Thread: What Model and Year is best? (Budget)

Originally Posted by wobytinsor

Am looking to buy my first 4wd, to be used for both city driving but will also be used for overland and proper 4wd. After much research i beleive i have found the Defender 110 2004 to be best, but with a budget of around $20,000, im not sure whether this model and year would be best. I would prefer to stay under 20,000 as with the left over money i will buy recovery gear and what else is needed (and doesnt come on the defender im buying since itll be second hand).

If anyone could provide me with any help or tips to what model and year is best and what the issues are?

I'm not sure what you mean by 'best', but I assume $20,000 will get you a Td5 Defender 110.
It's not as good as a later Puma with the six-speed manual (in my opinion, some might disagree), but if you get a good one it should be fine for what you propose.
If properly maintained ( e.g. keep the oil out of the wiring harness etc.) the Td5 is a good engine and can be chipped to go pretty well.
Obviously, the lowest mileage with the best service history you can find is the way to go for lots of happy motoring.
Just bear in mind it's a truck, not a plush car, so if you accept that, it's a good thing.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Just bear in mind it's a truck, not a plush car, so if you accept that, it's a good thing.

That made me laugh almost uncontrollably. Problem is, it's 100% fact.

Apart from what Mick said above, I would possibly suggest that you look at buying one that someone else has already made the modifications to.

It also depends on what your target terrain will be. If you're doing mostly road work, touring and not much serious offroad, you may be better off in a disco? They have more comfort and appointments inside, that's all.

We all have differing ideas of what constitutes our idea of the 'perfect' overland vehicle - in my case however, the missus would not accept a Puma as something she would even sit in, so we compromised and I got the next ugliest version, an RRC.

If you're trying to get a late model, make sure it's been looked after, and try and find one already loaded with the accessories or mods that you plan. It will save you thousands.

Just a thought from me too - Are set on a Defender? Discovery's are much cheaper for same year and engine. They're also shorter wheelbase (good for 4wd'ing and parking) and more refined for city driving.

If you want a Defender (and fair enough) a td5 is achievable for that budget but won't leave any cash spare. A TDI (95-99) in good condition will leave you a few thousand spare. Unfortunately the problem with any model Defender is they're not overly common in good condition for sale. It's supply and demand, which is why some of us are suggesting a Disco as a first purchase. My first 4wd is my current TDI Disco and it's been a great first 4wd.

Good luck.

I'll third the disco option. (Defenders are great but hard to find, and much more expensive than a similar vintage disco)

You could get yourself into a 2000 td5 manual disco with 170k km for $11k. Its a fairly simple mod to activate the centre diff lock, and that leaves you $9k for mods. Theres second hand stuff coming up every now and then too. And plenty of info on here

Cheers

Dan

As mentioned, $20k should get you a TD5 Defender. I wouldn't get too hung up about the year model - service history, Kms and condition are much more important than the year model. Research common rust locations (there's plenty of information on this forum) so that you know where to look.

Having said that, be aware that in about 2002(?) they changed the rear diff. Some here love the Salisbury diff that was in the earlier models. The newer diff gives more clearance but is regarded as being a weaker unit. Also about the same time the dashboard got remodeled.