
f I had to buy a car today (and quite thankfully I don't) I'd get a used Landrover Defender 110. The one with the full-size spare tire on the hood, the luggage rack on the roof, and the extra gas can on the rear door. It has a diesel engine, solid metal doors, 4-wheel drive. It's not comfy, it's not quiet, and it's not cheap, but it is so obscenely practical it might even make my parents proud.
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Landrover Defender 110 |
It's rugged practicality that would look out-of-place and be utterly wasted in the city I live in. Shame. One day when I get out to the country I'd like to make this a reality. The whole vehicle says "adventure".
In the meantime, I've been exploring the world of motorcycles - something infinitely more versatile here in New York. In digging around, I came across the Ural Sahara, which is nothing short of the Landrover in motorcycle form!
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Ural Sahara Motorcyle w/Sidecar |
It looks to be a limited edition available in 2009. British tan in color, it is a 750cc motorcycle complete with sidecar. What's particularly interesting is that the sidecar wheel is also driven by the engine, making it a 2-wheel drive bike. Yes, it has a full-size spare tire. Yes, it has an external gas can, two in fact. Yes it has a luggage rack. It also comes with a army-style trowel attached to the cycle-facing side of the sidecar, so you can dig yourself out when the 2WD fails you in sand or snow.
If that weren't enough, it also has a first aid kit mounted in the rear (let's hope it stays intact if you get rear-ended) and a spotlight mounted on the sidecar. While having a vintage style, there's plenty of power in the 40HP engine, and it has modern touches such as electric start and a front disc break. Living up to it's style, it has a kick-start backup and is fueled by carburetor, which means the engine will still run in the event the battery dies.

Priced at about $15,500 it's a little on the expensive side. Unfortunately for me, a sidecar adds much hassle in the city in terms of parking, not to mention the fact that none of my friends would ever get into a sidecar. I'm hoping that's not a reflection of my driving.
--A
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