Brenda__the__Defender

Brenda__the__Defender

Member
Hi Folks,

I'm Matt, new to the site and I'm in need of some advice!

17 years ago, I had a Defender TD5 90 StationWagon brand new out of the showroom. I loved it, it was my pride and joy. Sadly, due to 'Family growing' I had to give her up....childcare isn't cheap. I was absolutely gutted to see her go, but it had to be done. Since then all I've done is drive around in my crappy normal cars, long fully looking at the defenders as they drive by going 'thats a nice one' to the wife.....

Now, 17 years later, I have finally come into a position where I can afford to buy a new Defender.
What I want to ask is:

1. I live on a street with no off-road parking. Would you buy a Defender if you could only park on the road? It means no space for maintenance, I'd have to work on her in situ.

2. Security - What does everyone recommend? Immobiliser/steering guard/pedal guard/fuel cutoff/all of these!

3. My two trains of thought are, to buy cheap and restore, or buy slightly less cheap and restore less. But as I'm coming into this from a long break, what would be a better thing to do?

I have an offer on a 200tdi at 7.5k that is tempting but there is a fair bit of work to do, although chassis/bulkhead/engine are all very good.


Also, one last thing, where is best to look? I've been looking on Facebook Marketplace and Ebay, but half of them (at least) seem to be scams, it's terribly frustrating knowing who you can believe or not, to the point where I have a few times thought about scrapping the idea and getting something else.

Any advice welcome, and I hope Its been ok to ask these questions!

Thanks
Matt
 
lpm said:
Hi Folks,

I'm Matt, new to the site and I'm in need of some advice!

17 years ago, I had a Defender TD5 90 StationWagon brand new out of the showroom. I loved it, it was my pride and joy. Sadly, due to 'Family growing' I had to give her up....childcare isn't cheap. I was absolutely gutted to see her go, but it had to be done. Since then all I've done is drive around in my crappy normal cars, long fully looking at the defenders as they drive by going 'thats a nice one' to the wife.....

Now, 17 years later, I have finally come into a position where I can afford to buy a new Defender.
What I want to ask is:

1. I live on a street with no off-road parking. Would you buy a Defender if you could only park on the road? It means no space for maintenance, I'd have to work on her in situ.

2. Security - What does everyone recommend? Immobiliser/steering guard/pedal guard/fuel cutoff/all of these!

3. My two trains of thought are, to buy cheap and restore, or buy slightly less cheap and restore less. But as I'm coming into this from a long break, what would be a better thing to do?

I have an offer on a 200tdi at 7.5k that is tempting but there is a fair bit of work to do, although chassis/bulkhead/engine are all very good.


Also, one last thing, where is best to look? I've been looking on Facebook Marketplace and Ebay, but half of them (at least) seem to be scams, it's terribly frustrating knowing who you can believe or not, to the point where I have a few times thought about scrapping the idea and getting something else.

Any advice welcome, and I hope Its been ok to ask these questions!

Thanks
Matt
Click to expand...
Firstly Welcome :).

1. difficult, but not impossible.

2. Everything you can get, chain it to a lamppost. It’s a big problem, don’t forget a tracker.

3. buy the best (not the newest or shiniest) you can get, get 1 that had the chassis/bulkhead done (galvy) cos welding in situation 1 is not gonna be easy.

What budget do you have?

Good luck not an easy Choice of car, especially if it’s a daily. Untill it’s sorted right. Which is 3

J
 
Welcome to landyzone regular site for giggling scuttling chipmunks.
As for advice about buying Defender
1.Check
2.Check
3.Check.
Check the vehicle is not stolen or has major history as a friend of police records.
Check the vehicle condition all over being very old can hide a multiple of sins
Check paperwork is all correct and receipts tally for the history of the vehicle.
Remember the adage
If it to good to be true walk away.
IMG_20230518_162708_1~2.jpg
 
You haven't said where you are ...

Depends what your budget is depends on what model/condition etc.
@marjon has it in 1 - galvanised chassis and bulkhead is a good starter.
The rest is relatively easy...

There are some good ones on here from time to time. enthusiasticaly cared for by an enthusiast is a always a good start.
 
Took me about a year to find my Td5. Bought it from Ebay and I was lucky as the seller was a nice bloke. At the time people were buying anything unseen, I think it might have calmed down a bit now.
 
marjon said:
Firstly Welcome :).

1. difficult, but not impossible.

2. Everything you can get, chain it to a lamppost. It’s a big problem, don’t forget a tracker.

3. buy the best (not the newest or shiniest) you can get, get 1 that had the chassis/bulkhead done (galvy) cos welding in situation 1 is not gonna be easy.

What budget do you have?

Good luck not an easy Choice of car, especially if it’s a daily. Untill it’s sorted right. Which is 3

J
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, after reading this and watching a youtube video of a guy saying 'dont buy a defender unless its really good and solid and
Anaconda said:
Took me about a year to find my Td5. Bought it from Ebay and I was lucky as the seller was a nice bloke. At the time people were buying anything unseen, I think it might have calmed down a bit now.
Click to expand...
I've been to see 2, every other one I've messaged has either not responded, or has been sold!

and I'm fed up with the ' Im out of the country but can ship it to you' messages.....I want to see/inspect/drive the car before I give you any money!! 🤣
 
marjon said:
Firstly Welcome :).

1. difficult, but not impossible.

2. Everything you can get, chain it to a lamppost. It’s a big problem, don’t forget a tracker.

3. buy the best (not the newest or shiniest) you can get, get 1 that had the chassis/bulkhead done (galvy) cos welding in situation 1 is not gonna be easy.

What budget do you have?

Good luck not an easy Choice of car, especially if it’s a daily. Untill it’s sorted right. Which is 3

J
Click to expand...
Thanks for the advice, after reading this and watching a youtube video of a guy saying 'dont buy a defender unless its really good and solid and
marjon said:
Firstly Welcome :).

1. difficult, but not impossible.

2. Everything you can get, chain it to a lamppost. It’s a big problem, don’t forget a tracker.

3. buy the best (not the newest or shiniest) you can get, get 1 that had the chassis/bulkhead done (galvy) cos welding in situation 1 is not gonna be easy.

What budget do you have?

Good luck not an easy Choice of car, especially if it’s a daily. Untill it’s sorted right. Which is 3

J
Click to expand...
Thanks for the Advice! Much appreciated.
 
miktdish said:
You haven't said where you are ...

Depends what your budget is depends on what model/condition etc.
@marjon has it in 1 - galvanised chassis and bulkhead is a good starter.
The rest is relatively easy...

There are some good ones on here from time to time. enthusiasticaly cared for by an enthusiast is a always a good start.
Click to expand...
Down in Surrey, Budget up to 15k-ish...
 
Just been looking at the advert again. If it had come up for sale when I was looking I would have had it.
Hard top with no rear seats, which I am guessing you might want, not a big job to fit some though.
 
Hey guys, so I've got my eyes on a landy. I'm here again asking for yet more advice! I know I know....I've only just joined and already annoying everyone!

So what I want help with is this...
It's been MANY MANY years since I've bought a second-hand car. How do I do all the checks on the vehicle and its documents to make sure the car I'm buying is legit and good to hand money over for?!

Advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Matt
 
Firstly post pics of all the normally rusty bits. also the top shiny bits, many coats dont match the knickers :oops:
Check it has a chassis number, if not why not?
Does said number match V5.
Engine number, does it match.

So now does the chassis number match the age of the plate and engine.

If not why not?

Its not a No but it gives cause to question. Also you can check mileage history on the MOT site.

J
 
marjon said:
Firstly post pics of all the normally rusty bits. also the top shiny bits, many coats dont match the knickers :oops:
Check it has a chassis number, if not why not?
Does said number match V5.
Engine number, does it match.

So now does the chassis number match the age of the plate and engine.

If not why not?

Its not a No but it gives cause to question. Also you can check mileage history on the MOT site.

J
Click to expand...
So I know the chassis is a galvanised one. Does this change the chassis number/and/or matching the v5?
 
lpm said:
So I know the chassis is a galvanised one. Does this change the chassis number/and/or matching the v5?
Click to expand...

Galvanised chassis won’t have a number.

Most would keep documentation and/or the dumb iron with the number.
because they can be so mix an match it’s possibilities for not being what it says it is are endless.

So pics of top, bottom and engine and some on here could pin down what it shows to be so the plate could age it and show a lie.

Do you know the seller?

J
 
It gets difficult with Defenders, especially if they are heading towards being 20 yerars old as many of the original components are not original (to the vehicle).

Finding an original VIN plated, matching number car is rare and (if that was the case) would likely need a lot of work as it is nearly 20 years old.
There maybe one (or two) out there that have lived a life of ease, avoiding winter roads and mud that have been coddled in a garage and out of the rain .... but I doubt it, it's a landrover after all.

Galvanised Chassis is a good thing.
To fit a new chassis also needs a number of other bits. If the chassis was gone then likely the bulhead has either been repaired of replaced too.
@marjon has it right.

How old are you @lpm ?
 
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