Thread: Do I give up a well sorted Td5 for a Puma?

With 115k's the Td5 will bring good money so I'd sell and go the puma.I will know by the end of this year which way I'll go as my work-income changes and if it does work out my much loved Tdi will go and be replaced by a Puma 90.You can live in the past as many do but I like to look forward and that way is Puma,I will most likely be going into the Pilbara so I'll get a hawkeye to read both the puma and L322 and do everything in house. Pat

Test drove myself a Puma Yesterday.

Not a chance in hell I'm getting a Puma 130.

The only difference I could find over mine was it made mine feel slow, and the clutch heavy. The tractibility of the Tdci was great, as was the new 6 speed box, but the new interior cramped the rear seating. Instead I am going to chuck $$$ at mine from Td5 Alive, and replace parts with upgrades over the next 12 months until the HP is up. Then I'll get a 110 Wagon.

CC

Me, I bought a Puma and wouldn't have bought a Defender if I had to buy an earlier model. I've driven a TD5 outback and whilst it is a very competent vehicle, it is not in the class of a Puma for comfort, power, air con, etc. I did come from Discos (6 of them).
If you wish to punish yourself and drive around in an 80s model vehicle, go your hardest. If you wish to move with the times, don't hesitate and grade up into the smarter model.

Looks like you've got your answer with a test drive!

I've got a Puma and a TD5, and the Puma is by far the better vehicle to drive around. 6 speed box makes 110KM/h bearable. Engine has more power. Aircon actually works.

Still love my TD5 and not thinking of selling it at all, but it is a 'previous generation' vehicle now.

Think back to a parallel argument when the TD5 first came out, with people comparing it to a 300TDi..... Same same. Then there was the 200TDi compared to the 300TDi... and so it goes, on and on.....

Spudboy,

This is not a thread for feelgood purchase justifications. The question was to decide whether to sell a well sorted, heavily accesorised work vehicle for the new model.

I have acknowledged the improvements in the Puma, but there are also some backward steps. It would cost me an extra $30k+ on the purchase price stright up to equal the fitout of my vehicle.

There are tax implications to consider as well. Everything I upgrade on mine is a replacement part so deductable, where on a new vehicle it wouldn't be. I think a Td5 putting out 200bhp will rectify the shortcommings I experienced. Plan a Hybrid turbo, Intercooler, turbo boost contoll box, full stainless exhaust, ceramic manifold and remap.

I originally chose a 130 as a touring vehicle as the smaller cab size helped the air-con. in my opinion the air works quite well, so is not a problem.

Engine noise will be adressed with body deadner. The back seat situation in the new 130 is unacceptable. I lose my box for the water bladder and the kids cannot do long stints in those seats. The lower hanging gearbox is also a problem in the Puma. I use mine hard and drag its belly already.

If you had of read properly, I haven't said I won't upgrade to a Puma, just not a 130. Once I have refitted mine out it will be a keeper, and then I will get a 110 wagon. But by then, it will most probably be more like a Range Rover Sport. Who is not keeping with the times now.

CC

I'm glad you kept the Sals equipped Td5 130. I agree they are better in a few important ways.

Puma 110 will be OK, and a 90 would be a hoot, although incrediby impractical...


Those performance Upgrades you mentioned will be a stunning improvement


JC

Not just a Sal, But a Maxi'd one to boot. It is my tow vehicle, and beleive me, I use all 4 ton available at times.

CC