I'm looking for some advice. I've got a '97 D90 SW with 38.5K miles and it's in really good condition; however, I need something bigger (i.e., a place for a car seat and a dog). I found a completely restored 1964 109 with 76K for $25K. Would I be a fool to even consider selling my D90 to buy this 40-year-old 109?
Advice: '97 D90 vs. '64 109
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Do you do your own work?
I don't know too much about either, other than I'd love to have a 109. But I think I'd need a second vehicle if that was my daily driver.
I guess it depends on the conditions of each vehicle. I guess you said "fully restored". Tough call.
I don't know too much about either, other than I'd love to have a 109. But I think I'd need a second vehicle if that was my daily driver.
I guess it depends on the conditions of each vehicle. I guess you said "fully restored". Tough call.
No, I don't do my own work, which I realize is quite a bit of a drawback when owning rovers. I've got another everyday driver, so that wouldn't be an issue. Is $25K too much for a fully restored 109? Like you, I'm not familiar with the 109's.
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Regardless of what anyone may think, I doubt you'll be called a 'fool' by anyone here. We're clearly all Land Rover lovers, and the group runs the whole range from completely helpless to very qualified.
I have been driving Land Rovers for over 35 years, and have some knowledge of most every model, and much experience with a few.
I have owned several 88s, and a few 109s. While I love the traditional style and ruggedness of the originals, I have been driving a Defender 110 for the past several years.
If staying in the fold of Land Rover drivers is the first decision out of the way, the next thing to decide is what will give you the joy, with the most amount of practicality. As much as I enjoyed my 109s, I would have to say that it shouldn't be considered as a suitable replacement as a family daily ride.
The one you're looking at is still an antique, irrespective of the best restoration possible. It does not embody any of the technology, safety and comfort of even your '97 D90. While it's only my opinion here, I don't think it would be a good swap from a financial, dare I say, investment point, either. I hate thinking of any car as an investment, unless it's a '29 Packard or others seen at Pebble Beach.
A consideration is a fold down, forward facing (child seat MUST be fwd facing) single or pair of rear seats. If you want to stay with the Defender feel, style and pride, and your D90 is as good as you say, you might consider shopping for a Defender 110. It will drive more smoothly than your 90, have tons more room, look like the 109 to satisfy the style drive, and far more maintainable. A D90 SW is, in my mind, much more desirable than a soft top, as a year round practical car, but as the family grows, may be an expensive luxury.
If this doesn't make sence, consider a Disco. You still enjoy the pride of ownership, reasonable reliability with a new(er) one, and frankly, you ought to be able to take your 90 into the dealer and leave with a new '04
FWIW, I've even considered selling my 110 for a '97 SW D90.
I have been driving Land Rovers for over 35 years, and have some knowledge of most every model, and much experience with a few.
I have owned several 88s, and a few 109s. While I love the traditional style and ruggedness of the originals, I have been driving a Defender 110 for the past several years.
If staying in the fold of Land Rover drivers is the first decision out of the way, the next thing to decide is what will give you the joy, with the most amount of practicality. As much as I enjoyed my 109s, I would have to say that it shouldn't be considered as a suitable replacement as a family daily ride.
The one you're looking at is still an antique, irrespective of the best restoration possible. It does not embody any of the technology, safety and comfort of even your '97 D90. While it's only my opinion here, I don't think it would be a good swap from a financial, dare I say, investment point, either. I hate thinking of any car as an investment, unless it's a '29 Packard or others seen at Pebble Beach.
A consideration is a fold down, forward facing (child seat MUST be fwd facing) single or pair of rear seats. If you want to stay with the Defender feel, style and pride, and your D90 is as good as you say, you might consider shopping for a Defender 110. It will drive more smoothly than your 90, have tons more room, look like the 109 to satisfy the style drive, and far more maintainable. A D90 SW is, in my mind, much more desirable than a soft top, as a year round practical car, but as the family grows, may be an expensive luxury.
If this doesn't make sence, consider a Disco. You still enjoy the pride of ownership, reasonable reliability with a new(er) one, and frankly, you ought to be able to take your 90 into the dealer and leave with a new '04
FWIW, I've even considered selling my 110 for a '97 SW D90.
Excellent food for thought. I have explored the idea of swapping my jump seats for a forward facing rear seat, and nearly completed the deal before some unforeseen issues came up. I am still considering this option (I've actually already pulled out the driver side jump seats), and would be interested if someone out there would like to trade.
I tend to agree with you that it would be more practical to stay away from "antique," as you call the 109 I've been looking at. I would much prefer a 110. My wife and I have a '98 Disco and it has served us fairly well. However, with a 16-month old and all his stuff, a large dog and our stuff, it's getting harder to travel (even with a roof rack). I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
I do realize that my D90 is worth about $10K more than the 109 and would definitely not make a straight trade. Guess I'll have to hold out for a 110. Lemme know when you're ready to unload yours. Thanks again.
I tend to agree with you that it would be more practical to stay away from "antique," as you call the 109 I've been looking at. I would much prefer a 110. My wife and I have a '98 Disco and it has served us fairly well. However, with a 16-month old and all his stuff, a large dog and our stuff, it's getting harder to travel (even with a roof rack). I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.
I do realize that my D90 is worth about $10K more than the 109 and would definitely not make a straight trade. Guess I'll have to hold out for a 110. Lemme know when you're ready to unload yours. Thanks again.
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Thanx Okie, Actually I'm embarrassed that I failed to mention that even a good Classic would be a better choice than a 36 yr old antique 109. In fact a classic would be a good choice, period.
So, Griff, If you're still listening, I'll trade you a great '93 LWB with all the bells, and not one, but TWO series trucks for your D90. That way, you get all the features you're after, albeit not necessarily in the same car, and I get to keep my 110 for the rare days I have to drive all the ski-wees, and the 90 for just me and my dogs (pair of border collies, they grew up in the back of the 110, so they know how to travel like ying & yang)
So, Griff, If you're still listening, I'll trade you a great '93 LWB with all the bells, and not one, but TWO series trucks for your D90. That way, you get all the features you're after, albeit not necessarily in the same car, and I get to keep my 110 for the rare days I have to drive all the ski-wees, and the 90 for just me and my dogs (pair of border collies, they grew up in the back of the 110, so they know how to travel like ying & yang)
Now, Terry, I am new to this site and forum, so you will have to excuse me if I say I think you're pulling my leg with that offer. If not, it's a very interesting proposition.
I was fairly close to buying a '95 LWB last month because I thought it might solve my dilemma, plus I'd have a good amount of cash left over after selling my '90 to properly outfit the new purchase. Alas, I have the age-old problem of convincing my wife to partake in the rover shuffle. I would be interested in such a trade, but I'd be hard-pressed to bring my better half (and bookkeeper) on board, especially since our driveway would resemble that of a vintage rover dealer.
Of course, if you are serious, I would be happy to present the idea to the family (I know the dog and my son would be easy converts).
Thanks again for your thoughts. You and Okie have made this new experience a good one. :drink1:
I was fairly close to buying a '95 LWB last month because I thought it might solve my dilemma, plus I'd have a good amount of cash left over after selling my '90 to properly outfit the new purchase. Alas, I have the age-old problem of convincing my wife to partake in the rover shuffle. I would be interested in such a trade, but I'd be hard-pressed to bring my better half (and bookkeeper) on board, especially since our driveway would resemble that of a vintage rover dealer.
Of course, if you are serious, I would be happy to present the idea to the family (I know the dog and my son would be easy converts).
Thanks again for your thoughts. You and Okie have made this new experience a good one. :drink1:
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Are you kidding me? I'd do it in a New York Minute. Only problem is, I could never look myself in the eye afterwards. Come to think of it, I can't anyway.
One of the series trucks, a '73 S3 is a restoration, waiting for someone with more energy than I have left. The other, a '71 S2A, is almost done, from a new chassis bebuild. The Rangie is pretty nice, though 130k miles.
You're too far away, otherwise you could wake up and find all my junk in your driveway.
One of the series trucks, a '73 S3 is a restoration, waiting for someone with more energy than I have left. The other, a '71 S2A, is almost done, from a new chassis bebuild. The Rangie is pretty nice, though 130k miles.
You're too far away, otherwise you could wake up and find all my junk in your driveway.
That's funny! Yeah, the distance is a problem. Why is it there are so few rover folk out here? And I mean the true rover drivers/lovers (the folks that wave when we pass one another on the road), not the newby disco/rangie/f-lander owners who haven't the slightest idea about their vehicle's grand heritage (and don't care as long as they're riding on 20's). Oh well, guess I'll have to consider moving.
Take care.
Take care.
Loads of 109 pick ups here in UAE that can be bought from $1,000 upwards and easily converted into a CSW locally then shipped to the US.
On the other hand D90's here are rare especially with V8 motors, every week when I take mine out offroading somebody makes me an offer.
As mentioned above why not look at one of the late model Discos, lot more reliable and better handling.
On the other hand D90's here are rare especially with V8 motors, every week when I take mine out offroading somebody makes me an offer.
As mentioned above why not look at one of the late model Discos, lot more reliable and better handling.
Thanks, Gordon. I do appreciate the input. Wife already drives a '98 Disco and it has been a good vehicle. Now I'm thinking I'll just keep the D90 and look to trade the jump seats for a forward-facing rear seat.
By the by, I just watched a replay of stages 7 through 9 of the Dakar last night. I heard the Mitsubishi team tested there vehicles in Dubai. Did you happen to come across any of that? Just curious.
By the by, I just watched a replay of stages 7 through 9 of the Dakar last night. I heard the Mitsubishi team tested there vehicles in Dubai. Did you happen to come across any of that? Just curious.
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Well if the trade does happen and you need help driving one of the rovers out to Calli... let me know. 
If not, there is a nice looking 95 Range Rover LWB for sale in SoCal.
If not, there is a nice looking 95 Range Rover LWB for sale in SoCal.
Hi GriffSC,
Mitsubishi use Desert Challenge for testing their vehicles prior to the Dakar, I nearly got run over by Peterhansel whilst taking photographs last year when he "lost it" coming over a ridge.
Our Team Team Saluki came in 7th overall :drink1:
check out
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/saluki/2004/dc01.html
Mitsubishi use Desert Challenge for testing their vehicles prior to the Dakar, I nearly got run over by Peterhansel whilst taking photographs last year when he "lost it" coming over a ridge.
Our Team Team Saluki came in 7th overall :drink1:
check out
http://www.angelfire.com/trek/saluki/2004/dc01.html
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