Defender - keep or not?

[marting]

Defender – keep or not?
Hi
I would appreciate some feedback from those more knowledgeable than I in such matters: We currently own two vehicles; a 2005 Forester and a 1997 Tdi Defender, plus a BT50 Dual Cab 4x4 which is my company car. We can’t justify having three cars, and can’t afford to own two at the moment. The subie is my wife’s daily drive car; i.e. shopping, running kids around etc etc.
She is happy driving the defender and has suggested we sell the subie. Is this wise? How well does a '97 Tdi fill the mum’s Taxi duties? Will it be reliable enough?
Some history on the Defender: it has done almost 190 000km. Timing belt was done at 160 000. It has maxi-drives in the rear and low coolant alarm fitted. If we keep it I will do the clutch, fix the weeping rear main, change the brake vacuum pump, replace all intercooler and radiator hoses and (cost permitting) recore the radiator. It has no rust and is pretty tidy inside and out. It does however still have the original transfer case and gearbox.
I would hate to see the Landie go, it is my dream car and brings a huge smile to my face every time I drive it, but this decision can’t be based on emotion alone!
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers, Martin

[PAT303]

How much does it cost to run each one and how much will you loose on the subi by selling it?,the defender has lost all it's going to loose but the subi will go rapidly down hill after five years.Both have lots of life left. Pat

[Blknight.aus]

the deefers a mechano set almost anyone can fix it and the price for parts over a subi is in the deefers favor.

if your into being able to rebuild the thing on the side of the road the deefers the choice of the 2

if you want to get into any underground carpark without worry then its the subi.

[Scouse]

Sell the Defender but make sure I get first option :).

[cewilson]

Get the wife to drive it for the next week or two - eg don't drive the Suby anywhere. Then if she still prefers the Defender, then who are we to argue with the 'boss' of all things that matter :)

Cheers
Chris

[josh aka sean]

My wife drives our 96 Defender everyday for the school run and her general runabout (only have one vehicle). Took her a couple of weeks to get used to it but not sure i would get her into much else now. Have had a few minor problems but nothing that has kept it off the road.
Cheers
Josh

[MacFamily]

Keep it Martin and come 4wding with me :D and the family

Have you fitted the Rims you bought off me?

Or sell it to me so I can have a defender cause Iam never going to get the keys off the missus so I can drive ours :D :D :D

[marting]

Still saving for the BFGs to go on the rims:)

Let us know when you are doing a trip, would be interested.

Cheers, Martin

[Sleepy]

Keep it.:D

[weeds]

...keep it...

[87County]

Defender – keep or not?

She is happy driving the defender and has suggested we sell the subie. Is this wise?

not necessarily ... but it really proves that she loves ya ! ;)

[BigJon]

I would think that keeping the Subaru and selling the Defender would be the cheapest and most comfortable option for the short term. In the long term it might swing the other way.

As Dave said, the Defender isn't likely to lose much more value (provided it is well maintained) whereas the Subaru will keep depreciating. However, I think the Subaru will cost a lot less to maintain.

I guess it depends on what you want from a family car and how long you intend to keep it.

[spudfan]

Personally I would keep the Defender. Our family car for 12 years was a Defender 110 200 tdi and it was loved by all. Wife learned how to drive in it and passed her driving test first time in it.It was and is easy to service. The interior is very family friendly as it is easily cleaned etc. I replaced the original flat backed middle row seats with some high backs from Exmoor trim. We never had a "normal" car and my wife has never driven a "normal" car. It has lost as much value as it will lose and will always be worth something. In 2008 we got a Defender Tdci Puma which the wife promptly confiscated after her first drive in it. This is now the family car. The 200 tdi has been relegated to yours truly to use for my own needs. Have been asked to sell it but it is worth more to use than we would get in monetary terms for it. 17 years old 160,000 miles on the clock, 30 mpg+. What other vehicle can match that. Definately part of the family.

[JamesH]

"but this decision can’t be based on emotion alone!"

It can. As long as you're honest and recognise what you're doing, you can do exactly what you want, not what you think you should do.

If your wife hated the Defender then you'd be selling it on emotion alone and fair enough too. Your dream car and she likes it, then keep it, pretty simple really.

[Drover]

Keep the Defender,

My Mrs's went from BF GT Falcon to Disco 3 and now she has got a Puma ! (it was suppose to be mine).

Drives it every day, every where, kids to school - work - shopping .....

Loves it to tears.

Your wife will love it more and more, the more she drives it.

[rar110]

Keep it Martin and come 4wding with me :D and the family

Have you fitted the Rims you bought off me?

Or sell it to me so I can have a defender cause Iam never going to get the keys off the missus so I can drive ours :D :D :D

Dont forget us.

:)

[lardy]

You know the answer don't you??