New Defender

[peterdug]

I will shortly be looking to buy a new or nearly new defender and was wondering where the best deals are at the moment. I would want to part ex my trusty 1995 300tdi that i recently have done alot of work to ie galv chassis 2inch lift pro comp suspension ect...... just leaving the body work for my summer project unfortunately my circumstances have changed and i need to do more miles so was looking to upgrade. Just wondering what dealers should be my first port of call. Cheers for any advice. I'm in the Midlands btw.

[jumping jack]

Keep it and buy a little run around. Micras are fun.

[Godlykepower]

Dont know if the good deals spread across all the models in the LR range, but my brother-in-law got a 58 reg Freelander 2 HSE with hardly any miles on it for under 14k. This was on Boxing day.

I dont know if Defenders command a better price still at main dealers though?

Try any of the main dealers near you, and see what they say.

One thing though, all the work you have done, will count for absolutely nothing if you are PX'ing at a main dealer.

Maybe you would be better off in a private sale, and using this as a hefty deposit on a newer vehicle?

Personally, I would not even consider losing a 300 in favour of a Puma. As the previous reply said, and it may have been a joke, but if it were me, I would indeed look for something like a Micra or Fiesta to run around in, and save the Defender as it is.

Martin

[peterdug]

Dont know if the good deals spread across all the models in the LR range, but my brother-in-law got a 58 reg Freelander 2 HSE with hardly any miles on it for under 14k. This was on Boxing day.

I dont know if Defenders command a better price still at main dealers though?

Try any of the main dealers near you, and see what they say.

One thing though, all the work you have done, will count for absolutely nothing if you are PX'ing at a main dealer.

Maybe you would be better off in a private sale, and using this as a hefty deposit on a newer vehicle?

Personally, I would not even consider losing a 300 in favour of a Puma. As the previous reply said, and it may have been a joke, but if it were me, I would indeed look for something like a Micra or Fiesta to run around in, and save the Defender as it is.

Martin

A little run around is not an option as i need to take dogs with me into fields so needs to be 4wd and i've always had land rovers. I was going to Wales the other night in a Hi Lux and was on the motorway doing about the speed limit when i saw in my mirror a land rover gaining very quickly on me, after a few seconds of wondering who had put what engine and box into it, it passed me and i saw it was the new one , i also do the tree work for land rover in solihull and saw the new ones going round the test track and liked the look of them. A private sale would be the best option for my old truck but i don't really have time for tyre kickers so hoped there maybe a specialist dealer out there that might give me a decent deal.

[Godlykepower]

Dont mean to pry too much, but if you NEED a 4x4 for the dogs etc, can you not run both; a runabout for the times when you DONT need to drive into fields (ie commuting) and keep the (in my opinion) superior engined Defender? Is having a quick Defender on motorways really that important?

You could try giving Mark at The Land Rover Centre a call for some advice. He would take a modded vehicle as part ex I reckon. Either way, on part ex, your gonna get screwed

[peterdug]

Dont mean to pry too much, but if you NEED a 4x4 for the dogs etc, can you not run both; a runabout for the times when you DONT need to drive into fields (ie commuting) and keep the (in my opinion) superior engined Defender? Is having a quick Defender on motorways really that important?

You could try giving Mark at The Land Rover Centre a call for some advice. He would take a modded vehicle as part ex I reckon. Either way, on part ex, your gonna get screwed

I need to take the dogs with me long distance, thats the problem. I'll give Mark a call and see what he says but i agree with you about the getting screwed bit, just looking at all my options at the moment and trying to find the best result, believe me, i'm not rushing to part with my old truck as it has never let me down or missed a beat.

[Retroanaconda]

You would never get the money back you've put in. The galv. chassis which probably cost you £1k plus will likely have added nothing to the value from a dealer's point of view.

I'd keep the 300Tdi, you can still do the miles...just at 60-65 not 75-80

[peterdug]

You would never get the money back you've put in. The galv. chassis which probably cost you £1k plus will likely have added nothing to the value from a dealer's point of view.

I'd keep the 300Tdi, you can still do the miles...just at 60-65 not 75-80

I know what your saying and i did the rebuild with the thought in mind of keeping the truck for a very long time so i spent a fair bit of money on it but things change and opportunity knocks as they say and the extra 15 -20 mph will make a huge difference.

[Steve Hiatt]

I had a new 300 tdi when they came out and whilst I loved it the Puma is a far better tool on the road.

I think your part ex is going to make a deal difficult, I can't see any main dealer putting a lifted Defender with scruffy bodywork on their forecourt. If you don't want to sell private you may as well stick it through Brightwells, which is all a dealer would do.

You will get the best discount with no part ex.

Best dealer I've come across is MJ Fews, just South of Gloucester. They have the same dealer principal and two salesman as when I bought my first one in 1994. I still use them, even though I live near Banbury now.

[peterdug]

I had a new 300 tdi when they came out and whilst I loved it the Puma is a far better tool on the road.

I think your part ex is going to make a deal difficult, I can't see any main dealer putting a lifted Defender with scruffy bodywork on their forecourt. If you don't want to sell private you may as well stick it through Brightwells, which is all a dealer would do.

You will get the best discount with no part ex.

Best dealer I've come across is MJ Fews, just South of Gloucester. They have the same dealer principal and two salesman as when I bought my first one in 1994. I still use them, even though I live near Banbury now.

Thanks mate, i had a look at brightwells site today and thought some of the prices were fairly reasonable from both sides. I may have to go down the private sale route just didn't really want the hassle of people coming round, may stick a for sale sign in it and park it at the riding club for the day

[dave88sw]

dont like the new puma's anywhere near as much as the 300tdi.

So the arguments for a new defender are slightly better road manners and they're a bit quicker.

solution, standard suspension back on the 300 cos the lift wont help the handling and then an overdrive or disco transfer box to get the speed up a bit, you'd be surprised how good they are with the disco box. You then have a defender that will last a life time, won't rust, handles well and is quick enough to keep up with traffic.

The puma really isn't as good as its cracked up to be, its still pretty basic inside, just has a fancier slab of plastic for a dash board and its slightly quicker but not enough to make it worth it in my opinion. the electrics have shown problems and i've lost count of the little niggles they've been recalled for.

This is by far the cheapest option as you wont get back the money you spent on the 90 whether you px or sell privately and the puma will last till the end of its warranty before it returns to its component parts and rots (zero rust proofing)

good luck

Dave

[SteveG]

and the puma will last till the end of its warranty before it returns to its component parts and rots (zero rust proofing)

:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Nearly new prices from LR dealers vary quite a bit, but discount them. I managed to a 6 month old 3000 mile 90 truck cab back in 2005 for £10,500 +VAT, so if you are patient you can get some really good deals from LR dealers.

I saw an advert in yesterday's paper offering over £5k +VAT off a new Defender SVX, so consider what deals you can get off new before looking at nearly new too.

Cheers

Steve

[NicTheOrange90]

Lets see some pictures or a link to the for sale section...

I know someone who is after a 110..

[Happyoldgit]

dont like the new puma's anywhere near as much as the 300tdi.

So the arguments for a new defender are slightly better road manners and they're a bit quicker.

solution, standard suspension back on the 300 cos the lift wont help the handling and then an overdrive or disco transfer box to get the speed up a bit, you'd be surprised how good they are with the disco box. You then have a defender that will last a life time, won't rust, handles well and is quick enough to keep up with traffic.

The puma really isn't as good as its cracked up to be, its still pretty basic inside, just has a fancier slab of plastic for a dash board and its slightly quicker but not enough to make it worth it in my opinion. the electrics have shown problems and i've lost count of the little niggles they've been recalled for.

This is by far the cheapest option as you wont get back the money you spent on the 90 whether you px or sell privately and the puma will last till the end of its warranty before it returns to its component parts and rots (zero rust proofing)

good luck

Dave

I think the Puma v the others discussion has been done to death here already. However I will just add that having owned a wide selection of Land Rovers over the past thirty odd years I find the current Puma which I have owned from new to be the nicest of the defender types.

Oh and what official recalls have their been?

[Steve Hiatt]

Agreed, I've had most variants of the Defender, 90 & 110 and without doubt I prefer the Puma by some margin. I've had no significant problems or recalls. Whilst a good 300 TDi is a desirable vehicle they seem distinctly lacking once you've spent some time in a Puma.

[peterdug]

Lets see some pictures or a link to the for sale section...

I know someone who is after a 110..

Don't have any pics of the truck yet, like i said i'm really just looking at my options at the moment because i'm reluctant to part with mine. It's a 90 and i have some pics of it in the rebuild stage. It now has side runners, rear tow step and sills added.

[jacks906]

as others have mentiond get rid of the lift kit put some good std springs under it and you can either keep the money you have from selling the lift kit or buy a nice big intercooler an get it fueled up right and you'll leave the pumas behind when the limiter kicks in

mine with standard intercooler just boosted an fueled up will easily keep up with a puma, well it did on the test track anyway

dave

[Aragorn]

i recon you should fit a disco TXB and tune the existing motor up, which will give you a truck thats quicker than a stock puma engine by a reasonable amount, without costing you many thousands of pounds for a new truck.

You seem to be suggesting the only reason you want to upgrade is to get a bit more pace from it, and i dont see the point in spending 20k buying a new defender when you've spend all the time and money on yours and all it needs is a little power boost.

[Blippie]

My pretty standard 90 200Tdi can mix it on the motorway OK - cruises at around the legal limit and isn't a dog in any sense.

You've gotta spend an awful amount of time and money to get something that is worth the difference.

Cheers

Blippie

[peterdug]

The nearly finished truck, was saving the bodywork for a summer project with a finishing colour of Dark grey. Hmmmmmmmm, cheers for all the opinions, still not sure what to do.

[RILEY]

Not a bad lookin motor as it is i agree with what most say i've done a fuel pump tweak removed centre box goes like fook (for a 90) cruise at 70 overtake instantly up to 85-90 (well according to the clock) 300tdi on 265 75 16's bit of sound proofing disco 2 seats & sony ice could'nt ask for more

[nidge]

Well if its of any help in making your decision I am lucky enough to have both a 2007 110 xs station wagon and a 1997 300tdi 90.

Have the option of driving either landie every day. More often than not I take the 300 Tdi 90 - Not sure why !! Must be because I prefer driving it !

Keep the 300Tdi - cause the day will come and you will regret selling it. Maybe a low mileage td5 Disco for motorway work , very good value at the moment.

N.

[peterdug]

Well if its of any help in making your decision I am lucky enough to have both a 2007 110 xs station wagon and a 1997 300tdi 90.

Have the option of driving either landie every day. More often than not I take the 300 Tdi 90 - Not sure why !! Must be because I prefer driving it !

Keep the 300Tdi - cause the day will come and you will regret selling it. Maybe a low mileage td5 Disco for motorway work , very good value at the moment.

N.

Thanks mate, i had thought of buying a cheapish disco just for the distance runs but no guarantee how long it would last and when doing long distance, knowing you will get there and back is quite important to me plus i then run into tax and insurance for 3 trucks ( i also have a hi lux tipper for work) so starts to get very expensive.