Question about the prices of defenders

Hi all and new to the site, I'm thinking of getting a defender and I'm looking on the normal websites for one. My question is why is there sort a huge difference in prices, Is there a certain model that you should get and a certain one you shouldn't. Then theres the ones that need doing up and they are asking a lot of money for them and then there the ones that are done up and are very good prices, now obviously some are dodgy and that's why there cheap and you leave alone. Bit of a nightmare. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Mark

What sort of budget do you have?
Might get an indication of what to expect.
Are you looking at maintaining yourself?

About 5 grand and do any work myself

Hopefully you should get some pointers on what's important to check and possible areas of rot.
Hope you get a decent one

Mp123 said:

Hi all and new to the site, I'm thinking of getting a defender and I'm looking on the normal websites for one. My question is why is there sort a huge difference in prices, Is there a certain model that you should get and a certain one you shouldn't. Then theres the ones that need doing up and they are asking a lot of money for them and then there the ones that are done up and are very good prices, now obviously some are dodgy and that's why there cheap and you leave alone. Bit of a nightmare. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks Mark

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Basically, with all vehicles, there are a lot of chancers trying to sell them, and with Defenders, there are also plenty of sellers that overpaid when they bought, due to the Landrover myths, and the hype when Defender production ended.

So my suggestion would be, Don't overpay. 5k will get you something, most likely an old Ninety or One Ten, or a Tdi Defender 90 or 110.
At that money, expect to do some work immediately, but give any that will need major chassis or bulkhead work, or with blown engines or transmissions a swerve.

Do not buy any Landrover without viewing, and a test drive. If the seller does not want to let you test drive, walk away.
And any that appear to be too good to be true are most likely nicked.

Sound advice thanks, is there certain models or engines to avoid or gear boxes

Mp123 said:

Sound advice thanks, is there certain models or engines to avoid or gear boxes

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Not really, they are all bad in their own ways!
Some people don't like 2.5 TDs, but I haven't found them that bad, and they tend to be cheap. Many of them have been converted to Tdi now anyway.
Some don't like 2.5 NA, because they are slow, but that doesn't bother me either.

Personally, I would try and find a 2.5 petrol or V8 Ninety, diesels are going to be heavily taxed in future, and diesel is a bit more expensive than petrol.
If you are going to do a lot of miles, you will probably have to go diesel, though.

Ok, again thanks for the advice, much appreciated

Mp123 said:

Ok, again thanks for the advice, much appreciated

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No worries.

Another thing is to bear in mind your location. If you are in, or need to go into London, these vehicles will incur a £12.50 per day standing charge, as from next year.
And other cities in the UK won't be far behind.

Ok something to bear in mind

Im not sure you'd get a factory tdi for under 5k now? Is it a second/project car? If you could push closer to 7 you'd pick up a nice 300tdi which would be my bet. But as above, if your city - forget that. If your city, forget defender lol I couldn't think of much worse car to drive in city traffic

resto_d1 said:

Im not sure you'd get a factory tdi for under 5k now? Is it a second/project car? If you could push closer to 7 you'd pick up a nice 300tdi which would be my bet. But as above, if your city - forget that. If your city, forget defender lol I couldn't think of much worse car to drive in city traffic

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I think you would get a factory Tdi for 5k, but you might have to drive to Cornwall, West Wales, the far North, or another of the more far flung regions.
Not so much money there as in the South East and Midlands.

My mate sold a decent 200Tdi, on a galv chassis, for 6k in Cornwall about 3 years ago, and I doubt prices have risen much since then.

I'm in north wales so no worry about driving in any city

Mp123 said:

I'm in north wales so no worry about driving in any city

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Might be some deals up there. But watch out for very rusty ones that have been kept by the sea, and ones that have been nicked, and driven from Liverpool and Manchester.

It helps us to help you if you post a location other than UK. Not your postcode, or a street, but an approximate idea, like the county, or just North Wales.

If you are not conversant with Land Rovers then take someone along who is. They are great vehicles but neglected ones will still work but could cost more that they are worth to repair.

Lwb or swb?

Marmaduke said:

Lwb or swb?

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From what I see, 110s don't sell as well as 90s, although they are more useful.
I would guess that is because they are a big bus to handle and park in towns.
But in his location, that might not be an issue.

Preferably swb and by the sounds of it a lot are stolen

They are mate but everytime someone askS “did you have a decent alarm or security measures?” you don’t get an answer. They are so easy to pinch in standard guise and I’m not going to detail how/why obviously! Your best bet is keep extra for a decent alarm system and speak to will at Land Rover security to get a few other measures. Don’t let it put you off owning one - I was mega paranoid and nearly didn’t get on due to theft but it’s not like it’s a living thing and as much as you love motors it’s only a landy at the end of the day not an exotic!