Juicy dilemma

[dollywobbler]

Since I was a nipper, I've wanted a Land Rover and being young, I always wanted a V8. I've been alerted to a 90 CSW V8 within my budget, but is all enjoyment going to be ruined by a rather fearsome 10-15mpg? LPG is a possibility - though you need to be creative to find somewhere for the tanks on a 90 given how small they are.

 

Or do I just accept that like my fellow school chums and their Ferrari dreams, the car you've always promised yourself IS going to be a bit thirsty? After all, the 2CV and BX should balance things out a bit in theory. The CX likes a drink, but I get around that by not driving it as much as the others (though I already seem to have somehow clocked up 3000 miles in it - really not sure how I managed that!).

 

But then fuel prices are going ever higher, and despite grumpy motorists complaining that the government should somehow make it cheaper just because they want to drive around everywhere like it's a god-given right, fuel is not about to miraculously become cheaper, and fuel-slurping machines are just going to get ever more undesirable. Probably.

 

It's really tricky and I've even been looking at forgetting the whole off-roading thing and opting for a Jag X300 instead. But I didn't always dream of one day owning one of those and I can't help thinking it might bore me. Or be so refined that the BX suddenly feels really crap. Both are possibilities...

[Negative Creep]

Only live once right? The upside of the fuel costs is that thirsty vehicles are cheaper to buy as no one wants them. So go for it.

[dollywobbler]

That's what I'm thinking, though I do remember when I had my glorious Tobacco Leaf P6 V8 that I'd often rue any throttle action knowing it'd cost me. Mind you, P6s are a pain in the arse to get petrol into, so I knew I was rushing towards another pain in the arse! (that did 26mpg once too. Only once).

[warren t claim]

I would of thought most V8 landies have been lpg'd by now anyway.

[Tayne]

.

[Negative Creep]

Only live once right?

 

One Life, Live it?

 

If you lpg then there are a few potential tank locations.

I'd say buy it.

 

 

Hey, that gives me an idea for a sticker.............

[Doctormop]

I'd probably go ahead and buy it myself, fuel prices are always going to go up rather than down (apart from that price tumble a couple of years ago thats now but a distant memory) and a Land Rover, especially with a V8 up front is going to be quite easy to sell on if and when the time comes, in fact, now you've made me think about it I quite fancy one myself

[dollywobbler]

Balls. The phone number I've got is not recognised. Gah!

[eddyramrod]

I'd go for it, but then I have form for this stuff!

[Timewaster]

I'm sure we have discussed LPG conversions on here before, and I seem to remember that the general jist was that they are a royal pain in the arse.

Who was it that flambe`d their Audi airbox recently?

 

Oh, BTW DW I just read your CX ebay ad. Much lollage (but no bidage - if you were nearer cambridge etc. etc........)

[Tayne]

.

[jnoiles]

Buy it. You'll always wonder if you don't.

[dollywobbler]

Balls. The phone number I've got is not recognised. Gah!

 

Phone the nearest petrol station to the seller and ask them to pass on a message.

 

lol! Thanks Tayne! Or I could just listen out for a cry of despair next time the fuel duty/VAT hike is mentioned on the news...

[The Moog]

If you look it at as a portfolio of cars including your 2cv then overall you will be doing about 30mpg so a normal amount

 

Therefore it is your duty to buy it because we all aspire to be normal and no one round here wants to be different..

 

Plus then I can persuade my missus that a trip to Dollywobbler Towers to pick up our new LR is just like Bernard all over again.

[Vin]

Only live once right?

 

One Life, Live it?

 

If you lpg then there are a few potential tank locations.

I'd say buy it.

 

Land Rovers often have the spare wheel located on the bonnet. Maybe that's where you could mount an LPG donut tank

[The Reverend Bluejeans]

Only live once right?

 

One Life, Live it?

 

I've seen a few of those stickers on knackered Strange Rovers. I'm sure I've done more exciting things than green laning!

 

 

Oh, X300 Jag. You know you want to.

[dollywobbler]

If you look it at as a portfolio of cars including your 2cv then overall you will be doing about 30mpg so a normal amount

 

Therefore it is your duty to buy it because we all aspire to be normal and no one round here wants to be different..

 

Plus then I can persuade my missus that a trip to Dollywobbler Towers to pick up our new LR is just like Bernard all over again.

 

Apart from the fact we've moved much further away...

[The Moog]

That is just a road trip

[seth]

Dolly, you might as well get one because I'm sure there'd be a whole line of people waiting to buy it from you once you've got bored of the MPG for the same moneies you'll have paid. Another itch scratched and all that, even if only for a short time..

[Pete-M]

I've had loads of Range Rovers. Land Rover 90s are fun, but if I ever buy a Landie it'll be a 110, just for the extra legroom.

 

As for X300s, buy an XJR. I'm seriously enjoying mine, but if you're going to use it for short trips expect 13 mpg. On a run 23 is easy, 24 is possible.

[Tayne]

.

[Pete-M]

Aye, but the 110 looks better to my eyes too

[dollywobbler]

Ah, hadn't realised there could be a legroom problem with the 90. Maybe I should go and sit in one first! (have only driven 110s).

[Guest Leonard Hatred]

Do 110 seats move back 1mm further? I've been in 90s, 110s and 130s - they all have shit legroom.

[Cavcraft]

Do 110 seats move back 1mm further? I've been in 90s, 110s and 130s - they all have shit legroom.

 

This.

 

Deeply disappointed when I sat in a 'series' Land Rover years back and there was no leg room for people like me.

[dollywobbler]

Maybe I'll be alright then. I've driven an S3 and don't remember crushing pain. Mind you, the 2CV's got a bit of an odd driving position, so maybe I'm just used to that sort of thing. Spoken to the chap and now just waiting for me to be able to go and have a look at it. Likely to be after Christmas I guess.

[dollywobbler]

I think I'm going to bottle it. I can just see myself ending up with a vehicle I dare not drive because actually, money's going to be quite tight and I should use something more economical instead. So, I've been looking at Range Rovers and Discos. Which is when you realise that the simpler Landy is a hell of a lot more expensive! I've been considering the real dregs of the Defender world for my budget, but I could have a shonky Rangie for a bit and a year's worth of fuel (based on 3000 miles) instead, which could turn into a valuable mobile parts dispenser if it just breaks/rots to death.

 

Or a Discovery - surely the Autoshite Land Rover of choice? I mean, it's got Allegro door handles, Maestro rear lights and column stalks and you could opt for a blue or beige interior. Sounds like win to me (if I can find one that hasn't got a boot floor that enables you to examine the chassis rails...)

[Jules]

Have been having the same dilemma myself (for about 2 years now).

 

Have of the people I've spoken to about them tell me Defenders are cold, noisy and generally uncomfortable, and tries to put me off. Everyone that I've spoken to that has one, however, tells me that they wouldn't be without them.

 

I should give Range Rovers/Discos a swerve though - even thirstier and more unreliable

[dollywobbler]

I should give Range Rovers/Discos a swerve though - even thirstier and more unreliable

 

Which makes them Autoshite gold! Don't think they're any less reliable as mechanically, they're identical to the Defenders really. Just filled with more toys that can certainly (and do) break.

[Jules]

You could well right about the Autoshite gold.

 

If I wanted something that ponderous and wobbly round corners, I'd hitch Bella Emberg to a rickshaw