Need advice
 

All:

Wife & I plan to retire to the U.S. Virgin Islands in ~10 years. Seems to me, the perfect vehicle down there would be RHD (because they drive on the other side of the road) relatively short wheelbase, turbo diesel, automatic & fairly tall for visibility.

As I see it, there are two options. 25 year old models of both could be imported in RHD from the UK for ~$20k.

Option 1. Land Rover 90 Station wagon;

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...-1588021-7.jpg

Pros: Relatively simple, easy to work on. Aluminium body. Seat 7 (for airport runs). Rough & ready so it doesn't matter if we get in covered with sand/mud/soaking wet. Removable top.

Cons: Relatively high maintenance, noisy, hard to source parts. AC would have to be retrofitted.

Option 2. Mercedes Benz G-Wagon SWB;

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...cAuto/SWBG.jpg

Pros: Smooth, quiet, better built. AC standard.

Cons: 'Delicate' interior, spendy parts, only seats 4, top fixed.

Thoughts?

Cheers,

Paul.

Go Landy! The AC retrofit isn't very difficult or expensive overall and they are beasts......just don't go with an early diesel. They had serious problems. Outside of those, defenders are absolute beasts and pretty easy to work on. When you make a decision, pm me. I have a friend who imports quite a few and could help you out.

HHI944:

If I go with the Landy option, it'll have either the 200Tdi or 300 Tdi.

Thanks for the offer of help!

Paul.

toyota Diesel hilux not on the table?

I don't want a pickup, but an Aussie-style Land Cruiser might work. Problem is, importing from Australia is super spendy. I also considered the diesel Mitsubishi Montero SWB. Frankly, I was set on the Rover until I watched the latest episode of 'Wheeler Dealers'.

I'mma think outside the box....

VW thing....

Dude, put a nice shell on it, and its as good as an SUV, except your cargo area is sealed off from the cab, and a bit tougher....

We really need something that will carry at least 4 people, as the other rig we're taking is the wife's Mini. Plus a canopy really restricts your rear visibility. a quad cab would be too long.

VW thing- too similar to the wife's Mini, plus I fear it would rust away to nothing!

I also considered a RHD Range Rover classic diesel, but my wife told me that if I ever buy another Range Rover, I'd better be prepared to live in it...

a Hilux is very "vanilla" compared to your two choices..but they are very very nice. and super durable from all the guys i talked to in southeast asia..everyone runs one over there.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349578695.jpg

Gelandewagon.... hands down.

Both of those engines are fine, it's just the early 2.7l diesel that had a slew of failure issues. Like I said, drop me a pm if that's the way you go, he brings in everything from exactly what you're looking for to complete frame off rebuild/highly modified stuff.

I wouldn't mind one of the early 2 door RR's, but yeah, the classic/county line had its problems and the p38 was nothing short of a basket case/money pit truck....

Can't go wrong with either one IMHO, though personally I have a weakness for the land rover. Any reason not to consider a 110 instead of the 90? Also, have you really vetted out the import bit? I have been keeping a close eye on the land rover market here in Malaysia in anticipation of my permanent return to the US later this year, and had been thinking I would pick up a mid 80s 110 but I am spooked by the importing process... Defenders are a lot cheaper here than in the US, same deal as in Europe.

Why the stipulation for RHD? Almost all the cars in the USVI are LHD.

That's also what I noticed when I went there about 8 or 9 years ago. It's called the US Virgin Islands, after all.

IIRC, all the rental vehicles were little Japanese mini-SUVs like the Suzuki Sidekick. Maybe you don't want to slum it like that, but what about an FJ Cruiser? IIRC the Montero is also popular down there. Wouldn't parts/maintenance be more of an issue for "exotic" marques like Mercedes and Land Rover on an island in the middle of the Caribbean?

I really don't need anything that long, plus the taxes on taking a rig into the USVI are based on weight. Importing is actually quite easy from the UK.

Just seems wrong to drive on the other side of the road in a LHD rig. I doubt they're going to change (cars or direction) anytime soon.

I had an FJ when they first came out. Didn't like it. Saw a few down there, but the visibility & rear seat access really suck, plus they don't offer it in a diesel.

As for maintenance, I plan to bring the rig into the US first, get it set up the way I want, then ship it down there.

I lived on St Croix for awhile and loved it there. St Croix is the "big" island and has rain forest and desert. St Thomas is the populated island that gets most of the tourism and St John is the expensive one where a half acre lot is $1 MM!

The roads are pretty good there and the max speed limit is 55 - which is the road from Christiansted to Fredricksted. All the other roads are slow going. I had a pickup truck (company car), but like Noah said, we also got around ok with a Suzuki.

I liked the pickup for putting my dive gear in and general moving stuff about the island. As far as airport runs, the airport in St Croix is only 15 miles from any point on the island.

I owned a 1994 Defender 90 with a rare (for that year) aluminum hardtop for three years.

Interesting vehicle: Most of the "big stuff" is done right, it is the little items of interest that get frustrating. There are any number of forums (and I would pm HHI944 as well) that can give you the skinny. Also, for off road, the old ones do not have a locking rear diff. My 1999 Tacoma Trd smoked my D90 off road.

That said, I will probably own another one.

To your needs, however, the D90 is not the right car...the rear seat/stowage area is a joke and very cramped, and difficult to access. D90 are not passenger cars. I took the rear seat out. A D90 will not seat seven and luggage.

A Hilux with a hard cover over the bed makes much better sense, or the MB.

We're in the process of buying a house on a half acre lot on St. Thomas. Max speed on that island is 35! We'll probably spend most of our time on St. Thomas, with occasional jaunts over to St. John. Both islands have lots of steep twisty roads & tight parking spaces, hence my desire for a short wheelbase.

FWIW, here's the house;

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...reedecks-1.jpg

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...489096_big.jpg

Seems as though the weak point of the NAS Defenders is the anemic 4.0 engine, whereas I would fit a newer Turbo Diesel unit. What are the other 'little items'? Rear seat area in the UK models is better, as seen here (seats fold up out of the way);

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/P1110835.jpg

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?

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

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

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.

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.

Update:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps2064cb39.jpg

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.

Drooooool. Nice ride!

She's a Beauty!

Need advice
 

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!

Thanks guys!

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

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...i/Edited01.jpg

Update #2.

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

Now looks like this;

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...sqenaefqy.jpeg

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;

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p...shgn9aksw.jpeg

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.

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.

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!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1720880039.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1720880039.jpg

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

Thanks for reviving!

Nice! Enjoy!