Folks,

After lots of research, I'm zeroing in on two possible options and would appreciate any thoughts, particularly on the "wish I had done/added XYZ." I'm new to Defenders, but not LR (current L322 owner). I'll use it primarily for everyday needs, some trailering, minimal off-roading (beach drives, etc). I'll do 5-6,000 miles/year.

The two I'm looking at have the same colors, primary options/packages (towing pack, cold climate pack, adaptive cruise control, Windsor letter, front cooled seats, etc). Both have ~10 months of factory warranty remaining. They are both 2020MY. Below are the significant differences:

Option 1
2.0L S highly optioned (20" rims, Meridian, packages above, etc)
~38,000 miles
Audi dealer, acquired from auction
No previous records, even on CarFax
Dealer installed new tires, oil, brakes fluid, etc.

Option 2
3.0L HSE w/3rd row (nice for tilt), 2nd row heated/cooled
~56,000 miles (over original factory but covered under CPO below)
2 year LR CPO coverage beyond remaining 10 month factory (so nearly three years of coverage)
All records (sold and serviced by same dealer, previous owner long-time customer and traded it in for new Range Rover, lots of warranty work (reprogramming, swapped parts, recalls, etc.)
Tires and fluids up to date but not new as with Option 1 so will need additional regular maintenance earlier
~$8,000 additional cost

I'm leaning towards Option 2, higher cost and mileage but the 3.0L, CPO coverage and all records seems to shrink the delta considerably. I'm thinking the 3.0L probably has greater resale value/desireability down the road. The higher miles doesn't bother me as the overall condition is excellent and I won't add too many over the next 3 years.

Welcome any initial knee-jerk thoughts/suggestions etc.

 

Is there a 3rd option? Phone a friend? Neither seem all that compelling. Maybe wait and see what comes available in the next few months.

 

Appreciate the response and thought -- what's missing from your POV on either one?

 

Option2 is close to what we have, and we love ours.

 

Personally, I wouldn’t be comfortable with the “no history” options. Can you negotiate a deal on the upcoming maintenance?

what are the selling prices of each?

if not, I’d keep looking.

 

Do you have a decent relationship with your JLR service center? It's possible that they can give you the service records for the auction car.
I have a P300 and have zero complaints about the power it has.

 

The piece missing here is price. I'd go option 2 but I think you could find an option 2 with less mileage, that would be the sweet spot. Say option 2 with 30k miles just FYI. That said that warranty is great. Some other things to nosh on:

-- if option 1 does *not* have air suspension I'd hard pass.
-- Either have a tow hitch? Do you need that? If so, get it on the car rather than add it (annoying, invasive, expensive)
-- Where do you live? I'd never buy a car without heated seats ever if I have a chilly winter.
-- Does the 7 seater option 2 have rear cool assist? It's amazing if you have dogs (AC vents in the back)

The reality is, any Defender is going to be a great car. I would take the most basic unoptioned Defender in a heartbeat. They are all good. They are all robust. They all give you the same feeling driving them.

I am very impractical in that I do nationwide searches for my cars, cross out the northern/salt states and buy the best spec I can find, then figure out how to get it home. When I just look locally, too many compromises on spec.

 

I agree with Nashvegas, all things being equal and if you have to have it now, option 2. But negotiate the cost of services to a more agreeable figure and get that cost stated on the due bill so there’s no disagreements possible. If you can’t get them to commit to that, wait for a better option.

I bought new to “enjoy” the vehicle without worry for 4 years. I also waited to find a vehicle with 8/10 of the items I was interested in. 3 row climate and filtration wasn’t one of them, but I have dogs and see the merits. Things I wanted were:
Tasman Blue
Xdynamic SE
Aluminum 20” rims. No desire for pot hole destroying 22’s.
Vintage Tan
Miridian surround
terrain 2
clearsight mirror
air suspension
body color spare tire cover