Hello.
I hope you can help me with my husband's defender and our decisions.
Please excuse that I know nothing about cars, other than my husband loves this one..its our only car and a working farm vehicle. I hope I get all the technical things clear for people
Husband and his 300 TDi diesel were in a serious accident (no other car). DH is ok, but the car is a write off. (probably category d, so that's some good news)
We paid £8000 about 18 months ago, but it was in MINT rebuilt condition. The insurance valuation is £3,345. The damage repair estimate (fancy insurance repair) is £9,900.
DH will not have time (or ability) to repair himself. I've spoken to a non specialist but recommended garage (along way away, but as a friend of a friend they'll trailer the 100 miles or so to collect it). They looked at photos of damage and said....£2-4000 for repair, as a soft top or with a replacement body from a lightweight (?- parachute?).
They also suggested that, as it is repairable it might have resale value to some one who could do it themselves or for export to third world. How do you go about finding someone that wants a LR that's squashed but superb? And what would someone pay for it?
DH loves this vehicle, but its not going to be a quick repair, and frankly, money counts right now. we live in a rural area and need transport. We use the landy for towing and light farm work, but only out of love for it. Other wise he gets driven to the train station and to the supermarket. As its our only car I find I'm going out less and les because of the expense and also the fact although its the best, safest vehicle in the world its cold and rustic on the way back from driving for evenings out with friends. I'm thinking we might be better with a lorry for horses now and a lighter car for normal usuage. I know that's a tough call on a landrover forum.
DH isn't sure what to do, and neither am I.
I'm hoping some opinions from landrover fans might help. Especially on resale options and export....how realistic is that?
Could a lightweight body/soft top still tow the horses? Or would it be too light for legality? (not sure how that works with towing weights)
I hope you can help me with my husband's defender and our decisions.
Please excuse that I know nothing about cars, other than my husband loves this one..its our only car and a working farm vehicle. I hope I get all the technical things clear for people
Husband and his 300 TDi diesel were in a serious accident (no other car). DH is ok, but the car is a write off. (probably category d, so that's some good news)
We paid £8000 about 18 months ago, but it was in MINT rebuilt condition. The insurance valuation is £3,345. The damage repair estimate (fancy insurance repair) is £9,900.
DH will not have time (or ability) to repair himself. I've spoken to a non specialist but recommended garage (along way away, but as a friend of a friend they'll trailer the 100 miles or so to collect it). They looked at photos of damage and said....£2-4000 for repair, as a soft top or with a replacement body from a lightweight (?- parachute?).
They also suggested that, as it is repairable it might have resale value to some one who could do it themselves or for export to third world. How do you go about finding someone that wants a LR that's squashed but superb? And what would someone pay for it?
DH loves this vehicle, but its not going to be a quick repair, and frankly, money counts right now. we live in a rural area and need transport. We use the landy for towing and light farm work, but only out of love for it. Other wise he gets driven to the train station and to the supermarket. As its our only car I find I'm going out less and les because of the expense and also the fact although its the best, safest vehicle in the world its cold and rustic on the way back from driving for evenings out with friends. I'm thinking we might be better with a lorry for horses now and a lighter car for normal usuage. I know that's a tough call on a landrover forum.
DH isn't sure what to do, and neither am I.
I'm hoping some opinions from landrover fans might help. Especially on resale options and export....how realistic is that?
Could a lightweight body/soft top still tow the horses? Or would it be too light for legality? (not sure how that works with towing weights)
ATM. I might be able to get some from him before the weekend (he's not at home)
