Should i get rid of van for classic landy?

laois hibby

I'm in 2 minds. I have a transit van which at the moment can't afford to keep.
I've been out of work a while and unable to tax it commercially legally, its sitting at home doing nothing. A friend of mine is selling a 1975 series 3 landy which although needs some work is in reasonable shape. i was thinking of getting rid of the transit and getting the landy. obviously classic insurance and tax will be a major saving. but would i be able to use the landy as an everyday car? and if i got any jobs which required me to bring tools etc would it be legal without a commercial policy on it.
If i get rid of the van and bought the landy i should have a couple of grand spare to do most of the work on it and clear some bills at the same time.
Am I Mad???

manta mad

dont think yer mad at all

thinking of going down the same route meself !!!!!

all though i dont know anything about landrovers ,id like a diesel safari version ...

we,ll find out soon enough :rolleyes:

si_guru

I think you'll find classic insurance is hard to get if it is your only vehicle. I have owned many Land Rovers... even mint restored ones cost a fortune to keep on the road. If it is petrol expect 15mpg.. diesel 25 tops. As everyday transport... they make all journeys feel 10 times longer!

.... I love them, but don't be conned be into thinking they don't rust or go wrong.. they do - often!

Ali Babba

..........or maybe a classic Range Rover? They're a bit more refined than the Landrover. The Landrover is really only a step up from a tractor.

Caddyvanman

I think the best thing for you (or anyone thinking about this) to do before you buy is to take the 1975 landrover (or another series landrover) on a long drive.
There a love/hate vehicle, they've no power steering, are slow, noisy, very uncomfortable and need a lot of looking after.
The diesel's gets it hard to top 50mph and there on drum brakes all round which takes some getting use to and a lot of maintance to keep them pulling straight and through.
By the way i am a huge fan of the older landrover.

mikesmerc

As said above, series land rovers are miles apart from todays 4x4s, you really have to love em to put up with em. Parts are cheap as chips, the main issue is with the chassis, corrosion is a big thing, if its only confined to the rear cross member then this can be replaced quiet easily and cheaply.
Mike

si_guru

mikesmerc wrote: »

.. series land rovers .. you really have to love em to put up with em.

Nail - head - hammer.... direct hit!

laois hibby

I have driven the one i'm thinking of buying and loved it. It does need a bit of work to get it up to scratch but since i'm not working it will keep me occupied for a while.
with regards to the insurance i do also have a car which the wife uses most of the time so i have a policy if that helps getting classic insurance all the better.
this one is the 2.25 petrol which i do understand is heavier on juice that i'm used to but saying that i'd say its unlikely i will be doing big long drives, mainly local driving. when a job comes up and its not practical i'll just get a cheap van to keep me going.

si_guru

The 2.25 (2286cc) petrol is a lovely engine, either 3 (likely to be) or 5 bearing versions. Will run forever with basic maintenance... much easier to live with than the similar sized diesel.

Like I said... 15mpg is normal. You might see 20 if you drove the M7 at 45mph with a tail wind.. but that's not what they are about.

Rust eats the chassis on them.. as said before - rear crossmember, outrigger and front dumb irons. Dirt hides rust well on these chassis - as does "underseal".

Body will rust in footwells and bulkhead - most common place in near the door hinges and bottom corner of windscreen. Also check fuel tank for rust.

Electrics are notoriously dodgy and likely to have been hacked by bodgers.

Running gear and brakes are all fixable as long as you don't mind getting filthy and can put up with the smell of EP90 gear oil.

Don't bother with mud tyres unless you plan to use it in mud.. they will cost you 3-4mpg and make the brakes even more scary!

shawnee

Grand yokes those landrovers , particularily on a fine sunny day. Drove one the other day and can only describe it as slightly better than a tractor and when I say a tractor , I mean a ferguson 35 with a cab. Noisy, bumpy and very airy !! You've been warned , best of luck :D