Buying Defender 90

Hello, my name is Edward and I am relocating to the UK this summer with my wife and two kids. I am presently living in the USA and it has always been my dream to own a Defender 90. I am looking for a 90 to use as a daily driver and will use it to tow a BBQ smoker on the weekends for catering jobs. I have never owned a LR but have been looking on the web for a while now trying to figure out what exactly is the best option for me. I do know that I want a diesel and I would like to spend 4000 pounds or less. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Go for service history and solidity over age. This isn't meant to be sarcastic, humorous, **** taking, Derogatory(thats not spelt right but I've had a few),or demeaning to newbies, but this question comes up quite regularly, I asked it myself last Octoberish. So try a search.

Instead of relocating why don't you just move?

Great idea.....I'll move then. I have seen some of the **** taking that can go on in here when that type question is asked and I expected to see some of it. BTW, thanks for replying. Believe me, I can take it as well as I can dish it out. Probably what I should have done was see if there was someone who would take me under their wing and help me find what I was looking for in exchange for some good old southern style BBQ.

hey! boy we don't want none of yer fried chicken n grits here

are you related to axle standstumbler?

Hi Edward, I Just read the (idiotic) reponse from Grunt and thought I'd say hello.

First off - I love hog!! Do you enter competitions and have a special recipe? I don't know what part of the country you'll be moving to, but you may have a booking here!!! And as far as finding a Land Rover goes I'd be delighted to help in whatever way I can.

I've had a 90 for 5 years, and before that had a Range Rover. I'm no mechanic, but I do know what to look for and what a straight car should be like.

Are you sure about a 90? They look better but with the wife and kids, plus all your kit on board I'm sure that a 110 would be more suitable. Unless you're not for turning that is. A 110 tows better too, and they don't cost any more to buy!

As GRUNT says - service history and condition are all important. There is such a variety of cars available it's tricky to give generalist advice at this distance. So many cars look really good in the photo - then when you see and drive them they turn out to be worn and rusting.

I'll have a look through a few magazines to see if there are any articles I can scan for you which have buying advice, there's also a good book worth buying called 'You and your Land Rover Ninety, One Ten & Defender - buying, enjoying, maintaining, modifying' by Martin Hodder

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1859606679/sr=8-5/qid=1143220541/ref=sr_1_5/102-3212571-4168933?%5Fencoding=UTF8"]http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1859606679/sr=8-5/qid=1143220541/ref=sr_1_5/102-3212571-4168933?%5Fencoding=UTF8[/URL] ,

at $25 it's not too pricey - you'll also see some other titles there too that might catch your eye.

Here's a link to a whole load of photos I've taken too, a mix of motors there - mines the light blue hard top 90 V8 station wagon.

http://best4x4xfar.com/gallery/index.php?cat=10016

Cheers

[email protected]

PS - I've just seen that Slob has got in on the act in the forum - beavis and butthead springs to mind or what?

Just opinion - 90 is better for towing, sorter wheelbase reduces erratic trailer moves when reversing & has less overhang behind the rear wheels.
Everyday driver = disco

£4000 = deposit on a landrover!!

I would say that a longer wheel base improves stability and is less prone to pitching. Diff'rent strokes though

Awesome Widget......thank you for the help. We are moving to the Midlands probably near Notts or Newark. I do all kinds of BBQ from whole hogs and ribs to brisket and chickens. I am from Mississippi originally so we are a "Memphis" style BBQ but I live in South Carolina now where they do mustard and vinegar based sauces. We enter some contests over here but I am usually too busy catering to bother with them. Actually SLOB my fried chicken and grits are pretty damned good. I'll take them over your Bangers and Mash any day (I do like some fish and chips though). I am in IT and unfortunately am very mechanically DECLINED so I am thinking that a Defender might be a good vehicle for me to learn on. I drive a full size Nissan Titan Pickup over here with a 5.7 V8 and I am used to driving a tank. I am looking forward to the culture of owning and driving a LR and the Defenders just look so freggin cool. My BBQ rig that I am bringing over requires a 2 inch ball. Do you think that I am going to have any problem finding a tow hitch and ball for that or will I have to get a new one fitted? Once again thank you for all your help. I hopefully one day will be able to pay you back.

This isn't meant to be sarcastic, humorous, **** taking, Derogatory(thats not spelt right but I've had a few),or demeaning

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Or idiotic.

You'll probably need a new hitch, we're metricated. Plenty of caravan shops sell them. Have a look at the web adress below possibly cost less to buy & fit over there in the land of the free
http://www.towsure.com
[search on couplings]
btw trailers over 750kg have to be braked

You may find a bit of difference in performance twixt a defender and a 5.7 v8 Nissan - which is probably a good thing as we have a different road system
a. We drive on the right side of the road which is the left
b. the majority of roads are single carriageway
c. The biggest difference is that UK roads have bends

ffs do we have to put up with these septics patting each on the back.. "i like my bbq ribs done with beer and mustard and good ols southern bbq sauce. and i like to wear a pinny with fake tits on it".. do they have a check at customs to ensure the volume is turned down, or will it be another loud yank to be endured

slob said:

ffs do we have to put up with these septics patting each on the back.. "i like my bbq ribs done with beer and mustard and good ols southern bbq sauce. and i like to wear a pinny with fake tits on it".. do they have a check at customs to ensure the volume is turned down, or will it be another loud yank to be endured

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Yes, now get back into your jingoistic box of stereotypes. I asked Edward the question and he had the good grace to reply.

slob said:

ffs do we have to put up with these septics patting each on the back.. "i like my bbq ribs done with beer and mustard and good ols southern bbq sauce. and i like to wear a pinny with fake tits on it".. do they have a check at customs to ensure the volume is turned down, or will it be another loud yank to be endured

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urmm.... who's the other septic?

Widget said:

Yes, now get back into your jingoistic box of stereotypes. I asked Edward the question and he had the good grace to reply.

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go bile yer heid

hi jack bring a 2inch ball with you. You can only get 50mm balls here (we stopped using them years ago) THE 50MM IS SMALLER AND CAN COME OFF IF USED ON A 2 INCH RIG . The 2 inch ball willbolt on to the back of yor land rover. 110 is the best for towing I should know we have used land rovers for commercially towing caravans since 1950 . Hope your business is a sucess. Chris

would it not be better to change the trailer? that way you could tow other things

Some idea slob. please explain further. This is the first time I have heard of a trailer towing other things. chris

you can't really be that dense.