Where to buy an old land rover

This is not a thread about what to look for when buying, I am more than happy with that. I have not bought a land rover for over 10 years and when I was last looking on ebay and facebook there was an endless supply of vehicles from donors to half build projects, to reasonable runners to fully rebuilt and everything in between. This does not seem to be the case any more. Are there just less available for sale or am I now looking in the wrong place?

Although I have just finished rebuilding my 110 this has coincided with now having a pregnant wife. Although I have no intention of getting rid of my 110 and am the first to vehemently defend it against any criticism I cannot pretend it is a suitable car for babies or small children. The wife has a suitable family car so I am in no immediate rush but I am beginning to look at the possibility of a 110 station wagon. I know these are the most expensive variant and are in the shortest of supply, but I was expecting more than the handful available fitting my criteria that I found. I am looking for pre-TD5, but preferably 200tdi as that is what I have now. I am happy with a disco retrofit from the 80's and at this point am considering all options from half built project, in need of a chassis, through to running vehicle. The only thing I do not really want is a fully rebuilt with a metallic paint job vehicle as they seem to be very unreasonably priced from the couple I have seen. Originality is not that important to me as what ever I get I would likely be looking to modify in a similar manner to my 110 (nothing major) as that has been tried and tested over many years. this also tied into the not wanting a pristine show pony that is trying to look much newer. I just want an honest vehicle that I can get up to standard (my standards might not be the same as other peoples) so in time I can have kids and child seats.

I am right at the beginning of my search trying to establish budget and prices etc, just looking for where they are sold other than facebook, ebay, here, and the various land rover magazine classifieds.

I was looking to buy just after 1st covid lock down wanted a 200tdi, mostly on Ebay and Autotrader. Soon found out that all 200tdi's stupid money so ended up with a Td5 90, took about a year and found it on Ebay.
Matter of waiting until a suitable one turns up.

Buy a military trailer for the new born to hook on.

Anaconda said:

I was looking to buy just after 1st covid lock down wanted a 200tdi, mostly on Ebay and Autotrader. Soon found out that all 200tdi's stupid money so ended up with a Td5 90, took about a year and found it on Ebay.
Matter of waiting until a suitable one turns up.

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That’s makes me feel a little Better then. It is is not just me there just aren’t any available. I could put up with a td5 but would rather have a tdi. My preference would be the same as I have. 110 on galv chassis with a retro fit disco 200tdi from the ‘80’s. But I know if people have put that much effort in, like mine, they will not be parting with it and it will not be for sale.

I sold mine via eBay beginning of this year, had a lot of watchers and a couple of bids but only one person actually wanted to come and look at it. Sold for 9.5k. 200tdi, galvanized chassis and bulkhead. Fair price in my eyes, there are a lot of dreamers who want that kind of money for a shed.

Could you not fit a rear forward facing seat or two and some side windows into the 110 you already have? Or do you need rear doors as well?

turrican said:

I sold mine via eBay beginning of this year, had a lot of watchers and a couple of bids but only one person actually wanted to come and look at it. Sold for 9.5k. 200tdi, galvanized chassis and bulkhead. Fair price in my eyes, there are a lot of dreamers who want that kind of money for a shed.

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Might be cheaper just to get a divorce!

Wimblowdriver said:

Could you not fit a rear forward facing seat or two and some side windows into the 110 you already have? Or do you need rear doors as well?

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I already have windows. Unfortunately I would Probabaly need doors as well as baby seats are awkward at the best of times (apparently) so with limited access would be even worse.

turrican said:

I sold mine via eBay beginning of this year, had a lot of watchers and a couple of bids but only one person actually wanted to come and look at it. Sold for 9.5k. 200tdi, galvanized chassis and bulkhead. Fair price in my eyes, there are a lot of dreamers who want that kind of money for a shed.

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I could not agree more. I have seen several advertised for about 10k that imo need a full rebuild. I am just beginning to get a feel for the market again it the advertised prices surely are not what they are actually selling for.

dag019 said:

I could not agree more. I have seen several advertised for about 10k that imo need a full rebuild. I am just beginning to get a feel for the market again it the advertised prices surely are not what they are actually selling for.

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Ebay search box, enter your model of choice, then click on advanced search and sold/completed prices, prices in green are sold, and red not.

There are lots of landies on eBay and FB marketplace. But there appears to be more 90’s than 110’s, especially station wagons. Prices of 90’s do appear to have settled down and even dropped slightly in recent months, suggesting that maybe the Defender price bubble has burst or the cost of living is biting. Decent 110 station wagons look to hold their value well though.

I’ve got two young children and my wife is quite adamant that we won’t use the 90 as our family car, hence we have a normal (boring) car and she won’t have a 110 either as it’s too big.

As mentioned, the best approach looks like taking your time looking, and waiting for a good one to come up.

Let us know how you get on.

Knappster said:

There are lots of landies on eBay and FB marketplace. But there appears to be more 90’s than 110’s, especially station wagons. Prices of 90’s do appear to have settled down and even dropped slightly in recent months, suggesting that maybe the Defender price bubble has burst or the cost of living is biting. Decent 110 station wagons look to hold their value well though.

I’ve got two young children and my wife is quite adamant that we won’t use the 90 as our family car, hence we have a normal (boring) car and she won’t have a 110 either as it’s too big.

As mentioned, the best approach looks like taking your time looking, and waiting for a good one to come up.

Let us know how you get on.

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I am in a similar position. At the moment she is adamant that we can’t use the 110 (hardtop) and also adamant that we can’t have another Land Rover, and also adamant that her car is not the only one that can be used. The wonderful logic!

I know 110 station wagons have always been the most expensive and hold their value well But is good to see some more sensible prices form the sold rather than advertised vehicles @lynall pointed out. That was far kore what I was expecting. So the waiting game begins. As does persuading the wife it is beneficial. Although I still stand by a single baby’s seat inthe front of the 110 is fine and if we are together we use hers. It is if we end up with a second this becomes more pressing. So I am trying to future proof now while I have time to look and wait.

dag019 said:

I am in a similar position. At the moment she is adamant that we can’t use the 110 (hardtop) and also adamant that we can’t have another Land Rover, and also adamant that her car is not the only one that can be used. The wonderful logic!

Although I still stand by a single baby’s seat inthe front of the 110 is fine and if we are together we use hers. It is if we end up with a second this becomes more pressing. So I am trying to future proof now while I have time to look and wait.

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This will future proof your Land Rover

Def90man said:

This will future proof your Land Rover

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Put a couple on in case one breaks, the quality of the rings isn't that good now!

I find old LR's fall into two categories, overpriced piles of rust & dealers quoting what I can only assume is their 'phone number as the price for anything decent .. even then finding something that isn't powered by a diesel lump is mission impossible.

Def90man said:

This will future proof your Land Rover

View attachment 292124

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I use a pair of them pliers at work to stretch caliper slider gaiters over the pins!

norseman said:

even then finding something that isn't powered by a diesel lump is mission impossible.

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What on earth would you want to sacrifice the reliability and ease of a diesel for a hateful petrol lump that will refuce to work any time the air is vaguely damp?

I wanted a 110 van. We planned to have a child so my partner "forced" me to get a csw.

Many years later the 110 is kind of the road most of the time, and we have a 4yr old.

It's worth watching some videos of landrovers ending up on their rooves before going too far. I mean everyone has seen them, but your feelings may be altered once the child is yours and not a hypothetical.

I know this discussion is old, but I tittered my way through the ‘my wife doesn’t/won’t’ posts. Am I the only wife who actually owned the family 90 County & then 300tdi Defender County? Times were different then, regarding child seats, but my kids went in the back, sideways facing, with lap belts & booster seats as soon as they were big enough. They have trouble in the back these days, being about 6’ 3”. They survived the ordeal and no man is ever telling me my land rover isn’t a suitable vehicle to travel in, or turn up in.

RedFeend said:

I know this discussion is old, but I tittered my way through the ‘my wife doesn’t/won’t’ posts. Am I the only wife who actually owned the family 90 County & then 300tdi Defender County? Times were different then, regarding child seats, but my kids went in the back, sideways facing, with lap belts & booster seats as soon as they were big enough. They have trouble in the back these days, being about 6’ 3”. They survived the ordeal and no man is ever telling me my land rover isn’t a suitable vehicle to travel in, or turn up in.

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Yeah with the amount of idiots on the roads these days driving fast cars with ZERO driving ability, I wouldn't even dare put my dog in the back unless I have a role cage. Safety has come a long way, ISOFIX seats etc.

I purposely removed my rear seats, they aren't safe and if anyone ever asked me to jump in the back I refused. Just have a look at defenders rolled on google images, you'll understand what I'm saying.