Talk me into, or out of this Defender 110. I'm too far away to check it out. (NC)

[taylorRichie]

http://www.gb4x4.com/Current_Vehicles.html

The first listing.

Crew Crew Cab 110.

I have wanted a 110 for over 15 years, and a Crew Cab is even better.

I don't claim to be an expert on these vehicles.

As I understand it the 300TDI with the R380 is the configuration to have (Save maybe a TD5).

Mileage seems reasonable my research has shown me vehicles with 500,000KM on a well maintained 300TDI, however Trans is more of a 220,000KM item before needing rebuild.

The rear window looks like it was cut out/enlarged, and replaced with ??

Price seems reasonable to me, and I think it'll sell quick.

Please give me your thoughts. Even better if someone local could check it out

Thanks Guys!

Richie

 

[LtFuzz]

Dr Aaron has his supporters and detractors. I've communicated with him a few times about different trucks, and never had an issue... but I've definitely read other kinds of stories, too.

My impression is that his ostensibly good prices reflect the "enthusiast trim" they're offered in -- i.e. a super-highly-desirable unobtanium 110 CrewCab is $30,000 not $45,000-$90,000+ for a reason.

 

[achampagne]

Well said....

 

[taylorRichie]

A lot of views, not a lot of feedback

Thanks for the input Fuzz... the first time I got in touch with Aaron was about 2 years ago. Ended up putting a Defender Purchase on hold. Then this Crew Cab came up...

i'm no expert which is why i came here for advice... I found another crew cab that looks super promising, but I'm not excited about its powerplant... It's the pre 200TDI Diesel, still a turbo, but not intercooled. However, it's already left hand drive, and has the interior completely redone.

It also has a Wax Oiled chassis, and has a been kept in a barn for the last few years.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Land...5839666?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item41687c2132

Alot less done to this vehicle, but it has way lower mileage, seems overall cleaner and unmolested.

I'm also thinking maybe pick up an RRC that's forsale local, for a great price, and be more patient for Funds to come in or have one restored and imported myself.

Thanks again guys... The bank also wanted to go personal loan on a 25 year D110, which gives me a crappy interest rate.

 

[Canol 109]

Both rigs look ok on the outside, the engine of choice is the 300TDi. Chassis and bulkhead-firewall needs to be checked thouroughly. Having the vehicles history is important. RHD or LHD shouldnt be the deciding factor.
Find a reputable Defender Shop to do a inspection prior to purchase and make sure VINs match up.
...or take a vacation, fly to Europe (German trucks are LHD and usually well maintained) or UK buy one for a lot cheaper, then ship it back for about $5k.
Good luck.

 

[hillstrubl]

I'm now driving my 2nd truck purchased from Dr. Aaron. Do your research, ask plenty of questions and make sure this is the type of vehicle you actually want. Realistic expectations maintenance/repairwise for a 25+ year old Rover helps sticker shock when work is inevitably required. Having said all that, this truck looks awesome. Good luck.

 

[rijosho]

A lot of views, not a lot of feedback

Probably because some great advice was already given, and because it looks like you may not be willing to put in the time or money to go see the truck on your own...

Have either truck thoroughly PPI'd by a trusted mechanic before you purchase. You can either spend the money BEFORE you purchase to have either truck throroughly gone through, or just gamble and hope for the best and be prepared to spend quite a bit more down the road.
http://www.vehicross.info/forums/showthread.php?t=17494

While you may believe that Defenders are mechanically easy to work on, the electrical aspect should also be considered, as electrical gremlins in older examples that may have been done by someone not as well versed in the work as they should have been, may have done a botch job somewhere along the lines.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Land...5839666?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item41687c2132

Alot less done to this vehicle, but it has way lower mileage, seems overall cleaner and unmolested.

That other 110 with the 2.5 diesel is over on d-90. I see you're a member over there, but not necessarily active. There is a lot of great information specifically relating to Defenders that you'll want to search around a bit over there.

http://www.d-90.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36749

The bank also wanted to go personal loan on a 25 year D110, which gives me a crappy interest rate.

How much do you have saved? With any vehicle of that age, you'll want to have $5k+ socked away for the first year after purchase to bring the truck up to a standard starting point for you or your mechanic, and if it's not all used up the first year, keep it aside for the next year while still adding to the pot for needed repairs.

 

[taylorRichie]

Thanks for the responses! The seller of the second one I listed has been great about detailing the vehicle history, mechanical information etc. He purchased the vehicle while in Europe, and drove it all over Scotland and England several years ago.


@Canol - I like your idea of a trip to Europe... I think that would be ideal. Also thanks for the advice about Vin matching, and pre purchase inspection.

@hillstrubl - Great to hear you have had positive experiences with Dr Aaron. I definitely feel that I'm doing my due diligence, and proper research. I understand what I'm getting into, and don't expect a 25+ year old vehicle to have all the creature comforts, and worry free driving as a new vehicle. I understand it'll need attention, and maintenance, I'm a young guy and I enjoy wrenching (in moderation of course) I also prefer a unique vehicle.

@rijosho - Not sure how you jumped to the conclusion that I'm not willing to put in the time or money to go check it out first... I certainly wouldn't be purchasing it sight unseen, and would have every intention of checking it out in person, before laying down cash and driving it 2,000 miles home.

My research has led me to believe mechanically they are quite straight forward and relatively easy to work on. Has your experience been different? I certainly wouldn't claim to be an expert on these vehicles and welcome any and all feedback. Electrical work doesn't scare me. give me a wiring diagram, meter, and time, I'm confident I can work out electrical issues. Older vehicles tend to be much simpler and rudimentary. Though as I stated before, I'm no expert so if there is something bizarre or unique with how these vehicles are wired up, I'd love to hear about it.

I will have a chunk of reserve money for repairs, but I wonder how you came up with $5K+ figure? Can you give me example repairs that would be in this range? I've found completely rebuilt 300tdi's for less than $5K, Axles are much less than 5K for a pair (less to rebuild what you've got), Transmissions less than $2K. Of course that wouldn't include labor, but all I need is time, I've got the tools and the shop.

Off to D-90.com to research further.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[rijosho]

I will have a chunk of reserve money for repairs, but I wonder how you came up with $5K+ figure? Can you give me example repairs that would be in this range? I've found completely rebuilt 300tdi's for less than $5K, Axles are much less than 5K for a pair (less to rebuild what you've got), Transmissions less than $2K. Of course that wouldn't include labor, but all I need is time, I've got the tools and the shop.

I took a year+ researching and looking for the right defender, and the $5k figure was mentioned multiple times by other members as a good savings to have for the first year for a car of that vintage, and I certainly used a bit of it but not all of it. Things to think about: new tires $1k, new rotors/pads, etc. $500, PS pump $400, alternator $400, radiator $800-1k, having mechanic do a 100k mile service plus replace brake lines and PS hoses $2k+. Not all things go bump in one night, but it's good to be prepared for the worst.

 

[taylorRichie]

Awesome! Thanks Rijosho... can you give me any details about your Defender? What has your experience been with repairs? would you take the same path if you were doing it all over? As you can see from the link you posted of mine from Vehicross.info, this has been a several year decision for me as well. Not that I've been actively looking, and researching for the entire duration, but I'm certainly not just jumping in without proper research.

 

[rijosho]

The most important thing for me to find was one with no rust, clean title, higher miles not a deal breaker. I also wanted black exterior, and a well documented service history and not completely stock but not completely built as I wanted to add my own stuff. Paid about $2k to bring it up to a standard that I could (and have) done all the work since, often with help from other defender owners who have already done said task and could teach me tricks along the way. I still talk to the previous owner every 8 months or so and send him a pic of the truck in use, as he had owned it for over 10 years and really cared for it. Imports are a little harder to track down some of that info, but mine is a NAS Spec soft top, so it was imported to the US new.

 

[taylorRichie]

Thanks again for all of your insight and direction.

Should we ever connect, beers on me.

Richie