LandRover Defender

2pack

i'm looking to buy one of these, a 90 hardtop model up to 2008 but what should i go for

thanks

goochy

was only ever in one on jeep safari as passenger but you are aware they are very uncomfortable especially on long runs ?
you really have to love them to let their lack of comfort not bother you and would want to be doing some off roading to justify one.

O.A.P

2pack wrote: »

i'm looking to buy one of these, a 90 hardtop model up to 2008 but what should i go for

thanks

What do you want it for ? ,Workhorse ,weekend off roader, or just a car.

maccored

goochy wrote: »

was only ever in one on jeep safari as passenger but you are aware they are very uncomfortable especially on long runs ?
you really have to love them to let their lack of comfort not bother you and would want to be doing some off roading to justify one.

I've a 110 and its pretty comfortable, even on long runs

650gs

I have had lots of these and really like them but remember they all leak oil, they are all the most cold unreliable piece of **** you will ever own and will cost a fortune to keep on the road

O.A.P

650gs wrote: »

I have had lots of these and really like them but remember they all leak oil, they are all the most cold unreliable piece of **** you will ever own and will cost a fortune to keep on the road

I have only ever owned one , a td5 110 high capacity van and like you I like them.
I have it 12 years now but keep it serviced on time every time and get any other parts that fail on line. I do all the work on it myself though so maybe labor costs make them expensive to run .
In 12 years Iv had only one big bill and I'm happy to hold on to it until I cant drive anymore.

Icyseanfitz

650gs wrote: »

I have had lots of these and really like them but remember they all leak oil, they are all the most cold unreliable piece of **** you will ever own and will cost a fortune to keep on the road

dont want to jinx myself but ever since i replaced my old 88 110's petrol engine with a 200tdi 3 years ago ive had very little problems mechanically, electronically is another issue haha

emaherx

O.A.P wrote: »

I have only ever owned one , a td5 110 high capacity van and like you I like them.
I have it 12 years now but keep it serviced on time every time and get any other parts that fail on line. I do all the work on it myself though so maybe labor costs make them expensive to run .
In 12 years Iv had only one big bill and I'm happy to hold on to it until I cant drive anymore.

I also have a Td5 van for over 12 years and have had a very similar experience as yourself. I have found it very reliable as long as the service schedule is met. I also do all the work on it myself and find parts are available very cheap online. As of yet there are no oil leaks.

But they do have the worst cab heaters.

foxy farmer

emaherx wrote: »

I also have a Td5 van for over 12 years and have had a very similar experience as yourself. I have found it very reliable as long as the service schedule is met. I also do all the work on it myself and find parts are available very cheap online. As of yet there are no oil leaks.

But they do have the worst cab heaters.

I fitted a plywood bulkhead behind the seats with just a rectangular cutout that would cover the scope of the rear view mirror. Makes a huge difference when using the heater.

Jack the Stripper

You don't buy into comfort or realibility when you buy a land rover. They are a love hate thing.

emaherx

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

You don't buy into comfort or realibility when you buy a land rover. They are a love hate thing.

Comfort? kind of subjective, off road its a lot more comfortable a place to be than most other 4X4's but definitely not the best thing for long road trips. I find the comfort level for most country road driving in it more than adequate but at motorway speed its not a nice vehicle to drive especially with the road noise.

And reliability? we have a 2002 Land Cruiser and a 2003 Defender from new, they now have roughly the same millage but the Defender is in much better shape now than the Land Cruiser. The Defender has been much cheaper on repairs than the Land Cruiser, yes it requires more minor maintenance, I have gone through a few rear wheel bearings and suspension bushes in the rear (due to trailer work) but its still on its original clutch and the Land Cruiser has had 3.

And if they are so unreliable how come so many are used by Military around the world. Also vintage Land Rover Series and Defenders are plentiful, you don't see too many of the Toyotas!

Jack the Stripper

Old toyotas got exported, third world countries etc. You couldn't give away a land rover to them. You must have a rough operator driving that cruiser no way would the clutch in them be less superior to a Land Rover.

emaherx

Ah I see, there are no land rovers in the third world! :rolleyes:

Jack the Stripper

They are your words not mine. I said there is no export market here for them. Don't be getting so defensive they are only machines.

emaherx

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

They are your words not mine. I said there is no export market here for them. Don't be getting so defensive they are only machines.

Defensive.....?
I have only given my experience of both machines. They are both great workhorses and both have their good and bad points. But Land Rover Defenders being completely unreliable is as untrue as Toyota Land Cruisers being completely indestructible.

foxy farmer

Less than 25k defenders produced annually till last year. The nos aren't there for an export market plus the demand for secondhand spares for older models

emaherx

foxy farmer wrote: »

Less than 25k defenders produced annually till last year. The nos aren't there for an export market plus the demand for secondhand spares for older models

Production numbers are/were small but they claim 70-75% of Defenders ever built are still in regular use. And you are right defenders are worth a lot more for parts then they would be for export, especially with so many parts in common from the newer right back to the earliest models.

650gs

There is good and bad in every 4x4 my 06 defender has had 2 clutch's, 1 slave, cylinder, break lines, 3 light switches, internal lights melted, chassis welded, 4 sets of wheel bearings, rear cross member the list goes on and I have had 3 other models with worse, I still like the heaps of crap Oh forget to say my 06 Pajero has had there water pump and belts done and lucky for me towed the defender home a few times

Jack the Stripper

The quantity produced wouldn't be a factor for export, we all know why they never became an exporter.

emaherx

Jack the Stripper wrote: »

The quantity produced wouldn't be a factor for export, we all know why they never became an exporter.

Yes we do. Fair play lad!

DonegalMick

I have a 90 pickup for 3 years. Few problems but cheap to fix. I have seen plenty landcruiser with rotten chassis. People who don't own landrover generally say they are white. They are what they are,