J

jimbobalooba

New Member
What model would you choose if you had unlimited money?

The reason I ask - I was bashed up pretty bad in a car crash a while back and have a few quid to spend as a result if you know what I mean ;). I'm now back to full fitness but I'm only able to drive automatics. I realise defender autos are few and far between but there have been a couple on eBay lately.

I'm trading in my ford kuga for something more efficient.
Why buy a Landry then, I hear you think?
Well the rover will be my second car for when I visit a holiday place my family use on the Isle of Arran.

I only visit a few times every year but the place is nearly half a mile down a twisty muddy steep farm road. At the moment my kuga just manages down and up but I need a smaller car for everyday use back home. My uncle used to drive an old t reg defender 90 about 30 years ago (might have been a type ii or ii) up and own the road and I've been in love with rovers ever since.

I have an ok budget for the landy I'm thinking of spending £10-12k for something that'll last for a few years without too much work.

I really like the Defender 90 but I need room for 2 kids in the back so it has to be the one with the foldy rear seats. I also love the lift kit but don't know if I'll be able to climb in. I like the fat boy wheels but I'm not sure how these handle in the mud. I would love to buy an old battered looking defender thats been around a bit but I don't want to pick up a heap of junk that needs loads of work.

Essay over cheers for reading
Jim
 
A custom spec Defender 90. Kitted to the balls.

Mainly
Linex dark grey colour
300TDI + Puma gearbox
And a bloody great turbo
 
110 might be the way forward I've not really considered one.
I just love the 90, I can always buy a roof rack for all their rubbish (or to threaten the kids when they're cheeky).
 
Custom spec hmmm
Do you mean brand new??
Is it possible to spec an auto gearbox?
This doesn't appear to be an option on the website.
 
jimbobalooba said:
Do you mean brand new??
Click to expand...

Not for 10-12k!

Get yourself back on eBay, auto trader etc and have a look at what's there. Get yourself out to look at some.

Best thing I did was go to local independent "specialist" and see what he was expecting people to pay:jaw:, then find a better one for a lot less!! :)

Take the wife and kids too so you can get their opinion on size and space.

For 10-12k you could go for an immaculate 300tdi/td5 with galvanised chassis and bulkhead with a full lift kit inc caster correction etc. just make sure you test drive a few to see how they feel on the road.

Although you like the lifts, if a Kuga got down the lane, a standard height defender will fly down no problem, so don't limit yourself to lifted options.

Most of all, make sure you are 100% happy before handing over that sort of money for a second car...especially when there are so many to choose from - and enjoy the hunt, its the best part :D
 
jimbobalooba said:
110 might be the way forward I've not really considered one.
I just love the 90, I can always buy a roof rack for all their rubbish (or to threaten the kids when they're cheeky).
Click to expand...

20120608_120431.jpg
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I need both 110 and roof rack/boxes:eek::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::D:D;)
 
It sounds like that an auto box is essential for you, in which case a Discovery would be the option which offers you most choice.

Autoboxes weren't a standard factory option on TD5s and Pumas, so if you find one it will be an owner modification. Most conversions will be first class jobs, but it will be another thing you will need to check.

With your budget you should be able to get a good clean and tidy late TD5 or early Puma, particularly if you're looking for one which doesn't need much work. The biggest problem you've got, as I see it, at that price range, is assessing the vehicle. It's a lot of money, which means that unless you're good at spotting the lemons (where the owner will try and sell you a shed, but price it according to the book) then you may end up looking at ones from dealers/LR specialists. this usually means paying top book prices.

Before you set your sights on a 90, take a hard look at them if you plan to travel with kids and baggage. There's not a lot of room.

If you are set on a Defender then another option might be to price up the cost of buying a second hand auto box and having it fitted, and build that cost into your overall budget.
 
Land Rover Freelander 2 SD4.

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DSCN7548 6JZhJB1

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riminired1 0G8m2ls
 
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If I had unlimited budget, I would probably still choose the one I've got now but with a few tasty mods added ;)

If I were you however with 10-12K to spend and needing an auto, I would maybe look at spending 1/2 of that on a decent, base Defender with a good chassis, bulkhead and engine, and spend the rest on an Ashcroft auto conversion. At least you know that part of it is brand new and not a bodge job and as long as the chassis, bulkhead and engine is sound, you're sorted for a good few years. You could also recoup some of the cost by selling on the box etc afterwards.
 
If I had 10 - 12K, I would buy something for about £4 and spend the rest keeping the bloody thing running.

Hang on, isn't that what most Defender owners do already?

Or, for 10K you could get at least 20 Gaylanders and break them for scrap to make a few quid back. This would also rid the roads of 20 of the buggers. Then spend the remaining 2K plus the £30 you made on the scrap and buy a cheap Defender which will break down constantly, but at least it would be fun!
 
Tazz070299 said:
It sounds like that an auto box is essential for you, in which case a Discovery would be the option which offers you most choice.

With your budget you should be able to get a good clean and tidy late TD5 or early Puma, particularly if you're looking for one which doesn't need much work. The biggest problem you've got, as I see it, at that price range, is assessing the vehicle. It's a lot of money, which means that unless you're good at spotting the lemons (where the owner will try and sell you a shed, but price it according to the book) then you may end up looking at ones from dealers/LR specialists. this usually means paying top book prices.

Before you set your sights on a 90, take a hard look at them if you plan to travel with kids and baggage. There's not a lot of room.

If you are set on a Defender then another option might be to price up the cost of buying a second hand auto box and having it fitted, and build that cost into your overall budget.
Click to expand...

All good advice - and appreciated!
I don't like discos, sorry its got to be a defender.
I've had plenty experience tinkering with cars, although not Land Rovers. I've got a mate who's great with cars and a colleague who collects and renovates anything with 4 wheels (including land rovers), so I'm quite lucky on that front. When i go to look at anything, I'll drag one (or both) of them along.

I'm definitely favouring a 110 more after seeing the pic Grimmer posted of that stripey camo beast.

Cheers guys!
 
SteveT247 said:
If I were you however with 10-12K to spend and needing an auto, I would maybe look at spending 1/2 of that on a decent, base Defender with a good chassis, bulkhead and engine, and spend the rest on an Ashcroft auto conversion. At least you know that part of it is brand new and not a bodge job and as long as the chassis, bulkhead and engine is sound, you're sorted for a good few years. You could also recoup some of the cost by selling on the box etc afterwards.
Click to expand...

I like this idea...... I need an automatic gearbox, I'm not allowed to drive anything else.

Looking at Defenders already fitted with an auto box certainly limits my choice. I like the idea of shopping around to select the perfect defender then putting in an auto box myself (or paying someone else to), it gives me free reign to shop around a lot more, giving me a million more options.

The only sticking point.... how much for a typical auto conversion - £5/6k??
 
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