the D90 story
When I got back from Australia in January 1997, I decided it was time to buy a car.
After all, I'd been here for over two years and it's just not right living in the US without one.
My tax dollars go to keeping the Persian Gulf safe so I may as well reap the rewards (i.e. cheap gas).
Unfortunately, there just weren't any cars I found very exciting; certainly none that fit the Cool criteria.
A couple seemed half decent: the Land Rover Discovery and the Subaru Outback.
However, my pal Elena test-drove a Disco - "It sucks!" - and I test drove an Outback
(interesting 'cause I didn't have a license at the time)
and decided it was just a car ('though a very capable one).
Coming back to the dealership after our Disco test drive, I noticed a Defender 90.
It was a red station wagon and looked wonderful. Land Rover of Seattle had a couple left
but by the time I called back, all were sold. Fortunately, the soft-top model for 1997
was still available and, against my better judgement (it's not exactly a practical car),
I paid a deposit, picked a color and waited
and
waited
and
waited
Finally, on the 7th of June, Alex Sargent (great guy) from Land Rover of Seattle
called and said it had arrived. After scurrying 'round to get a Washington State license,
I picked up my British Racing Green Defender '90.
I've only had it (she? him?) for a few weeks but have a few photos
(click on the thumbnails below for a bigger version).
I'm very glad with my choice, especially since Land Rover has announced
that '97 will be the last year the Defender 90 is sold in the US.
Me next to the Landy. One of those random and (at the time) unwelcome
shots that didn't turn out so bad (thanks, Elena!).
I'm not sure what model year this Series II Land Rover is
but it's interesting to see how similar the two are. I found this one
when driving near Seattle's Arboretum (unfortunately, it's not for sale).
Sitting next to Lake Union an hour after I picked it up
and two minutes after I'd driven through a big, muddy puddle
(had to find a way to get it dirty!)