My wife and I have always loved the Defender 90. The NAS version has gotten stupid expensive, so I've started considering importing one. They were sold in dozens of countries, though we definitely want a left-hand drive version. Where should I look to find a reasonably priced copy that could be imported?
It's the "reasonably priced" part that's going to be the issue. If you're looking in Europe, the further South, the better. Or go look for a RHD in the UK as they are most plentiful there, but also with the most plentiful rust issues.
Contact southern overland co. He usually has a few, and there are others who specialize in importing. There are also the ones from Spain that weren't exactly rovers, but close and most won't know the difference. Just make sure it's the right age- those are vehicles that are crushed regularly by the government.
Drive one first.
A customer owns a Defender 110 and it's got character in spades.
It makes an FJ40 seem quiet and the turbo diesel is slower than Forrest Gump.
I thought they were cool. I'm sticking to IHC Scouts and FSJs from now on.
They still look the business, just not something I'd want to deal with every day.
ShawnG said:Drive one first.
A customer owns a Defender 110 and it's got character in spades.
It makes an FJ40 seem quiet and the turbo diesel is slower than Forrest Gump.
I thought they were cool. I'm sticking to IHC Scouts and FSJs from now on.
They still look the business, just not something I'd want to deal with every day.
In 1996, I remember Dad test driving a Defender. I don't recall if it was a 90 or 110 - I was 6 years old - but I do remember the test drive, and it was AWESOME. It would have been dads daily driver.
Years later, from a financial standpoint, not getting that seemed like it should have hurt. My dad told me "if that's the price to not have to drive a tractor to work every day, I'm ok with that".
I had a D90 and D110. Both NAS.
these days I import from Italy or my newest one (should land 2 weeks), Slovakia
69, series IIA 109
Didn't Santana Motors build Series Land Rovers, not Defenders?
What ShawnG said about the noise - they're not called the "Deafener" in the UK for nothing.
From a rust perspective, a Santana from Spain or Italy is probably a better bet than a Defender from Germany or the UK condition wise.
One other thing I remembered - there is a fair number of ex-MOD (UK Ministry of Defence, ie, military surplus) Defenders floating around, although those are usually 110s. Not only do those only come with the NA diesel and thus are slower than a geriatric three legged turtle, they also have 24V electrical systems.
mtn said:"If that's the price to not have to drive a tractor to work every day, I'm ok with that".
Tractor is a very fitting way of looking at a defender! But they're a pretty cool tractor.
Probably not at all helpful to the op, but the Australian army 110 perentie's run an isuzu 4bd1-t engine. Not fast, but reliable as gravity....Only problem is rhd.
The 200/300tdi engine isnt bad. Theyre reliable, adequate, simple and perform reasonably for what they are.
The later td5 diesels are great, but have a lot more electrical baggage than the tdi's I mentioned above.
I have a 300tdi discovery, it's basically the same running gear as a defender, but a more comfortable, quieter drive. Still sounds and smells like a tractor though... Which I quite like.
You want a Land rover Defender 90
Can't believe I'm the first
if I am importing a 4x4 from Italy, I would be tempted to grab a Fiat AR76.
While very old now (built in the 70s) they use the push rod version of the Fiat 124 engine. Dropping in a twincam should be possible.
Saw one locally on the marketplace for sale for $25k I think. There is a guy that lives about 15 miles from me that rebuilds old Land Rovers. Always cool to pass by his house as he has lots of them in his driveway.
Placemotorsports said:Saw one locally on the marketplace for sale for $25k I think. There is a guy that lives about 15 miles from me that rebuilds old Land Rovers. Always cool to pass by his house as he has lots of them in his driveway.
Do any of them run?
russde said:You want a Land rover Defender 90
Can't believe I'm the first
I'm confused. What do you mean?
dyintorace said:russde said:You want a Land rover Defender 90
Can't believe I'm the first
I'm confused. What do you mean?
It took me a bit to figure it out, he is referring to your title 
Placemotorsports said:Saw one locally on the marketplace for sale for $25k I think. There is a guy that lives about 15 miles from me that rebuilds old Land Rovers. Always cool to pass by his house as he has lots of them in his driveway.
Is that the place in Hedgesville?
Slippery said:dyintorace said:russde said:You want a Land rover Defender 90
Can't believe I'm the first
I'm confused. What do you mean?
It took me a bit to figure it out, he is referring to your title
I mean you did give a pretty clear instruction... 
Lol. Now I get it!
Started the customer's truck today.
Yup. still sounds like two cheese graters fornicating in a dumpster.
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