I have formulated a plan....

This time next year I will have (hopefully) successfully finished my law degree. I then plan to do the LPC course which is another 2 years part time (Sept-May). At the end of that I will be a solicitor and will need a job as a trainee solicitor and work my way up the experience and salary ladder.

The point is that I plan to settle the finance on my car next spring and then flog it privately. Let's say for arguments sake I get £15k for it, I will then deduct the LPC fee from that which is £7k and use the £8k that's left to buy a car.

I love Defenders and have thought seriously about the option of buying one with the £8k. The only problem is that they are severely uncivilised and it would be quite an old one for £8k as they hold their value well.

So, Defender experts, what would you advise? Is the 90 the best? Anything to look out for problem wise? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

it will get nicked At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

chicken george wrote:

it will get nicked

It's ok, I know some ex-SAS guys who will take monthly payments as protection money on it  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

For 8k, that money will get you an early TD5, or late 300TDi, though at that money, I would expect a 300TDi to be on a galvanised chassis

For comparison, here is what we have for sale, currently:

http://www.strathearnengineering.com/land-rovers-for-sale.php

If you do end up buying one, check the chassis carefully, as a rear cross-member replacement can be expensive. They all leak oil. If it doesnt, whatever the oil was in is probably empty.
Bushes tend to soften up over time, and degrade. If buying one that has been re-chassised recently, check the bushes have all been replaced. If not, it means whoever done the build has probably cut corners on the change to save on costs etc...

And security can be an issue on all Defenders, still  Strathearn Engineering
Specialising in all things Land Rover

Group Buy - 2.2 TD4 Performance Re-maps!

Doc
Want a LHD TD5 90?
As and when Jaguar release their Sportbrake 4x4 R then I'll let you have my TD5 for 8k Sterling and I'll deliver it for free. No warranty though

However, back to basics - you could alsways put the 8k down on a new DC100 Defender in 2015 - just an idea

Thanks Athelstan. I will wait until this time next year and shop around but I just wanted some pointers for now. Who knows, our work syndicate may have bagged the £52 Million Euro Millions Jackpot this weekend....  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I'd just keep the freelander as you know its history etc.. you could up spending thousands on an old defender! When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car

most folks start with an old landrover then get fed up with a noisey,slow drive then inspire for some thing better,good for the weekend to play in but for a everyday car?

chrisdeeming wrote:

I'd just keep the freelander as you know its history etc.. you could up spending thousands on an old defender!

Already considered that but I cannot afford to keep the finance on the FL2 running alongside a loan for the LPC. The other option of settling the finance with a loan and keeping the FL2 means I could not afford the LPC.

Taking out a large loan to cover the finance and the LPC doesn't make financial sense. I may end up with a Golf or something but thought I would query the Defender. In any case, if I work hard and get to where I want to be, perhaps a FFRR one day  LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

i'm also a big defender fan, and you will get a decent usable one for 8k, and you can put a few more dents and scratches on it without worrying much about loosing too much money on it. also you can park in any car without being bothered about shopping trolley dents!
The trouble is i'd want it set up to use off road which i could live with, but i don't think my little un would appreciate the noise and discomfort! and the missus won't swap cars when i'm off and shes at work! so it means me having to prize open my wallet and add another car to the fleet, meaning one will be sat on the drive all the time.
My advice would be to use one for a couple of days (if you haven't already) before buying cos they are literally one step up from a tractor! Excellent vehicles though.

Try one of these for RRS / Disco 4 money

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

twisted from CG land, where all a bit different round here At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

CG Land, Lord help us.

Doctor, defenders are cool cars, if you ever shouted "yeah baby" from one of those you would be whipped with a wet ferret and dragged along behind one and banished to the lower reaches of Landy Zone, were the knuckle draggers will poke you with old track rod ends, spluttering their lager top and pork scratchings all over the place.

Last edited by taztastic on 20th May 2012 9:53 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Don't do it Doc, I ran them for 20 years untill 2011 1) as per CG it will be nicked ( I've lost 2 ). 2) they are an uncivilised piece of , - heaters are a joke, cramped lousy driving positions, 200 mile trip in one ? hope you know a good colo-rectal surgeon and an osteopath. Build quality is questionable, they are a working truck great for towing a bloody big twin axle horsebox ( why we started with them) or a big boat. They are not a car. a pig in lipstick if you will, no where secure to keep things when you are away from them, aerodynamic as a brick and as secure as a tin of pilchards. you can tart them up all you want with fancy wheels and leather and nothing will change the fundamental issue they are long overdue a replacement. If you are daft enough to buy one fit a lockable one way valve to the clutch circuit that way you might keep it for a week or two. The only good thing about them is they seem to keep a high residual value, 8 grand will buy you a high mileage shed, good for the seller not too good for you. coming from the Freelander to a Defender is not a good move.

as I said these are my views after 20 years of ownership so please Defender lovers don't shoot me I'm entitled to them, 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

I'm in same boat love them and hate them , cold noisy uncomfortable , yet oddly fun and they have a smooth suspension.

doomed now by there steal-ability, I dont want a pikey magnet parked infront of my house. shame because they are a great farm truck, not atleast because you can drive them in wellies (no ankle bending on pedals). and they are the easiest car to reverse a trailer with - sat straight up easy to bend the neck or just pop open the door and lean out.

happy memories excluding maybe when Irolled one on a public road aged 16  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race