So I'm conflicted... May sell the VX. Unique opportunity

[taylorRichie]

So...

I have an opportunity to buy one of the very few vehicles I could even THINK about replacing my Vehicross with. It does everything the vehicross can do... maybe even a bit better, (It's even a head turner, maybe not to the extent of the VX but it definitely doesn't go unnoticed)

It can haul my fam (Me, Brit, Berlynn, and 120lbs worth of dogs) And still have room for my ARB Fridge/Freezer, and gear. It gets 30MPG even. But... I can't get it and keep my VX. And it only has 65,000 miles

What to do What to do...

[rowhard]

That would certainly get the job done. You can always pick up a VX down the road of life.

DO IT

[vt_maverick]

That would certainly get the job done. You can always pick up a VX down the road of life.

DO IT

x2.

[VX KAT]

Having owned a '97 D90 for 5 yrs, Dave & I can weigh in here... (although ours was not the TDI..ours was regular gas 4.0).
OBSERVATIONS:
~We were very comfortable in the OEM seats for many a long trip across TX, NM, AZ. I did put some nice seat covers on them that were like wetsuit material. I also made some lumbar support pillows, Dave did say he sometimes got a bit of an ache after long drives, but the lumbar thing fixed that.

~We couldn't get that flying brick over 72 on a flat highway....think diesel may be even slower(?) Passing was a risky, calculated operation as it could barely get out of it's own way....

~IIRC, they only made the 110 in white (or at least the ones exported here), so this may be a re-paint job..check out it's condition

~Where's the front exoskeleton roll bars (Camel bar)? For some reason, not sure why, I thought that was required for it to be licensed in U.S. I needed that to climb into it, along with the step rails we added. Looks like this one has the flip down step. I used the top horizontal bar of the exo roll bar over the door to grab and hoist my self in...it was a necessity in my case.

~Creature comforts- ZERO, nada, nil, zip, null, big goose egg.......
~Modern technology or ammenities -ZERO, nada, nil, zip, null, big goose egg.......ummm, it did have a digital odometer display though!

~That weird dash turned out to be exceptionally functional for holding stuff and having it readily at hand. I was co-pilot, so the dash was my territory. It was like having an open glove box right there, very handy.

~Assuming it has the A/C unit....the bolt on a/c was a bit in the way, made for a pretty confined foot area, but the shins didn't hit it much. It certainly wasn't a very strong unit though...keep in mind we lived in TX and it was hot! It could barely keep up. Otherwise, the front flaps were great! Good airflow! And had screens on them so bugs don't fly in and hit yer teef!

~MPG on our gas model.....15 tops with heavy tail wind with OEM gas tank. They do make auxiliary tanks you can add. We could go precisely 225 miles on a tank, maxxxxxxxxxxx. Don't know about the diesel. We had to plan routes carefully to know where gas was available if we weren't carrying our 2 jerry cans on roof rack.

~Tires- It came with the BFG A/Ts but we changed to Bridgestone Dueler REVOs.

~Ride /suspension was great, no complaints, much better than our '95 Wrangler.

~We bought ours at 5 yrs old with only 9k miles, drove it for 5 yrs to about 45k, nothing ever repaired.

~I know you've probably been there already but hit atlanticbritish.com and roversnorth.com to drool over stuff. Definitely need a roof rack. We got the Brown Church. I'd also get a brush guard, but I've been told by many that the brush guard just does more damage to the Rover in a wreck.

~It was awesome for the dogs, absolutely perfect. We removed the 4 jump seats so we had tons of room for gear & dogs. I can't recall how many/if there are jump seats behind your 2nd row...but yank 'em! Sold mine on ebay for $1,200!

BOTTOM LINE- Absolutely go for it...If you like off roading & even more attention than the VX, ride of a lifetime! Life circumstances & changes happen , so we sold it to buy our FJ Cruiser (outright) which was another factor. We were lucky enough to hit the upswing in D90 values and sold it for only $2 or $3k less than we paid 5 yrs earlier. We don't regret a minute of it!

OK, sorry for long book here....hope you enjoy it...

[nfpgasmask]

~We couldn't get that flying brick over 72 on a flat highway....think diesel may be even slower(?) Passing was a risky, calculated operation as it could barely get out of it's own way....

That sounds exactly how my Trooper was before the motor swap. Gutless.

~Creature comforts- ZERO, nada, nil, zip, null, big goose egg.......~Modern technology or ammenities -ZERO, nada, nil, zip, null, big goose egg.

Wow, that is exactly the Trooper as well.

~MPG on our gas model.....15 tops with heavy tail wind with OEM gas tank. They do make auxiliary tanks you can add. We could go precisely 225 miles on a tank, maxxxxxxxxxxx.

That is exactly what I get on both the Trooper and the VX.

You guys make me jealous.

Bart

[alterastro]

I too have had a 90. I'm 6' 2" and found the driving position very uncomfortable, with no shoulder room at all for me. Ultimately though I sold it as I love my luxuries and comforts - both of which are no existant on the Landie. The heater was next to useless - if it did work I just steamed up the windows. No AC, so in summer, cooling the interior meant trying to reach the window winder without crashing and hoping the heater would actually switch off

They have a huge following in the UK, not because they are comfy, never breakdown or go anywhere - but simply because parts are everywhere and very cheap, so when it breaks down, its an easy fix.

As far as I'm concerned, I'm glad I've owned one, but I wouldn't have another. I sold mine and bought a VX

Nick

[Ldub]

What to do What to do...

Get the number of a competent mechanic.

[taylorRichie]

Actually this is one of the most mechanically simple vehicles on the planet...

300TDI Diesel Motor. No bells and whistles. I've been on other forums (cheating) and doing research... There are people with over 300,000 on this motor, with nothing more than routine maintenance (Filters and Oil changes, occasionally a belt). And this one only has 65K. And being a diesel it eliminates almost all possibility for Electrical Gremlins.

Everything else is easily serviced as well, which is why this is a popular outback, or overland travel vehicle. Almost everything can be repaired trailside or in the middle of the desert.

And Parts are readily available... Everything from replacement body panels, tops, trims, bumpers, lockers, bulkheads, Frames, tubs etc. And it uses Salisbury(Dana) axles.

Of course I have a Land Rover dealership about 30minutes away. Just in case. And I live in Utah... Which is a mecca for reputable backyard Mechanics.

[crotchrocket]

Its a nice 4x4, there's no doubt about it but it is a utility vehicle, say good bye to the comfort of the VX!

have you tested one yet?

[taylorRichie]

Its a nice 4x4, there's no doubt about it but it is a utility vehicle, say good bye to the comfort of the VX!

have you tested one yet?

Only the D90 not the 110. I know it's not without its trade-offs. But here in the states these are rare!! way more so than the VX. Only 500 legally imported in 94, and then a few hundred Grey Market imports, and now a handful of Imports under the 25 year import law. And I have a 3 mile commute If I was really after "Comfort" It wouldn't be a VX I'd be driving anyway, especially not one with 33" tires and Bilstiens

Of course what comfort I did/do have may go out the window with the D110. But what I loose in comfort I make up in Doubling my fuel mileage.

[crotchrocket]

Only the D90 not the 110. I know it's not without its trade-offs. But here in the states these are rare!! way more so than the VX. Only 500 legally imported in 94, and then a few hundred Grey Market imports, and now a handful of Imports under the 25 year import law. And I have a 3 mile commute If I was really after "Comfort" It wouldn't be a VX I'd be driving anyway, especially not one with 33" tires and Bilstiens

Of course what comfort I did/do have may go out the window with the D110. But what I loose in comfort I make up in Doubling my fuel mileage.

Dude, sounds like you got the bug, if the Landy is all good, go for it!

[nfpgasmask]

Oh wow, doood. Finally a "thinking of selling" thread that I have some respect for.

Jeez, that is a wicked tough choice. It pains me to say it, but given the circumstances, I would say go for it. I think this vehicle is a rarer opportunity than a VX. And I think you could probably get another VX down the road if you wanted to.

I love my VX, it's paid off, and I have no reason or desire to sell it. The D90s and D110s are like my other dream vehicles. If I was made of cash I probably would have sourced a 110 instead of the Trooper. Granted, I love my Trooper, but yeah, the Defenders are SOOO cool. My Trooper is going to be a "poor man's 110" by the time I am done with it, but you have a chance to have the REAL DEAL. That said, part of my decision to NOT get a Rover was the cost, and the fact that I already knew I had a nice support network of ZuZu fans at the ready. Plus, I actually do like the look of the 1st gen Troopers. I'm sure there are some good LR forums so you will be just fine.

Just promise me you will meet up with us sometime so I can see this thing if you get it!!

---> If there was a smiley with a hard-on it would go right here <---


FINALLY someone who is thinking of trading up for an equally cool vehicle and not a CAR or something more practical and boring like that!

Bart

[LittleBeast]

I am confused on this one.....





Why do you want a red school bus?????





Just wondering

[VXorado]

Good choice, Ive always wanted a defender but feared it would be riddled with mechcanical problems. Sounds like you've found a good one .

Like crotchrocket said, how does it compare in ride quality to the VX? Does it have leaf springs or coils F+R?

[djvx]

It doesnt look like something you'd have to sell your vx to pay for? Don't pay too much for it. Rare or not it doesn't look as good as a vx. 1st gen. Troopers better. Older deisels were not as reliable as some of the ones made today. 30 mpg is like a dangling carrot in front of you but if it means puttin' up with a lot of B.S. It might not be worth it. That said it's your decision, so good luck with it either way.