I am looking for a car to commute 60 miles a day, is reasonably economical and most importantly reliable! Either a small cheap petrol or an old diesel that i can twin tank for a veg oil conversion.
I have spent the last few months contemplating what car to buy, this has ranged from small economical motors such as a Suzuki alto, to big troopers, hilux's, but every time i think i have found the right car, i research it and there is usually a long list of expensive reliability issues, injectors, head gaskets, extortionate parts prices, not to mention the issues with common rail diesels!
Talking it over with the other half we have agreed that it would be sensible to have a 4x4 as we live in a fairly secluded area and the roads are often flooded in the winter (other half's car is a Suzuki grand vitara which copes well, but i also enjoy beating and working my Springer in the winter which doesn't go down well when dead pheasants and muddy dogs are in the family car)
I have looked at 90s in the past but for my budget they are pretty ropy and i have always dismissed the series 3s due to their age and comfort factor.
However im sure the old 2.5 N/A would cope with veg oil, bringing the fuel price down, insurance would be cheap and it would double as a working car in the winter when beating. I also figure that for 3k (my budget) i could either get a hard worked 90 or a fairly decent 3 series.
Just one thing left to ask...... what are they like to live with, are they reliable if looked after and would it cope with a daily commute of 60 miles?
Baring in mind my previous daily has been a 84 freight rover Sherpa is the maintenance on par or should i expect to be fiddling every weekend with it?
any comments or alternative recommendations would be appreciated.
Many thanks
James
living with an older landrover?
Re: living with an older landrover?
My sister has lived for many years in fairly remote parts of Africa, where a 4x4 isn't a fun car, a hobby car or a poser car, it's an absolute necessity, and a few times (way out in game reserves) her life has depended on it, and mine too on one occasion.
Therefore as you would expect, everybody (or all the westerners at any rate) have proper 4x4s, and are well versed in the pros and cons of the various types. As you would expect, for many years the Land Rover was the "de-rigeur" default choice, but that is no longer the case. Almost everybody now favours the Toyota Land Cruiser - not the namby pamby ones we have here with cup holders and sat nav, we're talking the big lorry-like things like you see used all over the place by the likes of the UN and various exploration and safari companies. It's considered far better than a Land Rover in terms of reliability, build quality, fuel efficiency, robustness, comfort and sophistication - pretty much everything really except perhaps image and patriotism!
I should imagine that an older version of the Cruiser would easily run on veggie oil?
I'll probably get shot down by the Landie fans on here - believe me I love Landies too, but this is the real life experience of lots of folk in rough African territory who really depend on these things to be able to function, so I thought I'd mention it!
Cheers
Therefore as you would expect, everybody (or all the westerners at any rate) have proper 4x4s, and are well versed in the pros and cons of the various types. As you would expect, for many years the Land Rover was the "de-rigeur" default choice, but that is no longer the case. Almost everybody now favours the Toyota Land Cruiser - not the namby pamby ones we have here with cup holders and sat nav, we're talking the big lorry-like things like you see used all over the place by the likes of the UN and various exploration and safari companies. It's considered far better than a Land Rover in terms of reliability, build quality, fuel efficiency, robustness, comfort and sophistication - pretty much everything really except perhaps image and patriotism!
I should imagine that an older version of the Cruiser would easily run on veggie oil?
I'll probably get shot down by the Landie fans on here - believe me I love Landies too, but this is the real life experience of lots of folk in rough African territory who really depend on these things to be able to function, so I thought I'd mention it!
Cheers
Some people are like Slinkies - they serve no useful purpose, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them downstairs.
Re: living with an older landrover?
Is all. Quote might not be strictly verbatim, memory etc.A very wise Australian person once wrote:If you want to get into the bush, bring a Land Rover, if you want to get home afterwards, bring a Toyota.
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
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Willy Eckerslyke
- Posts: 225
- Joined: Wed Jan 05, 2011 2:35 pm
Re: living with an older landrover?
I have a Series 3 but would hate to drive it 60 miles every day. For 3K you should be able to get a useable one plus a cheap, economical car. Then you could just use the Landy when the conditions demand and enjoy what it's capable of, but use the car for the daily slog.
Re: living with an older landrover?
A series 3 is a lovely old thing but they are not comfortable. The 2.5na is gutless, even the turbo is pretty pedestrian.
Defenders are expensive and more comfortable than a series 3 but still feel like an old car even when they are brand new.
Why not look at a Discovery 2? They are comfortable, reasonably cheap, not too old, parts are readily available. TD5 engines will run on bio diesel (or red, or heating oil, not that I would do such things) but it would be best to speak to your local supplier and see what mods they recommend. The TD5 I have access to never goes on the road so occasional breakdowns due to gummed up filters aren't a major problem. There are lots of articles on running newer Land Rovers on alternative fuels on the web
All cars can have expensive problems, Land Rovers have quite a poor reputation for this but properly looked after they are no worse than anything else.
In standard form, looked after properly most cars will last long past their designers intentions. I have a 1994 Range Rover that I do about 500 miles a week in. It has taken be lots of years to get it in to a condition that it will do it but I would have no problems driving it to Africa and back (my bank manager wouldn't thank me though). It will break now I have said it but I haven't had to do more than servicing in a long time.
Defenders are expensive and more comfortable than a series 3 but still feel like an old car even when they are brand new.
Why not look at a Discovery 2? They are comfortable, reasonably cheap, not too old, parts are readily available. TD5 engines will run on bio diesel (or red, or heating oil, not that I would do such things) but it would be best to speak to your local supplier and see what mods they recommend. The TD5 I have access to never goes on the road so occasional breakdowns due to gummed up filters aren't a major problem. There are lots of articles on running newer Land Rovers on alternative fuels on the web
All cars can have expensive problems, Land Rovers have quite a poor reputation for this but properly looked after they are no worse than anything else.
In standard form, looked after properly most cars will last long past their designers intentions. I have a 1994 Range Rover that I do about 500 miles a week in. It has taken be lots of years to get it in to a condition that it will do it but I would have no problems driving it to Africa and back (my bank manager wouldn't thank me though). It will break now I have said it but I haven't had to do more than servicing in a long time.
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: living with an older landrover?
if you are looking for a reliable 4x4 buy a diahatsu fourtrack.. you will never regret it... i shed a tear after i sold mine.. f978uaj where are you now??
Re: living with an older landrover?
It is taxed so you could enquire via the DVLA if the owner would be interested in selling it back to yourich. wrote:f978uaj where are you now??
DVLA wrote: Date of Liability 01 10 2013
Understeer: when you hit the wall with the front of the car.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Oversteer: when you hit the wall with the back of the car.
Horsepower: how fast you hit the wall.
Torque: how far you take the wall with you.
Re: living with an older landrover?
thanks mate! i waxoiled that one very well, so it should last for ever.. as much as id love to buy it back im still in debt to the bank of dad for my tipper & i havent been working since christmas.. & im still owed for work i did in november..... starting a job for a guy monday so that should put food on the table for a while...
Re: living with an older landrover?
You say that as if it's a bad thing.Terry wrote:feel like an old car even when they are brand new.
It's been harder to find anything that fills that particular requirement since Hindustans ceased to be imported to the UK. 
J
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
"Home is where you park it", so the saying goes. That may yet come true..
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SirTainleyBarking
- Posts: 413
- Joined: Mon Feb 14, 2011 12:41 am
- Location: Solihull, where Landrovers come from
Re: living with an older landrover?
Series Landrovers are perfectly servicable vehicles if looked after. The problem they all have is the previous owners (Bit like second hand Toyotas)
Before I get lynched I'll say why. At some point in their life they will have both been owned by people who think that all they have to do is add petrol, and not look after the other bits. Even if it looks a peach, there will be a bodge somewhere in there
Pro's, easy to work on. Parts cheap and easy to get, Mechanicals will still work even when past shagged
Cons: Heavy fuel consumption compared to a modern. Rust in the chassis and bulkhead. Lucas electrics.Noisy at 50mph+ if you don't have an overdrive.
General. Avoid the 2.6, lovely when they're right, a pain when they're not. The chassis, gearbox bell housing and props are different on this model, so swapping out the engine for a 2.25 is a lot of work (I own a 2.6 as the lower miles vehicle - does 15-20mpg)
On crossplies the handling can be a bit interesting in the wet. Leaf spring suspension can be "Firm" when the vehicle is lightly laden. Speed bumps at reasonable speed = dents in the roof from the passengers. Changing these for parabolics can make the ride more compliant.
Later 90/110's have coil springs and ride much better, and are probably a better bet for long commuting.
Discoveries: I have a D1 Disco 300Tdi for a daily driver, I commute 30 miles a day through Birmingham traffic. I wouldn't do this in the series
Before I get lynched I'll say why. At some point in their life they will have both been owned by people who think that all they have to do is add petrol, and not look after the other bits. Even if it looks a peach, there will be a bodge somewhere in there
Pro's, easy to work on. Parts cheap and easy to get, Mechanicals will still work even when past shagged
Cons: Heavy fuel consumption compared to a modern. Rust in the chassis and bulkhead. Lucas electrics.Noisy at 50mph+ if you don't have an overdrive.
General. Avoid the 2.6, lovely when they're right, a pain when they're not. The chassis, gearbox bell housing and props are different on this model, so swapping out the engine for a 2.25 is a lot of work (I own a 2.6 as the lower miles vehicle - does 15-20mpg)
On crossplies the handling can be a bit interesting in the wet. Leaf spring suspension can be "Firm" when the vehicle is lightly laden. Speed bumps at reasonable speed = dents in the roof from the passengers. Changing these for parabolics can make the ride more compliant.
Later 90/110's have coil springs and ride much better, and are probably a better bet for long commuting.
Discoveries: I have a D1 Disco 300Tdi for a daily driver, I commute 30 miles a day through Birmingham traffic. I wouldn't do this in the series
Landrovers and Welding go together like Bread and Butter. And in the wet they are about as structurally sound
Biting. It's like kissing except there's a winner
Biting. It's like kissing except there's a winner