Should I Buy?

Hello All.I have never owned a Land Rover. Finally as part of my retirement plan I plan to buy a new Defender, followed by a caravan.


The Defender production is about to end next year. I have always wanted one for as long as I can remember. Question is, is it the right choice? Would you buy something else.


Your views would be welcome

A landcruiser would be a better tow vehicle........I wouldn't touch anything with the TDCi engines they're designed for transits, the gearboxes are ****e too

TD5 or earlier up to about 1992 with a 200 or 300 tdi

Depends how big the tin tent is your planning on pulling.
Freelanders are good for normal sized vans, disco's for the big uns or twin axels.
Defenders are great vehicles, but I wouldn't want to do 200 miles in one, a bit agricultural if you know what I mean.
Mike

a late td5 csw would be my choice, but whatever you choose towing wont be an issue

IMG_4974[1] by Ste_Nova, on Flickr

I have never had a comfort problem in my defender, always been happy with it. That said a discovery is a better car on Tarmac. However if you really want a defender because they are awesome then go for it. They retain there value well so if you do sell it a year later you shouldn't lose much. I prefer the 110 for towing personally and it's got loads of space inside. So for me buy a 110 county tdi or td5

I bought a 110 as always wanted one, thought about Disco's as these are also fab vehicles but with that added refinement, but in the end it wouldnt of quite ticked that always wanted box.
It all comes down to whats it mostly going to be used for, as you see from the pic Defenders very capable of towing, but agree a 110 has that added carrying capacity.
I would say get the defender, this ticks ya boxes, and if if you change your mind later you will likely get back what you paid. Good luck

Dr_evil said:

A landcruiser would be a better tow vehicle........I wouldn't touch anything with the TDCi engines they're designed for transits, the gearboxes are ****e too

TD5 or earlier up to about 1992 with a 200 or 300 tdi

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Nowt wrong with the Transit engine, easy to remap and good for lots of miles, mines coming up to 160K and is running fine.

Gedgemeister said:

Hello All.I have never owned a Land Rover. Finally as part of my retirement plan I plan to buy a new Defender, followed by a caravan.


The Defender production is about to end next year. I have always wanted one for as long as I can remember. Question is, is it the right choice? Would you buy something else.


Your views would be welcome

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For that money I'd buy a Pajero or Landcruiser.
Ashcrofts do an auto conversion for the Defender with the Transit engine.

Datatek said:

Nowt wrong with the Transit engine, easy to remap and good for lots of miles, mines coming up to 160K and is running fine.

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Yeah in a transit they're fine

Dr_evil said:

Yeah in a transit they're fine

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Wide torque band, smooth, 200bhp easily possible what's not to like?
Better than the M51 in the P38.

If you are buying a brand new one they are a great engine, quite a pleasure to drive.

I can't see what the problem is. I quite often do 500 odd miles in a day in my Defender, trundling round admiring the countryside and it's not particularly uncomfortable, certainly no more so than anything else I've ever travelled in. Plus you can see over the hedges. I think they're excellent touring machines. Personally I'd look for a late model td5 because I like the engine, and with regular oil changes etc. they can last quite well.