Why are LR Defenders so expensive?

[Embraer]

What makes these things so $$$ compared to other Land Rovers? Is it just the rarity?

[Noah930]

Defender 90s?

[Embraer]

I just read a little bit about them. I guess they're handbuilt/ladder frame/non-unibody and everything can be replaced on them.

One of the pre-emptive LR independent repair specialists used to have his shop next door to my old body shop. He had an old Land Rover ambulance that served with the Dutch Army. The thing had been on 5 continents. He wanted 5K for it a few years ago, but the top speed of it curbed my decision to buy it.

[HHI944]

Hehehe, yeah, the old Series trucks are slow, but they're easy to work on and have tons of character. Mine has been on 4 continents that I can confirm.

[kaisen]

It's kinda like a '87 911 (Defender) versus a '87 928 (Range Rover)

There's just something about a 911 and a Defender that's iconic

[jyl]

They are a cult vehicle. The Defender 110s in particular were only imported for a few years.

[David]

I don't know but a friend bought a new Defender 90 years ago when they were for sale here. He paid about $45K new and sold it a couple years later for about $45K used.

[stealthn]

Yes it's their rarity; they were not brought into NA for very long.

Funny I was offroading with the club in my 91 RR, and the guy in front of me was the first guy to get stuck, he was driving a defender 90, and I just drove around him

Cool vehicles, but too short a wheelbase and way over priced.

[Tishabet]

They are expensive because I want one really bad, and everything I want really bad is expensive.

Next question?

[speeder]

Because they're just too cool for school and people want them. I want one.

[The Gaijin]

Friend just bought a 110" pick-up. A grey market import from the UK, with TDi diesel and RHD.

Yes, way cool! I helped put in an O.D. unit, and now it cruises better at highway speeds..

Metro PCA folks are sure to see it a DE events next year.

[sammyg2]

The defenders were rated as only the second worst reliable vehicle, (regular LR took that) so naturally they cost more

[vash]

rarity!! first company to tell the US government to go pound sand. they refused to install airbags if i remember correctly.

i want one BAD! it is on the top of my hit list of must owns. i would give up all my car wants. well, maybe not an early 911. it is at least second. (3rd is a 69 Z28)

[Don Plumley]

I think D90's are amazing. I don't need one, but I want one. Then logic takes over and I forget about it until some posts a thread on D90's...

Here's a great way to get one, if you have the coin: East Coast Defenders (no affiliation)

[gprsh924]

What speeder (and others) have said.

[Don Plumley]

They do complete tear-downs and special builds:

[HardDrive]

They hold their value because they are the real deal.

This was our steed on a recent trip to SA.

[Dana Norris]

Who was it that said, there is one born every minute.

[Seahawk]

I owned one for four years...one of the few imported with an aluminum hardtop with canvas as well.

Good vehicle in the mean...a lot of little, weird stuff, however, that would make you scratch your head in wonder.

Sold it after they stopped importing them for a whole bunch more than I paid for it.

Pics are over a decade old!

[Garp]

Took these pictures a couple of weeks ago at my local LR dealership. They are very nice but at the same time they don't make much sense. Still I really need one.