$$$$ S3 Stage 1

[cahlea]

I have found a Series 3 stage 1 Land Rover im thinking about buying, but dont really know what to offer. It is currently priced at $5000 ono but is un roadworthy unregistered.
I'm not fussed about the body, and to be fair it is in good condition and the interior too, but the owner has mentioned the following as problems
The steering box.. or 'worm' is loose making it unsafe to drive
The hand brake line
There is rust in the inner door.(but not in the body):confused:
It is sitting on just over 44000 kms but i think that is 2nd time round!

It is a 1981 V8 with a 109 , 3.5 badge. With safari roof etc.
It is to be a gift for my partner, i just dont want to offer too much when maybe i could look for something else - but i know he really likes this car, and maybe i have a little crush on it too.:)

[kaa45]

$5000 is too much....you can get a County for less than that.
Try $2000...a bit more realistic.;)

[Landy Smurf]

i agree no more then 2k you reely want to get one that is registered in my eyes well thats if i was in your position.even if you paif $3500 it sounds like it would still cost you alot to get it registered.good luck

[JDNSW]

For a five door station wagon in good condition it is perhaps a reasonable price - if it were registered and roadworthy or very close to! Assuming it is a five door wagon, it is still overpriced for not being roadworthy. The steering box may be a bit hard to come by, but you probably would want to think of fitting power steering if doing anything with the steering box - readily available, but not cheap; perhaps $1500+ fitted with pump and reservoir.

John

[Bigbjorn]

Miles too much for a petrol engined Stage 1. County V8 owners find great difficulty in getting this much for tidy examples. Unregistered and no RWC puts it in the $2000 range. Always keep this in mind. The used vehicle trade assesses a value to an RWC, some registration, and the tyres necessary to get the RWC. Typically $500- $1000 on a cheap passenger car. Possibly $1000-$1500 on a heavy 4WD. An old high mileage car without reg. & RWC is commonly assessed as being of scrap or wrecking value. Many of the better class dealers today don't keep older trade-ins, say 8-10 years old and more, but send them straight to auction or wholesale them to bomb dealers.

[land864]

Hi Cahlea

About 3 years ago I bought a Red ( only 5 Reddies in Oz now) 1983 5 door Stage One V8 on gas with Reg and RWC from a fellow LROCV member for $ 3500.

It had done 330,000kms and still uses no water or oil.

It was a 2 owner and both are LROCV members. It has had the oil changed every 5000 kms.

The interior was pretty much spotless and the Exterior looked just like it should , with some paint fade and a few battle scars

I guess the non RWC is a concern as you just don't know what's needed.

Do you know someone that could do a RWC for you ?

Problem ther is I think if it's been unreg for some time you would have to take it back tyo Vicroads for a once over.

Are you able to drive it at all to check it out even though it's not reg .

I think you can get a day permit for a small fee. I think that's only to drive it for pick up and drive straight home or to a repairer
It should have the LT 95 Gearbox which is pretty much indestructable but at worst would cost $ 1500 for a rebuild.

MIne is not a daily driver and is only for club leaf spring runs and occasuonal use and I dont find the steering that bad (so long as it's all lubed up properly.

As the others say is it a Stage One he's after specifically?

If the 44,000 are the first time around then that's great. But then again it could be 144 , 244 344 or 444!

How doees it present , fresh but old or worn out and old.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

There is a private sale V8 County in Melbourne, running and registered for the price this vendor is asking for an unregistered stage 1. Check out the tradingpost online.

Diana

[cahlea]

Miles too much for a petrol engined Stage 1. County V8 owners find great difficulty in getting this much for tidy examples. Unregistered and no RWC puts it in the $2000 range. Always keep this in mind. The used vehicle trade assesses a value to an RWC, some registration, and the tyres necessary to get the RWC. Typically $500- $1000 on a cheap passenger car. Possibly $1000-$1500 on a heavy 4WD. An old high mileage car without reg. & RWC is commonly assessed as being of scrap or wrecking value. Many of the better class dealers today don't keep older trade-ins, say 8-10 years old and more, but send them straight to auction or wholesale them to bomb dealers.

I think im going to go in with an offer of $2000, i think that is reasonable having read the comments, we dont have our heart set on this particular model but we need a big more than 6 seat 4x4, and we really do like the older style cars (price being a factor) we are prepared for repairs etc, and upgrades over time.
I was also only recently driven over from Tasmania, and the son is selling for the father. Will definaltly get someone to have a look at it for me though before going any further, cheers;)

[101RRS]

At the other end of the scale is this starting at $8K. Does look like a nice unit but the seller seems a bit over the top.

Landrover stage1 station wagon pristine condition - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 31-Mar-10 21:41:24 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Landrover-stage1-station-wagon-pristine-condition_W0QQitemZ150425746907QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ AU_Cars?hash=item230612bddb)

[Lotz-A-Landies]

At the other end of the scale is this starting at $8K. Does look like a nice unit but the seller seems a bit over the top.

<snip>Lets just watch and see if he (sic) gets an opening bid?

It's sad, we all have a value on our older vehicles but it is rare that it comes to fruition.

[cahlea]

There is a private sale V8 County in Melbourne, running and registered for the price this vendor is asking for an unregistered stage 1. Check out the tradingpost online.

Diana

Found this one this morning and am think im going to go have a look at this one too.. Thanks :-)

[JDNSW]

As I just commented in another thread - the price you get will be very dependent on how many such vehicles are on the market at this moment compared to how many buyers. If you "have to sell", you are very likely to only get a price that is so low that it attracts those who are not really looking for a one, but can't pass up a bargain. Conversely, if you "have to buy", there is a good chance you will pay a lot more than "the one that sold last week".

And, again, with older vehicles such as these, condition is the most important factor in price - even for rare vehicles. And as Brian comments, lack of registration and RWC is a very prominent warning sign.

John

[101RRS]

Found this one this morning and am think im going to go have a look at this one too.. Thanks :-)

If you have 5K to spend then I would definitely go County or maybe an early rough Defender - better interior, coil springs, overall more comfortable - oh front disk brakes - a real bonus.

PS - wind up windows and extra bonus.

Garry

[jacknz]

Due to the NZ army getting did of all 384 stage 1's that they had, there seem to be a fair few on the market ( plus spare parts,- ex army ), they were all 24v i think, but much the same spec as the civvie ones, just about all were soft tops. I guess what I'm getting around to saying is, there are spares parts available in this country and freight is not too bad. Try Trade Me ? New Zealand online auctions and classifieds. Browse, buy and sell online on trademe.co.nz (http://www.trademe.co.nz) and do a search. That site is our home grown version of Ebay and is much more popular over here.

Jack

[Bigbjorn]

At the other end of the scale is this starting at $8K. Does look like a nice unit but the seller seems a bit over the top.

Landrover stage1 station wagon pristine condition - eBay, Passenger Vehicles, Cars, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 31-Mar-10 21:41:24 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Landrover-stage1-station-wagon-pristine-condition_W0QQitemZ150425746907QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ AU_Cars?hash=item230612bddb)

Well, it may be low K's and very nice original condition, but to the market place it is still an old Stage 1. You may well be prepared to pay a premium for condition but a premium 1 1/2 times the market value of a near 30 year old Stage 1 is completely stupid. I would assess the retail price of this car to be $3,000-$4000 subject to the amount of registration unexpired, the remaining use in the tyres, the presence of an RWC and if none, the cost of meeting the requirements of one. This price does allow a premium for good condition. Asking for $8,000 as minimum bid is quite over the top and is reflected by the fact that no bids have been received at present.

You can buy a good County V8 for under $5000.

[Mick_Marsh]

I take it the one you have found is in Geelong and not the ebay one shown in this post.
I have a Series 3 Stage one V8. It is very modified with coil springs. power steering & disc brakes. I'll sell it to you for $50,000 but everyone on this forum (including me) would say "WHAT! No Way!" (It's only worth about $3,000 or less)
There is one here locally in very good condition. The owner would not part with it for any reasonable price.
My point: In my opinion they are a sought after model and therefore attract a premium.

I have been watching the Series 3 Stage 1's as they come up on carsales. About $1,500 will get you a very average one and $3,000 will get you one in reasonable (but not great) condition. I think that ebay vendor will get close to $8,000 if he holds out long enough. I would expect the new owner would not take it off road to protect their investment.
I know of a two door one in NSW for $500. I don't think it is a V8, described as body in good condition but needs mechanical work. (I'd consider that one myself for spare pats.)

If you particularly want that model and in no hurry, keep your eye out. If you particularly want that vehicle, negotiate and buy it.

This would be a far better option because of its (as previously mentioned) coil springs an disc brakes.
1984 LAND ROVER 110 COUNTY Private Cars For Sale in NSW - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=8398732&__Qpb=true&Cr=4&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7C1%7C%7CpCar_PriceSort_D ecimal%7C1%7C%7CpCar_Make_String%7C0%7C%7CpCar_Mod el_String%7C0&keywords=&__No=15&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965541% 20443&silo=1011&PriceTo=443&seot=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=96&__sid=1271C0DDFB3E)
but there are very few of them on the market.
Discoveries are plentiful and dirt cheap. It would appear no-one wants them.:o

[Bigbjorn]

No doubt the one on e-bay is likely a fine example. However one can buy a very good County-Isuzu for $8000. No comparison, no contest.

If he does get an $8000 bid, then P.J.Barnum is once again proven correct.

As we used to say in the used machinery trade, "God filled the world with wood ducks and *******, but he got the proportions of the mix wrong way around".

[Mick_Marsh]

No doubt the one on e-bay is likely a fine example. However one can buy a very good County-Isuzu for $8000. No comparison, no contest.
I don't disagree. Did you see the carsales link I attached?

If he does get an $8000 bid, then P.J.Barnum is once again proven correct.

As we used to say in the used machinery trade, "God filled the world with wood ducks and *******, but he got the proportions of the mix wrong way around".
The $8,000 S3 Stage 1 on ebay is not the one as mentioned on the original post lets move on from this one

Lets try to assist cahlea in purchasing a Landrover for her (sorry if incorrect gender assumption) partner.
Just found this one worth considering.
http://www.tradingpost.com.au/Automotive/Used-Cars/Small-Medium-Family-Prestige-Cars/AdNumber=TP003293759?BackToResult=true&AdOnTop=

[Bigbjorn]

The one on e-bay closed tonight without attracting a bid. I e-mailed him and got a reply that said it had been "independently valued" at $15,000 and that it would cost at least this to restore a similar model to similar "pristine" condition. Given that Red Book and Glass's Guide put a private sale value of under $4,000.00, I think his independent valuer must be just a tad out of touch. He also said that it had attracted a lot of attention from "true Land Rover enthusiasts" who agreed that it was worth that. They didn't want to bid though.

[dolphint]

I have found a Series 3 stage 1 Land Rover im thinking about buying, but dont really know what to offer. It is currently priced at $5000 ono but is un roadworthy unregistered.
I'm not fussed about the body, and to be fair it is in good condition and the interior too, but the owner has mentioned the following as problems
The steering box.. or 'worm' is loose making it unsafe to drive
The hand brake line
There is rust in the inner door.(but not in the body):confused:
It is sitting on just over 44000 kms but i think that is 2nd time round!

It is a 1981 V8 with a 109 , 3.5 badge. With safari roof etc.
It is to be a gift for my partner, i just dont want to offer too much when maybe i could look for something else - but i know he really likes this car, and maybe i have a little crush on it too.:)

Hi Cahlea,

I live a couple of blocks from this one and drive past it daily (Ballarat Rd). There is some obvious accident damage to the Bonnet and front R/H guard, It doesn't seem to be in great condition and I've seen much better examples for sale at around $1800 to $2200. I reckon this particular Stage One is way over priced. Heed the advice of those above and get a County or even an early Defender, but what ever you do, don't rush into it, do your research as these vehicles come up for sale all the time. Good Luck.:)

PS for all the cynics out there....No I'm not interested in it myself.