Evening fellas,

Apologies if this is in the wrong thread, feel free to move it.

Basically, I'm soon turning 18 and as I've been driving for almost a year I'd like to look at getting a Landy. I'm looking at Defender 90 or a Disco 2 (preferably).

I was just looking to find out how much I could get for £3000/£3500? I'd obviously like a sound chassis etc. As it's going to be used as a daily driver so I can't have it breaking down all the time (I know this is a lot to ask) but is there anything specific I should be looking for ?

Also, if anyone knows the best place to get insurance it would be really helpful as the quotes I'm getting are through the roof!

Cheers!

When I got mine, all I did was look at Ebay and Autotrader to see what was available in my price range. There are a lot of other sources like Motors and Pistonheads where they come up, as well as local adverts. When I was young we used to use Glass's guide to check used car prices but these days with the internet it's easiest just to look at what's for sale and what people want for it. I bought the most recent with the least rust I could afford. Many people say that mileage isn't quite so critical because most wearable parts - bearings, bushes, ball joints, even engines - can be replaced. If you fancy doing your own repairs, that's true. On the other hand if you have to take it to the garage every few weeks it gets expensive.

Re insurance, yes it is dear when you're young and there's not really an easy way round this. If you're using comparison sites then the quotes tend to get a bit less once you have a specific vehicle in mind and can give them a VIN and a registration number. Rather than just a generic query about what a 10 year old discovery would cost. The other thing that people do to try to bring the cost down is get additional driving qualifications - pass plus and the like. The Institute of Advanced Motorists course is quite reasonably priced. I fancy doing it myself, but just not got round to it.

if you are happy to have a telematics box fitted try Tesco bank box or insurethebox it makes a massive difference to the cost, my eldest did his through them, cheapest without the box c£3k, Tesco bank with box less than £2k.

Adrian flux have some good connections, also gogirl good for younger drivers

Whilst you might get a half decent one for that price if you are canny, have you considered the running costs beyond just insurance if you're going to use it as a dailay vehicle? All vehicles like to be used but inevitably things will require attention. Avoid the Disco at that price as you will definetly buy potential trouble. A reasonably well maintained Defender 90 is possible at that price range but look at local ads rather than auction sites. Remember it has to go through an annual MoT. try and get someone with knolwedge to go with you if you're looking at vehcles. Good luck, it's good to see someone youger interested in Landy's.

Thanks for all the replies fellas.

I've been told a family friend who has been rebuilding landrovers for years so I'm going to drop by and see if he's got anything for me.

I don't mind doing a few repairs myself as I did mechanics for 3/4 years but thankfully the old man is very well trained in this area so most repairs will be going his way, best way to learn I think

Unfortunately I know what it's like to have expensive insurance, I'm currently driving a 57 plate 1.2 Clio and it costs me £1800 per annum with a black box!! So if I'm able to insure a defender for not much more it's a no brained in my eyes.

Re running costs I'm fully employed and have been for over a year and thankfully work is only 20 minutes down the road. Again, the increase of fuel costs isn't too much of a bother as my car only gets about 37mpg so I presume a defender does 25/30'ish? Or am I completely off?

I'm sure there's plenty of debate and other posts but does anyone know what the best engine is? Not after the most powerful on available which I presume is the V8, but the most reliable (if that's even an option).

Personally I don't see how people aren't interested in land rovers?! Maybe it's the running costs and maintenance that scares people away! Who knows

The best engine is one that's been well maintained as they are fairly easily swappable at a later date I'd be more inclined to look at chassis and bulkhead condition than what engine it's got in it.

At the end of the day you can always buy a rotten discovery for a few hundred quid and fit the axles and tdi engine easily enough