Talk me out of getting... a Landy Defender
- Thread starter MrM
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Soldato
A pet is a good way to regard one. Mine was called Pig.
Associate
88 inches of pure pleasure.
Seriously though, don't. Far too agricultural for what you need!
Sorry to be pedantic but its 92"
One point I haven't read in here yet is how crazy easy these are to steal
They're easy to break into, easy to start and drive off, easy to fake their identity and easy to strip for spares, thieves love them For London it'd be amusing for a week, then just plain irritating.
Defenders have a very limited remit, mostly this:
If you can take it out in the mud and enjoy it you'll love it, but 100% town usage will be no fun.
If you're still considering one I'd go for a TD5 which ran from 1998/9 to 2006/7. They have more electronics that the others that came before (Which scares some away) but they're better in most ways as a result
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Soldato
I've only seen one car without a rear heated screen and that was a domestic Chinese car (I'm discounting anything older than 30 years in that statement)
But don't get a Defender, everythings been said, great fun for a country weekend, horrible everywhere else, the first time I drove one the right arm outside window (which isn't a joke at all) just made me think why they never changed the design in all these years! Its terrible!
I'm actually after buying one myself. Looking for a toy which I can use for green laning etc and also practical stuff like going the tip and use in the snow etc. This would be a third car.
However I certainly wouldn't get one in your situation. All the reasons have been said, but if your buying a newish one because it might be more reliable and have more toys then I think your heading for disappointment tbh.
However I certainly wouldn't get one in your situation. All the reasons have been said, but if your buying a newish one because it might be more reliable and have more toys then I think your heading for disappointment tbh.
Soldato
I say this as someone who truly loves landys, especially Defenders - don't get one.
For what you're after it's not the right vehicle at all. You're just after a cheap runabout with space to haul stuff, for which you have a myriad of options, including a second hand white van. If you want larger scale, then go for something with a pickup on it, but you don't sound like you want a Defender.
For what you're after it's not the right vehicle at all. You're just after a cheap runabout with space to haul stuff, for which you have a myriad of options, including a second hand white van. If you want larger scale, then go for something with a pickup on it, but you don't sound like you want a Defender.
Ok, I think I have heard enough to put me off. What I need us a cheap runaround, but I font want one as I like to take pride in my car, and I'd have a problem with owning a beater.
I'm fuming this morning as some as£hole cut behind me on the roundabout where the A3 joins the m25 and scraped my rear bumper down the side. White Astra van was in inside lane and tried to cut across to essentially go back up the A3. He drove off and I couldn't stop, as is a super busy junction, and thus have no witnesses. No damage other than cosmetic I think.
Was driving car to service and they think 700 to fix, hope independent bodyshop cheaper. What is wrong with drivers these days?If he'd have stopped I'd have ripped his head off.
I'm fuming this morning as some as£hole cut behind me on the roundabout where the A3 joins the m25 and scraped my rear bumper down the side. White Astra van was in inside lane and tried to cut across to essentially go back up the A3. He drove off and I couldn't stop, as is a super busy junction, and thus have no witnesses. No damage other than cosmetic I think.
Was driving car to service and they think 700 to fix, hope independent bodyshop cheaper. What is wrong with drivers these days?If he'd have stopped I'd have ripped his head off.
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Associate
Have you considered a Transit? Equally big and will shrug off dents equally well.
As a bonus you get act like a van driver and nobody will will bat an eyelid
Equally big and will shrug off dents equally well. As a bonus you get act like a van driver and nobody will will bat an eyelid
Maybe the post above that said to view bodywork touch up as an appendix to an MOT is the best mentality, would imagine each year the cost should be less than 1000 which when viewed alongside cost of changing cars doesn't seem bad at all.
If only there was some kind of protection you could put on once parked. In the US they sell rubber like mats that you can attach and hang over your bumpers. Might look silly bit I reckon would be effective.
If only there was some kind of protection you could put on once parked. In the US they sell rubber like mats that you can attach and hang over your bumpers. Might look silly bit I reckon would be effective.