Posted March 16, 20241 yr comment_4103991 So I am getting an itch for a 4x4 again. The last two years I have run a van and been very happy, particularly as I get nearly 55 mpg. I have only once had a problem on a shoot but have had to rely on others for some of my adventures. So thinking of a 4x4 in addition! Whilst not a lover of land rovers for comfort I have seen some good Defender 90s about at 20 years old. Alternatively an older Isuzu is a possibility and will offer greater comfort. Assuming I buy a vehicle in good condition what are the members views on longevity of Defender/pickup? This isn’t my principal vehicle and I will keep the van too. thanks!
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4103992 7 minutes ago, Dave at kelton said: So I am getting an itch for a 4x4 again. The last two years I have run a van and been very happy, particularly as I get nearly 55 mpg. I have only once had a problem on a shoot but have had to rely on others for some of my adventures. So thinking of a 4x4 in addition! Whilst not a lover of land rovers for comfort I have seen some good Defender 90s about at 20 years old. Alternatively an older Isuzu is a possibility and will offer greater comfort. Assuming I buy a vehicle in good condition what are the members views on longevity of Defender/pickup? This isn’t my principal vehicle and I will keep the van too. thanks! what's your budget? after the beemer coupé my last 4 vehicles have been 4x4's 3 off pathfinders and a navara. with decent rubber they're as good as owt.
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104003 Now have a Mitsubishi L200 after having a Navara for 21 years. Any of the 4x4 pickups are great to drive compared to the Old Landrover Defenders Edited March 16, 20241 yr by RCB56
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104007 I use a Discovery 3 commercial. A van and a car all in one. 240K miles and just wear and tear repairs. Have to remember it's a van and 10 mph slower in some places.
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104009 i have a hyundai terracan 2.9 diesel manual it has plenty ground clearance and drives great its a 2004 and only needed 3 bulbs and hand brake cable to pass this years mot they have plenty of room in the back and for passengers
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104051 I’ve a Honda Crv AWD as long as your doing serious off roading it’s quite capable 40mpg , I can get 2 dogs and all my shooting stuff in it
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104092 6 hours ago, wyn said: I use a Discovery 3 commercial. A van and a car all in one. 240K miles and just wear and tear repairs. Have to remember it's a van and 10 mph slower in some places. Its a car derived van so same speed limits as a car
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104105 I have had a few Defenders, my experience is, engine 300TDI, best engine landrover ever had, chassis and bulkhead can be very poor and needs properly looking at, if you can find one that’s been fitted with a galvanised one happy days. Parts are relatively cheap and easy to get hold of and not rocket science to maintain. Every defender I’ve had was going to be my last but here I am again starting to look at 90s. Very addictive once you have had one.
March 16, 20241 yr comment_4104123 Had a Nissan Patrol, 1998 7 seater, comfortable as owt, brilliant off road and smooth enough on road, maybe worth a look. S
March 16, 20241 yr Community Expert comment_4104126 I have a Defender 90. Bought it when it was 3 years old - and it's now 30 years old and still with me. Not been welded yet, but getting near on the rear cross member. 200tdi engine and LT77 gearbox both fine despite engine output raised by Allards (bigger intercooler and boost pressure) and running on LWB sized 7.50 tyres (gives higher gearing). Anything marked Lucas is risky (had a new starter, and various other electricals). Never let me down yet in 27 years and 100K miles. Comfortable enough if you are the right size, very uncomfortable for the tall or large. Some built in features - leaks water in, head linings sag, lights (standard) hopelessly bad by modern standards, wipers poor, heater poor. Appreciating in value, and still up with the best off road. Biggest problem these days is stopping it getting stolen.
March 17, 20241 yr comment_4104152 21 hours ago, jall25 said: Hi Dave get an old disco would be advice Is the cheapest answer for the comfort option.
March 17, 20241 yr comment_4104157 14 hours ago, bluesj said: Its a car derived van so same speed limits as a car Car derived van is under 2 tonnes. Disco 3 is nearly 3 tonnes = van.
March 17, 20241 yr comment_4104179 Isuzu dmax. Under 2 ton. Doesn't mark its territory. 32 to 35 to the gallon. Comfortable ride. Off road really good. Loads of space Utterly reliable. Only downside avoid short journeys the dpf doesn't like them. Had mine 7 years from new just a pair of wiper blades replaced. And a new set of tyres. Edited March 17, 20241 yr by mellors Extra info.
March 18, 20241 yr comment_4104435 I would get an old Range Rover l322, as long as you get a years MOT on it you should get one for around a grand then throw it away/break for parts if it goes t**ts up. TBH, I've had an 04 4.4ltr V8 for about 8 years now and it's been just about the most reliable car I've had - parts can be dear but shopping around and doing your own servicing (dead easy) will save you hundreds.
March 20, 20241 yr comment_4104902 If you can find an 80 series landcruiser that doesn't have terrible rust then that would be my choice. No longer as cheap as they were unfortunately. Alternatively a prado (sold here as the Landcruiser) with the d4d engine. The 80 series is built to a different standard than a land rover and like the defender has a solid front axle and can be had with three differential locks, very capable offroad.
March 21, 20241 yr comment_4104940 9 hours ago, theshootist said: If you can find an 80 series landcruiser that doesn't have terrible rust then that would be my choice. No longer as cheap as they were unfortunately. Alternatively a prado (sold here as the Landcruiser) with the d4d engine. The 80 series is built to a different standard than a land rover and like the defender has a solid front axle and can be had with three differential locks, very capable offroad. But will only do 19 mpg. This could be a factor for many people.
March 21, 20241 yr comment_4105011 On 16/03/2024 at 18:59, bluesj said: Its a car derived van so same speed limits as a car Not 100 % sure in all cases it comes down to rear window fitted ? in my case and yes a tad over 2 ton ( laden wait !) But glass in read doors mean I can legally do 60 rather than 50 ! Transit custom 6 seater ! DCIv Agriv8
March 21, 20241 yr comment_4105078 7 hours ago, London Best said: But will only do 19 mpg. This could be a factor for many people. Yes! The 4.5 petrol even worse, I've seen as low as 13mpg on mine! This is why so many were LPG converted.
March 21, 20241 yr Community Expert comment_4105080 8 minutes ago, theshootist said: Yes! The 4.5 petrol even worse, I've seen as low as 13mpg on mine! This is why so many were LPG converted. That's nearly as bad as a G-wagen.
March 21, 20241 yr comment_4105081 8 minutes ago, theshootist said: Yes! The 4.5 petrol even worse, I've seen as low as 13mpg on mine! This is why so many were LPG converted. I had a V8 110 SW which did about 10.5 on petrol and only 9 on LPG. But the price difference made the LPG seem like it was doing 17 on petrol.
March 21, 20241 yr Community Expert comment_4105085 4 minutes ago, London Best said: I had a V8 110 SW which did about 10.5 on petrol and only 9 on LPG. But the price difference made the LPG seem like it was doing 17 on petrol. The G-wagen was around 12-14 on road, but off road could easily drop below 10. It was a relatively small petrol engine with an autobox pulling an incredibly heavy car and very low geared.
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