Expensive Series on Ebay

[Wander]

Well this thread got a little heated. I hope the new owner of the IIa enjoys the purchase.

There is some mention of money spent, not spent. I think if that is your main concern then an old British truck is not a good idea. I may be one of the few but my IIa is a hobby and a way for me to de-stress from my job and also a personal reward. I don't play golf, my father does so I know how much that hobby can cost. His hobby allowed him to de-stress from a very stressful quality control-engineering career and we didn't go without so good for him to have worked that hard to afford it. My IIa doesn't cost anything near what golf does and I enjoy the wrenching and the reward of driving it. My family is not going without because of my IIa-if that ever becomes an issue the IIa will be for sale.

I know it can be fun to banter about but we should keep in mind the golden rule. This forum is too much fun to let people get angry about an e-bay ad.
Have a good week everyone!

[kevkon]

If some owners really knew what they were in for, I suspect they would gladly shell out 22k! Seriously, I think it all comes down to what you enjoy most about owning a Series truck. I'm a mechanic and I enjoy working on a vehicle that meant a lot to me as a kid. There are others, however, who would probably be far better off buying a truck like the one on Ebay. Then there those who just enjoy off-roading and are not concerned at all with cosmetics. Whatever floats your boat. If I had the money and no mechanical skill, I'd certainly spend that amount for a completely restored Series. The only caveat would be that I would definately want to inspect it in person or have someone qualified to do so.

[TeriAnn]

Teriann; you didn't answer my question about whether or not YOU would pay $22k for THAT Rover.

The answer to that is no. I wouldn't even pay $5.00 for THAT Rover or MOST ANY Rover unless for the sole reason of flipping it for a profit. Therefore I am NOT willing to pay anywhere near what I think the quick flip value of any Land Rover is.

I am not a Land Rover collector. I have had only one Land Rover for the past 32 years. I love my truck and plan to keep it for as long as I am able to drive, maybe longer. Not only do I have no desire to own another Land Rover I think it would unnecessarily complicate my life.

I'm the wrong person to ask that question to. I don't pay attention to Land Rover prices or even consider buying one. I take that back. I once wanted to buy an APGP Land Rover (prototype #6) but didn't have the money for it. Just as well because I don't have a use for it.

But if it is one thing I've learned from my $300 Series II 109 Land Rover (1978) and my $1000 Triumph TR3 (1986) is that it is always cheaper to buy the best condition vehicle you can afford than to buy a fixer upper and sink money into it bringing it up to snuff over time.

If you are asking me if I think THAT truck is worth what it sold for my answer would be ...

If a visual examination and test drive confirms it is in the condition presented in the sale and if the perspective buyer wanted a turn key very good condition, reliable Series Land Rover that looked nice in fresh paint, yes I think that kind a buyer would be much better off buying that truck for that amount of money than buying a runner that looks a bit ratty and may or may not have a tired drive train, suspension and /or steering. Some people have disposable income and want to start out with a nice looking reliable truck. Not everyone wants to start ownership out by increasing the mileage on their towing insurance.

[Lalo88DK]

For me, one of the joys of owning a Land Rover is to restore it myself, then I sort of feel attached to it and of course know all its weaknesses too.
Something I also love, is to modify it, so it meets my requirements. I do not think I would pay that much for another mans dream, if you know what I mean.

[Momo]

I used to think I would never spend that kind of money on a Series Land Rover. I have had my 1964 109 pickup for almost 15 years, and I rebuilt it myself. In the end I spent more than I would have if I'd just bought a turn-key restoration, and the truck is not a looker. It gets used hard and does not look "restored", it's got patina again, which is cool.

Anyway, getting back to my point. I used to think I would never spend big money on a Series Land Rover, until last year, when I bought my 109 Station Wagon. I decided it would be cheaper and certainly easier to buy a finished specimen. I want to enjoy the damn thing without all the cursing and bloody knuckles and late nights and waiting for parts shipments and all that crap. I consider it a bargain.

In the end, it's been very cool to buy a "new" 109 and campaign it without all the fuss. The thing had almost no miles on the restoration, which by the way was done to a very high standard. It's my dream truck. Meanwhile I have an 88 project in the garage that satisfies my need to tinker, and there's no pressure to finish it because I have two other Land Rovers I can drive any time I want.

Would I pay 22k for a basic 88 hardtop that has some nice work but is not really done "properly"? No. A better one will come along that's done right.
When you pay that much you have the right to be picky.

[Les Parker]

Nice 109" Station Wagon.
Where did the roof rack and tent originate from?
The concrete looks as if quite a few Series Land Rovers have stopped by to view the pair of 109" 's

[gudjeon]

To be able to drop that kind of cash at once would be nice - if you can do it. For me, the rebuilding a bit at a time and learning, swearing and toiling. This is what I do it for. It was great therapy for me to keep sane while getting over a bad attack of MS. Good physio therapy as well. Like was mentioned before, I am going to drive it until I can't drive no more, so pricing it is somewhat academic.

[mrdoiron]

good point Kevkon...

I must say however, there is a certain crack-addictive element to toiling over over one little upgrade at a time your self. I run factories in 4 countries, and get way more satisfaction out of things as simple as replacing the door hardward, locks, dash elements bit by bit, new brake shoes, new shocks, or even just replacing that missing vent knob...
Perhaps this guy saw one of your vehicles on this site, and just wanted to buy his way into the "look" out of appreciation... so you could also look as his purchase as a big compliment to other peoples hard work.
For 22K however, might have went for defender needing a little TLC myself!

[Momo]

Nice 109" Station Wagon.
Where did the roof rack and tent originate from?
The concrete looks as if quite a few Series Land Rovers have stopped by to view the pair of 109" 's

Thanks Les. The tent is Camping Lab, the rack is a custom prototype of a design I'm working to bring to market.

Believe it or not that concrete is only a year old. With two Series Land Rovers and a Podocarpus tree out front that sheds thousands of inedible (but messy) fruits, it has taken a beating. I clean it often and try to catch the oil with drip pans but it's a battle.

[TeriAnn]

For me, the rebuilding a bit at a time and learning, swearing and toiling. This is what I do it for.

I think that's why at least 90% of the people on this list really prefer their Series trucks, or for that matter prefer to spend their spare cash and time lovingly bringing a classic car back to life. A clapped out classic car that someone wants to bring back to its glory years is the substance of endless dreams.

But I'm here for a different reason. I love driving my Dormobile and my TR3 but I do not like working on them. I love their uniqueness, their primitive existence in a world of microprocessor everything controlled, driver pampering disposable cars. I love the way a TR3 feels as you dive deep into the curves, brake at the last moment and power out. yes 2010 suspensions are better than early post WWII designs but so what? I love exploring new places in the camping comfort of my Dormobile. Seeing places where new SUVs couldn't take me.

To me doing the mechanical maintenance and repairs is an unfavored chore that I do reluctantly. I work on my 2 vehicles for 3 reasons:

1. I almost never can afford to pay someone else to do the work and there are very few mechanics working today who are competent to work on them.

2. I work on my truck so I know how to do trail repairs and not be stranded

3. So I can get the vehicle back into driving condition so I can have fun with my vehicle again.

Besides, there is something not quite right about going out for the night dressed and made up to my best but with broken nails, a missed grease spot on the back of my upper arm and the scent of GOJO below the gardenia perfume. It is just not quite the feminine image I want to project when I'm going out

I'm a driver by choice and a mechanic by reluctant necessity. This different viewpoint sometimes put my postings at odds with many of the mechanics by choice, but I think we usually find common ground in the technical details.

I'm a total nerd when it comes to technical details, but when you guys ask me about how I feel about something please do not take offense if I disagree from the normal "loves to work on cars" viewpoint.