First defender advice...

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping I could get some expert advice off some lovely people (I've heard flattery helps....!). I have driven defenders before on rally events and thoroughly enjoyed it. As such I am selling my wifes peugeot (I must tell her this when I remember..) and buying a defender. I would prefer a 90 as I plan to do some off-road events and found the 90 more manouverable. I'd also like a 200 or 300 tdi as I plan on doing a lot of work myself and dont get on with electronics (I'm a mechanical engineer, electronics is well beyond me).

I was hoping someone could tell me what I should be looking for. I'm looking to spend around £5-6k and dont mind doing some work on it myself.

1. Should I be looking for something with all the extras for off-roading included or aiming for as low mileage as possible?
2. Does a little bit of rust here and there matter or can I buff if out and paint?
3. Is there a specific year I should be looking at?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I'm confused with so many different options to choose from...galvanised chassis, rebuilt engines, rebuilt bodies, etc., etc.

I'd like something I can use every day (short journeys here and there in town) and go off-roading in on the weekend.

Thanks in advance for the help, look forward to the hearing your words of expertise.

Cheers,

Tom

you may get some answers you may not..

people tend to get fed up with answering the same qs over and over again,this particular qs gets asked all the time

have you tried the search button just below the google box at the top right of the page?

most of what yr asking can be found in there

Hi Landyman,

Have had a search but cant find exactly what I'm looking for. I get what you're saying though. Didn't want to wind anyone up, just thought I'd ask.

Hopefully I can pay back any advice in time. Reasonaly nifty with a welder...

Cheers,

to be honest the year and mileage isnt as relevant as the condition, check out the main rust areas such as the bulkheads in good condition, rear chassis quarter and crossmember arnt hanging off etc, have good poke around looking for fluid leaks and knackered bushes, signs of impact etc
iv seen 5 year old landys with more rot than 20 year old farm hacks!
check out the body work for bubbling and the door bottoms for rot.
if it sounds and goes ok then it usually is, they tend to let you know when its gonna go bang.
have a search as many others have asked the same questions as yourself and you might get some good pointers.
good luck fella