Thread: How much to pay Defender 93

Unfortunately the price of a Defender (or any Landrover) this age is very much dependent on condition and service history rather than age and mileage, so it is very difficult to give a figure. If it is as rough as it sounds, it is reasonable to suppose that the mechanics have been neglected as well as the body. It also depends on the body type, but since you mention a roof rack, presumably it is either a wagon or a hardtop.

The red Redbook gives ranges (private sale) of $7600 - 9800 and $7200 - 9800 for the wagon and hardtop respectively. Your description suggests that you should be looking at the bottom of this range or even below it.

I would suggest taking the middle (or even the top) of the range, estimate (with expert advice) the costs of repairs (include fixing the body professionally, even if you don't plan to do this) and deduct them from that figure. You will probably be surprised at the amount of money you need to fix the problems - and the owner probably will too (or maybe not - perhaps that is why it is on the market).

The Redbook figures have to be used with caution however, as relatively few Defenders change hands (and I suspect a lot of private sales have incorrect figures reported to reduce stamp duty), so the figures don't have a lot of facts between them. Because the market is so thin it varies a lot with time and place - get three or four people trying to sell or buy at the same time in one city and the price will temporarily go up or down thousands of dollars - not many people will travel interstate to buy a car, although with the internet it is getting more common.

If the condition is as bad asyou say, i'd be looking at starting offers at $5k or $6k, and going from there. Best way is to work out the max you would be happy paying for it, and start well below that.

As a guide, back down in rainy Brisbane through a private seller I picked up a 1996 300 TDi Defender Wagon for $6.5k with 237k on the clock. Needed a bit of a clear out since it was a working vehicle but everythings works (no a/c though). Dealer had offered the seller $6k. That same Dealer had a '95 Defender with 315k kms in his yard for $10k. Have subsequently spent about $1.5k on bits and pieces, fixing some oil leaks and A frame ball joint, rear diff clonk, but nothing major.

Looked at lots of other overpriced worn out Defenders both private and dealer cars. Private is alot easier to hangle down to a reasonable price than dealers who seen to think their pile of garbage is priceless.

Originally Posted by duff

A vague question I understand

The body is bashed,, but an easy repair with a few weekends to spare,, two broken door handles, ..............., and a filthy interior.... you could probably grow a crop on it. It has clocked nearly 200,000 kms

Sounds just like mine!!

Budget a reasonable amount to cover things you don't discover for a few weeks.

I thought I had everything nailed when I bought my 130, but when I got it back to Adelaide (from Melb) discovered diesel leaking from the back of the engine. Needed a new lift pump (?) which was an extra $450-odd that I didn't expect, plus the door locks/door seals are dicky and prob have to be replaced down the track.

It's not quite the same as buying a "normal" car because they can have such hard lives.

Originally Posted by spudboy

Needed a new lift pump (?) which was an extra $450-odd that I didn't expect.

It's not quite the same as buying a "normal" car because they can have such hard lives.

Fuel pressure regulator, I suspect. Yours is a TD5, is it not?

BTW, I will be in SA in less than 4 weeks.

Yep - that sounds right. The lift pump I replaced was in my TDi300, and this was the 130 TD5 but I couldn't think what it was called.

How come you are coming to SA?

So $2300. is a good price then. Its just that I see early rangies go for $1500. in better nick than this defender so was hesitant.

I've been getting an itch for one of these defender things,,, might look closer at this one.

I guess the rebuilt transfer box is a handy thing if nothing else.