Need advice

[motion]

Will you adopt me?! I can cook and clean!

[kaisen]

Oh, and if I were living on an island with 35 mph speed limits, I'd buy a Mini Moke or Fiat 600 Jolly

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by kaisen

If I were consulting professionally, I'd ask you a hundred questions about what you were trying to accomplish and why the obvious choices don't fit your needs and, more importantly, desires.

But I think I know you a little bit, and what you desire is a SWB RHD Diesel Defender/90. So that's really what you should be getting. Retirement is about realizing the dreams you've put off for a lifetime of sacrifice and compromise. At least that's my take.

Is diesel more available on the island than gasoline?

Eric:

I started off wanting a D90, but that episode of 'Wheeler Dealers' made me think I should consider a Gelandewagen. But even though the MB is smoother & quieter, I agree that the LR is what I really want.

My plan is to buy one that's 23 years old & stash it in the UK until it turns 25, then ship it over. That's another thing- if I got a MB, my Dad could run it for a couple of years, but I doubt he's want to drive the LR!

No problem getting diesel, I thought the low down torque might be better for steep, twisty stuff?

Thanks,

Paul.

[Seahawk]

Kaisen can give you the specs, but my 1993 D90 had the V8, essentially a Buick engine.

It was excellent and not anemic in the least for on road performance in a vehicle like the D90, which is geared low, at least in 1st. I also really liked the suspension in the truck. I cruised at 75mph very comfortably.

Some of the little things (which may have been addressed in subsequent years):

- The hard top leaks, which is fine, but required adjustment every fall when I put it on.

- The roll bar, at least for mine, had to come off to fit the hardtop...not good in any roll over situation. Since the aluminum hardtop on mine offered no structural protection, I bought a second roll bar and cut it down to fit. In the picture you provided below there doesn't appear to a roll bar.

- The rag top is a joke to put on and take off. The best I could do alone was 5 minutes from convertible to fully covered. Do not expect Jeep-like convenience with the rag top. I ended up buying a small cover that easily attached and protected me from direct rain. The D90 was my daily driver.

- Electronics are placed in interesting areas: for example the cars "brain" was in the passenger side interior foot well, subject to water exposure (from the leaks) and getting kicked. I did the mode recommended by Rovers North.

Again, I'll get another one, it just won't be my DD. The only car my kids (and my nephews) have ever really roasted me about selling is the D90.

Your house and the view are a welcomed sight on this dreary Sunday in Maryland!

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Seahawk

Kaisen can give you the specs, but my 1993 D90 had the V8, essentially a Buick engine.

It was excellent and not anemic in the least for on road performance in a vehicle like the D90, which is geared low, at least in 1st. I also really liked the suspension in the truck. I cruised at 75mph very comfortably.

Some of the little things (which may have been addressed in subsequent years):

- The hard top leaks, which is fine, but required adjustment every fall when I put it on.

- The roll bar, at least for mine, had to come off to fit the hardtop...not good in any roll over situation. Since the aluminum hardtop on mine offered no structural protection, I bought a second roll bar and cut it down to fit. In the picture you provided below there doesn't appear to a roll bar.

- The rag top is a joke to put on and take off. The best I could do alone was 5 minutes from convertible to fully covered. Do not expect Jeep-like convenience with the rag top. I ended up buying a small cover that easily attached and protected me from direct rain. The D90 was my daily driver.

- Electronics are placed in interesting areas: for example the cars "brain" was in the passenger side interior foot well, subject to water exposure (from the leaks) and getting kicked. I did the mode recommended by Rovers North.

Again, I'll get another one, it just won't be my DD. The only car my kids (and my nephews) have ever really roasted me about selling is the D90.

Your house and the view are a welcomed sight on this dreary Sunday in Maryland!

The 200 & 300 Tdi diesel units are fantastic engines- but another option would be to drop a 4.6 in. Pretty sure I'll go diesel though, partly because it's really warm down there & so cold starting will never be an issue.

Hardtops are pretty much permanently affixed, and are generally leak free. I doubt I'll need a roll bar, plus it would get in the way of passengers.

If I do go ragtop, I'll probably buy a Hannibal setup.

I'll research the brain update.

House is pretty sweet- and has an apartment downstairs for additional income/guests. I plan to build a garage/carport at some point...

Thanks!

Paul.

[Paul K]

Update:



I love this thing! Lots of mods done, many more planned- A/C install, auto trans conversion, bigger engine (currently Rover 3.5 V8, aka Buick 215) new shocks/springs, galvanized chassis, epoxied bulkhead, list goes on & on...

Cheers,

Paul.

[Tishabet]

Drooooool. Nice ride!

[HHI944]

She's a Beauty!

[Porsche-O-Phile]

USVI roads are tricky (fun!) and can be downright treacherous in places. As you probably know, cars get beaten on pretty badly there too. Both of your original choices were sensible although given the cost of fuel down there (both gas & diesel) you may want a smaller vehicle for daily / routine use.

I didn't see many stations that offered diesel as well - at least they sell "real" gasoline there (not the garbage here on the US mainland that they pass off as gasoline) but it's not cheap. I think it was north of $3 a liter a year ago but I'd have to check my receipts. I'm sure you can get diesel but your options are going to be more limited - maybe marinas have / can get it?

I love it down there. The east side of St. John is in my top 5 places I'm considering for retirement myself (I'm not saying what the others are since I don't want word of them getting out too much - they're largely off the radar of most people).

Nice choice and I love the pictures of your place too - brings back a lot of good memories and hopes for the future... Well done!

[Paul K]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

USVI roads are tricky (fun!) ... Both of your original choices were sensible although given the cost of fuel down there (both gas & diesel) you may want a smaller vehicle for daily / routine use.

Thanks guys!

We're planning to take this down too...

[Paul K]

Update #2.

These things are worse than 911's in terms of upgrade this, fit a new that, etc.

Now looks like this;



I had a 3.9 Efi V8 installed from a '96 Discovery, along with the ZF automatic trans. Better, much better. 180bhp vs. 110. But sadly not better enough, plus it runs on premium. Next project will be to install this, which will run on regular petrol;



There's a forum similar to this for Defenders and those guys figured out how to install the GM generation 4 V8's, so I'm going that route. 315bhp and a 6-speed auto. This particular setup is the LC9 engine & 6L80e transmission.

I'm going to need bigger brakes. Much bigger brakes.

Gave up on the Mini- it now lives in Boise, ID. Might try to source an '07 Mini Cooper S cab (reported to be the best year) from the UK & and import it via the BVI.

Cheers,

Paul.

[dafischer]

FWIW, I'd recommend the Montero Sport diesel. We rented one in Costa Rica a few years ago, and it was great. Comfortable inside, great A/C, and the 5 spd. with the turbocharged, intercooled diesel gave great mileage. Sure. it doesn't have the panache of a G-Wagen or LR, but hey, you'll be living in paradise with a damn nice house.

[Paul K]

Fulll restoration done, just arrived on the island last week. LS engine, host of other mods. It’s nice to be on the correct side of the car!

[Seahawk]

That is a thing of absolute beauty and practicality...the restoration looking perfect.

Thanks for reviving!

[masraum]

Nice! Enjoy!