Which Model

1. Which Model ?

With so many different models of Land Rover to choose from on the second-hand market, the decision of exactly which one to go for is not easy to reach. Any vehicle still in production after more than four decades will inevitably provide the purchaser with headaches and complications, simply because of the bewildering variety of different of different versions on sale.

The Land Rover is no exception. It has certainly had its fair share of changes in specification over the years, even though Land rover have never been noted for alterations simply follow fashions or trends. Potential purchasers of second-hand Land Rovers should tread carefully and make a conscious decision about which Land Rover best suits their needs before scouring the classified ads.

While it is the Land rover’s unbeatable off-road capabilities that attract most people to the marque, it is a fact that a large proportion of Land Rover buyers don’t need such abilities for most of their driving time. It is essential that, as a potential Land Rover purchaser, you examine your own needs and make your choice accordingly, based on which model is most suitable for the demands you’re sure to place upon it.

When the Land Rover was launched in 1948, its designers would probably have laughed at any suggestion that it would ultimately become a fashionable vehicle to be seen in, rather than simply the agricultural aid it was intended to be. For those who do buy a Land Rover for its now-trendy image, the ideal choice is one of two extremes - either an immaculately-kept, late-model County in Ninety or One Ten form or a particularly battered Series II or IIA short-wheelbase model, complete with dents-a-plenty and, of course, faded green paintwork.

For the rest of us, whether or not we admit to spending 99% of “Land Roving” time on the road, the purchase of a second-hand Land Rover is a sensible and economical proposition. Nobody can deny that four-wheel-drive abilities are useful when we encounter the worst of the British winter, and it’s most refreshing to own a vehicle that, in many cases, isn’t greatly affected by the odd scratch or dent. Then there’s the Land rover’s rugged simplicity when it comes to maintenance, repair and restoration.

If off-road abilities are of paramount importance to you, the obvious choice is a short-wheelbase example, simply because there is less length to get stuck on ridges, though if you do a lot of cross-country driving and would like a comfortable ride too, then a late-model One-ten is ideal. Of course, for the ultimate in ground clearance, a Forward-Control Land Rover is just the job, though this is a true commercial vehicle (a lorry in every sense of the word), with virtually nothing in the way of interior appointments. If you anticipate mainly on-road driving, a petrol-engined land Rover will provide you with reasonable performance, though try to go for a six-cylinder or V8 version if possible - provided that you can stand the extra fuel consumption of the big 6 - as the four-cylinder models are slow by any standards! If money is tight, a diesel-engined Land Rover will provide the best fuel economy by a large margin, but be prepared for a very leisurely drive...

While we all like to ponder on the best model for our needs, our eventual choice will depend very much on what we can afford. Still, do shop around as there is a surprising number of Land Rovers to choose from even on a tight budget.

Whatever finances are available, above all be sensible - such rules as “Don’t by a Pick-Up if you regularly carry four passengers” and “Only choose a petrol-engined model, if you can afford the petrol bills every week” should be self-evident!