Awatere
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Our family Landee
Well just last week we bought our first landee - a 1989 Landrover Defender 110 with 250,000kms on the clock!
Landee replaces our second car, a 1997 Mitsibishi Legnum AWD V6 that drives like a sports car and comes with leather interior, air con and a heater that works.
Unlike our first landee!
So, I should explain *why* we have decided to replace a perfectly good car with an English 4x4, based on a design that descends directly from the original Series 1 (Maurice & Spencer Wilks) way back in 1947.
It is for our children. The hope is that this is a vehicle that our girls can grow up with. Something that will be around longer than the 3 yearly refreshed japanese imports that have ruled our lives. A car that can carry the family dog, old stinky hocky gear, stinky fishing gear and just about anything that you like. A car that we can name (currently landee and it looks like it will stick), that will create persistent memories.
This does not come cheap! The car was only ~8k on trademe.co.nz however it needs a fair bit of work to bring it up to a reliable and safe standard. However, I am reasonably handy with things mechanical and always willing to give things a go so we shall see...
I will be putting together a list of planned improvements over the coming weeks and months - a plan of sorts to improve the vehicle over time to meet our family requirements.
Oh and one other thing, this particular landee came with a slightly unusual aftermarket modification in the form of a safari roof that opens from front to back. Just what one needs for big game hunting here in New Zealand.
The auction listing below:
"Kilometres: 250,000km
Body: white, 5 door, 4x4 / SUV
Fuel type: Petrol
Engine: 8 cylinder, 3500cc, Manual, 4WD
Registration expires: Nov 2008
WOF expires: Jun 2008
Stereo description: n/a
Features: Power steering, Sunroof, Towbar
We have owned 5 Defenders (90/110) varying from 1980 through to 2003 manufacture, and this one has been (touch wood) the most reliable by a long shot. Uniquely, the roof concertina folds open from the passenger seats back (made of heavy duty synthetic fabric). There is also a sunroof above the driver/front passenger.
Clutch work complete, master/slave cylinder etc replaced, Fresh WOF, everything seems to be going well. Plenty of tread on recently fitted tyres. There's a few of the usual panel pressure dents, and some surface rust here and there (ie: it is not mint - and the fair price reflects that.) as it is it's a great vehicle.
Selling as we have a 1998 110, and now a scooter for commuting.
Some unsubstantiated history from the previous owner; this 110 was originally a european embassy vehicle and then subsequently owned in NZ by president of the landrover club. It has black leather seats (only 4 - rear is carpeted and you can chuck 4 adults in there but without seats), 5 speed gearbox.
Leaks water above front doors in heavy rain when you first get going (even our 03 model did that!). Needs to run with choke out to warm up for first 5 minutes.Lot's of fun as a holiday/beach wagon - and a solid reliable workhorse if you need it.
I've looked after it, but I haven't been precious with it. I even cleaned it once. No, twice. They look better dirty.Thanks for looking!" ¶ 1:08 AM 1 comments
Well just last week we bought our first landee - a 1989 Landrover Defender 110 with 250,000kms on the clock!Landee replaces our second car, a 1997 Mitsibishi Legnum AWD V6 that drives like a sports car and comes with leather interior, air con and a heater that works.
Unlike our first landee!
So, I should explain *why* we have decided to replace a perfectly good car with an English 4x4, based on a design that descends directly from the original Series 1 (Maurice & Spencer Wilks) way back in 1947.It is for our children. The hope is that this is a vehicle that our girls can grow up with. Something that will be around longer than the 3 yearly refreshed japanese imports that have ruled our lives. A car that can carry the family dog, old stinky hocky gear, stinky fishing gear and just about anything that you like. A car that we can name (currently landee and it looks like it will stick), that will create persistent memories.
This does not come cheap! The car was only ~8k on trademe.co.nz however it needs a fair bit of work to bring it up to a reliable and safe standard. However, I am reasonably handy with things mechanical and always willing to give things a go so we shall see...I will be putting together a list of planned improvements over the coming weeks and months - a plan of sorts to improve the vehicle over time to meet our family requirements.
Oh and one other thing, this particular landee came with a slightly unusual aftermarket modification in the form of a safari roof that opens from front to back. Just what one needs for big game hunting here in New Zealand.The auction listing below:
"Kilometres: 250,000km
Body: white, 5 door, 4x4 / SUV
Fuel type: Petrol
Engine: 8 cylinder, 3500cc, Manual, 4WD
Registration expires: Nov 2008
WOF expires: Jun 2008
Stereo description: n/a
Features: Power steering, Sunroof, Towbar
We have owned 5 Defenders (90/110) varying from 1980 through to 2003 manufacture, and this one has been (touch wood) the most reliable by a long shot. Uniquely, the roof concertina folds open from the passenger seats back (made of heavy duty synthetic fabric). There is also a sunroof above the driver/front passenger.
Clutch work complete, master/slave cylinder etc replaced, Fresh WOF, everything seems to be going well. Plenty of tread on recently fitted tyres. There's a few of the usual panel pressure dents, and some surface rust here and there (ie: it is not mint - and the fair price reflects that.) as it is it's a great vehicle.
Selling as we have a 1998 110, and now a scooter for commuting.
Some unsubstantiated history from the previous owner; this 110 was originally a european embassy vehicle and then subsequently owned in NZ by president of the landrover club. It has black leather seats (only 4 - rear is carpeted and you can chuck 4 adults in there but without seats), 5 speed gearbox.
Leaks water above front doors in heavy rain when you first get going (even our 03 model did that!). Needs to run with choke out to warm up for first 5 minutes.Lot's of fun as a holiday/beach wagon - and a solid reliable workhorse if you need it.
I've looked after it, but I haven't been precious with it. I even cleaned it once. No, twice. They look better dirty.Thanks for looking!" ¶ 1:08 AM 1 comments
