Raith

Raith

New Member
Hi folks.
New member on the forum, but not yet a member of the community / gang / cult coz not actually got the right sort of wheels to fit in.

I've always loved the old Defenders and now it's my mid-life I don't see why I should stay without.

I'm not mechanically minded, don't ever need to drive off-road, and I've always found comfort that you can get a half decent sized bit of furniture in the back of a Ford Focus. 40 mpg seems a bit stingy in this day and age, and 5 gears doesn't include reverse, right?

And yet... I am inexorably drawn towards the Defender 90, like an endangered species drawn towards a mate. One day these awesome beasts won't exist and it'll be too late to do something about it.

To be honest, I want one as a toy, or a pet, or a trophy wife. I just want one.

I don't know if you people are my kind of people, but we do have at least one thing in common. So, hopefully you fellows can help me reach my goal with the benefit of your experience, wisdom, humour, and whatever else Landy lovers are good at.

Where do I start?

Cheers,
Raith
 
How about if I get a tattoo and cultivate my shoulder hair?

I don't want a Range Rover coz I've got no kids to take to shool.
 
Raith said:
How about if I get a tattoo and cultivate my shoulder hair?

I don't want a Range Rover coz I've got no kids to take to shool.
Click to expand...

You can be posh and have long hair and tattoos, we are occasionally very well educated and exceedingly well spoken
I had speech electrocution lessons and everyfink innit! ;D
 
That's all very well, but did it get you behind the wheel of the car you are destined to drive? Eloquence or otherwise, I'd rather be comparing wheel bases and discussing lpg conversion, than comparing grammar schools.

If entry to the Defender club is based on desire and passion, rather than being able to build your own using only a swiss army knife, then I do wanna get involved. I'm just not gonna pretend it'll get dirty. Where I live off-road means clipping a kerb.
 
Just buy one then, whatever it is 'cos when standard they all look, mostly, the same and if you don't want to actually use it off-road you don't want the hassle of an off-road prepped vehicle.

So much depends on budget ....
 
I'm stuck in a loop - Autotrader Groundhog Day.

Defender 90. Bottom end of price range, between 2 and 3 grand. But it probably needs tlc, beyond me.

Look for something which has been restored but doesn't have too many mods. Spec and price go up.

Then I feel guilty that someone's pride & joy would be wasted in my hands.

Back to basics. And back to square one. Just can't see where I should start.
 
Not much chance of getting something that doesn't need work done to it in that price range ..
 
Thanks all. Paul D and Drewster highlight my issue...

I think this'd be a second car for me. I'm concerned about running costs (mpg) and 'boot' space. I must admit i've not carefully compared dimensions but visuals lead me to believe there's much less space in the back than an average hatchback with the seats down. Running costs high but much cheaper with lpg conversion, but that reduces space even more.

My 2nd car budget of 3k means anything I find will likely need a more capable owner who can work on it.

Instead can find a nice 5+k refurb'd model but that'd need to replace current car, and then worry about costs and space.

Is landy loving an expensive hobby, or a truly practical driving option? I live in urban Basingstoke and I definitely don't need a LR for its normal strengths. I'm looking to satisfy my inner child!

I would love to ditch the hatch and go for well fixed-up old LR, but no good if can't keep costs under control.

Then I'm back to spending couple k on a 2nd car which is just a pleasing possession and can write it off as a mid-life extravagance if it falls apart.

Someone please slap me round the face and inject some facts into my circular arguments!
 
Raith said:
Thanks all. Paul D and Drewster highlight my issue...

I think this'd be a second car for me. I'm concerned about running costs (mpg) and 'boot' space. I must admit i've not carefully compared dimensions but visuals lead me to believe there's much less space in the back than an average hatchback with the seats down. Running costs high but much cheaper with lpg conversion, but that reduces space even more.

My 2nd car budget of 3k means anything I find will likely need a more capable owner who can work on it.

Instead can find a nice 5+k refurb'd model but that'd need to replace current car, and then worry about costs and space.

Is landy loving an expensive hobby, or a truly practical driving option? I live in urban Basingstoke and I definitely don't need a LR for its normal strengths. I'm looking to satisfy my inner child!

I would love to ditch the hatch and go for well fixed-up old LR, but no good if can't keep costs under control.

Then I'm back to spending couple k on a 2nd car which is just a pleasing possession and can write it off as a mid-life extravagance if it falls apart.

Someone please slap me round the face and inject some facts into my circular arguments!
Click to expand...

Well I do a 60 mile round commute from Windsor to funnily enough blazingstoke, I've a 90 pick up, they don't drive you like hatch backs do, you have to drive them traffic jams are tough on the left leg through notorious heavy clutch, right leg ankle, due to sharp angle of foot to pedal, they smell oily all the time!
But.... They are effing amazing!! They become a way of life wouldn't change it for the world of hatch backs or pretend vehicles like Honda crv and such like
If you are worried about boot space get the 110
I had and easy to drive L reg shogun before, light on steering ergonomic seats air con great introduction into cheap 4x4's but a sod to get parts!
I'd pick a landy every time
And I'm even gonna do a mechanics course cos I know cock all about engines although I can weld!
Get a defender you know you want to
 
If you are in any way concerned about cost i'd suggest you forget about getting a land rover and invest in a bicycle.
 
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