Puma Positives & Negatives

Yes - I have the earliest one in Australia. And it's been fine (term used in strict "modern" Land Rover sense) until this year. I now have a new clutch, gearbox, transfer case, rear axle - and whenever Austral get hold of it - a new steering box.

But before this, I've had....

New headlight - just stopped working.
New side mirror - fell off on Gunbarrel
New window winder - fell off on Gibb river road
New Brake reservoir - hole rubbed through it on Gunbarrel
New rear backing plates - fell apart on Gunbarrel
New intercooler hose - wore through on Gunbarrel
New rear propshaft - developed harmonic vibration
New swivel seals - leaked.
New CD / radio - fell apart in Kimberleys

Tough truck, hey?

Dunno - looked after it like it was fine china - meaning, I've used it but always carefully. Just doesn't instil much confidence going forward. I've owned $200.00 bombs at Uni which have managed to go longer without issue than my Puma.

Still - at least I've got a Series 1 - now that's a real Land Rover.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by one_iota

No they are not Completely Knocked Down.

No one apart from a few Forum members would know how to reassemble them. ;)

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So in fact they are built in the "old country" I thought TATA would be looking at getting some tax relief by having them nailed together here!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lardy

So in fact they are built in the "old country" I thought TATA would be looking at getting some tax relief by having them nailed together here!

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I'll leave the tax breaks to TATA's Tax Accountants...but I don't believe that LR uses nails anymore.... lots of rivets, a bit of spot welding and a lttle sikaflex in places.

Of course Tata might have other ideas. :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by one_iota

No they are not Completely Knocked Down.

No one apart from a few Forum members would know how to reassemble them. ;)

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Sounds like some of them here arrive complete and get CKD over the first half dozen services. Still want one though.;)

I like what Kevin McLoud said on Top Gear about his TVR; it was a kit car in reverse. You buy it complete then slowly have to dismantle it to sort it out. I want one of them too.:cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Scallops

Yes - I have the earliest one in Australia. And it's been fine (term used in strict "modern" Land Rover sense) until this year. I now have a new clutch, gearbox, transfer case, rear axle - and whenever Austral get hold of it - a new steering box.

But before this, I've had....

New headlight - just stopped working.
New side mirror - fell off on Gunbarrel
New window winder - fell off on Gibb river road
New Brake reservoir - hole rubbed through it on Gunbarrel
New rear backing plates - fell apart on Gunbarrel
New intercooler hose - wore through on Gunbarrel
New rear propshaft - developed harmonic vibration
New swivel seals - leaked.
New CD / radio - fell apart in Kimberleys

Tough truck, hey?

Dunno - looked after it like it was fine china - meaning, I've used it but always carefully. Just doesn't instil much confidence going forward. I've owned $200.00 bombs at Uni which have managed to go longer without issue than my Puma.

Still - at least I've got a Series 1 - now that's a real Land Rover.

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Dan,

Judging from the list you've taken the prototype Puma to places that Land Rover people couldn't imagine in Solihull.

Were you ever stranded?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by one_iota

I'll leave the tax breaks to TATA's Tax Accountants...but I don't believe that LR uses nails anymore.... lots of rivets, a bit of spot welding and a lttle sikaflex in places.

Of course Tata might have other ideas. :D

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I believe you may well be wrong in this instance old chap.
I doubt they would use sikaflex or possibly had even heard of it, it being an Australian product what they would probably use is (well they always did):Buy Eldro Dum Dum Sealing Compound at Car Spot
You are right about the nails though they stopped using them after the doors stopped being skinned by planks from old pallets

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JamesH

Sounds like some of them here arrive complete and get CKD over the first half dozen services. Still want one though.;)

I like what Kevin McLoud said on Top Gear about his TVR; it was a kit car in reverse. You buy it complete then slowly have to dismantle it to sort it out. I want one of them too.:cool:

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James was your previous deefer a petrol engined thing?
And when you selling your 110?

In short:

Positives - There's nothing else like one, and once you've got one you won't want anything else.

Negatives - They're as fond of going back to the LR workshop as a Rover V8 is of a fuel station.

Lardy, Much as I'd love to spend $60000 plus to kit a new Defender out with the stuff mine already has apart from the flaps and the bonnet mount (sad to say I'm not joking), I don't actually have $60000 so my Tdi and I are destined to stay together for some time yet.

AULRO will get first dibs when it does go on the market, though.

Must stop thinking about shiny new black 110 CC or wagon. I try to avoid all the positive posts and read the negative ones over and over but it just doesn't help...

If you have a well-sorted out Td5, no use getting a Puma.

Mine's had a pulling left problem since new, and stealers cannot fix it, and won't let me take it to someone who can without voiding my warranty :angel: