To buy or not to buy....

[africa-eko]

Hi all, I m a new member (learning fast!) in the market for a D90 and up until recently I was just looking at standard, little modified diesels,simply because I am clueless about them! I recently looked into the V8/LPG conversion option for economy and also because it seems environmentally friendlier. However, I do not want to end up with a potato.
What do you think? Btw, my budget is around 4k, could stretch only slightly if it's worth it.

Thanks
africa-eko

Ex-overlander :D

[smo]

Personally i'd stick to diesel, unless the V8's are factory fitted then you can come into all sorts of cooling problems (although some are done well) and youll spend more time fixing it or waiting it to cool than actually driving it!

If you can find one, a 200/300 TDi is ideal and you should be able to find one for that kind of money.

[africa-eko]

Thanks for that,  I m trying and there are so many variations out there. Is it safe to assume that the later the model the better the car, i.e. 1998 better than 1991?
Struggling with models later than 95 for my budget at the mo  :?

[Xtremeteam]

my mate has a 200tdi H reg truck cab forsale at the moment,i canny mind how much he is looking for it but i can find out a contact No for you etc

[africa-eko]

Crash course over the last month and I have now sold my car so really need to get a move on. Stuck on landys since my 18month overland in Africa a couple of years ago.
Any decent 90s you know are for sale up to 4k please let me know.
Also , does anyone know what difference in price to expect between a hard top and a CSW?  :roll:

[smo]

Quite a lot, hardtops are basic commercial vehicles, where as a station wagon (in standard or county spec) commands a much higher value due to the increased market and demand.

[africa-eko]

OK, so i can get a good hardtop (cheaper) and fit the back windows and seats then? :shock:

[smo]

Yes, but beware of conversion costs, you need seats, windows, alpine lites, seatbelts etc. Also thought i loath the beurocratic crap bear in mind the new childseat/car seat law.

Also you might find the insurance does nasty nasty things with a conversion as opposed to a genuine SW.

[africa-eko]

Thanks,its all down to cost really.

Anyone good to quote rough cost or a good place to ask for a quote for the conversion?

As it pans out, with 4k I can only afford c.1990-92 CSW, or 96-98 hardtop, and then get the money together for the conversion.

Decisions decisions!

 :?  :?  :?  :?  :?  :?  :?

[TechnoTurkey]

I would say that with Land Rovers, age is totally irrelevant, condition really dictates, if you can get an early CSW in good nick for the right price I would go for that pesonally.

[Cal]

Whereabouts are you looking for your vehicles  africa-eko- I've not seen many 300Tdis for £4k - but mainly end up looking at dealer's websites.

Am considering getting rid of my Disco, but prob wont getmuch for it on exchange, so same as you I would be looking for a £4k 90.

[africa-eko]

looking anywhere, from ebay and autotrader to local traders, esp up north and west.
Have been looking for a month now and still no joy. The ones that are at a good price have something now quite right (welded chassis converted to SWB, "some rust", interior & back at a real state, etc).
I hope it wont be long as I am really stuffed, without a car and unable to drive away at w/ends to some fresh air away from Greater London!!! :lol:  :lol:

Best of luck to you too!

[ea51 mud]

i purchased a td5 90 hard top 3 years ago - low mileage etc for a very good price from an ind dealer. did a rear window conversion with rear forward facing seats etc. no change in my insurance atall.

also since undertaken mods etc - very little change to insurance.

IMHO i would not touch the CSW if you intend to do any off roading as there is no advantage. Infact after a good mud/ water run you can simply expect to [!Expletive Deleted!] your carpets and create a smell.

you will find you pay alot more for a csw however there are alot out there that are bling!  

go for the 'van' and put geniune rear lr windows in with a forward facing seats- you get a lot more for your money.

also worth to note that once you off road and leave signs of it, i guess your re-sale value is effected anyway (if that;s important to you).

[africa-eko]

Looks like I m heading this way anyway. Just missed a 300tdi csw (export specs) though and it was under 10k. Could be worth stretching my budget for, plus any mods will have to be done by a specialist as I have no space or know how to potter about...

As for offroading, I only expect to be doing some greenlaning here and there but mostly, I hope to be taking it to Marocco and West Africa (again) so it has to be neat for the UK and strong for the expedition.  Killer combination, half the time I m not even sure what I should be going for!

I am ready to take the plunge with a purchase some point this week (missed one by 500... or so), and will have a steep learning curve as all I know is from here, some LRO articles and my boyfriend's problems with our previously owned 110 with which we did 35k in Africa.

All I know is that when in trouble, the 200/300tdi can be fixed by any mechanic at the remotest village anywhere, which happened several times and means that if they can do it, I can (or will given time)!!!



 8)

[smo]

You say you are ready to purchase - dont rush, youll end up with somthing not quite right. There are plenty out there so take your time to find the perfect one :)

[PUX]

You say you are ready to purchase - dont rush, youll end up with somthing not quite right. There are plenty out there so take your time to find the perfect one :)

fine words smo  :D  take ur time i rushed once and got it wrong :oops:  :oops:

[dew1911]

There are plenty out there so take your time to find the perfect one :)

You'd be waiting a blummin' long time for a Perfect one I say. You can find GOOD ones, but Perfect, Land Rover? Hmmm.

[africa-eko]

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I am thinking, some things are meant to be (one gets philosophical if they only get to their personal email from work at 11.35!).
With the ones that are going on ebay over the next few days (some of which I have shortlisted as "good value"), something is probably going to come up.
Then I ll be able to be there at the Brighton event!

Hooray, out of London!!! :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  =D>  =D>  =D>  =D>  =D>

[Henry Webster]

Is your heart set on a Defender.  I know it may not seem an obvious choice, but you could get a really nice Discovery for that sort of money.

The mechanicals are virtually identical to a Defender, they are very nearly as good off road (just need to watch the overhang at the rear), but they are much more comfy, faster (have a higher ratio high box - same low!) and arguably more economical on the road for the same reason.

I was looking for a 90, but settled on a Discovery and have never looked back.  I am really pleased with it - I know own two... sort of!

Especially for UK use I think they are great.  If you want to use it overland
less people do, but for no really good reason.  As I say the knowledge and spares are largely interchangeable so you shouldn't get stuck.

H

[africa-eko]

Well Henry, thanks. Discovery looks more refined somehow and not as simple and "bohemian". I suppose it has the perception of the "comfortable" car but I assure you , I have "secretly" been looking for a good one on and off *even bid on a coupel*/

Are you sure though that they are as cheap to run (diesel version):?:

[Henry Webster]

Are you sure though that they are as cheap to run (diesel version):?:

Its my opinion, but I reckon so.  They are a bit heavier, but slightly more aerodynamic and have the higher gearing for road use.

H