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I am thinking a 2012 Freelander 2 with about 40-50k on the clock seems to be the best fit to the original brief, which considers factors of budget, age, reliability and capability offroad.
But then there's what she wants. If she loves the 90 ..... :)
Scott
I know someone who's only marginally taller than the mini Pocket Rocket and she owns a 90. :angel:Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilipA
She has no plans to go 4wding on her own but doesn't want to always be sitting in the passenger seat when us and her brother go 4wding. Hence she wants something that can match wherever we go. Personally since having a Defender I've always thought of them as the perfect small persons car due to the seating position and visibility.
I will point out that the little midget is pretty tough. For those in the know we were doing the Munda Biddi with our kids from Mundaring to Collie and Mundaring to Nannup when they were in their early teens and they carried their own gear so she's pretty tough. A lot of adults wouldn't have a hope of doing that.
Maybe I'm being a little harsh on her when I say she has no mechanical ability I'm comparing her to her high functioning autistic brother who was pulling small motors apart since his early teens. I taught them both to maintain their own bicycles and complete their own repairs when necessary.
What I don't want is her to get an old vehicle that I'm then going to have to assist in the maintenance of as I don't have time and her brother frequently works 60+ hours a week so he can't assist.
I guess I'm over the edge of reason then. I'm 5"1 and I own a 90.Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilipA
It's really not that hard to get the tyre off the back door when you use the proper tools.
And what's this about checking oil? The still have a dipstick - like every other car - just need to climb up onto the bonnet to get to it that's all.
My least favourite part of working on the Deefers is putting the dash back in coz it's so fiddly. But as far as the mechanics go - not a problem.
My question to you is what sort of girls are you hanging around with that would make you think we should all be useless?
I would go the 90 :) I drive a series 3 as I don't have the money for a 90. My series can be tempremental at times but hell there easy to fix. I must say on the few occasions I have had a flat tyre I haven't changed it as I have RACQ. In saying that doesn't mean I can't change a tyre, I choose not to if I can.
Mrs hh:angel:
Boy what a hornet's nest from a simple suggestion that the girl try to change a tyre before deciding whether to buy! LOL Note I didn't say don't do it, I suggested that the exercise be undertaken.Quote:
My question to you is what sort of girls are you hanging around with that would make you think we should all be useless?
I note all sorts of caveats like "not going off road, RACQ etc" "with the correct tools"
I find it hard to change a tyre on a D2 , not because of lifting it off the back but putting it on the hub centric ring is a PITA, and that is a 255.70x16 which is lighter than a 235.85x16.
And I am 188Cm 117Kg 65 and a fit bodybuilder.
For the record my daughter is 37 now and I taught her to change oil and a tyre at 17. One of her first cars was a Vitara which was great for her.
You would be surprised where a Vitara will go, and more so a new Jimny with traction control, as were the testers in a OZ 4WD magazine.
But I guess if she is like my daughter she will do what she wants regardless of parent's suggestions.
Regards Philip A
I use this to hang my shower bucket on but as I carry the little block anyway makes the wheel placement a no sweat job
AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by PhilipA
Actually, a wheel and tyre can be quite heavy for anyone to move into position on the stud and get it all lined up. That may be why so many tyre shop guys seem to have bad backs!
And the appalling manual handling techniques many of them display :oQuote:
Originally Posted by DiscoMick
Theres a way to make doing it easy... Might need to make a video :D
That's not the hard bit ... it's the lining it up. If I was stuck I'd unbolt it from the back door.... and give the thing a good kick. Then go fetch it from wherever it falls. The easiest part is lifting it off as it's already at perfect lifting height/angle for you to cuddle and lift.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ancient Mariner
My old Citroen DS's have very heavy wheels (something to do with people "demonstrating" the suspension so the wheels must be VERY strong so they don't end up bent). Well the jack handle has a long extension part that allows you to slide it down into the nose of the car to crank start it ..... This also doubles up as a "wheel lift". A genius bit of design. You slide this extension bar up through the center hole in the wheel and slot it into the center of the hub.... Then "lift" the end of the bar and the wheels slides down the extension and lines itself up with the wheel studs and on. Your not lifting the full weight of the wheel this way.
Could you setup a similar "bar" for the defender :confused: My description isn't very good .... let me youtube for an example ....
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_B7hF7X-6ms[/ame]
Here we go. scroll straight forward to 8:30 and you'll see what I mean. He didn't need to lift the wheel at all. You leave it on the ground and use the lever action to lift the weight of the wheel.
Gee's that guy makes changing a tire look hard. It's a 5minute job on a DS, not a 15minute one. The guy changing that wheel looks to be about 5foot nothing tall and...er... "not big". and doesn't struggle to much.
seeya,
Shane L.
You could do it with a Disco, not so much with a Defender (not hub centric by design)