Temptations -- greener grass?

Can you tow with it? It won't be plated or type approved for towing in the UK.

They are about 6" wider than a Jimny, which makes a big difference to what you can fit it through (and where you can park it), although the wider track will be useful.

Back in 1993 I had to choose between an ex-demonstrator LJ70 swb and a brand new swb Ford Maverick (Nissan Terrano). They were pretty much the same price, but I went for the Maverick.

I always regretted that decision. (In my fantasy world, I'd still have the LJ70, whereas I couldn't get rid of the Maverick fast enough, but I suspect that I would have got rid 20 years ago when I was sweeping too much of it off the drive, they were known for rotting, and oil leaks....)

 

I don't see why you can't tow with it. I assume when imported they are IVA'd. Do you have any reference material to say such vehicles cannot tow?

The importer is certainly 'advertising' the tow rating.

Re: size. I'm not convinced by measurements online as they never tell you if they include the door mirrors or not. And they also don't say if they include the spare wheel or not.

e.g. looking on Wikipedia they list different widths and lengths for the Defender 90 based on year. However, there were never any changes to these over the entire production run.

Don't get me wrong, the 71 is bigger than a Jimny, but I wouldn't call it big or likely to be difficult to park. Dimension wise I suspect they are very similar to a Defender 90.

Which is fine with me. A Defender is a good size for laning and general road use.

Some serious money........ If I was about to spuff that kind of cash........... I would be looking at an ibex....... Built for purpose 

Ibex are cool, but more of a weekend play toy I suspect. Not sure you could get as comprehensive a build. Also some limitations on engine combos and the like. Plus they are just using Defender bits by and large.

I wouldn't mind building one. But maybe they are a little too rustic for this purpose. I have an 88 coiler pickup Land Rover already and access to the old farm 90. Wanting something that is nicer to daily drive, that my partner will go or take to the office.

Which tbh the Jimny is pretty ideal. But more power, more performance, much bigger fuel tank, massive towing capability, plus great off road ability out of the box have an appeal.

I really like the idea of a Wrangler Rubicon 2 door for the same reasons. Although the tow rating on them is a bit naff too.

Pickings are a bit slim for proper off roaders these days. And even fewer if you want a swb offering.

300bhpton wrote:

I don't see why you can't tow with it. I assume when imported they are IVA'd. Do you have any reference material to say such vehicles cannot tow?

The importer is certainly 'advertising' the tow rating.





 

AFAIK, to legally tow on the road a vehicle needs to be type approved for towing. I've not put anything through IVA, but I think that it would need to be presented for IVA with a suitable (approved) towbar & coupling, and proof of gross train weight, otherwise it won't be approved to tow on the road. Whether you can apply for a a variation to an IVA to add something after approval I wouldn't know.

Officially imported and type approved vehicles are plated with gross train weight ( plus axle loading and gross vehicle weight)  and the V5 will have the braked and unbraked maximum trailer weights marked on. JDM vehicles don't have the weights on their VIN plates. Possibly if it was presented at IVA with the towbar and manufacturer figures the V5 would have the towing figures filled in?

Toyota may well supply all the relevant certificates to the importer for presentation at IVA, they would have to supply proof of emissions compliance with Euro6 if it is going to be ULEZ compliant.


Just something to think about and check before you buy one and find you've spent over £60K on a car that can't legally tow.
 

The Norwegian number of official imports is 48. Magic number that make it a genuine and fully compliant vehicle.