Where to buy a ex-mil 2.5NA 90?

[jeremy996]

My son is coming up to 17, so I would like to find a vehicle for him to do his driving practise and once he's passed his test, drive, ideally without breaking the Bank of Mum and Dad.

In my head, I was hoping to find an ex-military 2.5NA 90 with as few changes to standard as possible, but the likes of Whithams and Blanchards seem to want £9k+ for a blinged up variation of what I want. To get insurance as cheap as possible, I need it to have the original engine type, not an uprate to a 200 or 300Tdi and no V8s. I also need to avoid lift kits, cages, big tyres, winches and alloy wheels.

The powers that be, (the household finance and general purposes committee), will not let me rebuild a wreck on the drive, so I need something that is capable of use from day 1, but dents, mismatched panels and a mangled interior are all acceptable. I am not fussy about the body type and it is unlikely to be driven in London so LEZ exemption is not necessary.

If you have any idea where I might find such a dowdy and unblinged vehicle, I would very very grateful. If between now and August 2015, you have such a thing for sale, then please get in touch by PM. If you have a blinged vehicle you can unbling and sell the bits taken off, then I would be happy to co-operate.

I am based in the East Midlands, but I would be willing to travel to view.

[Lewis]

Does it absolutely have to be a military model? They command a premium over civilian spec vehicles despite being a poorer spec.

Avoid wolf xd defenders as they will be at the upper end of prices, probably the ones you have seen at £9k

Don't buy into the common misconception that military vehicles are well looked after and are fitted with numerous new parts while in storage or just before being demobbed. Yes it does happen, but rarely. Equally most vehicles will have had a very hard life and may have been driven off landing craft through 5foot seas

[Maverik]

I'd be keeping a close eye on Fleebay, I see ex army trucks coming up regularly, some lovely examples but for what you're asking for (i.e. no work) then you wont be getting much change for 4-5k simples.

You can get N/A 90's too (civi ones) but most will need some work again under 4k.

If you went to Series 3's/2a's then there you might find a N/A truck in reasonable nick for less than 4k... - this is all from just me keeping an eye on the likes of fleebay and gumtree by the way... so just my subjective view. (always wanted an Olive rag top 90)....

Mav

[jeremy996]

Don't buy into the common misconception that military vehicles are well looked after and are fitted with numerous new parts while in storage or just before being demobbed. Yes it does happen, but rarely. Equally most vehicles will have had a very hard life and may have been driven off landing craft through 5foot seas

I am an Ex REME TA soldier, so I am under no illusions! (One of the reasons why I'd like to have a look before buying).

I am not wedded to the idea of an ex-mil vehicle only, but the civi 90s all seem to have 200Tdi or 300Tdi transplants and I really need something a little nearer base specification. Almost all young drivers will have an accident early on their driving career; I'm hoping a low powered 90 will be make it more survivable.

[AndrewHorsfield]

I bought mine from www.mod-sales.com , which is Withams at Colsterworth, near Grantham. There have ongoing auctions for ones that need work, plus big traditional style auctions every so often.

They are the official release agents for the MOD

If patient and don't mind doing some work, you can get a bargain. Otherwise they can take the Michael.

[western]

other than Withams, look at

Blanchards, https://secure.pablanchard.co.uk/default.asp

Jacksons http://www.ljacksonandco.com/

[pete3000]

keep an eye on milweb, the prices are usually fair and will have been owned by collectors or mv enthusiasts who would rather they went to a good home. The number of people I know who have sold up due to insurance/tax/mot and the decline on number of mv shows isn't helping prices.

http://www.milweb.net/classifieds.php?type=14

pete

[qwakers]

if your worried about safety you'd be better off buying a small saloon car rather than a land rover of any variety. bigger isnt always better and a nice small 1.0l hatchback or 1.4 saloon will be much safer due to actually having crumple zones. and you'll be able to find better vehicles for less money. and if you went small saloon with a small diesel engine, you may well find the insurance is cheaper too!

yes i know, burn me at the stake for mentioning it......

[pete3000]

Yeah but you won't learn anything mechanical from a cheap french/euro box unless it's never to buy a more expensive version. A landrover is a brilliant learning curve that a university couldn't teach you (although it will probably cost a similar amount over time)

[jeremy996]

if your worried about safety you'd be better off buying a small saloon car rather than a land rover of any variety. bigger isnt always better and a nice small 1.0l hatchback or 1.4 saloon will be much safer due to actually having crumple zones.

yes i know, burn me at the stake for mentioning it......

I know where you are coming from and I don't necessarily disagree with you but a modern small hatch will easily do 100mph+ in comfort. Boys especially suffer from overconfidence as young drivers and leaving the road at 60mph+ can easily be fatal even in a modern car. An ex-mil 90 will feel raw, much less comforting and the hard interior reminds you that hitting the scenery might hurt! As getting to 60mph is a long drawn out affair in a 2.5NA and smoothness with anticipation is rewarded with faster journey times, I am hoping the LR90 will teach him some skills for driving and life.

It has long been suggested that the best safety device is a six inch spike pointing at the driver from the steering wheel - I'm hoping the the LR90 will give the element of jeopardy while preserving about £4k of family money. The fact that mechanically it is less complicated that a mantel clock means I expect him to learn to service it!

[pete3000]

ex-mil series 3? even less cash and more basic less bhp.

[SWB]

Hi Jeremy,

PM sent.

SWB.

[Eightpot]

Withams are expensive now and it's rare for a 90 to go through these days, mostly battered 110's - I used to buy lots from them but now the source is drying up they want to capitalise and retail them themselves (at silly prices), only letting the poorer quality stuff go through the auction.

I always found the ex MOD stuff to be in far better condition than civvy 90/11's. Sure they can look rough, but it usually takes me a week to turn round an ex MOD 90/110 for sale, a privately owned one of the same vintage can take weeks - the army stuff doesn't tend to come with rotten brake pipes, rusty old calipers, clonking A frame joints, rotten doors, toothless gearboxes etc. Getting harder to come by good ex MOD stuff now though, unless you've deep pockets or strike lucky you won't get one through withams and privately owned ones could have been cast off 15 years ago.

They're a nice choice though and my favourite Defender version.

[UdderlyOffroad]

Have you talked to specialist Land Rover insurers? I suspect that if you find the right one, they will not take too dim a view of the 200 Tdi. They are quicker than the N/As you're used to from REME, but not to the extent that they won't have the desired effect you're aiming for with you son.

Insurers who understand what they are talking about, know that a turbocharger is there to do a different job than on a petrol vehicle

[jeremy996]

I have solved my original problem by buying a civilian 1991 LR90 2.5NA for £2000 from eBay. It's not bling and its rather scruffy, but should do the job.

Thank for all your input - it helps to put everything into perspective.

[Happyoldgit]

Glad you got something sorted, we are going through exactly the same process with my soon to be 17 year old although the search for a suitable vehicle [90 or Series] continues.