Masochism made easy (Land Rover Series III)

Member Name: Sleepy

Product:	Land Rover Series III
Date:	10/03/01 (741 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fun, timeless, cheap to buy and repair (just bodge everything)

Disadvantages: not so much fun on the road, heavy mpg

'This has to be the most stressful way of getting from a to b that has ever been invented' I said when I drove my first series III Landrover. Having said that, I always have been a bit of a masochist... After about half an hours driving I was loving it. The brakes are terrible, the steering is heavy and has loads of slop in it, the cart sprung suspension meeans you feel every bump in the road but for some reason this just keeps me coming back for more. Ultimately any old landrover is a hopelessly impractical way of travelling unless you're off road (where, perversely, it is pretty much the best way to travel) but driving pleasure is missing the point - Series III's are cheap, they last forever, they can tow anything, they don't age, but most of all they're incredible offroad.

Buying wise thre are loads of them about so you have lots to choose from - walk away if you're worried about one because they'll be another for sale round the corner. The body's aluminium so it doesn't rust and the rest of it is basically so heavy duty that it'll keep going whatever state it's in. As long as it starts, stops and drives then you're laughing, although it's best to make sure the 4wd engages and the overdrive (if applicable) works, as this is one of the few jobs that you might not want to tackle yourself.

Model wise, the ones to avoid are the 2.25 petrols, because they're as heavy on the fuel as the V8s but without the power. Personally I prefer the V8s myself, but the diesel is probably the most sensible bet, especially a diesel conversion if it's been done properly. This is all a bit academic for me as I always go for the cheapest one that runs with an MOT - the sort of money you pay for one of those you can go an buy a new one in 12 months time! Definitely one of the alltime classic motors...

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