Anotherjosh
New Member
I have been offered a Land Rover Defender 110 station wagon by one of my parents friends at a price I can afford. Is a 110 all right for a first car or should I get a 90?
ByCameltoVietnam
New Member
If you can afford the insurance go for it!
But it's down to personal preference and what your using it for as well.
But it's down to personal preference and what your using it for as well.
Anotherjosh
New Member
The insurance came out at about £2100 which is just over the amount I've allocated, but nothing I can't sort out. I planned to use it everyday for trips to college and back, some social activities and maybe some green lane driving.
blue beasty
Leaks an prone to bits dropping off
Anotherjosh
New Member
Much more room fer....errrm.....'social' activities in a 110
Yes, fill it with friends after air cadets and speed about causing trouble of course!
Anotherjosh
New Member
Would parking be a problem? Even though I passed my license I have never needed to park in a bay between two cars. My mother doesn't want me to have a 110 and this is one of the issues she brings up.
bushwwacker
Well-Known Member
I had a 2 1/4 denzil 109 when I passed my test... no points, no accidents, no speeding, no power steering, no stop solenoid...
Enough room to get six foot ligged out int back...
T'was a fanny magnet in '97 because it was a P reg landy...
I never said it was twenty years old..
Enough room to get six foot ligged out int back...
T'was a fanny magnet in '97 because it was a P reg landy...
I never said it was twenty years old..
bushwwacker
Well-Known Member
If you can't physically drive it or can't get used to positioning it in the road then stick to a nice new corsa...
Anotherjosh
New Member
If you can't physically drive it or can't get used to positioning it in the road then stick to a nice new corsa...
I'm fine driving one, I had been driving my parents defender before I took my test. I never really needed to park between two cars so I never tried too.
Mcclegend
Well-Known Member
I think parking is about practice and patience, if you take your time it's just the same any other large car only better because your up high and can over the cars next to you and watch for cars driving round the car park.
The other issue is, I know I can't go into certain car parks near were I live in my dad's disco because of the height restrictions. Plus there are a few car parks where the spaces are actually smaller than the disco. So you have to park where there is two spaces because the Landy will cross the lines.
The other issue is, I know I can't go into certain car parks near were I live in my dad's disco because of the height restrictions. Plus there are a few car parks where the spaces are actually smaller than the disco. So you have to park where there is two spaces because the Landy will cross the lines.
FlyingPete
Well-Known Member
Well a 110 will certainly get you lots of 3-point turn practice! The turning circle is fairly large which is where a 90 has an advantage. The drawback to a 90 is you can generally carry lots of stuff or people, but not both. You may have trouble getting it insured if it has bench seats in the back, but you can solve that by removing one or both of them and insuring it as a 5 or 7-seater.
As to having it as a first car, I'd say it's a great idea. If anything I'd say reverse parking is slightly easier as you have good all-round visibility (unlike some modern cars) and with the square corners you can judge gaps easily too. I tend to start by looking out the back window and finish up using just the door mirrors.
Just watch the height as most multi-storey places will be off limits. Even in ones that theoretically have enough clearance, if the ramp between levels is steep enough you can catch the roof at the bottom particularly with the longer 110.
The turning circle is fairly large which is where a 90 has an advantage. The drawback to a 90 is you can generally carry lots of stuff or people, but not both. You may have trouble getting it insured if it has bench seats in the back, but you can solve that by removing one or both of them and insuring it as a 5 or 7-seater.As to having it as a first car, I'd say it's a great idea. If anything I'd say reverse parking is slightly easier as you have good all-round visibility (unlike some modern cars) and with the square corners you can judge gaps easily too. I tend to start by looking out the back window and finish up using just the door mirrors.
Just watch the height as most multi-storey places will be off limits. Even in ones that theoretically have enough clearance, if the ramp between levels is steep enough you can catch the roof at the bottom particularly with the longer 110.
SmileySteve
Well-Known Member
Found my 110 far easier to reverse and park than my previous ford Escort van which had the most ****e visibility ever!
Turning circle the only issue but I dont even have PAS so if my wife can park ours I am sure you will be fine! go for it
Turning circle the only issue but I dont even have PAS so if my wife can park ours I am sure you will be fine! go for it
blackstrat
Well-Known Member
It'll be far easier parking a 110 than any normal car, you can see where the front, back and corners are and you'll have decent mirrors too
Sounds like a fantastic opportunity and should be great for everything you have mentioned. With regards parking....shouldn't be a problem nice square vehicles are easier to park anyway as, with experience, it's much easier to judge where the corners are. I drive a long wheel base Transit as my work vehicle...good large wing mirrors are all you need AND you have rear windows.....Luxury!
If you are at all worried check out a well know online purchase company starting with 'A' and there are a whole host of cheap dashcams reversing cams along with screens to help you...but it shouldn't be a problem ....High position, rear windows and large mirrors...piece of cake
Please post a picture
If you are at all worried check out a well know online purchase company starting with 'A' and there are a whole host of cheap dashcams reversing cams along with screens to help you...but it shouldn't be a problem ....High position, rear windows and large mirrors...piece of cake
Please post a picture
Hub
Active Member
Go for it, life's too short. If you can master driving a 110, any other vehicle will be a doddle. As for parking, plenty of practice should improve your confidence, use those side mirrors, you'll soon get used to the length and be a better driver for it. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! A 110 will give you a good all round pleasurable, satisfying and iconic first car experience. Warning though, you won't want to drive anything else!
