hey

I have recently passed my test and am looking at getting a Defender.

I am quite late to pass at 29 but i lived in Singapore for some time so had no need to learn!

Anyway - i want to ask your advice.

I am looking to spend up to £3500 on any Defender model, nothing fancy just something to get me into them and get use to working on them before i spend more, solid body and good runner etc - but dents and scratched dont matter - What can i expect to get? and where is the best place to look?

Having only just passed what i can i expect to pay for normal no frills insurance? not planning any off roading yet and just pottering about to and from work now and then - i called my insurance company and they quoted me £3500 - is that normal?

If i were to get rid of my other car would it be feasible to use it as my daily runner to and from work? - im not a fussy guy the only things that may concern me are running costs and maybe wear and tear - do they take daily road use well? and are they expensive to keep running? EX - do they chew through tires ets? what would i expect if i drove it 60 miles a day every day

Forgive my stupidity and ignorance but i am here to learn and hope you guys can advise me on a few things!

Thanks ever so much!

Ok there are guides in the search.

3500 i would say a reasonable 200 or 300tdi. Avoid td for that money. Check chassis for rot and smoke when running. If you look at one dont give too much notice of wanting to start it up. Can often tell the health of the engine frim its cold start. Ie smokey or struggle to start.

As for day to day running fuel is your biggest cost. If you are going far probably not worth it unless you need it for work. And landies always need looking after. Do it often and they are great, dont and it will cost you at some point

I have a mate who works for VOSA so I will blag him into coming with me, only problem is he is really anti defender and keeps trying to blag me into buying a Toyota, so although I trust him to check one over I don't trust his advice ;-)

I am planning on having it to tinker with and learn to work on so hopefully I would be working on it most days off to start with to get use to it.

Are there any inherent faults with certain models that I need to look out for?

At the moment I am looking on auto trader and in landroaver mags, any advice on other places to search?

Also does that insurance price sound roughly correct?

I am searching through old forum posts at the moment reading, but up to date info is awesome if you guys can help!

Thanks so much

Insurance quote seems a bit of a joke. I paid 300 at 29 on mine.

Have a read of this

Defender Buyers Guide

At £3,500 for a 200 or 300 TDi you'll find one, but you'll spend another £1 - £1.5k sorting it out - but tyou'll have fun and learn plenty.

Chassis and Bulkhead condition should be your number 1 priority - good luck