Newbie

[ClayCookiemonster]

Thanks for the forum. I've spent time both in the third world (Haiti and Africa) as well as England (where we had both LHD and RHD drive cars in a RHD world), so I've admired various Land Rovers for a while. I'm pondering finding a Rover 110 Crew Cab for use as a local daily driver, junk hauler, and all around vehicle. I've found Global Land Rovers exporting various models from the UK to the US. Two opening questions:
1. Advice on using a RHD Rover 110 for the uses described above in CT, where I've found a few Rover-friendly mechanics. Plausable?
2. Wisdom on importing vehicles pretty much sight unseen? Import hassles? Registration issues? What questions to ask up front?

In my dreams it'll be a 1985 110 w/ 300tdi & manual trans with no serious pre-existing problems so all I have to do is maintain a 25 year old vehicle.
thanks for any help anyone out there can provide.
Clay Cook

[Broadstone]

Buy the plane ticket and go shopping yourself. The people that offer vehicles with export prey on us Americans I feel. They will call every repaired chassis "Good and sound" and they will all be painted up to look the part. I would never buy sight unseen using the sellers perception of the vehicle. Honestly for a $800 plane ticket and first hand information on a vehicle could save you thousands. I have seen vehicles sell for 2000 UK pounds ($3000) then show up for sale in USA for $12000. If you went there yourself and bought it, it would be shipped to you in USA for $5000 total investment. Do not think these importers are your only option!!!

[gambrinus]

There are a few folks on the UK who have worked many years to build up a solid reputation among the Rover folks here in the U.S. The one that comes to mind first is Pete Blanchard. Some are crooks, but he isn't one of them.

RW

[ClayCookiemonster]

OK...

Thanks for the suggestion on travelling myself, I'll check into that.

On to the deeper thought: I've only lusted over these from afar, living with one long term is another matter entirely. I'm handy enough to deal with most mechanical things short of major engine/chassis work and I think I've found some experts nearby to handle that stuff. Any comments on the overall plan to use a re-built 110 as a local driver and hauler? Suggestions regarding the 300tdi versus 200tdi versus the td5? Other things you've learned the hard way that you'd care to save me the grief of re-doing? It seems that there are quite a few good replacement parts places here (Rovers North, thanks for sponsoring this) that I could do alot of interior upholstery and tire/wheel upgrades once I got one here and perhaps only need worry about getting a mechanically straight and clean and sound engine/body over here, am I right? Anything specific I should look into if I were to have a chance to travel overseas to shop for one? Can I bring anyone a cuppa tea?
Clay Cook
(what's low range mean as a signature block?)

[meatblanket]

Thanks for the suggestion on travelling myself, I'll check into that.

On to the deeper thought: I've only lusted over these from afar, living with one long term is another matter entirely. I'm handy enough to deal with most mechanical things short of major engine/chassis work and I think I've found some experts nearby to handle that stuff. Any comments on the overall plan to use a re-built 110 as a local driver and hauler? Suggestions regarding the 300tdi versus 200tdi versus the td5? Other things you've learned the hard way that you'd care to save me the grief of re-doing? It seems that there are quite a few good replacement parts places here (Rovers North, thanks for sponsoring this) that I could do alot of interior upholstery and tire/wheel upgrades once I got one here and perhaps only need worry about getting a mechanically straight and clean and sound engine/body over here, am I right? Anything specific I should look into if I were to have a chance to travel overseas to shop for one? Can I bring anyone a cuppa tea?
Clay Cook
(what's low range mean as a signature block?)

Perhaps you already know this, but any 110 that you can legally import into the US is not going to come with a factory installed 200tdi, 300tdi, or td5. Most are going to have the 3.5 V8, some will have the 2.5 NA diesel. So if you aren't planning to do the engine swap yourself, you're going to have to find one in the UK with the swap already completed. I suspect most of the folks that do these engine swaps on a >25 year old vehicle are doing so with export in mind, and the prices will reflect that.

[wooday]

A 110 crew cab is worth too much to be a "junk hauler". If you want something to haul stuff and are worried about where to fix it when it breaks, get a Chevy.

If you are prepared to commit to a Defender, you can search in the UK on your own and have Doug Crowther help you with the import logistics. Doug is a great guy, local, and has imported Defenders for tens if not hundreds of satisfied customers.

If you want to just buy a 110 crew cab that is already in the US, try Aaron Richardet. He brings in pretty clean Defenders and represents their condition honestly. He has had several 110 crew cabs for sale this year (like this one).

Lastly, if you're serious about buying a Defender get off this site. Go to D-90.com.

[ClayCookiemonster]

Point taken on the "junk hauling", but a few bags of leaves would likely be easier on the vehicle than some of the off-roading pics I've seen. Yea, I've found several of the UK sites and I'm researching. Fortunately I can travel and plan to put boots on the ground over there before money changes hands. Quite an adventure, this, but the possible payoff looks amazing!
Clay

[spacemutt]

I would stay away from 2.5 N/A or Turdo Diesels. They are pants. They are slow, underpowered, noisey, smokey, oiley, manky beasts. Go V8. Or Tdi.

If you are 100% genuine and really going to spend money, then I am happy to look for you. So long as it's not too far from me, lol. I was going to sell my 1983 110 CSW, but unless I get an offer I can't refuse I'm going to hang on to it. But, I know early 110's and know what to look for.