Which Landy for me?

Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!

I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.

I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
baby seats fit in these ok?

Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.

Any advice gratefully received.

Jamie

Your can do all of that with any land rover although I suspect a lwb or 110
station wagon is the way to go. You and the wife up front, baby strapped in
the middle row seats and dog behind a guard in the back.

An older series 2.25 petrol or v8 will return in the region of 12-18 mpg on
short runs, diesel a bit higher. If you want economy you will have to look
at more modern TDIs in the 90/110.

My S3 lwb had only lap belts when I bought it, these are easily and cheaply
converted to 3 point inertia belts.

I think with your requirements you could live happily with any land rover,
just buy the one you like and enjoy it.

All my passengers fall asleep on long runs despite the noise and ride, it
may also work for small children, I'm sure somebody else from the group can
comment on this.




"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!
>
> I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
> myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
> spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
> extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.
>
> I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
> soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
> journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
> economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
> What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
> inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
> belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
> you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
> baby seats fit in these ok?
>
> Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
> would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.
>
> Any advice gratefully received.
>
> Jamie

The Series Landies dont have much in the way of seat belts full stop.
A 109 I had at one point had been owned by a bloke who had got a britax baby
seat and bolted it to the floor in the back!
Side seats dont tend to be all that accomodating, so the solution I guess,
would be to go to exmoore trim or BLRS and get a single forward facing seat,
and all the associated seat belt mounting kit, so that you can strap a baby
seat to it in the conventional manner.
Trouble is those seats take up most of the load space in the back of a 90.
I've seen two of them fitted, one either side, but then there is no space
for the passengers to actually get into them, and hardly any space behind
for luggage!

To be honest, I'd say that unless you really want a 'classic' truck, or a
'real' leaf sprung (read, harsh, gutless and uncivilised) Landie - Steer
clear of the series 2's or 3's. An early 90 is a little better, but not
much.

Best VFM by a LONG LONG way at the moment is a Range Rover Classic. You can
get a good one for a Grand, which would only just get you a useable Series
3.
Two grand gets you something pretty useful - either something that is well
presented and with a profesionally fitted diesel, or an LPG conversion, or
something that has been detailed out for seriouse off-roading or whatever.
Three grand and you have pretty well choice over late standard cars or well
presented earlier ones, etc.

Best thing about them is that the drive like a 'normal' car.

For what you sugest, I'd go looking for a 1990ish Vogue 3.9 V8 Automatic, on
LPG. Incredibly refined, all the toys, extremely comfy. Anti Roll bars make
it a bit less useful off road than earlier examples, (Not that you are
likely to notice), and make ride on the road a bit more taut.

I know you said that economy was not you most important consideration, after
a 4.0l TVR, but a Rangie probably weighs three times as much, and has three
times the frontal area - they manage about 15mpg on average. I've got it up
to over 20 in ours on a long, and gentle run, but the wife, who just boots
it every where is lucky to get it into double figures!

LPG dont make it any more economical, but does get you twice the gallons per
pound.

Seat belts and seats that take baby cradles, seats and boosters - and a boot
you can shove a couple of Labradoor sized muts in. We have a third row seat
in the back of ours, and can get three more kids on that. In fact, I can
just about sit on it, and I'm 6'2".

Other idea may be a Disco. Seems a popular family choice - has all the
usefulness of a Rangie, but not quite so much refinement or the extras, and
they cost more!

I dont have any serious objection to them, and they dont seem to have many
major vices, but they do seem to live harder lives than equivilent Rangies,
and mid to low end examples can be a bit risky - come accross a couple of
examples where good money has been paid for a well polished and presented
Disco that couldn't pass an MOT and needed a lot of money spending to make
it do so - but I think that that is a risk with a lot of cars of a certain
age in that price band.

Dont know if that helps any, but there you go.

If you want some more ideas on what its like living with either a Classic
Rangie or a Series three, have a look at my web site at:-
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/williams73/LRHome.htm

"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!
>
> I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
> myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
> spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
> extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.
>
> I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
> soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
> journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
> economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
> What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
> inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
> belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
> you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
> baby seats fit in these ok?
>
> Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
> would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.
>
> Any advice gratefully received.
>
> Jamie

Martin (Wirral, UK) wrote:

> Your can do all of that with any land rover although I suspect a lwb or
> 110 station wagon is the way to go. You and the wife up front, baby
> strapped in the middle row seats and dog behind a guard in the back.

Yup. 110 SW ideal.

> An older series 2.25 petrol or v8 will return in the region of 12-18 mpg
> on short runs, diesel a bit higher. If you want economy you will have to
> look at more modern TDIs in the 90/110.

2.5 diesel would be pretty good for trips of the length mentioned.

> All my passengers fall asleep on long runs despite the noise and ride, it
> may also work for small children, I'm sure somebody else from the group
> can comment on this.

I used to pick up my nephew every week from when he was only a few months
old and he'd be asleep within a few miles every time, even if he was crying
his eyes out when he got in (110CSW v8, more noisy than most v8 LRs!). He
still loves the LR! You won't have a problem with kids in a 110 as they
can look out the window and actually see things, not like your average
family saloon where they can't see anything apart from the interior. IMHO.

Regards

William MacLeod

In article <[email protected]>, williams73
@ntlworld.com says...
> I dont have any serious objection to them, and they dont seem to have man=
y
> major vices, but they do seem to live harder lives than equivilent Rangie=
s,
> and mid to low end examples can be a bit risky - come accross a couple of
> examples where good money has been paid for a well polished and presented
> Disco that couldn't pass an MOT and needed a lot of money spending to mak=
e
> it do so - but I think that that is a risk with a lot of cars of a certai=
n
> age in that price band.

I bought a second-hand Disco ('94 300TDi, 3 door) for just under =A35k=20
which I think was a fair price for both of us. I had the AA do a full=20
check on it (costs about =A3250 IIRC), and that was well worth it as I=20
then had bargaining power to knock the price down a bit from what the=20
guy wanted. The AA guy really knew what he was doing as well and told me=20
it was possibly the best condition he'd ever seen a Disco of that age=20
(bodywork is immaculate, very very little rust anywhere - two owners,=20
one old guy who bought it for his dog and the second bought it for his=20
wife but she didn't like it as she couldn't park it).

Cheers,
Aled.

One of those difficult questions which each will anser from there own
preferences,

I am a series man myself (sadly not tax exempt but ought to be) but I have
to admit that my choice is not to everyones taste or comfort.

If its seat belts you want and all that you would be better of with a
defender or a disco, though there is nothing that can't be retro fitted.

Fuel economy? my last motor was a limo, but I reckon that was economical
compared my present heap.

However for sheer hard work you cannot beat a series in my opinion, going to
outlast the Discos I reckon. (but then I would)


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes


"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!
>
> I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
> myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
> spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
> extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.
>
> I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
> soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
> journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
> economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
> What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
> inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
> belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
> you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
> baby seats fit in these ok?
>
> Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
> would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.
>
> Any advice gratefully received.
>
> Jamie

Thanks for the replies.

I wanted to steer away from the more modern stuff (i.e rangies). I
already own a fairly modern 4x4 in the shape of an M Reg Frontera LWB
which has - contrary to some opinions - been great, both on and of
road (intermediate grass-laning). Its our every day car but the wife
wants something smaller (like a focus) for work. However, we both
still love 4x4's and we'll need something else as well to replace it.
The TVR is going too as it doesnt really get much use now I have a
family, which is why I quite fancied a rag top landie as I love open
top mortoring.

I really wanted to get back to basics as I love classic cars. An
older series landy or early 90/110 just seems to have so much more
character than anything else. The thing is I've never driven one and
I'd like to get a feel for it first. Rather than waste a seller's
time, if anyone reading this lives near Taunton, Somerset and fancies
letting me have a quick spin on the road in their old landie I'd
appreciate it! I'll let you have a go at piloting my TVR Griffith in
return! I can double de-clutch so lack of syncro isnt a problem.

Cheers
Jamie

OK Jamie,
Looks like its down to an old leafer then!
Would say by the sound of it that it's going to have to be a LWB 109 County Station Waggon, so you get the back seats for the bab and the back for the muts.
Gives you three or four choices, between Series 2 or Series 3. S2 &3 both gives you a choice of four pot petrol, four pot diesel, or six pot petrol engines. Series 3 also gives you Stage 1 V8 with flat front and permenant four wheel drive like the later 110's.
I'd say avoid the diesels - they are just so sluggish you wouldn't believe. I know, I have one, and it makes less power than a mini!
The four pot petrols are a BIT better, and if you find a bit of road long enough you can just about wind them up to 70mph if you're brave enough!
Six pot is a forgotten old auntie - it's still not quick, but it makes enough extra power for things not to be so frustrating, and does so in a very relaxed way. They were not that popular becouse they were considered a bit thirsty in thier day - but no Landy is that economical, so its no great burden these days.
Given the budget, I think that an S2 Six CSW pot would be top of my list!
But you'd have to hunt to find one in decent nick.
A good way to go might be to contact some-one like Liverage 4x4 who will renovate an old Landie to your spec. They will either find one for you or do one that you supply.
Not cheap, but they will do things like fit 110 seat belts in the back and a dog guard and make sure that the rest of it is in tip top shape and will give you plenty of trouble free motoring.
As for finding some-one to give you a ride in one - I'm trying to thing who I know off the Forums down your kneck of the woods.
I know a couple of lads in Somerset and a couple in Wiltshire, but I'm not sure what Landies they have.
Best bet I can suggest is you put a request up on the LROi S2 & S3 Forums:-
Series 2 Q&A
Series 3 Q&Q
Boards move pretty quick, so you should get a response reasonably soon.

Other wise try:-
The Series 2 club
The Series 3 Club
All Wheel Drive Club
Aylesbury Land Rover Fanatics
Southern Rover Owners

Happy hunting1

"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Any advice gratefully received.

Jamie,

I have a fleet of Landrovers and will start by saying that the SII or
SIII swb will be the most impractical for your needs. This is based
initially along the lines of the amount of faffing around required to safely
buckle up junior in the back. It's not impossible but will be a real PITA.
Then you have to think about the muddy dogs. Once a forward facing seat has
been fitted you not going to have alot of muddy dog space left.

A 109 will get over alot of these problems if it's a Station Wagon, five
door. The Standard 109 will present the same problems as the SWB.

Early Rangerovers and even Discoverys can now be bought at less than the
cost of a decent series motor. Spending under £1000 on a series motor will
either mean you'll have a shed load of work or your very lucky if you get a
rot free one which can be used as a daily driver.

Fuel economy... forget it.. at least in a Petrol Series motor. If your
last motor was a TVR then you will be used to poor standards of build and
high maintainance costs [1] . A Diesel series will afford little better fuel
consumption (around 25mpg), but be prepared to acquaint youself with the
oils shelf at your local Petrol station Kiosk as the Series motors have
thirst for engine oil [1].

As much as I love the series (I have a 1964 SIIa with Jaguar 4.2 Engine
and 3 Speed Autobox) it's just not the car to use as your main daily driver.
I also have a 101 Ambulance mid conversion to an expedition vehicle which
offers more attraction in creature comfort but sheer size makes it
impractical for the city centre carparks.

I've just won Mrs D's 1990 Range Rover TD, It's a 2.5 Diesel, does a
steady 35 mpg, offers comfort to a family and has in the past had a Large
german Shephard and a smaller Shephard cross in the boot no problem (unless
your dog has any disability which height jumping in may cause and issue. The
rear Tailgates are practical in so much as if you do any DIY then you can
have all manner of things hanging out the back. I'd seriously look at one of
these if I were you. If your used to V8 burble then get a V8 and have it
gassed. 14mpg at half the price of the fuel currently is a little easier to
live with. The Diesels are economic (by comparision) but are agricultuaral
to save the least, especially with older vehicles. Steer Clear of Perkins
modifications as anything none standard may leave it off the road longer
than desired purely due to being none standard.

Are latest acquisition is a V8 Discovery on LPG. I should have done this
years ago. Loads of boot space at the sacrifice of the handy tailgates.
Options to drop down 2 extra seats. (Possible in a Rangie but not practical
unless you travelling backwards everwhere). I find its a nicer tow vehicle
than the Rangie we have, partly due to being auto, partly due to being
newer. A recent one may be outside your budget however older ones are
knocking around at less than the price of a good series. Be prpared however
for some work as the older ones may have a few pannels with corrrosion
(Ally) which need addressing, but then the same applies to any old
Landrover.

If you have never driven Landrovers go out and try each type before making
any kind of choice. Think through exactly what you need and don't let
anything else sway your choice. Looks like your half way there but a seires
would be way down my list and I'm as bigger fan of them as then next
groupie.

Lee D

--
________________________________
www.lrproject.com
Just a little hobby site about Landies
________________________________



[1] Unless your one in a thousand lucky owners.

Huge thanks Teflon. Just the sort of advice I was looking for. Cheers!

Jamie

[email protected] (Jamie T) wrote

> if anyone reading this lives near Taunton, Somerset and fancies
> letting me have a quick spin on the road in their old landie I'd
> appreciate it! I'll let you have a go at piloting my TVR Griffith in
> return! I can double de-clutch so lack of syncro isnt a problem.
>
> Cheers
> Jamie

I'm in Pembrokeshire, so it's only about 250 miles. I'll be down
about 7 tonight, OK? Make sure the Griff has plenty of fuel.

;-)

Rich

On 18 Aug 2004 09:18:53 -0700, [email protected] (Jamie T)
wrote:

>Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!
>
>I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
>myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
>spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
>extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.
>
>I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
>soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
>journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
>economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
> What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
>inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
>belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
>you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
>baby seats fit in these ok?
>
>Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
>would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.
>
>Any advice gratefully received.
>
>Jamie

From your own description you need a Discovery.
Since economy is not a bother to you, I'd suggest a 4.0l petrol V8.
You can swap parts with the TVR if needed.

Peter R.

Jamie T wrote:
> Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!
>
> I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
> myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
> spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
> extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.
>
> I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
> soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
> journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
> economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
> What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
> inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
> belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
> you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
> baby seats fit in these ok?
>
> Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
> would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.
>
> Any advice gratefully received.
>
> Jamie

Hi Jamie,

A lot of people are swaying you away from a series, but for what its
worth, I use a series 2a (1968) as my daily vehicle.

She has a fairey overdrive & 2.5litre sherpa engine conversion, does a
comfortable 50 mph on the road, getting about 25mpg too at this speed.

You do need to love landrovers to live with a series, but I would say it
will comfortably do what you want. It may even be possible to fit a
centre seat to perch the baby seat on, leaving the whole back for the mutts?

Terry
Series 11a (Olive)

>Hi Jamie,
>
>A lot of people are swaying you away from a series, but for what its
>worth, I use a series 2a (1968) as my daily vehicle.
>
>She has a fairey overdrive & 2.5litre sherpa engine conversion, does a
>comfortable 50 mph on the road, getting about 25mpg too at this speed.
>
>You do need to love landrovers to live with a series, but I would say it
>will comfortably do what you want. It may even be possible to fit a
>centre seat to perch the baby seat on, leaving the whole back for the mutts?
>
>Terry
>Series 11a (Olive)

I'm hoping to do this with my Series 2 in October. However, it will
be a few months before the OP's child is ready for a forward-facing
seat, which is the only option with lap belts. There are plenty of
forward facing seats with lap-only mountings (and I have one ready and
waiting)...

However, child seats are universally quite wide, and I expect this to
be a problem. Three abreast in a Series is always snug, and the seat
I have has blooming big wings on it (great for side protection and
sleeping against) which will make it tricky. Might be easier with a
custom-made centre seat fitted to the seat box - I'm hoping to use
standard three-abreast seats to make it useable for adults too.

I also think a Series is quite a good possibility for the OP,
particularly once the nipper is a couple of years older and could sit
in the centre in a harness of some description. Then again, I think
the Discovery will be easier to live with. Remind me why I'm selling
mine?


--

Tim Hobbs

'58 Series 2 88" aka "Stig"
'77 101FC Ambulance aka "Burrt"
'95 Discovery V8i aka "The Disco" (FOR SALE)
'03 Volvo V70

My Landies? http://www.seriesii.co.uk
Barcoding? http://www.bartec-systems.com
Tony Luckwill web archive at http://www.luckwill.com

On or around 19 Aug 2004 01:32:08 -0700, [email protected] (Jamie T)
enlightened us thusly:

>I really wanted to get back to basics as I love classic cars. An
>older series landy or early 90/110 just seems to have so much more
>character than anything else.

get a tidy tax-exempt one, series II or very early III (personally, I reckon
the series II (not IIA) with the lights in the front panel rather than the
wings) has more character).

either buy one cheap and regard it as an ongoing project to improve it or
pay more for one that has been restored.

critically important is to have someone who understands LRs to look at it
for you, in the latter case especially, to avoid buying a dud.


many years ago I bought a series II 2¼ SWB soft top with very sad rear
chassis but good engine and box, for 60 quid. I took all the back body off
behind the bulkhead, drove it thusly to the local garage where they worked
on the chassis to the tune of a couple of hundred quid (I'd do it meself,
these days) and fitted some new remould tyres. I then collected it, rebuilt
it and drove it around for a year or more, no heater, after a few months I
sold the original registration number which financed among other things a
new hood. I can honestly say that it was one of the most fun vehicles I've
ever had, notwithstanding the hessian sack seat covers and lack of heater
and leaky roof (although that was fixed with the new canvas).
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
In Touch: Get in touch with yourself by touching yourself.
If somebody is watching, stop touching yourself.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.

On or around Thu, 19 Aug 2004 17:08:22 GMT, Peter R. <[email protected]>
enlightened us thusly:

>From your own description you need a Discovery.
>Since economy is not a bother to you, I'd suggest a 4.0l petrol V8.
>You can swap parts with the TVR if needed.
>

This is another option of course.

but rather than a 4.0 I'd personally hunt a 3.5 or 3.9 V8 (easier to work
on) or a 300TDi. 300TDis start in about 1995, and the earlier ones are not
too pricey now, and if you look around you can find a nice low-mileage
example. Parts and servicing are not to pricey on the earlier (pre TD5)
disco I either. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with the earlier "200"
type discos, either - but finding a good, not rusted, low-mileage one takes
more effort. the 200TDi is a damned good engine too. In fact, having got
both types here I find it hard to decide which is best - the interior of the
200 is no worse, just different. The 300 dash has cupholders, and the 300
has better heating and ventilation. The seats and stuff are pretty much
identical, though the driver's seat moves back further from the dash giving
more knee-room for taller drivers on the 200 than on (our) 300.

The V8, for suitable extra money, can be converted to LPG using under-floor
tanks. cost me about 900 quid for the parts; the special tanks are not
cheap.


However I predict that if you get a decent disco, you'll end up selling the
frontera

--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.fsnet.co.uk my opinions are just that
Appearances: You don't really need make-up. Celebrate your authentic
face by frightening people in the street.
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.

"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Huge thanks Teflon. Just the sort of advice I was looking for. Cheers!
>
> Jamie

And just to wet your appitite....

http://www.lrproject.com/jlo/index.html

Should also give you an idea of what to look out for too.

Lee D

--
________________________________
www.lrproject.com
Just a little hobby site about Landies
________________________________

Thanks everyone for the comments. Have test driven a couple over the
weekend - gotta say, I love the series SWB landies! Just a question
of fitting the nipper on board really. With the wife on board as
well, I just dont know if there will be enough room in the central
seat for the baby seat... hmmm.

I dont really want a disco as I'll have the same problems I have now
with the frontera i.e. higher insurance, more expensive parts, really
nasty wet dog smell (theres carpets in the back), dog hairs in every
nook and cranny etc etc. At least with an older landy theres no
carpets and I can just hose the back out if it gets really muddy!

A few of you said its not a good idea to have a series as a daily
driver. Well it isnt really going to be a daily driver as such - just
for going to the hills 3 or so times a week. Even if I did decide to
drive it to work, I used to drive an MG midget 1275 as evey day car
and I got on fine with that. After driving the landies at the weekend
I wouldnt say that they're any more uncomfortable, just slower.

"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Huge thanks Teflon. Just the sort of advice I was looking for. Cheers!
>
> Jamie

And just to wet your appitite....

http://www.lrproject.com/jlo/index.html

Should also give you an idea of what to look out for too.

Lee D

--
________________________________
www.lrproject.com
Just a little hobby site about Landies
________________________________

One of those difficult questions which each will anser from there own
preferences,

I am a series man myself (sadly not tax exempt but ought to be) but I have
to admit that my choice is not to everyones taste or comfort.

If its seat belts you want and all that you would be better of with a
defender or a disco, though there is nothing that can't be retro fitted.

Fuel economy? my last motor was a limo, but I reckon that was economical
compared my present heap.

However for sheer hard work you cannot beat a series in my opinion, going to
outlast the Discos I reckon. (but then I would)


--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes


"Jamie T" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Land Rover newbie with loads of questions so please be patient!
>
> I need help deciding which model is best for me. I need to transport
> myself, wife, six month old baby, and two (usually filthy) springer
> spaniels to and from the hills 3 or 4 times a week. There will be no
> extreme off-roading, muddy tracks and fields is as bad as it gets.
>
> I really like the idea of older (tax exempt) SWB ones, especially the
> soft-tops. The vehicle will be used all year round but only for short
> journeys (its a 10/15 minute journey to the hills). Decent fuel
> economy would be nice but not vital (I'm used to running a 4 ltr TVR).
> What is vital is that I can fit myself, the wife, child seat and dogs
> inside. Is this possible in a series II or III? Do they have seat
> belts suitable for child seats? If not, can they be retro-fitted? Do
> you think I'd be better off with an early 90/110 or even a CSW? Can
> baby seats fit in these ok?
>
> Budget is not really important but couldnt afford a new defender so
> would have to be a series landy or early 90/110.
>
> Any advice gratefully received.
>
> Jamie