which defender is best for 19 year old as first car?

Hi there guys, i was looking into options for a first car and i've always wanted a defender so when it came up as a semi viable option to get one as a first car i was so happy. I already ride a motorbike and have a full motorcycle license so it wouldn't be an everyday drive at the moment, something for rainy/snowy days, weekends away, long trips and holidays (camping with mates and the such). Which defender would you lot recommend, and whats the honest going price of the one you recommend. (side note; if you think a series will be better for me i'm open to that option too) I've seen some people ask similar questions on here and i've read through the answers, but they were a few years ago, and i would like to know if its a viable option and how much i would be loking to spend many thanks, and i love the forum btw

Aah memories I had a Series IIA 88" Station Wagon as my first motor.

Series are actually going up in price, have a look at the Huddersfield Land Rover web site.

As is usual 'Less is more' so go for a 110 van as they tend to be the cheapest ex commercial. That would fit well with your plans to go camping with mates.
An 88" with three of you kitted out for camping and a couple of canoes is a tight fit

It really does depend on your budget... It will break down and you either need to be able to bash a spanner or be able to pay someone else to. My first motor was a '99 Defender 90 Td5. Love it but it is a lot of maintenance.

What's your budget?

Well I would ideally spend between 2-3k on the car as long as the insurance was 2k or less. Basically less than 5k for car and insurance in total. Is this possible? Also I would be working on it myself as I do love a bit of mechanics got another motorbike in my garage which i'm fixing up

wermy said:

Aah memories I had a Series IIA 88" Station Wagon as my first motor.

Series are actually going up in price, have a look at the Huddersfield Land Rover web site.

As is usual 'Less is more' so go for a 110 van as they tend to be the cheapest ex commercial. That would fit well with your plans to go camping with mates.
An 88" with three of you kitted out for camping and a couple of canoes is a tight fit

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You mean like this one?
Land Rover , 110 Hard Top RHD & LHD, #38643 - MOD Sales, Military Vehicles & Ex MOD Land Rovers for Sale
Or the one with the double cab?

HA, you wont get a DC on that budget

I didn't think I would, I was just asking which one wermy meant. So what do you reckon I COULD get with my budget then?

You could get a 90/110 2.5TD (19j) or maybe 200tdi

Yeah, I've found plenty to choose from within my budget, not much in the way of 110's (even the 3 door ones) though apart from a few ex-mod ones which look quite tasty (mmmm soft top) however any defender will be a million times cooler than having a tiny little 3 door hatchback which can barely fit 3 people in let alone stuff for camping or holidaying. What would you guys say a defender is like to drive compared to say... a 1.2 corsa? and how easy is it to drive for a new driver?

I would run a couple of what ifs past the ins co first that will allow you to budget for the max you can spend on the landy.
In your suggested price range for a landrover you are going to have to be very careful what you buy as refurbishment cost at that end of the range can easily exceed the buying price . If you only envisage a low mileage per year going for petrol engine will be chaeper initial purchase . and you can save for a 200tdi conversion in the future . Two seater versions will keep costs down insurance wise. Series vehicle will be a bit of culture shock esp if intending to go long distances when you do use it.

Not very easy to drive stearing is very vague brakes are not brill and can't go round corners fast but you will get use to it. I would say get a 90 but that's just me.
I am young and had mine for couple of years now. I sold my 07 astra to keep the landy as I love driving it.

insurance will be abit of a pain.. i can get really cheap insurance but the 200tdi swap bumps it up or means certain companies wont insure me.. along with age it doesnt help. but you will get insured. if it has no mods Admiral are good.

i also found 90s very slightly cheaper to insure but 110s slightly cheaper to buy.. i went for a 110 and never looked bad. i dont dinf it difficult to drive, just remember is it like a tractor and the clutch is heavy and brakes need a man foot as mentioned!

I would try adrian flux, im 17 and just got a 110 pick up with my old man as the main driver but still.. it was £146 for the whole year so.. thought why not?

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f7/110-pick-up-164709.html

is your dad the policy holder and you named?

i have just gone with flux for £1140 and im 21 with 3yrs no claims, but i have the engine swap.

Thing is,

He's doing insurance "fronting" which is illegal.

If he gets caught he'll have to diclaire it to his future insurance companies.

Friend of mine got caught, Her insurance is now £4,000 on a 1.2 2002 Fiesta. She's 22.

This stays with you for life, and puts any kind of insurance up, From house / car / motorbike / holiday.

Fronting is bad. MMK.

Karlos28 said:

is your dad the policy holder and you named?

i have just gone with flux for £1140 and im 21 with 3yrs no claims, but i have the engine swap.

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Lets hope that if he is, he is also the registered keeper and you only use it very occassionally. Otherwise it is known as 'fronting' an offence and it invalidates your insurance.......

My advice to any young driver is bite the bullet, insure 3P only and build up the no claims legally.

When you do that you reach old fart status. I pay £79 Fully comp any driver over 25.

ill be using it in bad weather only, cause i have a bike so it for winter, love me bikes thats why ive done it like that.

Drummerboyy said:

What would you guys say a defender is like to drive compared to say... a 1.2 corsa?

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I have on occasion, well twice, been behind the wheel of a low mileage 1.2 Corsa, decent enough wee car, seem reliable enough but the first thing I want, is to be back behind the wheel of my LR.

It's a totally different ball game, the LR feels solid, I know the doors are actually pretty flimsy but there is some real steel under it all, proper axles, big springs and big tyres that make driving on today’s roads a lot easier and less damaging. In the Corsa it's just a matter of time before your tyre explodes on a pothole you missed on that dark rainy night, or you need to turn back because there’s 8 inches of water on the road, the suspension is pathetic on them too, they seem to bottom out on the smallest of bumps - today’s roads needs good articulation!

The landrover has a go anywhere ethos, and when it's pouring with rain, blowing a gale or chucking snow down, I know where I want to be... in front of a warm fire... but seriously in the LR. Then in the summer everything is much better because you can drive it and be warm too. The lack of heating and the gales that blow through the doors are more than made up for by the Defenders classic rugged looks, presence on the road and a respect you get from most drivers that you just don't get in something like a Corsa.
As a first car I think it's a good idea, it will also teach you to drive properly as it is like driving a small truck, I get into cars and feel they almost drive themselves with gearboxes that just seem to fall into gear and steering wheels a mouse could turn.

If you’re interested in mechanics another reason you want, no, NEED one, at your price range you will be getting an all mechanical engine, easy to work on, no diagnostics in sight, just plain simple automotive fault finding...

I would expect insurance to be below £1000, shop about, try the LR specialists. You might have better luck getting a decent 90 and then keep some of your funds for repairs and parts. Don’t buy the first one you see, look at them all, make sure all the big things are in good order, the chassis, the engine and drive train. If you see one that’s covered in mud, engine bay is a mess, lots of extra wiring and additions that look poorly done, I would stay clear of it.

Happy hunting...

sible88 said:

Not very easy to drive stearing is very vague brakes are not brill and can't go round corners fast but you will get use to it. I would say get a 90 but that's just me.
I am young and had mine for couple of years now. I sold my 07 astra to keep the landy as I love driving it.

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Check all your ball joints and with the wheels pointed straight ahead wiggle the steering wheel slightly, the road wheels should respond immediately to the movement.

Get your tracking done too, after I changed my track rod ends I got it done and it made a big difference to the steering, guy said it was way out, and I thought the steering was pretty tight beforehand!

As for the brakes, you ought to be able to lock up all wheels on a dry road and you should be able to pull up straight when braking hard, if not get it addressed and it will be a nicer machine to drive.

Under a grand for insurance is pretty optimistic given the fact its a first car