Maverik Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Hi People, not had one for a while but got another crazy car swap idea in my head and I'd like a reality check... I've had a 08 Volvo v50 (R-design - a sporty one) since January and as much as its a easy, fast reliable car to drive, I've been doing a bit of a travelling mechanic act just recently and its getting a bit grubby and i don;t want to ruin it. I got the chance to have a play in a "012" Defender 90 at the weekend one of the new 2.2ltr ones, was a simple commercial spec, but oh what fun it was! and it felt good and a little more practical for me... SO, I thought, why don't I swap the Volvo for a newish defender 90... I haven't much cash to spare so it’s pretty much a swap for swap type scenario (Volvo cost me 12kish), well after being brought down to earth with a bump, I'm looking at a target mark of about 8.5k for a vehicle, and that doesn’t get you much when looking at post 07 vehicles, so dropped my criteria from medium to high ish mileage 07 onwards, to a low mileage 04 onwards too.... which bring 5 speed boxes and Td5 back into the picture.... This is my everyday car that a do everything in pretty much, it also has to be able to do Aberdeen to Sheffield and back easily. (my 200tdi 90 does this, and strangely the journeys seem less boring than in any other car I have used, but its very very noisy and she’s defiantly not suited for everyday driving – due to the modification, she’s not going anywhere but she will always be my project vehicle) Also, I guess I won’t get good value from part ex’ing, but my conscious will make me put the money in the bank if I get it released from the Volvo… At the end of the day I want a reliable car (but I consider a late Td5 to fit in that bracket. Plus points any land rover I get I am more than happy to do all the servicing and maintenance… Volvo…. Na don’t think so… So am I being a totally ejit even considering this… I just get so much pleasure from driving trucks... can you get pills for my problem...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Sell youre Volvo, and buy a salvage late Defender, they go through at silly money with easy repairs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 Sell youre Volvo, and buy a salvage late Defender, they go through at silly money with easy repairs Hmm thats a tricky one as i'm not sure I would agree with you, I've found a few on fleebay and generally horrified at the price you still have to pay for them, and then you got to do some re-building yourself... for example: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-LAND-ROVER-DEFENDER-90-XS-SW-SWB-GREEN-DAMAGED-/251085501924?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a75dcb5e4 Thats a slightly better example, but found ones with more work for a bigger wad than that,,, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 Dont look on ebay but on the salvage auction sites, copart etc, i agree ebay is way to expensive, and most that go on there are bought of the salvage sites Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 hmm, will keep an eye out, but not so keen as don't want to end up with another project... my "land lord" would throw me oot... but i see where a saving can be made... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 can't say I ever found copart cheap, especially once VAT and fees go on top. Lots of foreign bidders on there that bump the price past the worth while stage as our insurance category system doesn't apply to them. The last couple of cars I bought on there I pretty much lost money on, as by the time you've paid for all the parts/paint, you can get a straight one for less if you shop about. Plus you aren't stuck with a cat c/d notice which haunts you come resale time. Expensive cars aren't shifting that quickly at the moment so get in touch with people who have had an ebay classified ad on for a long time, tell them what you can go to and see if they'll do a deal. I just helped my old man get a car advertised at £13k for £9500, easier work than bashing panels out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fozsug Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I agree that lately there are a lot of foregin buyers pushing the price up on Copart, but i have had a few good ones of there. The one i have found good recently is http://auctions.combellack.co.uk/. Agree with Eightpot about hiting sellers where it hurts if you have the cash in youre hand! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike080381 Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 You mentioned reliable and Land Rover in the same sentence? Surely a typo? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 You mentioned reliable and Land Rover in the same sentence? Surely a typo? haha, they are reliable if you give them the TLC they require. I can handle that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I agree that lately there are a lot of foregin buyers pushing the price up on Copart, but i have had a few good ones of there. The one i have found good recently is http://auctions.combellack.co.uk/. Agree with Eightpot about hiting sellers where it hurts if you have the cash in youre hand! I know the owner & one of his sons & where they are based. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muddy Posted June 15, 2012 Share Posted June 15, 2012 I am currently doing 50 miles a day over country roads in my 90, getting 27 ish mpg and find it a good drive but the fuel is killing me. Why not wait till a disco is done, run that and if you like it then get a disco2? How important is mpg? Will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 15, 2012 Author Share Posted June 15, 2012 Whats your 90? - I usually get about 27mpg out of the 200tdi... hmmm mpg is important but not super imprtant. I've been ready that the Td5's are maybe better on the old juice... hmm i've not had much experience driving Td5's but do like the R380 gearbox over the 6 speed one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 The new Defenders get no better MPG than the Td5s or even the Tdi. Mostly due to the emissions rubbish strangling the things. Anything between 25 and 35mpg is achievable with any diesel engine in the range. For daily driver refined-ness the Tdcis are good, but I'd have a late Td5 and soundproof it any day Up until last week I was doing 40 miles a day to college on country roads and back in my 200Tdi, which gave me about 30-32mpg on every tank. Local driving sees me get around 29-30mpg usually, depending on the types of journeys. Long motorway drives can see it up to 34mpg. I'm perfectly happy doing that, although more soundproofing would be nice. Need to add a bonnet kit, an engine blanket, and finish doing the rear wheelboxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonr Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 I have an 03 plate Td5 110 Doublecab which is positively the most practical Land Rover I've owned. I bought it in 2007 on Auto Trader from the Countryside Agency for £6.5k (After a bit of haggling). The Handbrake not working was the only fault other than being a bit dented in places - I took this as a sign that this was the one to buy. The seller said the main dealer had quoted £700 to fix the handbrake - so we settled on a grand below the asking price! Half an hour and an X-Brake later and it was good as. I get around 27mpg around town, 24 towing and 33 on a run. It has bags of power & acceleration and makes a fantastic tow vehicle. I added heated mirrors and electric windows which have made it quite civilised! Maybe heated seats next! I like having the pickup bit in the back for carrying oily gearboxes & stuff without the cab smelling of EP90 and use half the back seat space with the seat folded for tools. It has suffered from a few faults over the last five years but they have been more annoying than serious. Things like the windscreen wiper drivers stripping - so not a show stopper except on a rainy day and easily fixed. I would buy another one - even a more expensive one without hesitation! Si Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Hmmm, I'm going to go a test driving tomorrow, having a 4x4 specialist down the road is quite helpful! will try a TDCI then Td5 see what feels the best, will be interesting to test drive each straight after the other... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 Ok, Test drove 2 Td5's and 2 TDCI's this afternoon, a rather interesting experience... Started on the 06 Td5, was a van converted with side windows, it wasn't anything special but tidy(ish) relatively quiet, easily cruised at 60mph, started to get a bit rattly hitting 70 but was happy to sit up there once you got it there... then came the first TDCI, it was an 08 xs, which was pants, the clutch was super high and the gearbox wasn't very positive at all... to top it off, I got 100m down the road and the engine management amber light came on so it went back to the garage. Then got another 08 xs a rather nice blue one, clutch/gearbox much better on this one... quite a different ride to the Td5, quieter cab (bit it had carpet etc in the back) - bulkhead removal bar, defo the way forward for more leg room, but steering was almost twitchy,, something I hadn't noticed before in one of the mountain rescue team wagons (110). I was shocked to see that I was cruising along quite happily at 70mph, it seem to get there effortlessly, and you could still have a conversation in the cab! So to finish off I thought's i'd take out an 02 Td5 xs, to get a 2nd opinion on a Td5... again another surprise, clutch was doing funny things and was a bit noisy when revd high, but much similar to first except a bit quiter due to more interior carpet etc. So to summarise... i was impressed with the quietness and cruising capability of the TDCI... but I prefer the Td5 interior and the R380, if only it had a 6th gear to quieten the engine at higher revs... has anyone put an overdrive on a Td5?... A bit to think about, so plan is to get one of my Disco 1's on the road, drive that and sell the volvo and see what i get for it, then take a punt at this again... One thing I have learned is that its pretty important to put it through its paces before you buy, also good to take other similar trucks out too (mileage and year)... "watch this space" - thank you all for your views as ever. Mav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 has anyone put an overdrive on a Td5?... I haven't by a freind has fitted a GKN to his Td5 110DC. fits on same as my GKN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 I haven't by a freind has fitted a GKN to his Td5 110DC. fits on same as my GKN. Do you know what he thinks to it at all? worth it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 ...Freelander? It's like a normal LR, but economical & relaible as well. Don't tell anyone though, they get grumpy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 yeah, worth a look at a Freelander 2 - I had one on test for a week a couple of years ago when I had to change company car and really liked it. They gave me the top of the range HSE thingy and it was totally nice - felt very Range Rover like inside. Would have had it in a heartbeat if it weren't so expensive in my car scheme. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 ...Freelander? It's like a normal LR, but economical & relaible as well. Don't tell anyone though, they get grumpy Hmmm, not asked myself that question before, but the firm asnwer to it is, i think i must be a Defender snob as I would only consider one if it was paint Sandglow or Tangiers orange... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted June 18, 2012 Share Posted June 18, 2012 I believe this is still for sale: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSG Posted June 22, 2012 Share Posted June 22, 2012 TD5s make excellent everyday cars, I've had a 110 and a 90 and had no complaints. I had a GKN overdrive on the 110 and had the Ashcroft txfr box ratio change on the 90. I preferred the ratio change to the overdrive and it is cheaper as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.