Sensible budget?

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M

MudInBoots

New Member
Posts
32
Location
Cheshire
Hi all

I'm new to the forum and landy's so hoping
you can help. I'm looking at getting a defender but don't know how realistic my budget is or what spec to keep an eye out for.
It needs to be a 90 as a 110 would get wedged on our drive. Using it on road mainly, 8miles round trip to work everyday and longer trips at the weekend but nothing taxing.
I know there are loads of interior options but presume I'm better off focussing on getting a sound vehicle then switching up the interior to suit me as and when I've got the money. I'm not expecting refinement and don't want loads of flash bells and whistles but I want practical improvements like sound proofing to make it slightly more comfortable. I'm not a mechanical genius but figure out the basics.
I want to pay max 5k but don't know of I'm likely to avoid a rust bucket with that money or if I'm way off. Any thoughts on price, best engine etc welcome. Cheers in advance
 
Hi and welcome

agreeing with the learned Dr - £4.5k - £5.5 k should get you something pretty sound

Have a look throguh this guide - it will show some of the pitfalls to avoid

Defender Buyers Guide

In my view, chassis and bulkhead conditions wins over mileage and add ons everytime
 
Definitely agree re chassis, looking at seller with 5 Defenders on his books, two reference the great chassis etc, the others ominously lacking any mention of chassis but emphasising the tidy interior :rolleyes:
 
A year ago I got a 90 County for 4k. What you find is that at this price point the age of the landy does not affect the price and you are paying for its condition. I was looking at some that were ten years old but in much worse condition than the one I got from 1984 which is nearly 30 years old. At this price you need to make sure that the chassis is sound and that the bulk head is not rotten and that the engine is what you want (I wanted a TDI so I could work on it myself). I have been really impressed with mine and have loved owning it so 4k to 5k will certainly get you a good landy that you can have fun in. Just dont buy the first one you see!
 
Currently in the process of replacing most of a duff chassis. Complete ball ache. But I only paid 700 quid for it. If your paying 5k you want something very tidy. 5k would even get you an ex mod straight from the source. Then you know it's looked after!
 
As said £5k or there abouts should see you a 300tdi in decent condition.

I made a mistake and bout one for £2200 and it was a shed i spent £500 on new cross member and welding. And then sold it for £2500.

Lesson learnt I bought another one for £5k and for the last MOT i did NOTHING.
It will need one patch for the next one.80k on the clock. over £1.5k worth of Exmoortrim goodies, Service history as far back as 1996 (its a 1994 L Reg)
 
I'd prefer to pay 3500 max but just thinking it's likely to be a false economy. Going to take time finding the right one, every time I see someone drivin about in one I'm jealous as hell but no point ending up with a bucket
 
save another £1k and just wait i know what its like you got the money burning a hole in ur pocket and you just want to spend it. but trust me take your time if you buy q shed you will spend alot more than £1k fixing it.
 
Well ive taken the plunge and theres a 90 on the drive! Thanks to everyone for their advice, I went with a 300tdi county which was definitely the right choice. Cant wait to start burning money on the old girl
:rolleyes:
 
It is a golden rule that if you do not upload piccies of new purchases within 24hours then you owe anyone who requests them several Beer Tokens.

:nopics:
 
Margot.jpg
This is Margot, nothing special but the chassis and bulkhead seem pretty minty
 
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