Buying a Defender?! Things to look for that are going to cost you a fortune! Part 1

Comments · 470

• BR

  @BritannicaRestorations · 8 years ago · pinned

  The point of these videos, is that people are paying way too much for project cars.<br><br>I have nothing against people doing projects - in fact, I encourage it - but pay the right price in the first place.<br><br>Just shop around a bit more if that is your intention, and don&apos;t be taking in by the image or bling<br><br> If you are in the market for a Defender to &apos;jump in and drive&apos;, then this is for you, and what to look for

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• IV

  @ivandate9972 · 7 years ago (edited)

  <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JppMu1preYg&amp;t=954">15:54</a> ... be careful , it had radiation , we can hear it

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• AN

  @antoniopalmero4063 · 5 years ago

  My doors are like that but they still work as doors should 👍, &nbsp;just patch it up and carry on driving 🇬🇧.

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• JO

  @John_Lyes · 5 years ago

  There are two types of LR owners: one is the status symbol types who want a shiny rugged-looking accessory and the other is those (like me) that don&apos;t care about the paint (though rust), or dents, and at least mechanically sound work horse. I don&apos;t mind getting nicks and dents so long as she is road worthy. That&apos;s what they were built for. But like anything, such as the damn Hummer, it&apos;s become this rich status thing, and I am hard pressed to even find a deal anywhere. Back in the day you could pick up a nice used model for cheap.

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• IA

  @ianashton886 · 7 years ago

  I’ve always wanted a Defender but watching your very informative videos has completely put me off buying one.

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• BO

  @Bouwentjes · 5 years ago

  I bought a td5 130 “titanic spec” 4 years ago.<br>Price was accordingly so I could afford it.<br>Spend 100 hours welding, new suspension, brakes etc<br>Now almost without issues for four years already.<br>Doors need replacing tho... will do somewhere next year.<br>Good review! Thanks!

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• TH

  @thephillipsfamily8461 · 6 years ago

  The thing about the defender is that they are easy to fix. the body is made from aluminum so they don’t rust as easily. And the defender is the 4th gen of land rover

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• CA

  @calsurflance5598 · 4 years ago

  New subscriber here. <br>Wow this was fantastic! Awesome information and insight.<br>Many years ago my wife and I went looking for a project. We decided on a 1979 Jaguar XJ6L, that a farmer had been using in his field as you would an old truck. The one operating fuel tank was smashed in and hanging out of the left rear fender. &nbsp;I did the engine , suspension, fuel system, rust treating and other mechanical work. ( I am a retired aircraft mechanic). I had the paint and body work done as well as new carpet, &nbsp;leather , headliner and inner door panels. Several years later, at a concourse in the San Francisco Bay Area , I took best of show. It had been an interesting project, however, years later when the time came to sell it at auction, I &nbsp;got less than half the money I had in it, not even including my own time.<br>Note to self; never purchase someone else’s junk, and neglect!<br>I love what these older Land Rovers stood for, but here in California, if you find one , they are either very very expensive, or very rough.<br>And sometimes both!<br>My wife and I own a 2018 Jeep Wrangler JKU<br> we bought new. It is our version of a Defender, and is our forever car. But I still love and look at the “Landies”.

• BI

  @BittnerBuddenbrock · 6 years ago

  I love your honesty and the way you reason your case! If I was living in Canada, I guess I would drive my LR all the way over from where ever I would live even if it was Calgary just to have you take care of it! But I would do what I have done all my life - I would be there and look over your shoulder and learn while you fix it!

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• CH

  @charlieyoule8007 · 6 years ago (edited)

  Hi Mike. Some observstions which may help in the future, if not already noted. When running the engine do not totally inscrew the drain screw, it will stop the fountain of OAT coolant all over the engine. While the engine is running cold, open the heater matrix on full, switch your heating on the cab to full inother words, to allow the coolant to move around the complete system and stop air lock. The water should not be tap water, use de-ionised this will reduce corrosion in the system. A so called flush will not be enough on an old engine, a second change of OAT may be necessary to clear the rubbish out after about 1000 miles of driving, but each vehicle is different depending on service history. Look for oil in the drained water, it may be a leak in the oil cooler, and if has been very noticeable it may be expansion tank, it could be an engine head issue, oil being pushed into the coolant system. <br>While it should be noted the service schedules are for on road usage, using the vehicle off road means more regular servicing and maintenance. LR do specify more frequent checks and fluid changes should this be the case.<br>Keep up the vidoes, all helps keep a fleet of cars on the road rather than buying new. Interesting comments about Toyotas, etc. If you look at the four wheel drive usage out side the UK it is quite possible, but owing a Land Rover is not the same experience as owing other makes, and yes they have had some complete fails, but so has Nissan, Toyota, and Mitsubishi. In the UK it is easier to get parts, while in America it is easier to get Jeep parts, simples. Look at the African and Australian forums on vehicles and issues as an example of rest of world experience.

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• LE

  @leegr3732 · 3 years ago

  Pretty standard stuff in the uk, with the body in that state similar to one I had, body off, galv bulkhead, new seat boxes, good look at the chassis while body off and replace all doors with tdci doors, they hold their money well in the uk, bought at the right price any money put in you will get back

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• RI

  @RicktheRecorder · 5 years ago

  Not Morocco. The desert areas are solid salt. Despite careful pressure washing afterwards, my heavy duty Td5 chassis turned to dust within 3 years.

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