I'm in the market for a new car, have had a couple goes at off-roading which I really enjoyed and have started competing on the HP2 so I need to have a vehicle I can tow with... I've got serious issues wanting a land rover defender
I used to bugger about with a Defender 90 TDi, it was truly a great car. Not much better than that available. [Edit: or maybe TD5? Can't recall exactly, but the County model with alloys and whatnot as extras.]
I can't decide whether I wan't a 90 or a 110... Mavette is convinced we want a 110. The 110 pick up could be a good compromise. TD5 repalced theTDi around 2000...
I like the 90, lower weight, feels somehow more stable and planted, if you know what I mean. But if you have kids, dogs, pianos and things then the big one is pretty useful. I found the 90 was not just good off-road but on Essexy type roads (longish, sweeping bends, not tight and twisty) was also great around the bends and for general silliness.
agricultural, crummy interior room for such a big motor, underpowered even with the Ford lump replacing the TD5, top speed 80 mph. I love 'em.
You're not wrong 5 yrs old, 100,000 miles and can still fetch 10 to 12k... POUNDS! Although I did just find this one for 11 with only 45,000 miles... <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/jasemarkos/3772881840/" title="king cab by jsmarkos, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3553/3772881840_d342ff06d6_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="king cab" /></a>
Defenders on this side of the pond routinely fetch 25-45k (15-27k POUNDS!) . . . although some can be found for less. Oh, and the newest of those is almost 15 years old!
For a long time, I wanted either a D90 or a VW Vanagon Syncro Doka as a play rig. But they are both appreciating faster than my pay and I'm still a good 3-5 years out from being able to afford a play rig.
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Mav, I found the 110 CrewCab Pickup to be pretty useless. the bed is just too short. Think about the 110 HCPU or the 130 CrewCab. Or 110 HT or 110 Station. I also knew a guy who stretched the 130 frame to accomodate the longer 110 HCPU - bed to his 130.
When I had my 88" Series III, top speed about 68 mph on a good day, I quickly found that there was nothing wrong with being slightly slower than everyone else while in a vehicle with no airbag, drum brakes, iffy seatbelts and a softtop. Driving in 115F (46 C) in a Series III was always fun too! I miss everything about that vehicle except working on it all the time.
From a Mojave trip in 2002 - not mine - the owner is a photog or a tour operator out of the Las Vegas area I believe.
My buddy has one for sale - legal import (1984 w/ tdi) (well, ok, its not really a defender as those didn't start until '85 but its still a 110 diesel) let me know if you want an introduction.