Thread: Who's got a late model Defender in their barn?

Every time people discuss a 'barn find' I think of this analogy:
"Not driving your Ferrari to keep it mint, is like not having sex with your girlfriend so she's better for the next bloke".

I'm of the opinion that any car that sits around for 20+ years is going to be more issues than one which has been looked after. You would need to replace about every cracked and dry seal, hose and rubber on the whole vehicle- much of which will be very expensive / impossible to get in the sort of time frames these 'barn' finds surface.

Furthermore, There is the value proposition of a vehicle. I personally don't get enjoyment looking at a car. I use them. I suppose other's are different, but buying one to look at it and wash/polish it that much that the paint falls off is not my thing.

Couldn't agree more Mitch.

To me cars are built to be used. I've never been into concourse vehicles or prissy, pampered supercars. To me the best cars are ones that have been driven and bear the scars and patina of a life well lived - and preferably a life spent on rally stages or racing circuits.

I have one of the last Defenders made, but instead of sitting in a barn gathering dust it spends it's life on the road gathering red dust. In 18 months of ownership I've done nearly 50,000 km and it already has it's fair share of stone chips, scratches and dents. Using it this way has probably cost me thousands. However in that time it has taken me to the High Country twice, the Flinders twice and out to Birdsville. The memories I have of these trips are priceless.

The value in the pleasure I have driving it every day and tinkering with it every weekend far outweighs any increase in monetary value I would have gained from leaving it in the garage.

To me that makes it a real Land Rover and worth far more than anything that's spent it's life sitting in a shed.

Besides, someone can always restore if they want to when I'm gone.

Cheers,
Jon

^^ x2
Agree - use them, look after them and they'll look after you.

And sorry to Zeros for straying so quickly, that's probably not what you wanted to hear. The question you asked is an interesting one.


Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by jon3950

And sorry to Zeros for straying so quickly, that's probably not what you wanted to hear. The question you asked is an interesting one.


Cheers,
Jon

No worries John. I agree, its not a Defender if it isn't used and abused! I could never consign my Defender to the barn! ...Just interested to know if anyone feels certain about the investment value (either monetry or simply preserving for future use) of the last Defenders and is holding on to one for posterity?

Yes, I agree they should be used.
I've had a few "toys" in my time, mainly HDT (Brock) Commodores, HSVs and several others. I remember on one occasion I had a lovely black VK Director, and I did only 10KLms, IN ONE YEAR,...ridiculous.
But that was a while ago, I do drive 'em these days, ...if I don't, I'll be too old, & someone else will get all the enjoyment.
So, we've done almost 60,000 klms in Gracie our Keswick Puma 90, and tomorrow she's taking us away for a couple of days in the Yarra Valley,..we're going to Healesville Sanctuary, visit a few places etc, & staying two nights at Chateau Yering,....and one thing is for sure,...Gracie will transport us in style!
Pickles.

Originally Posted by Zeros

It strikes me that there seem to be plenty of late model Defenders 'for sale' with low km at high prices.

Not sure if this has already been discussed, but I'm intrigued to know, is anyone hiding a low km Defender in their barn for posterity, whether for future driving or investment? Perhaps a Heritage edition? The ultimate barn find!

Or are the high priced low km Defenders on car sales actually being driven?

I have a 2011 110 DCPU Puma at home although, because I live in Australia, I do not have a "barn". My DCPU only has 40,000km on it. Are you after a good one?

Originally Posted by HUE166

I have a 2011 110 DCPU Puma at home although, because I live in Australia, I do not have a "barn". My DCPU only has 40,000km on it. Are you after a good one?

Hah! Another DCPU! So rare in Oz apparently.