Defender's - Winter hack

[douglasgdmw]

With the imminent move into the country and winter approaching I was thinking of winter hacks. House is close to the A road but need to get out of the driveway 1st. Sandra's company Clio RS is going back in October which means the only vehicles will be 335D X-Drive and Porsche Spyder.

Thinking of getting a cheapish run around for throwing the dog in the back and taking him down the reservoir/woods. Some would argue that's what the Tourer X-Drive is for, however Sandra will be taking that into work leaving me working at home with no real practical vehicle to take the dog out.

Now a Defender is always an itch that we have always wanted to scratch and was wondering with a relatively small amount of money (i.e. up to £3k) would it be worth getting or would it be a complete bag of nails and cost as much in maintenance to keep it running (especially as I don't have a mechanical nouse)..

Only stipulation is that Sandra wants a short wheel base. Due to the garage space already being taken up it will also have to live outside (which does cause some concern for additional rust developing).

Any advice from the SE collective would be appreciated.

George

[Dominic]

Defenders are very cool - but therefore command a premium. For that budget you might be lucky - or get a whole load of hassle. A disco will be just as capable and only slightly larger, but you will get more for your money - newer, lower mileage, and a less primitive interior.

For that budget, I'd be contemplating a toyota landcrusier / pickup. Would be more reliable. If that's too big, then a Suzuki Jimny is a very capable small off roader - and you'll get a decent one for that money - jack it up and stick some big knobbly tyres on it

If you go down the landrover route, Gemm 4x4 at Falkirk are pretty decent to look after it.

[j2 lot]

I have had a series 3 (88) and a swb defender. Both lived outside and often didn't turn a wheel for 5 or 6 months but would then start on the key and run with no issues. They leak and/ or suffer from condensation and are basic in the extreme but not hard to own. They are unstoppable in the snow, but have no heater worth speaking of so you need to dress as if your going outside.
My brother in law has a more modern Defender and it hasn't changed in any substantial way from the 25 year old one I had - including the leaks and the lack of heater. At £3k you are looking at an old, high mileage one that could be on its last (chassis) legs. If you buy wisely £3k could get you a runner but a rusty chassis is the main threat to its existence and they can look really tidy but be close to death or a doubling of your expenditure if the chassis is shot.

[Shug]

Having had a quick look a few times over the years, I'd say a £3K defender is likely to be a constant headache unless you're mighty lucky. Anything solid seems to carry a premium, as everyone does want to scratch that itch. They are cool and pretty much always have been...

[Corranga]

I like them too and thought about one as a winter hack / normal car for a while a few years back. I should add here that I don't need a 4x4 as I live in a city.

Basically, I decided I could live with the compromised nature, the lack of performance and (probably) interesting handling.

Where I decided to draw the line was simply that the entire purpose of the purchase was to give a car I could rely on when I absolutely needed to, and running an old budget Land Rover with questionable history and a potential money pot chassis wasn't the way forward.
I then toyed with a jacked up Jimny as I think they have a certain cool about them, and always liked smaller cars, before finally settling on a hot hatch as it'd be fun, useful, comfy etc..

I think if I was looking for a budget 4x4 I'd be boring and look for a dull but reliable Japanese soft-roader Rav4 or Honda CRV, but again it all depends on your needs. My winter hack eventually become my daily, with the Lotus garaged up for fun drives at the weekend, and I'm glad I didn't buy a 4x4 on many levels!

I guess it all comes down to your real needs.

[douglasgdmw]

Yep, their is an itch to scratch but I think the general consensus is that it may turn into a money pit, which kind of re-affirms my original concern.

The only issue is that I cannot see myself driving a CRV, probably the same with the Rav. We did the whole vitara thing in 1990's when they had some "Street Cred" so they are definitely out.

Thought of alternatives such as Suzuki Ignis Sport but trying to convince Sandra they have kudos is a difficult ask.

Thought I may get away with a Jeep Wrangler but they are really rare and very little to be found.

[Dominic]

What's not to love?...

[douglasgdmw]

Dom,

Just the Jimmy looks a little soft and rounded compared to the old SJ-410/413. Just has not got that additional ruggedness compared to others (even in the Fallguy stance you attached)

The rear boot is tiny as well (suppose contradicting myself with the Wrangler) bit means Star will be back seats all the time.

George

[Jam_s160]

Can I persuade you to a subaru outback I have in the classifieds?

[Fluoxetine]

Jago?

This one's a kit based on an SJ413 - Knocking bottom end, but MOT'd till Feb 2015 and at £650 plenty of scope to repair?

[douglasgdmw]

Can I persuade you to a subaru outback I have in the classifieds?

Thanks for that but with the new house don't want to spend too much on a car that will sit around doing very little (especially as it eats into new Kitchen funds).

Did consider a Subaru but probably prefer the Forrester rather than another estate car.

[Shug]

Jago?

This one's a kit based on an SJ413 - Knocking bottom end, but MOT'd till Feb 2015 and at £650 plenty of scope to repair?

[douglasgdmw]

Looks very much like the Asia Rocsta



George

[renmure]

I have the same "countryside" issues and need for a reliable 4x4. I got snowed in for 3 days a few years ago. It was fun for the first day.

Currently we have a Discovery D3, Toyota Rav4 and Suzuki Grand Vitara, all of which are great but previously had a LWB Landrover 110 and a Toyota HiLux. The HiLux was totally unstoppable and and unbreakable. It got the big dogs to the beach, was decent enough to be usable in any circumstance and was totally reliable even tho it sometimes went for weeks on end without ever moving. I sold it to a mate about 2 years ago and it is still going strong well beyond 200k miles. The Landrover was a pretty rough and uncomfortable place to be, including ice on the inside of the windscreen

[GBSGR5]

I run a 2003 Subaru Forrester as a second/winter car. It's done 125k but is totally reliable and £3k would get you a newer lower mileage model. Mine has heated seats and electric everything and on M&S tyres will pretty much go anywhere.