1997 Defender 130

[Kalincho]

Hi Guys,

I have been very tempted to look into a 1997 Defender 130 ex FESA here in W.A. They are asking 23K for it, though the car has under 8 thousand Km on it.

What would be some of the possible issues with a car that has had very little use over the last thirteen years? Is it worth a look into or steer clear and look for a newer model at around the same price with a few more K's under its belt.

Cheers

Kalincho.

[Chucaro]

I bought my 1994 Defe last year with 100000 km.
The Defe was in storage for more than 4 years.
I have to change the hub seals, bearings and 2 hubs.

[lardy]

hub seals bearings and hubs minor worries...well worth the look is it a single cab or twin ??
If twin look at the rear of the chassis rail for cracks.
Apart from that should be just perished stuff from being stored like seals ect

[Kalincho]

It is a single cab. I have kind of answered my own question, I was interested in the dual cab variant.

[Chucaro]

23K for a single cab is a bit rich IMO

[lardy]

I would say if it is A1+ 17k is enough cash to hand over especially if you have the added hassle of demobbing it from firey use to civvy use.
And yeah we all would like a twin cab mate lol

[Kalincho]

so the real question remains.. would I be trading up or trading down from my 95 HSE P38 RR? ;)

[rovercare]

so the real question remains.. would I be trading up or trading down from my 95 HSE P38 RR? ;)

Hahahahaha.....hahahhaha:D

[lardy]

Hahahahaha.....hahahhaha:D

How tall are you above six foot in a single cab I understand they are buggers on your back.
Has the p38 started showing any electrical ailments (or are they reserved just for the p38A) if it is get rid
The overall comfort of a defender in way of niceties....compared to even a classic are not there defenders have character though ..possibly only a rangie owner would understand.
And I wouldn't want to own any other vehicle

[rovercare]

How tall are you above six foot in a single cab I understand they are buggers on your back.
Has the p38 started showing any electrical ailments (or are they reserved just for the p38A) if it is get rid
The overall comfort of a defender in way of niceties....compared to even a classic are not there defenders have character though ..possibly only a rangie owner would understand.
And I wouldn't want to own any other vehicle

Me? I'm 6'3", it would also explain this http://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-tutorials/66265-120-extra-cab.html

[Kalincho]

I am 6,3 with shoes on! So thanks for the heads up, The P38, after much work and money is running better than when I bought it, I bought the car for long distance travel and after having a major brakdown in her just outside of Denmark (W.A.) I would have to be honest and say I have never really trusted her again, I would like to go diesel and far less electronics, the idea of having a tray on the back is also very tempting.

I can live with out all the crazy creature comforts of the P38 ( I even have the heated seats working!)

There are a couple of Carsales at the moment here in W.A. though still at the looking phase and I have to sell the P38 first. Orders from S.W.M.B.O. ;)

[lardy]

I am 6,3 with shoes on! So thanks for the heads up, The P38, after much work and money is running better than when I bought it, I bought the car for long distance travel and after having a major brakdown in her just outside of Denmark (W.A.) I would have to be honest and say I have never really trusted her again, I would like to go diesel and far less electronics, the idea of having a tray on the back is also very tempting.

I can live with out all the crazy creature comforts of the P38 ( I even have the heated seats working!)

There are a couple of Carsales at the moment here in W.A. though still at the looking phase and I have to sell the P38 first. Orders from S.W.M.B.O. ;)

selling the rangie would be preferable I guess It would certainly free up some of the hard earned....but does kinda push you towards those shonky dealers that do trade-in's.
Have you looked at manheim fowles auctions they sometimes list defenders

[abaddonxi]

The height thing is a problem for some and not for others.

I reckon Matt is all legs.

Have the Defenders been serviced? Service history? Does the vehicle look as good as a vehicle with that few Kms on it should look? Are the suspension bushes stuffed?

If you're obsessed with non-electronic Defenders, and plan to use it extensively then it doesn't sound like a bad price, particularly if it has been over-serviced.

I reckon at that price you're paying about $5k for probably 150,000km of wear and tear. Even at high Kms per year that's only $1,000 per year of extra life you get out of the vehicle.