Ultra newb. County 90 Petrol/Diesel question

[mr_tom]

Hey all, been hanging around the site for a few weeks, seem to be some real experts here so thought I might use this t'internet for asking a quick question!

I'm looking at getting a 90 county (apologies if this isn't quite the right format etc...) looking at about 1988 or anything around then. Budget is 3k. I have found some good examples where I am (UK, Pompey) but I don't mind travelling to see what's about, anyway - the question. A lot of 90's I have found are petrol, I was trying to go for a diesel as I'm aware they are more efficient mpg wise, however I'm mainly going to be using this to drive road style (apologies all hardcore 4x4'ers, I'll get into it eventually...once I know my way round!) I know the diesel is better mpg wise generally, but if I'm on the roads most of the time is the petrol going to be about the same, or would I dramatically increase the mpg?

The reason I ask is because there is a nice petrol 90 within the budget...and I'm not sure if the diesel should be a huge deciding factor or not...

um...that’s quite a large post. Apologies - I'm a computer geek if I can help anyone back!

Tom.

[Disco]

This is a hard question to answer because it's a "heart v/s mind" question. Having said that, personally, I would wait for a diesel to come along, but you will be the best judge of approximately how long that may take with regards to your locality. Where it will now get confusing, is when the other members of the forum chime in with their suggestions.

[Moeras]

I have both Petrol and diesel cars!

If your heart is not set on one tipe and it comes down to the cold hard facts,
Do the following comparison:
1) Price per liter (gallon) of diesel vs pertol
2) MPG of both
3) Amount of miles you plan to drive during a year

= Which will be the cheapest feul wise

4) Maintenance cost petrol vs diesel
5) other taxes

I drive an Isuzu diesel pickup on a daily basis and my pertol landy only on weekends and holidays

During the year the Landy takes about 30% of my transport buget but I use it only 10 - 15% of the time and for less than 10% of the distance.

Does this make sence???

[1st rover]

ide go for diesiel... all recently baught new cars in my family are diesiel.. and about the old ones .. they have been fitted with diesiel motors....wait for a diesiel..

[mr_tom]

Thanks all - ok. Looks like I should wait. Not a problem as I have time on my side! Appreciate the input. Regards.

[bhodisatva]

I'd personally go for petrol over diesel. Unleaded fuel over here is now cheaper than derv which rather negates the MPG question. If as you say your going to be doing a lot of "on-road" driving then petrol would be the preferred choice for me, the diesel engine isn't the quietest thing and having a conversation at a reasonable speed can be quite a task, the monotonous drone from the engine is enough to drive you batty, believe me, been there done that and worn several t-shirts.

[SiGuy]

Diesel is the only way forward. I have a Defender 90 Tdi and she has been everywhere. You will either love or hate the Chugg of the diesel engine and the occational bursts of smoke on start up .. but that is part of driving a Diesel Landy .
Fuel Prices in South Africa made the diesel the obvious choice for me , the TDi is also relatively easy to do maintenance work on.
Good luck with your quest.. you will never drive anything else once you have a landy .

[Cerberus]

Funnily enough, Im about to sell my 90TD County. Its a bit earlier than 1988. Its an '86. Its clean and tidy and I have just put 12 months ticket on it. Its sitting on very good 31/10.5/15s on eight spokes. Its fitted with all the steering/diff guards and is very tidy inside. If you'd like to come and have look see, PM me and I will give you first refusal before I advertise it proberly.

Its been fitted with a smattering of chequer plate since I took this photo-wing tops, sills and rear quarters.

Dave