERY careful what you buy either way get someone who knows them to look them over for you

Galvanised chassis's alone cost 1300... I would a fairly tidy looking Defender with no MOT with a galv chassis would be more than £1300

I'd go for the Defender as it will always be worth something once you have finished with it. if it has a galvanised chassis £1300 is a good deal.

mrnasty said:

i'd go for the defender as it will always be worth something once you have finished with it. If it has a galvanised chassis £1300 is a good deal.

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+1

if you get one of the first 90's, assuming they keep on with the rolling road fund exemption it would be tax free in a few years, although if you just use it for comps that might not be important, would add to any resale value as long as you don't heavily mod it, and if you do use it for the road you can use the tax saving to maintain the vehicle

001LandFan said:

Would a 1983/4 Land rover 90 be worth 1300 (ONO)? considering No Mot or Tax but outside looks mint not sure about the chassis (apparently galvanized tho) but needs some minor repairs. IK they sell for more but this one has been abandoned for 3 years now by the owner

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Sounds suspect. Does it run, would it pass the mot? That might be a great deal, it might be a stitch up. Why was it abandoned?

001LandFan said:

Would a 1983/4 Land rover 90 be worth 1300 (ONO)? considering No Mot or Tax but outside looks mint not sure about the chassis (apparently galvanized tho) but needs some minor repairs. IK they sell for more but this one has been abandoned for 3 years now by the owner

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If it is anything like, that is a great price for a Ninety!

Is the chassis a new galv one? or did they strip and galv the old one?

Personally, I would go for the Ninety over a disco every time. 2.5na is a good engine, unless you want to do a lot of motorway mileage.

Im going to see the car on a week or 2, but ive got more info and im wondering if you could help me and tell me what i should offer for it (the maximum i should offer), the car has been standing for 2-3 years so i assume a brake job will be needed, propshaft needs replacing, couple of small job (about £60 worth), N/A engine, No galvanised chasis but possibly waxoyl'd, obviously no MOT, has been painted so paint looks nice. Car is a 1983/4

Id appreciate it if you could tell me whats the value of the car at the highest, i dont fancy overpaying

Also, anyone aware of car ramps that can take a landy on? Seen some before but people say they wont hold a landy due to the wheel size.

why not tell us your location, someone might help to vet it

Get a Freelander.

Hippo said:

Get a Freelander.

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Hilarious

Hippo said:

Get a Freelander.

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Yeah right[emoji90]