Noob Defender buyer

Hi,

I am a 4 x 4 noob. I want some help please choosing a LR

Background
Currently a 2 car / 2 adults 4 kids family. If we all go out we need 2 cars and my partner gets really panicky on the motorway and has been nagging me fo get a MPV. We live out in the sticks in the Forest of Dean, Gloucester and often are affected by floods and snow. I thought I could kill 2 birds with one stone and consider a 4 x 4 that would carry the 6 of us and if going on hols could have a 4 x 4 with the safari type rack on top for the luggage etc. The 4 x 4 would still have the security of mobility in the bad weather. It may also give us opportunity for some instructed off-roading before perhaps pursing this as a small hobby

What to buy
Well the missus would have the run of it during the day (while I use my civic type r). I thought it best to avoid the toy roady 4x4. Looking for a minimum 6 seater I'm thinking of a Defender 90 (county station wagon) as the 110 may be a bit too big. I think we will have a 5k budget. Could anyone help with validating my selection / giving alternatives please

Clearly main dealers ask top prices so for 5k there is little choice. Possibly I could double this if I seel my car and make the defender my main vehicle

Could someone give me advice as to buying private / trade, type of vehicle condition I could get for 5k, things to avoid? I'm worried in spending 5k and getting a pig in a poke or something that will become an expensive thing to fix in a few months

Sorry if I sound nooby but this really is my first venture into the 4 x 4 market. I'm ok with cars!

Thanks for reading this and hopefully you can let me have any advice

hey there man.
I would recommend a 110 station wagon, and for 5k your be looking at getting a 200tdi.with 4 kids,2 adults a 90 would jus be too cramped.A 110 would give you alot more room, with a second row of seats and room behind for additional forward facing seat for the spare kid!. a 110 does feel like a bus to drive th first time in, I only recently bought myself a 90, after driving both sizes, the only thing which stopped me gettin a 110 was my budget.Infact a 110 is only a few inches longer than a 3 door audi A3. women do seem genetically scared of defenders so the extra length may cause some worries, but really a bit of practice and you won't notice the length as much of an issue.
Bk to th budget, ideally i'd recommend gettin a 300tdi 110, but your need somewhere in the region of 7-10k for one thats in good condition, as I paid £7500 for a 1997 300tdi 90 station wagon.the 200tdi engine is jus a lil bit less refined than th 300tdi, but not much in it really.its when you go bk so far as to get a landy that has no turbo is when ur get into a bit of bother.
autotrader is ofcourse th first place i'd look when lookin to go private, thus savin a grand or two!i'm sure other people'l b of more help.
ed

wot do yu want to use it for? If yu arent using it fur lots of offroading - maybe a disco might be more suitable? They tend to be cheaper for the same year - or a better one for the same price.

Thanks for feedback, I appreciate this. I've a post on the 'landrover forums' and not one person has replied! Think I'll stay here

Ed - 110 does seem a bit big but I appreciate the advice. Its not that often we all go out together (the oldest is 14) hence why I was thinking of a 90. I appreciate the lady driver scary thing and this why I was thinking maybe I should trade in my Civic Type R (I will cry to lose this!) giving me more money for a newer defender making this my main vehicle and the Mrs can keep her Almera. I've had the Type R 2 years and maybe slowing down will be good for my health

Ed & Mad Hat - We live out in the Forest of Dean and what with all the gloucester flooding and bad weather we've had in the past (and likely much more to come in the future) I was thinking I may be future proofing myself a bit

Mad Hat - Do you think a defender then could be over kill for what I mention above? No doubt whatever I get I'll be doing some off-roading to build up driving skills. I did think about a Disco but wonder if these are too 'car'ish? I think I like the fact the defenders and much less prone too rust which is the normal old car killer

Motorway driving with D 90 and 300 TDI - I appreciate I will have a distinct lack of speed but will this cruise OK around 75 ish mark?

Thanks for your help

I'd agree with Daft a 7 seat disco is probably your best bet. Contrary to popular belief you can get a decent 90 for 5K but with 6 of you it would be cramped. A disco is a bit more refined and comfortable and has better vision for day to day driving. and more than capable for general, offroad/greenlaning.

It'll cruise at 80/85mph if your brave enough. but yes it'll manage 75 no problem. Try and get a test drive in both and get the wife to drive em as well. You could book a day at an offroad driving centre and that way you'l be able to see what they're capable of.

deffo - go get a couple of test-drives under ya belt - and include the Doris before yu make your final decision. I think once yu have driven a cupple of 90's, 110's and a disco - yu will know what you prefer.

Thanks for the advice, yep I guess test driving is a good idea but reliability can't be proven alas.

I'm a bit wary of dicos as they 'seem' to have a reliability stigma or maybe I'm wrong. I've heard lots of tails about major gear box and electrical issues. A vicious rumour or no smoke without fire?

nothing will prove reliability - yu can get a dog deepender as easily as a disco - but test drives WILL sort out in ya mind what you really like and then yu just need to get a good one.

I aint sure but a 200tdi disco has (i think) the same drive train as a 200tdi deepender.

Apart from rear axle - the same as a 300 TDi defender (200's have drum brakes on rear)

The very late 200 defenders have discs on the rear too... '93 L plate onwards. MHM is right about the drivetrain - only the length of the gearstick and linkages differs.

I have had a disco 300tdi, 110 and now a 90. My wife has driven all 3 and even though it took 6 months of propaganda to talk her into a defender she loved it. Especially when other defender drivers gave her a wave. I have 2 kids and even with a trailer the 90 is a snug fit for 4. I would go for the 110 CSW if i was you, even though you could get a good disco with some refinement a 110 will hold its value much better and you will be in the best club!!