Hello, green newbie, advice requested (Defender 90ish)

Hello all.

My wife wants a defender, and approve of her choice! She wants them for looks and bumble-around-ability, and of course, I'd like a little off road play, though nothing extreme. It will be used for day to day, round town, to-from random work places, and weekends. Not planning on using for long trips (though, roof tent may be a future plan )

I'm a DIYer but probably (well, actually certainly), not to Landy standards.

We're in Wiltshire, and the Salisbury plains are close.

So hello, and can I bore you all with questions!

I guess, ideally, I'm thinking £5-8k (may add extra for toys); solid chassis/bulkhead; 200/300 engine; Defender 90; hard top (panel or window).

eBay etc show cheap ones for not a lot; loads of MOT failures; and huge variations in age/mileage, and of course, I want to avoid getting one that is a dog!

1. What sort of spec/age should I realistically expect?
2. Is there a "FAQ" buyers guide?
3. Where is the best place to look for sakes? Here of course, but anywhere else? Any sellers to avoid
4. Any guide on rough prices for repairs? e.g. usual rusts etc
5. Any FAQ on road tax?
6. What is access to Salisbury Downs like? Is it free-for-all? With clubs only? Set routes etc?

I will search here, promise, and is this the best forum for these questions

Thank you in advance

FYI - ones I "like" - would appreciate "yes" or "avoid because"

• LAND ROVER 90 DEFENDER 300TDi | eBay
• 2002 LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 Td5 | eBay
• Land Rover Defender 90 300tdi | eBay
• 1999 T.REG LAND ROVER DEFENDER 90 COUNTY TD5 HARD TOP METALLIC RIJOCA RED | eBay

And whilst I like LAND ROVER 90 DEFENDER 300TDi WITH ALL THE TOYS, BIG WHEELS, LOOKS THE BUSINESS | eBay I think its a bit too modified

Many thanks guys n gals

:welcome:

Get a Discovery:behindsofa:

2002 TD5 looks ok at face value of viewing the pictures, plus its alleged to have just had a new clutch, but I would ask if the dual mass flywheel was changed too.

Hello and Welcome

+1 Get a Discovery

[*]What sort of spec/age should I realistically expect?
[*]Is there a "FAQ" buyers guide?
[*]Where is the best place to look for sakes? Here of course, but anywhere else? Any sellers to avoid
[*]Any guide on rough prices for repairs? e.g. usual rusts etc
[*]Any FAQ on road tax?
[*]What is access to Salisbury Downs like? Is it free-for-all? With clubs only? Set routes etc?

1/ Condition and how much maintenance has been carried out is more important than trying to get the newest one, and try to find out what the previous owners have used it for and where in the UK it came from.
2/ Search function on here is your friend for a buyers guide
3/ Parts and repair costs are a variable subject, a replacement clutch on a TD5 with a dual mass flywheel can be £1000+, which brings me back to point number 1
4/ Road tax on my 2005 110 TD5 double cab is £225
5/ Dunno

Rust around rear cross member on the inside, out riggers, bulkhead, check for rust, just behind the front wheels there is a outrigger and above that is the bulkhead have a good poke about there as all the mud and **** likes to rot them there. Did I mention check for rust, crawl under them and take you time looking at anywhere mud collects, don't worry to much about big wheels, lift kits etc, just check for tin worm.

Hello welcome

Thanks all.

This car will be bought due to "heart" not "head" - so yeah, Discovery may be better and better value, but, its not what the wife wants, and well, you know.....!

Not looking to buy "now" - just starting research as the current runaround will die soon and she wants a Defender as a runaround replacement. Something that can take a car park hit (as some twit clobbered the runaround in a carpark last week).

Thanks on info on DMF on TD5.

Is the 200/300 a better engine for a DIYer? I've got a Ford TDCi in my tranny and some "potential" repair costs are very scary (injectors/pump etc).

TD5 is relatively easy to work on, its got a ECU and a few sensors here and there that the 200/300 does not have, but it's not a complicated engine really, but it hates to overheat, so you need to be seeing bright pink coolant in the header tank and a radiator in good condition.

Have you and your wife driven a Defender yet?

Paskman said:

Have you and your wife driven a Defender yet?

Click to expand...

lol!

No.

I'm happy enough to know its not the most refined of vehicles, and I've tried to tell her..... But had no impact. We're quite happy for a "toy car".

Unless there is something we don't know...!?

You should probably go and both test drive a defender... Make sure you like it before you get your heart set on one...

And not a new one from a landy garage, go and drive one of the eBay ones

Good advice, thanks
(But worry not, our expectations are realistic )

Welcome to the forum.