Advice

[Joe P]

I have been reading this site for almost two years now and have close to buying aD-90 on a couple of opccasions, but it never seemed to be the right fit. I now have two options to chose from and would like to solicit advise/debate over the them. Both are Black which is the color of choice for me.

First - 97ST w/60K miles. Needs a new soft top. No options or accesories what-so-ever. So I need to add an A/C kit, which I heard is near impossible to find. Asking $22,000

Second - 95ST w/115K miles. ARB brush gard, WARN winch, ARB lockers front and rear, Flowmaster exhaust, LR roof rack. Asking $20,000

Which would you buy and why?

[Rick Carlisle]

Joe,
I would buy the 97 because I wanted an automatic. But since this is YOUR truck, that is one key thing you need to decide. Also, while the 95 has some options which are cool, do you really need them for what you will be using the truck for? And remember, you can always add the things you want after owning the truck for awhile and after deciding how you will use the truck. That was advice I got from this group before I purchased and it was damn good advice.
If either the auto or stick are ok with you, then pick the truck that is in the best mechanical condition. While initially most may believe that is the one with the lowest mileage, that is not always the case.
My $.02.

[tbrand2068]

Joe, I have owned both a 1995 ST and a 1997 ST. Unless the 1997 is in significantly worse shape, you should absolutely, positively, without a doubt buy the 1997. With half the miles and being two years newer, it is a MUCH better value for the dollar. Even if they were both 1995's, the difference in miles alone would more than justify the extra cost. Of course, my opinion is probably worth precisely what you paid for it. Good luck with whichever route you choose.

[Buckon37s]

I gotta go with these guys. For the price the 97 looks way better. And with the milage difference it makes it more desirable. At 115,000 you could just be running into a lot of issues. The AC will be pricey unless you can pick it up used if it is important to you. Congrats on your purchase. You will be happy whichever way you go!

[evilfij]

Last I checked 97 AC was still available at $1500 new.

94 is impossible and 95 is hard to find.

Ron

[chrisvonc]

Value wise, I too agree that the '97 would be the buy. Also, $22K is a great price for a '97 let alone in good shape/low miles.

If you pass on it, please shoot me an email, I got a friend that has been looking for quite some time and he would be interested.

[dmarchand]

I agree. That's a good price for a low mileage, no frills, and certainly hardly used truck. You have a clean slate to build upon, if you so choose. That's where the fun is.

[Joe P]

Ron,

Do you know where I can get an A/C kit for a 97. If you have any sources that have one in stock please let me know, b/c that is the deal killer for my wife. If I can retrofit A/C I think I will be going with the 97.

Thanks for all the comments,

Joe

[read]

I have a 94 and wish I had an auto every time I'm stuck on the 405 at 5 o'clock. I'm also a fan of getting a truck that has not been modified. that way you can do every thing the way you want and not spend any time fixing bad mods. just one thing is bothering me about the 97...22k for a 97? makes me wonder what is really wrong with it. :hmm it just seems a little too low... especially if it is a so. cal. truck.

just my $0.02

[Buckon37s]

22k is extremely low. Where exactly is the truck listed? I might be able to go out and take a look at it to see if there is any major issues. If it would help.

[Joe P]

Unfortunately the truck is in storage somewhere in Oregon. The Seller lives in New York and is moving to London. He said he had the LR dealer local to him test drive it and was going to sell it back to the dealer. The dealer offered him 22K. Accrding to the owner he would rather have someone who appreciated it have it than the dealer. He is the only owner of the truck. He said the truck has a small ding in the door and could use a new soft top.

I would definetely go up to to look at before I bought it. Being I have never owned a D-90 I would have to take it somewhere to look at it before I bought it as well.


Once again thanks for the advise.

Joe

[newfD90]

22k for a 97 is a great deal. Definitely get the 97.

I have a 97 with no A/C and thought I wanted it for the Wife as well. I then showed her how much foot space she loses on another 97 with A/C and she quickly changed her mind. I certainly haven't missed A/C at all.

If you're still set on it, from my research, the 97 A/C kit is still readily available for $1526.00. The part number is STC1370W97.

Good luck!

[souza]

There's a guys selling an A/C system and a soft top for a Defender on Discoweb, FWIW....


http://www.discoweb.org/discus/messages/12/36776.html?1069349005

[paulb]

Joe,
The LR dealer is trying to pull a fast one on the present owner. Buy the 97 D-90 NOW! Look at the for sale board on this site and you will see you are getting a 1997 at 1994 prices. Even is you put 50% purchase price into it (~$11k), it still is cost effective.
BUT DO ONE THING FIRST- Get a full look over by a mechanic, and the 60,000 service. Do not go to the OR LR dealer (they aint kosher in my book) - can anyone on the site recommend a shop in OR for Joe.
If I had not been layed off and had the $$, I would drive to OR and buy it myself this weekend.:toast to your good fortune, and get the Mrs :roses while you install the A/C

[Joe P]

Thanks for the advice. I am planning on going to OR over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I can't hardly wait. I have been dreaming of a D-90 fo rquite some time, and to find a 97 Black ST, which is exactly what I wanted for $22K is too much. So if all goes well I will be joinging the ranks of D-90 owners on this site. From the time I have spent onthis board I am confident that I will be in GREAT company.

BTW if someone knows a LR mechanic in OR that would be great.

Thanks

[evilfij]

Try your dealer, roversnorth, Land Rover Frisco, AB, and British Pacific.

One of them will have it.

Ron

[chrisvonc]

Originally posted by Joe P
... So if all goes well I will be joinging the ranks of D-90 owners on this site.

Very nice... I look forward to adding you to the Owners Bios!
:)