For those of you in the U.K.

[discostu004]

i LOVE the Land Rover defender (the new ones that were in Casino Royale). I'm in the U.S. has anyone ever imported a vehicle like this and could tell me what was involved. anyone here have one? are they as dope as they seem?

 

[farfisa23]

You can get a used Defender, they stopped bringing them over in 1997, I think.

That said, the UK ones are cool, I want a Defender Double Cab Pick up (http://www.landrover.co.uk/gb/en/veh...ab-pick-up.htm) or a 110.

They make some sweet ones with Diesel. You can get them cheap, especially from South Africa but they are a ***** to federalize.

 

[discostu004]

http://www.landrover.co.uk/gb/en/veh...tion-wagon.htm

i want that one but have no idea how expensive it is to bring in, if you can even bring it in. these are considerably cheaper than the 1997 defender

 

[farfisa23]

You can bring them in, but it is best for then to be used and it is a NIGHTMARE to get them registered. There are tons of hoops you need to jump through to get them certified. Look for a used one with shipping to be in the 40K range.

You can buy an American 1993-7 model, but they hold their value as they are cult cars. I think they are about the same money.

Have you though about a vintage Toyota FJ? Or an old 1968-71 Bronco. I love the Bronco.

Peep this: TLC Icon. They take derelict chassis of old FJ's, re-do them from the boxed frame up, so you can register what is a basically a new car as the year on the chassis and VIN.

http://www.icon4x4.com/

I have spent time in an Icon, totally sweet.

 

[discostu004]

you mean the shipping cost would be 40k? icon is sweet, 100K is not. i like having something very few have and that defender would mean NOBODY has it. defender 90's are around but the 110 is really hard to find and some of them are 100K miles for nearly $80,000

 

[randallr]

It looks like a G-wagon. Sweet.

 

[farfisa23]

Originally Posted by discostu004

you mean the shipping cost would be 40k? icon is sweet, 100K is not. i like having something very few have and that defender would mean NOBODY has it. defender 90's are around but the 110 is really hard to find and some of them are 100K miles for nearly $80,000

The whole thing would be about 40ish. I think.

PM me with questions, I'm in the auto biz.

 

[gamelan]

wow, these are kick ass. any feedback on how they ride? are they primarily for utility like the old school Jeeps or are they OK for driving around town?

ok, and a completely random question, i'm guessing Disco 3 = LH3? WTF is that all about?

-Jeff

 

[Artisan Fan]

I want Christina Model in a Defender.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by gamelan

wow, these are kick ass. any feedback on how they ride? are they primarily for utility like the old school Jeeps or are they OK for driving around town? ok, and a completely random question, i'm guessing Disco 3 = LH3? WTF is that all about? -Jeff
The Defenders are basically like the Mercedes G-wagen and certain Jeep vehicles. Ladder on frame, designed for off-road use with little concession to road manners. They are basically real off-roaders. I have driven some older Defenders (edit: this was about 10 years ago, military spec fwiw) - they are better on the road than older Land Rovers (the "Series" originals) but that does not say much. There is a reason those things are still used worldwide as military vehicles (hell even in the USA, the Army Rangers use some adapted Defenders - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSOV )

 

[SField]

Originally Posted by discostu004

i LOVE the Land Rover defender (the new ones that were in Casino Royale). I'm in the U.S. has anyone ever imported a vehicle like this and could tell me what was involved. anyone here have one? are they as dope as they seem?

I think RR has a program where you can fly there, buy the car at a discount, drive it around for a week (or 10 days I think), then have it shipped to you in the US. Volvo, Mercedes, BMW... I think everyone pretty much does this. Now, for models not offered in the US, might be a little different.

As for the car, great choice.

 

[farfisa23]

Originally Posted by SField

I think RR has a program where you can fly there, buy the car at a discount, drive it around for a week (or 10 days I think), then have it shipped to you in the US. Volvo, Mercedes, BMW... I think everyone pretty much does this. Now, for models not offered in the US, might be a little different.

As for the car, great choice.

The Defenders are not legal in the US of A. Emissions, crash testing and whole other slew of things transpire against us. My advice? A 1985 Suzuki Samurai!

 

[discostu004]

i've had 2 G-wagons and they do look sweet, but neither rode particularly well, thus the reason i don't have them anymore

Originally Posted by randallr

It looks like a G-wagon. Sweet.

 

[crazyquik]

You may be able to get one in under the "Show or Display Law" if you can be satisfied driving it less than 2500 miles per year. However the Defender 130 from the early '00s has already been deemed ineligible for Show or Display status. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...st07312007.htm

If you actually want to drive the thing much, it will be much harder.

Just remember to blame Congress, who might shower the Big 2.8 with 30+ billion dollars so they can keep making cars you don't want to buy, for not letting you just buy your Defender at the local Land Rover store.

 

[romafan]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

You may be able to get one in under the "Show or Display Law" if you can be satisfied driving it less than 2500 miles per year. However the Defender 130 from the early '00s has already been deemed ineligible for Show or Display status. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...st07312007.htm

If you actually want to drive the thing much, it will be much harder.

Just remember to blame Congress, who might shower the Big 2.8 with 30+ billion dollars so they can keep making cars you don't want to buy, for not letting you just buy your Defender at the local Land Rover store.

Who says you can't drive (import?) it? The guvmint? What's the objection (unsafe, pollutes, etc.)?