LR90 as first car?

So I've been a fan of LRs for quite a while, and have driven a few. Ideally
I would like a Defender 90 soft-top as my first car (had a license for
several years, but never actually owned my own car). I'm 23. Am I going to
be paying an arm and a leg?

Also what would your recommendations be as regards model, year, private or
ex-MOD? I'd really like a V8 but, well, that's just not feasible really, is
it.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Cheers

Colin

"colin." <colin###@###j0o.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> So I've been a fan of LRs for quite a while, and have driven a few.
Ideally
> I would like a Defender 90 soft-top as my first car (had a license for
> several years, but never actually owned my own car). I'm 23. Am I going
to
> be paying an arm and a leg?

Not at all. Although they may seem a bit pricey to buy they hold their value
and are good on things like tyres and brakes. On a series you can do a lot
of work yourself compared to modern cars and actually save your arm and leg
in garage bills.

On the downside the diesels are noisy but economical. Soft tops are easy to
beak into for theives but if you are in a safe area then go ahead. Insurance
is better than a hot saloon too. All in all, I'd say they are a reasonable
choice for a first car but you could get better fuel economy from a saloon
car.
TonyB

"Mr.Nice." <markvarleyphoto@*nospam*softhome.net> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
| On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:45:57 GMT, "colin." <colin###@###j0o.com>
| wrote:
|
| >So I've been a fan of LRs for quite a while, and have driven a few.
Ideally
| >I would like a Defender 90 soft-top as my first car (had a license for
| >several years, but never actually owned my own car). I'm 23. Am I going
to
| >be paying an arm and a leg?
|
| First car I owned was a 110, I was 20 and paid around £400 to insure
| it, that was 8 years ago and I lived in a real rough area.


That's good to know. I live in a quiet, semi-rural area, so in that case I
would probably expect to be paying around the same.


| >Also what would your recommendations be as regards model, year, private
or
| >ex-MOD? I'd really like a V8 but, well, that's just not feasible really,
is
| >it.
|
| Everyone has their favourates, personally I like early one-tens and
| ninetys. I'd point you towards a swb model unless you have need for
| the space, the rest is down to your budget.


SWB is what I want; I have no need for a 110, since the most that I expect
to carry in at any one time it is my girlfriend and my dog. Besides, I just
prefer the way they look, though that's just my own opinion and is therefore
entirely subjective.


| >Any advice would be gratefully received.
|
| £2000 should get you a series 3 88".
| £3000 should get you a 90.
|
| If your budget is tighter you could get something rougher and work on
| it yourself. about a year ago I got a 1984 110 csw for £2000 and spent
| maybe £300 on it, it's now basically solid and how I want it (doing
| work on it myself, was roadworthy in the meantime).


What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D? What
would you recommend as to the fitting of other diesel engines (Transit,
Perkins, Nissan) ? Is it a good idea, or is it sacriligeous? (wouldn't want
to offend anyone )

| What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D?

PS, I don't anticipate having to do any towing, though I do plan on learning
off-road driving.

we paid £2000 for our c reg 90 V8. It needed tidying (depends how rough you
like 'em!). The chassis had some holes which could have been patched but I
did a complete rebuild on it. As for insurance its only £140 a year on a
limited mileage policy.
Richard
http://www.richardsrovers.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/


"colin." <colin###@###j0o.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> So I've been a fan of LRs for quite a while, and have driven a few.
> Ideally
> I would like a Defender 90 soft-top as my first car (had a license for
> several years, but never actually owned my own car). I'm 23. Am I going
> to
> be paying an arm and a leg?
>
> Also what would your recommendations be as regards model, year, private or
> ex-MOD? I'd really like a V8 but, well, that's just not feasible really,
> is
> it.
>
> Any advice would be gratefully received.
>
> Cheers
>
> Colin
>
>

"colin." <colin###@###j0o.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> | What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D?
>
> PS, I don't anticipate having to do any towing, though I do plan on
> learning
> off-road driving.
>
>

My '84 110 could achieve 25mpg or maybe 28 if driven carefully on road.
Currently it averages less than 15mpg.

A TDi would be more economical and be nearly twice as powerful. These old
indirect injection engines are dreadfully inefficient by today's standards.

Huw

"colin." <colin###@###j0o.com> wrote:

>What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D?

Sure that a n/a is not a bit slow? My wife has a 90 2.5TD (63kW/86PS),
and this one is not a racer, but it is OK; I could not imagine less
power with this kind of car.



regards - Ralph

--

Want to get in touch? http://www.radio-link.net/whereisralph.txt

"colin." <colin###@###j0o.com> wrote:

>What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D?

I forgot, the Defender 90 2.5TD drinks around 10l/100km at normal
driving, city and motorways mixed. Offroading takes a bit more



regards - Ralph

--

Want to get in touch? http://www.radio-link.net/whereisralph.txt

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 15:45:57 GMT, "colin." <colin###@###j0o.com>
wrote:

>So I've been a fan of LRs for quite a while, and have driven a few. Ideally
>I would like a Defender 90 soft-top as my first car (had a license for
>several years, but never actually owned my own car). I'm 23. Am I going to
>be paying an arm and a leg?

I've found landrovers to be one of the cheapest cars to insure
(ignoring boring little sensible cars!). Ive had mine since i was 20
or so.
If you get a series one you can get classic car insurance, and have
limited miles if you want to save a bit of money. Mine has never cost
me more than £250 quid a year even when i first got it.

>Also what would your recommendations be as regards model, year, private or
>ex-MOD? I'd really like a V8 but, well, that's just not feasible really, is
>it.

In my experience you can't go far wrong with an ex-mod landy. Also, a
V8 with LPG kit on apparently costs about the same to run as sensibly
engined landy (and sounds much nicer)

So colin. was, like

> >
> What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D?

I used to get 22-25 mpg (1986 2.5 n/a diesel 90). Always got there, never
let me down, and had enough beans to keep up with the traffic. Favourite
engine with the military, and there's got to be a reason for that.

200/300Tdi engines are more powerful, more economical, but make a vehicle
much more pricey.


--

Rich

Pas d'elle yeux Rhone que nous

In message <[email protected]>, Huw
<hedydd@[nospam].invalid> writes
>
>"colin." <colin###@###j0o.com> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> | What kind of fuel economy could I expect from a early 90 2.5N/A.D?
>>
>> PS, I don't anticipate having to do any towing, though I do plan on
>> learning
>> off-road driving.
>>
>>
>
>My '84 110 could achieve 25mpg or maybe 28 if driven carefully on road.
>Currently it averages less than 15mpg.
>
>A TDi would be more economical and be nearly twice as powerful. These old
>indirect injection engines are dreadfully inefficient by today's standards.
>
>Huw
>
>
200 Tdi is a good upgrade and not to expensive these days.
--
hugh