Our Cars (dream or actual)
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if you are talking old defenders @Giles and @deanclean are your guys.
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Thanks @Appfaff
This is the first big Point to decide, here in Germany we have Emission Stickers that show how much Co2 the Car produces, without the Sticker you cant drive into many major citys. That leaves me with two Options, either take a 2005ish and later Model because they either have the Green Sticker or can get them with a aftermarket Filter or I have to get one Pre 1990 because this would be considerd "historisch" or Oldtimer which in Germany gives you the Letter "H" on the Numberplate and besides other benefits frees you from any Emission regulations.
The question then is how daily-able are those 1990 and ealier Defender, I´m talking Autobahn driving to work, lots of Kilometers, work in the Forest and because i live in the City also driving in thick traffic ?
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I’ve never had one, but based on what I do know, I think a solid axle defender may be the worst car for what you are looking for… the new one would work tho!
They are like driving a tank, and are not fast, break down often, and leak... but they are also fun as hell on sand and dirt
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@Steffen I had a 1995 Turbo diesel Defender that I imported from Spain. I had it for about a year that and loved it. It was my daily driver but at the time I lived only about 20km from work. Here in Ontario Canada it was exempt from any emissions standards so that was a plus. I managed to get a good one but as you probably know from your searching that there is a huge range of conditions on these vehicles. Take your time to find one thats as free from rust as possible. Mine coming from Spain was a good start. I dont know how mechanical you are but they do take constant care and maintenance (mine did anyway). The good thing is that most of it is pretty straightforward. Get the workshop manual and you can do most of it yourself if thats what you like to do. I enjoy working on cars and love the satisfaction of solving an issue but its also nice to take to a mechanic when its the middle of February and you dont want to like on the concrete floor of your garage checking fluid levels. Parts are easy to get and normally you can find a different range in prices for those parts depending if you buy OEM or aftermarket. I ended up selling mine because my wife and I moved further away and I just didnt want to do that much highway driving with it. Ideally one day Ill have another when I can have two cars. (or 3 when I finally get my El Camino). Im sure you have figured out most of this stuff in your research so good luck with the purchase. Its was loads of fun but I agree with what was said above. Its noisy, leaks, cold in the winter, but worth it.
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I loved mine, it was an 07 version from memory. I sold it recently because I was only putting about 1000 miles a year on it. It used to be our only car, then I did Scotand and back in 3 days with Haraki and decided I needed something that was better for long trips. It was a 2.5 Turbo Diesel and drank fuel. In the 7 years I has it, the turbo blew, but was covered under warranty and the bonnet lid opening cable stuck, that's really all that went wrong. Parts are super cheap - I reversed into a wall at home, before I realised that it had a much longer overhang that our previous car, and bust all the lights on one side. All delivered next day for under £20 inc delivery…..
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You need a car to reach your "Almhuette" even in winter? You have a forest to look after, going shooting regulary? Yessss you will love it! German Autobahn? Inner city traffic? Nooooooo!!!! You will get mad…
sorryAnd what @deanclean said
I dont know how mechanical you are but they do take constant care and maintenance (mine did anyway). The good thing is that most of it is pretty straightforward. Get the workshop manual and you can do most of it yourself if thats what you like to do.
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Thanks for the Answers Guys.
@deanclean I read that with the rust problems, i spotted one here and there on the market that is derusted and sealed which no one would do if it wasnt a problem, i make shure to look out for that, Merci. I would prefer to buy one from a private Owner instead of a Dealer because I think that a Person who bought a Defender did it because he or she liked the car and cared for it, it isnt a VW Golf, no one buys it because he or she needs a grocery getter.
My Dad is a Automotive Technician and I took some knowledge from him too so i´m set when it comes to workshop work.
I found an insane amount of Infos regarding repair and there are plenty german shops that sell Repair and Upgrade Parts for the Defender. The Upgrade thing is important because we have our good old german "TÜV" who does the technical Check-Up for every Car on the road who doenst like non OEM Parts if they dont have the right Certificate with them, luckly for the Defender there are Tons and Tons of certified Upgrade Parts with makes life much easier.
I have an old Audi form the 80s that is the Polar opposite, no Parts avalabile, no Manuals avalabile, not even Audi Dealerships can source some Parts.
@Giles That would be the Year I thought looking at too, 07-10 or so, in the Mid-priced Sector, I dont plan on getting a Museum Piece for 60k but neither a Rat for 10k with 500k Kilometers. Not many Breakdowns or other Problems Sounds promesing.
I know that the long range travel capabilities arent really there, If i wouldve to go for distance i swap my mother for her Mercedes C-Class.
@Chap That is the Point, I have to do both, I have a Forest and Fields (and an Apple Orchard in the near Future) to look after and work in but I moved to the City two Years ago, I tried to go to the Forest in my Dads VW Polo and may have wrecked the Gearbox to shite in a Day
So i think of sacrificing some Comfort in the City and on my way to work for the go everywhere capabilities of the Defender.Sadly i´m missing the Almhütte, would be lovely though, a college of mine has one with his dad.
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Rangers will always hold a place in my heart. I learned how to drive a manual in my grandpas ranger out on old farm roads in East Texas.
Enjoy in good health, and I’m loving the blue!
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that's a great truck @twin. I'm seeing more and more if them here in Minnesota and they are a great updated version of the classic ranger. My wife has an F-150 and we were considering a Raptor, but it wouldn't be practical for pulling the horse trailer.
In Europe, they make a Ranger Raptor, which would be a really fun truck to drive.
Enjoy your new wheels!
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that's a great truck @twin. I'm seeing more and more if them here in Minnesota and they are a great updated version of the classic ranger. My wife has an F-150 and we were considering a Raptor, but it wouldn't be practical for pulling the horse trailer.
In Europe, they make a Ranger Raptor, which would be a really fun truck to drive.
Enjoy your new wheels!
I drive past a Ranger Raptor on my way to work, looks like a lot of fun. Sadly we dont get the real Raptor for the Dealer and a Import Car is hella expensive.
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Bronco Raptor is what I’m waiting for
But let’s be fair, I’d never buy it…I am a glutton for punishment and will most likely go back to my old ways with used German and rusted Japanese cars my my American Made warranties expire and the 100 Anniversary Land Cruisers start popping up as CPOs.
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i have a very strong feeling this will be a future classic. almost on a same level as a Celica GT4. carbon roof, double wishbone rear and a front and rear LSD. it's definitely peaked my interest.. 156kw (210bhp)/tonne..
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Interesting, Look forward to hearing how that drives…
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@organisys prototype drive at the end of last year at estoril..
a write up from car advice.. https://www.caradvice.com.au/814710/2020-toyota-yaris-gr-review-preview-drive/
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The weight saving is great. Mad they went AWD, that has to add a lot to the cost, I wonder if they struggled to get the traction / handling right with FWD.
At least someone is doing something to rival RenaultSport.
