Dilemma

This site contains affiliate links for which LandyZone may be compensated if you make a purchase.
H

Hungrydave

New Member
Posts
54
Evening

My wife and I currently share two cars - our '97 110 CSW and an 08 mondeo estate. We're saving the pennies at the moment and can't really justify having two vehicles.

We both commute each day in the cars (I'm a 30 mile round trip and she's a 40 mile round trip) but I could (it'd be cheaper) get the train in to work, or cycle. Beyond a few minor niggles, the defender hasn't ever caused us a problems.

The dilemma comes that I want to keep the defender and sell the mondeo but it just makes me a little nervous for some reason. The idea that it's our only vehicle and we wouldn't have any back up. I'm also a bit anxious about losing the sofa on wheels for our longer journeys (it's a 2-3 hour drive to see family). That said, it's all possibly irrational as, as above, the defender has behaved pretty well for the year we've had it.

I've seen posts on here about using a defender as a daily drive but does anyone have one as their only car? Please convince me that it's the right thing to do!

David
 
I drove, til recently 50 miles each way to work in my 90, in the danish winter (minus 20 common and lots of snow).

Lots of stuff fell off/broke but the engine kept on going...I'd poke my eyes out with a rusty stick before selling it for a Mondeo...I bought a Ford Ka, which I have never driven, as a 'reserve' vehicle..its for sale..i hate the sight of the turd.
 
use my 90 every day she has an old 19j lump and regarless of what has gone wrong she has always got me where i want to go ,my mrs drives a focus and i know which one will be cheaper and easier to fix when things break. a little bit of noise on an occasionsl long journey aint much to put up with,and i know which one will hold it's money better .i'd lose the ford if only cos it will be worth pennies in a couple of years no matter how well it's kept.
 
storm99 said:
I drove, til recently 50 miles each way to work in my 90, in the danish winter (minus 20 common and lots of snow).

Lots of stuff fell off/broke but the engine kept on going...I'd poke my eyes out with a rusty stick before selling it for a Mondeo...I bought a Ford Ka, which I have never driven, as a 'reserve' vehicle..its for sale..i hate the sight of the turd.
Click to expand...
aint you turned that into a trailer yet?
 
I drive mine 40 miles on the motorway everyday. And i drive 5 of us 140 miles once a month. I don't mind it at all! And it will only get better when the 19j falls out and the 200 goes in, allong with a disco transfer box.
 
Look on the bright side: you both get a new mode of transport. You get the train and the wife gets the landy; if anything goes wrong it's clearly her fault. Win win situation.
 
How much is the Landy gonna sell for? Why not just keep it for your fun vehicle and commute, drop insurance miles real low and keep both.

A landy if for life not just for Winter!!
 
bluehaze said:
Look on the bright side: you both get a new mode of transport. You get the train and the wife gets the landy; if anything goes wrong it's clearly her fault. Win win situation.
Click to expand...

Sold! Think that this has to be the most compelling argument i've heard. luckily she likes having the defender as much as I do and has taken well to the 'if it goes wrong, hit it with the tyre wrench' mentality (this was genuine advice from an AA mechanic...).
 
storm99 said:
i drove, til recently 50 miles each way to work in my 90, in the danish winter (minus 20 common and lots of snow).

Lots of stuff fell off/broke but the engine kept on going...i'd poke my eyes out with a rusty stick before selling it for a mondeo...i mugged an old women with dementia's ford ka, which i have never driven, as a 'reserve' vehicle..its for sale..i hate the sight of the turd.
Click to expand...
:d:d:d
 
Oh and the wife says that at least you can still get out in winter with a landy - good point but then she has been brain washed to my way of thinking!!!!
 
I use mine everyday for work as a builder, the back has had all sorts in it from work tools to materials to a 3000w speaker cabinet.

My mentality is, if it it's possible to tie it down, it will fit on the landy some how.

Think of the value aspect as well, the mondeo will depreciate a hell of a lot quicker than the Landy ;)
 
Mate, you are comparing a Mondeo to a Land Rover. In my experience working for ford they appear no more reliable. Unless its the latest mondeo i would tell anyone that owns one to get rid of them (if my job didnt depend on them breaking down). Land Rover has character too
 
Whilst my 1994 300 TDI isn't my daily drive, the other cars would go first!

For the money it cost and it's multitude of uses (transporting dogs, getting to stables, taking crap to the tip etc.) as well as teh fact taht I can't get the other cars out the village in the snow, I kinda look at it as a sunk investment - oh and I love it!

No issue in driving it 40 miles a day, particualry as most of my commute is lanes and A roads. I would think twice about a 400 mile run to see my family.

Not sure how often you do the family run - hiring something just for those trips could be an option?

Do know you'll regret selling the Landy within weeks of doing so:D
 
Keep the Land Rover. If your worried about reliability get AA breakdown cover (or similar) so at the very worst they can get it back home for you then fix it with the big hammer.
My Defender has been my only car for the last 6 years and only once let me down 50 miles away when the alternator packed up, AA got me back home within 3 hours.
Just as much can go wrong with a Mondeo as it can with a Land Rover.:D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
Driving 1700 miles Altrincham to Estepona Spain in 90 2015
Replies
12
Views
677
dag019
dag019
Redbull916
300Tdi whiteish smoke when decelerating with partial throttle.
Replies
1
Views
347
lynall
L
T
Kent / Sussex - Help with a Defender 90
Replies
3
Views
415
lynall
L
Sol
Reluctant swap? Wolf Defender 110 for 90
Replies
6
Views
931
Knappster
Knappster
C
Which driving/spotlights?
Replies
4
Views
900
Knappster
Knappster
Back
Top