Defender 110 as first car

I have been offered a Land Rover Defender 110 station wagon by one of my parents friends at a price I can afford. Is a 110 all right for a first car or should I get a 90?

If you can afford the insurance go for it!

But it's down to personal preference and what your using it for as well.

ByCameltoVietnam said:

If you can afford the insurance go for it!

But it's down to personal preference and what your using it for as well.

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The insurance came out at about £2100 which is just over the amount I've allocated, but nothing I can't sort out. I planned to use it everyday for trips to college and back, some social activities and maybe some green lane driving.

Anotherjosh said:

The insurance came out at about £2100 which is just over the amount I've allocated, but nothing I can't sort out. I planned to use it everyday for trips to college and back, some social activities and maybe some green lane driving.

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Much more room fer....errrm.....'social' activities in a 110

blue beasty said:

Much more room fer....errrm.....'social' activities in a 110

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Yes, fill it with friends after air cadets and speed about causing trouble of course!

110's are more stable than 90's having a longer wheelbase, can carry about half a metric ton more and can carry more volume, bigger turning circle though and takes up more room. I love my 110, its my everyday drive.

pob1968 said:

110's are more stable than 90's having a longer wheelbase, can carry about half a metric ton more and can carry more volume, bigger turning circle though and takes up more room. I love my 110, its my everyday drive.

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Would parking be a problem? Even though I passed my license I have never needed to park in a bay between two cars. My mother doesn't want me to have a 110 and this is one of the issues she brings up.

I had a 2 1/4 denzil 109 when I passed my test... no points, no accidents, no speeding, no power steering, no stop solenoid...
Enough room to get six foot ligged out int back...

T'was a fanny magnet in '97 because it was a P reg landy...

I never said it was twenty years old..

It's only the same size as a '90s Ford Granada! And you have the benefit of a better viewing position.

People have the idea that a 110 is huge, and it really isn't.

Anotherjosh said:

Would parking be a problem? Even though I passed my license I have never needed to park in a bay between two cars. My mother doesn't want me to have a 110 and this is one of the issues she brings up.

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If you can't physically drive it or can't get used to positioning it in the road then stick to a nice new corsa...

bushwwacker said:

If you can't physically drive it or can't get used to positioning it in the road then stick to a nice new corsa...

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I'm fine driving one, I had been driving my parents defender before I took my test. I never really needed to park between two cars so I never tried too.

I think parking is about practice and patience, if you take your time it's just the same any other large car only better because your up high and can over the cars next to you and watch for cars driving round the car park.

The other issue is, I know I can't go into certain car parks near were I live in my dad's disco because of the height restrictions. Plus there are a few car parks where the spaces are actually smaller than the disco. So you have to park where there is two spaces because the Landy will cross the lines.

Well a 110 will certainly get you lots of 3-point turn practice! The turning circle is fairly large which is where a 90 has an advantage. The drawback to a 90 is you can generally carry lots of stuff or people, but not both. You may have trouble getting it insured if it has bench seats in the back, but you can solve that by removing one or both of them and insuring it as a 5 or 7-seater.

As to having it as a first car, I'd say it's a great idea. If anything I'd say reverse parking is slightly easier as you have good all-round visibility (unlike some modern cars) and with the square corners you can judge gaps easily too. I tend to start by looking out the back window and finish up using just the door mirrors.

Just watch the height as most multi-storey places will be off limits. Even in ones that theoretically have enough clearance, if the ramp between levels is steep enough you can catch the roof at the bottom particularly with the longer 110.

Found my 110 far easier to reverse and park than my previous ford Escort van which had the most ****e visibility ever!
Turning circle the only issue but I dont even have PAS so if my wife can park ours I am sure you will be fine! go for it

Anotherjosh said:

Would parking be a problem? Even though I passed my license I have never needed to park in a bay between two cars. My mother doesn't want me to have a 110 and this is one of the issues she brings up.

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It'll be far easier parking a 110 than any normal car, you can see where the front, back and corners are and you'll have decent mirrors too

my 90 is my first car and when parking the back door has became useful to climb out of when it gets tight

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity and should be great for everything you have mentioned. With regards parking....shouldn't be a problem nice square vehicles are easier to park anyway as, with experience, it's much easier to judge where the corners are. I drive a long wheel base Transit as my work vehicle...good large wing mirrors are all you need AND you have rear windows.....Luxury!

If you are at all worried check out a well know online purchase company starting with 'A' and there are a whole host of cheap dashcams reversing cams along with screens to help you...but it shouldn't be a problem ....High position, rear windows and large mirrors...piece of cake

Please post a picture

Go for it, I had a disco when I was 18 and Neva had a problem

Put some tree sliders on it, you'll be surprised how many people will avoid parking next you then and they'll leave you plenty of space, as for you parking it as others have said it's just practise

Go for it, life's too short. If you can master driving a 110, any other vehicle will be a doddle. As for parking, plenty of practice should improve your confidence, use those side mirrors, you'll soon get used to the length and be a better driver for it. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth! A 110 will give you a good all round pleasurable, satisfying and iconic first car experience. Warning though, you won't want to drive anything else!