Trying to find a Defender

[kenrik]

Hey guys,

I'm new to the forum though I've been trying to find a decent Defender out there for my first car. I've set myself a budget of around $8000 and at that money it seems like I'm looking at a 200Tdi. I'm thinking of running the car on used vegetable oil and travelling a fair bit with it.

What would you recommend? There is a 200Tdi ('94) Defender for sale on Gumtree in SA, but I'm not particularly keen on going through the hassles associated with a blue slip and interstate rego.

Whats the go, what do you guys reckon?

Jacques.

[MR LR]

Hey Mate, welcome to the forum

My first car (i'm 17) is a 98 300tdi Disco, why don't you have a look at these, i was always heart struck on a Defender, but most of them have a lot of k's on them an the D1 can play just as hard in the bush (mind you carpets are a PITA to dry LOL) not to mention Disco's are a lot cheaper. But if you definitely want a Defender then by all means go for it, and join a club, i'll be joining LROC Sydney soon, the teach you a fair bit. At least having a Disco which is cheaper (and comfortable in the hot and cold weather as the HEVAC works etc.) i can save up for a newer td5 Disco or Defender.

Cheers
Will

[isuzurover]

200tdis are a good motor, however I would look for a 1984-1990 model defender fitted with the 3.9L isuzu diesel. The engine will be much better and more reliable for what you plan to do.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

200tdis are a good motor, however I would look for a 1984-1990 model defender fitted with the 3.9L isuzu diesel. The engine will be much better and more reliable for what you plan to do.

Really?
What's deemed to be unreliable with at 200tdi engine, or are you talking gearbox?

A well looked after 200tdi is pretty bullet-proof.

j

Sent using Forum Runner

[weeds]

isuzu's are getting hard to find....

not many 200tdis around

you would get more of a selection in the 300tdi's, a good one will probably cost you more tha 8k

if your new to land rover have a landie specialist check it over

[rainman]

Like most have said, an $8000 Defender whether it be a 200 or 300Tdi is probably going to need at least some work (unless you have a lucky find of course). This isn't necessarily a big deal but it might take some time, mechanical nous, and a bit more money to get it sorted before it will be a reliable tourer. If you can stretch your budget by a few thousand you'd be better off in the long run, or as MR LR jnr has suggested, a Discovery would be a good option. You'll get a better condition one for the same money, and underneath the body they are quite similar to a Defender anyway.

James.

[tomalophicon]

You'll get a seriously good Disco for 8k.

[MR LR]

I've got a seriously good Disco for 3k !!!, it was bought off family, but still probably only a 6k car

[isuzurover]

...

A well looked after 200tdi is pretty bullet-proof.

...

I agree they are better than a 300tdi, but by no means bullet proof compared to a 4BD1 - especially if both are running on WVO.

The isuzu IP is much more durable than the Bosch VE fitted to the 200.

[newhue]

I'd buy local and registered, and at least run YOUR eyes over it. Pictures say a thousand words, but also hide all the little defects. Trusting in a random mechanical report can be ok, but does have a degree or personal acceptance of whats good and whats not.
Interstate rego can be annoying, and problematic if something is majorly wrong like a repaired write off. And Freighting it will only add the cost.

If you can wait, keep reading up on here which passes the time while you look, maybe save a bit more. Word of mouth quite often produces something.

Good luck