Thread: Your advice on the right price... (yes I can rhyme)

Don't forget you will need to get a mod done to support the baby seat and get an engineering certificate for that mod so allow for that in your planned expenditure and in ensuring the vehicle does not present any problems that way.

Also I flew to Adelaide from melbourne (lived there at the time) to buy my Defender. Big mistake. Psychologically I had committed to buy it before I got there (partly because of the travel costs I had already outlaid and would have to add to if I did not buy the car). It cost me about $5,500 for engine repairs after purchase and some $1,500 since for radiator and other maintenance over and above normal maintenance work...

Not to mention accommodation costs for four days on the return journey while it was fixed; bus fair fro wife and me from Bordertown to Melbourne; hire of vehicle and car trailer to drive to Bordertown and back to pick it up.

After spending that money it has served me well for four years and am now moving it on and hope to get about $17,000 for it so it will have cost me $8,500++ for four years use. Probably would have been cheaper to hire a 4WD whenever I needed one

Point of all this is to be really sure of what you are buying and organising inspections is much easier when it is local than interstate.

Howard

amen to that...

we did the same (went to adelaide from Melbourne) to buy ours. $8000 purchase price, which then involved another $8000 to get it registered in Vic (lots of little fixes, plus a new gearbox). Since then it's probably been another $4000 including wheel bearings and master/slave cylinder replacement, plus all the little improvements we've made (triple batteries, LED dash lights, soundproofing, etc.)... and now it looks like we're up for possibly another $3000 in the not too distant future for clutch and shocks. So I'm seriously contemplating moving it on in a slight fit of despair. Although who knows. After the clutch basically the entire drivetrain has been replaced so maybe it'll be ok! (hmm.. sure i've heard those words before!)

It's a shame, as we love it... but it's just now getting that recurring element of 'what next?' and wondering how long we continue to pour money into it because we feel we've passed the point of no return....

But yes, long story short, check it out carefully. And I would recommend not being afraid to pay significantly more if there's an excellent example out there rather than saving money on a bargain...

I guess I should not say this but I was really pleased to read your post - it is good to know I am not the only one who made this mistake

Hopefully our experiences will help others so there is a plus in them...

But my Defender has brought me to FNQ OK and been all around the Tablelands over the last few years so I have got some value for my money.

Originally Posted by eddiec

amen to that...

we did the same (went to adelaide from Melbourne) to buy ours.

Hi,

(note for Victorians: I got the same post started on LROCV but I hardly get any response there. I start to wonder now if it was the right decission to join the club.)

Anyway, thanks guys for all your feedback. Indeed the last couple of comments/posts did put my feet back on the earth.

I must say though that while I was living in Ireland for a couple of years I bought two 4WDs on eBay and picked them up from the UK. I haven't regretted those buys at all. I guess I was lucky.

Anyway, back to my search..., we got a baby on the way and I want to get a bigger car, a Defender...

I do have a S1 but do not know what to watch out for when buying a Defender. My mechanical knowledge is not that great. I've found on internet in Victoria a

'85 for $4500 a 3.5 Petrol,
'95 for 6500 a 300TDi (SA reg in Adelaide),
'94 for $10950 a 2.5 Diesel, and a
'95 for $10700 a 2.5 Diesel.

I would like to go have a look at them... but I rather have someone with knowledge come and join me. If you have some spare time....??? I'll buy you lunch/dinner...

And is there anyone in Adelaide, or going there? If I have a knowledgable impartial party helping me I will still consider that one. The 300TDi-s were the last non electric ones and I understand quite a good choice!?

Anyone know of another (good) Defender for sale in Vic?

Thanks,

Kris
043-0509258

I just read somewhere that a 200Tdi is even better than the 300Tdi. More economical and easier to maintain...

I am of course willing to pay a fair price... (which Defender should I look for?)

Originally Posted by Hebe

(note for Victorians: I got the same post started on LROCV but I hardly get any response there. I start to wonder now if it was the right decission to join the club.)

Personally I wouldn't judge how good a club that's been around for 46 years is by how good (or bad) their forum is


Do a bit of research into parts availability for 200Tdi's - I've heard new cyl heads are virtually (actually?) not available.

I'm a bit biased insofar as I reckon the ONLY decent Land Rover ever made came with a 4 cyl diesel engine made in Japan


The Isuzu Landy Enthusiasts Section - Australian Land Rover Owners

Cheers,
Rob W

Tell me more about that Land Rover?

Originally Posted by Hebe

I just read somewhere that a 200Tdi is even better than the 300Tdi. More economical and easier to maintain...

I am of course willing to pay a fair price... (which Defender should I look for?)

I'd be thinking that the 300 is probably the better choice. The 200's are getting on now, and the 300 has an excellent reputation as a long term engine. Last of the simple 'non-electronic' engines.

Haven't heard that 200's are more economical, but perhaps. My 300 TDi gets around 10L/100Km no matter how you treat it, which is very economical for such a big heavy vehicle.