Ryan Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Following on from this thread and spending yesterday being driven around in Dan (v8bertha)'s Camel, I can definitely say, without hesitation, that I want a Defender. I have yet to make a firm decision on whether it will be a 90 or 110, station wagon or hard top (pick up does not get a look in unless someone comes up with some extremely good reasons), but it will very likely be a late 300tdi. Time-wise, this is probably going to happen after I have driven around and over some Italian Alps in August (though the budget may appear in the next few weeks so this may change). But, I haven't decided on whether to go private or trade. I am aware there are advantages and disadvantages for both options. However (and here I am finally getting to the point), if I go trade - is there anybody out there you would recommend? I had no experience buying from a Land Rover specialist when I bought my Discovery as it came from a general trader. I have been looking at a few places on the interweb - a couple of companies I had heard of (The Defender Centre in Belbroughton and Nene Overland in Peterborough) and one I hadn't (found through the Auto Trader - Reid Land Rovers in Horsham). Both The Defender Centre and Nene are about as far north as I would want to travel and probably only if there was a cracking deal. Has anyone had experience of these three? Good, bad or indifferent? Is there anyone else you can recommend - especially in Hampshire and surrounding counties? I don't need the vehicle to be prepared for round the world expeditions or such like - I would probably want something fairly standard so I can modify it to my tastes. Thanks in advance. Ryan P.S. This post has been spell checked by IESpell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmgemini Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Spesk to Marc at the Defender Centre. I bought my 110 SW from him in 2003 and I can still recomend him. mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I used to live in Horsham and one place I would not have bought a Landrover was Reid Landrovers. Say no more. I would buy from auction if I were looking for a bargain Landrover. As long as you know what you are looking at and check thoroughly the risks can be minimised. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white90 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Southwest 4x4 sales good Landroverman-bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Seam to remember a fair bit being posted somewhere re Reid Land Rovers , and was similar to the post ^^^ above No first hand experience so could not comment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 17, 2008 Author Share Posted March 17, 2008 Thanks guys for the replies, I'll look up Southwest 4x4 see what's what. And thanks to Paul64 for the PM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darren Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I bought my old Discovery from Keith Gotts in Alton and they then looked after it for me for the next five and a half years. Not the cheapest by any stretch, but I could never fault them. I've stopped using them for servicing now, but only because they're a bit of a trek from where I am and I've found somebody much closer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Godlykepower Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 I would very highly recommend Mark at the Land Rover Centre too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JST Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 i'll second Landroverman in Taunton - DONT go to him from my experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 17, 2008 Share Posted March 17, 2008 Since you know Dan, you presumably know a few other LR fans. I would buy privately via AutoTrader or an ad in a local free paper and get one of them to look it over. Most dealers have the same standard of LR as you can buy privately - except you will brobably be lied to about the condition etc and pay a couple of grand over the odds for it. You can buy an insurance based warranty yourself (also cheaper) as that's all a dealer gives you warranty wise. What a dealer does give you is a selection of vehicles in one place. Main / Authorised dealers tend to be a bit more honest - but even they rely on the warranty as a safety net for what they forgot to mention in the sales pitch! A good dealer I have direct experience of (My SV90) is James French near Oxford. There certainly are some good dealers out there. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Since you know Dan, you presumably know a few other LR fans. I would buy privately via AutoTrader or an ad in a local free paper and get one of them to look it over. Don't worry Si, I'll definitely be calling on their experience - even the one's taking the mickey out of me for my reversing skills and the fact I want a Defender (a lot of them are biased towards Discoverys). I've had a quick look at Keith Gott, South West 4x4, and James French, but they seem to go for the newer more expensive models. The Defender Centre might be promising with the ex-utilities and MOD stuff they get in. I'll be keeping an eye on as many websites as I can over the next few weeks to get an idea on what's about. I'll also be checking the Auto Trader regulary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jen Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Since you know Dan, you presumably know a few other LR fans. I would buy privately via AutoTrader or an ad in a local free paper and get one of them to look it over. Exactly what I was going to say. Keep an eye on Autotrader, like with the classic mini's you occasionally find someone who doesn't realise what they're worth... and then you can strike! Either that or keep an eye on the classifieds on the enthusiast boards, at least you stand a good chance of getting one that's been 'loved' (albeit probably 'used'! ). P.S. Camel's much better now B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pux Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 i think the best bet is autotrader as people forget about that place now as they are more concerned with eblag so autotrader get's over looked. I bought my old 90 200tdi from autotrader and the fellow i bought it from had no intrest bar the people that want to sell the vehicle for you so i drove away with a good 90 for very little money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 What Brightwells are auctioning today Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 A couple of points their Si,, Most dealers have the same standard of LR as you can buy privately - except you will brobably be lied to about the condition etc and pay a couple of grand over the odds for it. Most private sellers are in cloud cuckoo land, and always think their vehicle is worth a lot more that it is actually is,, A dealer if he is any good, will have put a true market value on that vehicle, Is he not allowed to earn a living like you and everybody else, presume you do not always sell items at the same price you have paid for them !! Main / Authorised dealers tend to be a bit more honest - but even they rely on the warranty as a safety net for what they forgot to mention in the sales pitch! Debatable,, maybe on retails,,but out of the many thousands of vehicles i have bought, had more "not as described" coming out of the main dealer network than other sources !!! Mainly i think, because they do not check the vehicle for faults etc, before taking in PX from the private manOther dealer advantages,, Part exchange, Somewhere to take back if its nicked, bent, a total lemon, The dealer, what ever size they are has to stand by that vehicle, even if bought without warranty etc, "The vehicle has to be fit for purpose" Easier to make the dealer a offer, he know what it has cost him, not a imaginary rose tinted glass figure that he think its worth !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I wouldn't go anywhere NEAR a main dealer for anything - they're not enthusiasts, don't tend to know much about what they're selling and are driven by sales targets. Not dealt with a LR dealer, but had exteeeeeensive dealings with Merc and Saab dealers, total muppets, liars and incompetants. I would always buy private, especially a defender - you'll get it cheaper in the first place, and even if there is a problem somewhere it's not like they're difficult or expensive to put right. If you see anything you're interested in at the Defender Centre though, I can take a quick squizzz for you as I live a couple of miles from there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G4FUJ Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I would very highly recommend Mark at the Land Rover Centre too. Definitely seconded - that's where I bought my 90. You could try Bob Hyde Land Rovers - lot's of very good advice available, and if you can find the website (possibly via Autotrader if that link is still open) they "are enthusiasts". Based near Gloucester. Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G4FUJ Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 What Brightwells are auctioning todayChris Most of their good stuff ends up in the hands of traders - usually at a price a private buyer doesn't want to pay... Just my two pennies! Cheers, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 What Brightwells are auctioning todayChris Thanks Chris. It's interesting going through their previous sales list to compare some prices. Some of the prices appear to be completely random! I suppose it depends on how many people are wanting a particular vehicle. I could see some prices were about the same you'd pay retail at a specialist, while others were getting toward p/x trade-in prices. At least there's quite a few to chose from so you could make yourself a list and you wouldn't be too disappointed if one gets away from you. Worth a bit of research... TJ/Si - you've pretty much covered most of the pros and cons I was aware of. Caveat Emptor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted March 18, 2008 Author Share Posted March 18, 2008 Crikey, three posts while I'm writing one. If you see anything you're interested in at the Defender Centre though, I can take a quick squizzz for you as I live a couple of miles from there. Cheers Eightpot, that's worth knowing ("a nudge is as good as a wink" as they say ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 Some of the prices appear to be completely random! I suppose it depends on how many people are wanting a particular vehicle. More likely the condition, rather than who is their at the time, They have some right ropey stock !! Watch out for the buyers premium, even at trade rate, i paid near £700 once, hopefully never again !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBMUD Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 There is often VAT to pay on defenders too. When I was looking for a 110 I went to Brightwells several times. I looked at some ex-police 110 SWs, three of them and decided on the latest one, a 51 plate 2002MY - with the dash console. Anyway, I missed it by a few 100 quid. I later found the one I now have, also at Brightwells but bought after the auction for the reserve price. Looking at the Autotrader I saved £3000-£4000 by buying at Brightwells - though I took a chance on it being OK. I did get a short demo drive though and the chance to look over it very closely. I would certainly do it again. I saw the police one I had missed a couple of weeks prior advertised on the internet at a dealers in Kent (IIRC), for £4000 more than it sold for. Chris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSG Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 A good dealer I have direct experience of (My SV90) is James French near Oxford. There certainly are some good dealers out there. I'll second them - I bought my P38 from them and their service is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 A couple of points their Si,, I wondered if you would bite! No diss intended Tim! I hope it came across that there are some very good dealers out there too. Like Builders though, they are hard to find - and you might not find out until it's too late. I was only going on my last two recent experiences of buying vehicles (Land Rover and Van). Some of the BS I was fed by van dealers was enough to make me feel embarrased for them! Eg - "Cornflakes" visible through oil filler Dealer: "we treat all our vehicles with Slick 50 - and that's what it looks like in the engine" Engine breathing heavily and smokey exhaust when hot Dealer: "It's a brand new engine and they are a little bit smokey while they are running in. It's the ultra high tolerances you know" I think if you go in expecting to be lied to and willing to walk away you will be fine. I don't begrudge anyone making a living out of buying & selling stuff (obviously) but like X-Eng versus another company - there are two ways of going about it! I bought my van from a main dealer - and have been pretty happy with it. Bought Land Rover privately - and it was a bargain. Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJ101 Posted March 18, 2008 Share Posted March 18, 2008 I wondered if you would bite! No diss intended Tim!Si None taken Si,, Think we have know each other long though not to Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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