Thinking of getting a current Defender - honest feedback / advice needed

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Originally Posted by Scallops

We have a dozen 70 series cruisers here at work that are used in seismic exploration. They are without doubt more reliable than my Puma, and taking an open minded look around me, more reliable than many other Pumas too.

In my last job - we were provided with 4.2 litre Patrols. I had 4 over the years I worked there. Nothing went wrong with any of them. These were driven to all parts of Australia loaded up with Geophysical equipment.

I'm not trying to rubbish the marque - I'm being honest.

I'm stating my experience to give the fellow my honest answer. As I remember it, he had a pretty well sorted TD5 Defender. If I owned that vehicle or any other well sorted Defender, I wouldn't be buying a new one.

But like others here - I still love my Defy and will keep it for as long as I can afford to, but my experience with owning a new LR product has been less than I hoped for. Sure it's got character - yes I love it's looks, granted it's very capable, of course I can carry near on a ton, it is a great tow vehicle - but it's also had far too many warranty issues for me to be able to say it's reliable or a good choice.

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I am only very new to the LR experience, but I think you are on the money there a fair bit Scollops.

I have to admit I do find it odd that series guys take a recovery vehicle on runs. Other guys plan extended trips and want someone to come along with good mechanical knowledge. You don't find that with Jap owners.

Here's my 2c.

Among many other vehicles owned over the last 20 years, I've had 6 Toyota 4WDs from new and 6 Land Rovers, 90, D1, 2xP38, L322, FL2.

Nearly put a deposit down for a new Puma back in early 2007 in advance of the model release, but ultimately decided to wait while it was debugged.

Meanwhile I bought one of the first release 200 series TDV8 cruisers expecting the usual trouble free experience. To cut a long story very short, this was far from the case. I sold it after 12 months of frequent dealer visits and I'll never buy another Toyota. My understanding is Toyota have still not fixed the issues.

Back to the Puma, just over 2 weeks ago and after a 5 month wait, I took delivery of one of the first 2011MY 110's. It was only built in July and to be honest I was not expecting any issues. However so far it's been back to the Dealers twice and they've had it for the last 7 days fixing the problems, which in only 1 weeks motoring (1000 km) amount to failed aircon, back door lock, wiper motor and coolant hose.

Am I happy? Yes, because the attitude of the LR dealer and the Toyota dealer are chalk and cheese. LR will readily recognise and fix any defect while Toyota simply deny they exist.

Moral of the tale = all vehicles have issues, buy the one you want to drive. ;)

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Originally Posted by P38ace

Here's my 2c.

Among many other vehicles owned over the last 20 years, I've had 6 Toyota 4WDs from new and 6 Land Rovers, 90, D1, 2xP38, L322, FL2.

Nearly put a deposit down for a new Puma back in early 2007 in advance of the model release, but ultimately decided to wait while it was debugged.

Meanwhile I bought one of the first release 200 series TDV8 cruisers expecting the usual trouble free experience. To cut a long story very short, this was far from the case. I sold it after 12 months of frequent dealer visits and I'll never buy another Toyota. My understanding is Toyota have still not fixed the issues.

Back to the Puma, just over 2 weeks ago and after a 5 month wait, I took delivery of one of the first 2011MY 110's. It was only built in July and to be honest I was not expecting any issues. However so far it's been back to the Dealers twice and they've had it for the last 7 days fixing the problems, which in only 1 weeks motoring (1000 km) amount to failed aircon, back door lock, wiper motor and coolant hose.

Am I happy? Yes, because the attitude of the LR dealer and the Toyota dealer are chalk and cheese. LR will readily recognise and fix any defect while Toyota simply deny they exist.

Moral of the tale = all vehicles have issues, buy the one you want to drive. ;)

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Well said......also there is a difference between Toyota and LR driver's, the Toyota Drivers will completely deny any problems exist with the Fabled Landcruisers. Defender driver's talk openly about the issues with there cars and accept to some degree there a work in progress.

I drove a diesel Crusier ute (1999 model) for 10 years, only had one lot of trouble with it overheating before Xmas just gone, its now sold it had 180,000 on the clock when I sold it, it left me stranded the other side of Deniliquinn on a stinking hot day, I am lucky a bloke stopped and towed me back to Denny. This ute was however is a different beast....no electronics, but gee my Defender 130 twin cab is at least twice as comfortable to be in, despite what Toyo ute owners will have you beleive, the 1999 ute neally killed my body after any more than an hour in it..........in my 20's it did not bother me fuinnily enough.

The 130 twin cab is better to sit in than our family 2008 falcon station wagon for any length of time, it would start out less comfy but after an hour or so does not seem to fatigue you.

Problem with LR is it could have stronger drivetrain, more attention to detail AND the big one more regional support. Most Toyo drivers have the luxury of having a dealership in every town. Many LR drivers including myself have to drive for at least an hour to get service, and when in the outback well there is no support.......

i have had my puma about 1month done around 5500km in it already i have had no problems apart frm realy bad signal frm the radio. if i can make it to the first service with out any problems i will be happy i think the more you look for a problem and pussy foot around in it the more problems you will have use the car for what it was made for. i work on vw audis n the genral vag group of cars the one that dnt have any problems are the ones that get a propper work out.

with all due respect p3ck3r, if there is silence instead of as cranking motor when I turned the key, I wasn't looking for a problem...it kinda hit me in the face.

My Puma is Almost 3 years old :eek: I got mine the same time as Scolops and our experiences have been chaulk and cheese. I can't tell you why?? Luck?? Style of driving?? (I drive like I stole it :twisted:) Who know's??:confused:

I wont say mine hasn't had any problems but they had all been minor and no problem has ever made it stop or made me cancel any trips.

We have been to the Cape, The High Country, Faser Island (a few times) most of the 4wd parks. It gets driven every day and is the kid's taxi.

I am in the motor trade repair industry and so you hear of lots of gripes. All marques have them I guess a lot of how you feel about you car is how you get treated by the dealer in responce to those problems. I couldn't praise Southside Land Rover high enough for the service they have given me. And a tip, Respect begets Respect (and service).

Don't get me wrong there have been a few horror stories apear here on the forum and I really feel for those people. Out of interest does anybody know how many defenders have been sold in Australia broken down year by year or how many Puma's have been sold?

I have 80,000km's on it now and still going strong :D Love it :wub:

Cheers,

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Originally Posted by p3ck3r

i have had my puma about 1month done around 5500km in it already i have had no problems apart frm realy bad signal frm the radio. if i can make it to the first service with out any problems i will be happy i think the more you look for a problem and pussy foot around in it the more problems you will have use the car for what it was made for. i work on vw audis n the genral vag group of cars the one that dnt have any problems are the ones that get a propper work out.

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hahahah I love these lines..people have tried the pussy foot around approach "it works for me I have never had a problem" and people have tried the give it a thrashing "it worked for me I have never had a problem"

oh lets not forget the it has to be the drivers fault because "I have never had a problem"

here is my theory SOME of these cars actually have problems and a lot dont! perhaps people need to just except that rather trying to look for an excuse or someone to blame.:)

I've got an 09 110 SW with 32k on the clock. Just had the rear diff and clutch replaced, due to reading the various forums I was expecting that. Also had the high pressure fuel pump develop a leak due to a bolt coming loose, and a relay go on the blitz due to water ingress (which was my fault).

Get a good dealer, and as pointed out, forge a respectful relationship, and the ownership experience will be so much better.

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Originally Posted by P38ace

Am I happy? Yes, because the attitude of the LR dealer and the Toyota dealer are chalk and cheese. LR will readily recognise and fix any defect while Toyota simply deny they exist.

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Exactly,after running a fleet of jap vans for the last 20yrs,& having 3 new LR's in the last 10,we were only talking about this last week.And you know who we find to be the worse by a country mile,the Tojo dealers.They are simply,not interested in ANY warranty issue.Luckily, we have very few warrenty issues.

Don't get me wrong there have been a few horror stories apear here on the forum and I really feel for those people. Out of interest does anybody know how many defenders have been sold in Australia broken down year by year or how many Puma's have been sold?




currently running approx. 20 utes and 30 wagons per month.