New member saying hello...

Hi all. New to the forum but have already found it massively helpful… Cheers..

Always driven a LWB Hiace but some sods nicked it last week after a decade of fun and reliable service. Perfect in terms of indestructability and for carting family/gear around... but we got stuck every trip. Always wanted a Landy so now’s my chance!!

Looking out for a Defender – 110 CSW 12 seater – something that’s going to be with us for a long time. Mainly for trips around the UK, or to Czech Republic, Slovenia etc. Three kids, big dog, two adults, canoes, far too much gear.

This is the bit I’m struggling with: They’re rolling out the ultra low emission zone where I live next year. Can’t afford to go new enough so I was thinking that the best way around it was to go old. If I got my sums right a 40 something year old V8 petrol would be exempt from ULEZ wouldn’t it? But would it be the right vehicle for heads down hoofing it across Europe. Head says I’d end up having to sell a kidney to cope with fuel costs. Heart says so what… I’d save the money from lower insurance, tax etc. Is 200tdi/300tdi diesel a better option… suck up the ULEZ charge and save on the running costs?

That's what i'm mulling over...any advice would be appreciated. Cheers. Bill

Hi and welcome to Landyzone.
If theft is a problem, I would be more worried about that, especially if you purchase a Landy.

Good luck with your search.

Cheers Pushmi. I hear you loud and clear... odd thing is the hiace was nicked from the forecourt of a garage where it was being serviced in deepest Bucks!! They smashed through the gate and bunged in on to a low loader totalling some much smarter motors than mine along the way. Now i've got the Defender idea lodged in my brain i can't shift it. All the best. . . .

Hi and welcome!

The defender,is probably the most stolen vehicle in the UK at the moment. If you do get one, be prepared to invest heavily in decent security measures for it. I’d also be very concerned over the ULEZ as charged for this will likely be prohibitive and will only get worse as the anti-diesel approach gathers pace.

If you do want a petrol defender, look at a gas-converted V8 or 2.5 4-cylinder engine..

that's really helpful... cheers for the sound advice knappster.

Hello and welcome
sounds like the Hiace was nicked for export they are very popular out in Africa.

+1 get security
my 90 was nicked from outside my house.

brianp38dse said:

Hello and welcome
sounds like the Hiace was nicked for export they are very popular out in Africa.

Click to expand...

brianp38dse said:

Hello and welcome
sounds like the Hiace was nicked for export they are very popular out in Africa.

Click to expand...

Cheers for the welcome Brian. Yeah, on the next ship out to Africa... or broken into parts and flogged off. Big lesson there regards security. If i do get a Defender i'm going to wire it into the mains every night.

Welcome to the forum

Not wanting to put you oft yer dream... but have a look through the Stolen section on ere.They're so easily nicked it's unbelievable. No surprise really. Factory standard security is cr*p. There's more security on a pram. And betterer handling.

Main forum index:
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/forum

I should confess I've nicked several myself and weighed them in to fund the running costs of my Freelander.

Alright Hippo... cheers for the welcome. Yeah, i see what you mean.... looks like i'm going to have to sleep in it to put any thieves off.

Fit a motion/vibration sensing alarm. Security screws in the hinges/bonnet/doors. Get the windows etched using retaina group. Fit a tracking device. Be careful where yer leave it and park it at night.

Etching:
https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/security-etching-glass.242382/

Or take the easier betterer option and buy a Freelander.

Welcome Aboard

An "older ", I.E. older than 1984 ish, "defender" won't actually be a Defender - will actually be a Series - as such, unless it is a rare Designa chassis conversion, it'll be on leaf springs - not to my taste for the long distances you describe... Suggest you drive one to see what you think .....

The V8 petrol on LPG would be a good call for the long distance - similar MPG, but roughly half the cost ...

Is moving out of the ULEZ an option - would make things a lot easier - and be better for you as well - away from all the smog

Billybill said:

. looks like i'm going to have to sleep in it to put any thieves off.

Click to expand...

If you get kidknapped can I have the Landy?

Disco1BFG said:

Welcome Aboard

An "older ", I.E. older than 1984 ish, "defender" won't actually be a Defender - will actually be a Series - as such, unless it is a rare Designa chassis conversion, it'll be on leaf springs - not to my taste for the long distances you describe... Suggest you drive one to see what you think .....

The V8 petrol on LPG would be a good call for the long distance - similar MPG, but roughly half the cost ...

Is moving out of the ULEZ an option - would make things a lot easier - and be better for you as well - away from all the smog

Click to expand...

Disco1BFG said:

Welcome Aboard

An "older ", I.E. older than 1984 ish, "defender" won't actually be a Defender - will actually be a Series - as such, unless it is a rare Designa chassis conversion, it'll be on leaf springs - not to my taste for the long distances you describe... Suggest you drive one to see what you think .....

The V8 petrol on LPG would be a good call for the long distance - similar MPG, but roughly half the cost ...

Is moving out of the ULEZ an option - would make things a lot easier - and be better for you as well - away from all the smog

Click to expand...

Good being aboard... cheers Disco. Hear you mate... looks like long journeys would be most memorable for the kids and dog being sick all over the place bouncing around on leaf springs. i would go for LPG but you're right... getting out of ULEZ and going for diesel 300tdi is probably better. I'm hoping your money goes further than being restricted to pre-1984 petrol.

Welcome. I am also a newbie here and with just a few browse from the threads, I have found a lot of really interesting topics. The community is great and indeed really helpful!
Happy driving everyone