New car

[Joe Robbo]

I'm going to be buying a new car shortly and would like people thoughts. Its going to be my main car which will be used for a little bit of everything as well as for shooting. I've always like landrover defenders and to be honest this is right up at the top of my list (probably a short wheel base). I have a budget of around 15,000 does anyone have any other vehicle suggestions/ thoughts on defenders.

[robbiep]

Depends how far you have to drive, and how often. Defenders are fantastic off-road, and as workhorses, but are not particularly comfortable if you have to drive long distances.

Back in 1998-2002-ish, I was doing 40k miles a year as a site manager/foreman in construction. We used 110s, as they were great for trailers, hauling dumpers, small machines, materials from merchants, etc.

At one stage I was using it for weekends too, regularly driving up to West Yorkshire from North Wales. That part was horrible.

 

Oh, and a 98 TD5 LWB used to average 23-25mpg with a trailer, maybe 27 without.

If you are doing a fair bit of mileage, you might want to consider something with a bit more comfort. I did spend a few months running a Navara (2006, so the newer type). Very comfortable, quick, and (I think) about 35 mpg. They did have issues with half-shafts though, dont know if that ever got fixed. Having said that, I know someone who has run one for 120k/6 years, and it is still fine

[pontbeck]

As above ,great off road but would not have one for my main vehicle, uncomfortable and poor driving position.

 

Bill

[bakerboy]

I have recently purchased a Steed SE, see my thread My New Toy. It is a lot of car for the money and very good. There are deals to be had. Starting at £16,800 on the road brand new, if you can claim the VAT back then you are looking at £13998 for the Steed S, or £15998 (£19200 OTR inc.VAT) for the top of the range Steed SE

[shaun4860]

If your not bothered about new, did Billy have his for sale?

 

Found it

 

http://forums.pigeonwatch.co.uk/forums/index.php?/topic/216399-2005-defender-90/#entry1857755

 

[HDAV]

IF your not bothered by poor MPG, lots of noise, lack of space and comfort a defender is OK, for any sort of comfort look at a normal 4x4, Freelander 2, Rav 4, CRV, Kuga etc or for decent MPG look at a car....... Skoda yeti tries to be all things to all men, Subaru are great offroad and decent on, MPG isnt brilliant but more "fun" than most.....

[crosshair]

The SWB Land Rover has been my main vehicle since the late 70s, I'm not bothered about

having a car. I have had every model since the old series finished.

I have two at the moment, the oldest a td5 which was a bit noisy until I took off the

engine cover, it is now as quiet as the new one, why taking it off made it quieter I

dont know, but it works.

70% of Land Rovers made since 1948 are still going, says it all.

 

 

[ditchman]

 

 

get a saloon car with good mpg for 10k, then and old seris l/r for 2-3k use that for shooting and swearing at and luvin it.......

[al4x]

by the time you've paid 2 lots of tax 2 lots of insurance 2 lots of maintenance 2 lots of depreciation you might as well just run a half decent 4x4 and be done with it.

I'm a sceptic where the green oval is concerned but a defender of that price will at least be one of the newer and slightly more comfortable ones, though I'd question the depreciation on the one listed as seems mega money but the general thing is depreciation is far lower than if you bought most other vehicles.

[HDAV]

£15k will get you the latest 2.4 TDCi in a 90 pick up or an almost new Ranger, Rodeo, Hilux £10k on a car and £5k on a Defender is a sensible way to do it.... the tax and the insurance even through a specialist isn't "cheap" looked after you wont loose a lot on defender but you might spend it!