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

I own a TD5 and a MY09 PUMA. I've done 190,000 k in the td5 and just done 40,000 in the PUMA. I personally prefer the TD5, I find the engine smoother than the PUMA, it's also has a much smoother ride on corrugated roads than the PUMA. The TD5 has been finished to a much better standard than the PUMA, which is saying a lot as the TD5 was pretty rough anyway. Comparing them side by side you can see the cost cutting that went into the PUMA.

My PUMA already has rust forming on the inside of the bulkhead.

Comparatively the slop in the drivetrain on the PUMA is much worse than the TD5, and that's with a difference of 150,000k;s on the clock. I can drive the TD5 without clunking it. The PUMA is nearly impossible to drive smoothly.

Having said all of that I still think that the PUMA is a great vehicle for driver comfort, the A/C works, the radio is nicer, the rear seats are a massive improvement over the TD5. So it really depends what you value in a car. That's why I kept both defenders...

Originally Posted by chops110

Have been stuck on an impossible hill and been able to reverse down at idle with my foot jammed on the brake pedal - it won't stall but you do get the ABS and can steer as it doesn't break traction. Try doing that in a Toyota!

Chops110

That is cool!! I'll have to try that!

Cheers,

Originally Posted by BilboBoggles

Comparatively the slop in the drivetrain on the PUMA is much worse than the TD5, and that's with a difference of 150,000k;s on the clock.I can drive the TD5 without clunking it. The PUMA is nearly impossible to drive smoothly.

I feel much better now, I thought it was my driving

Originally Posted by Scallops

.... These threads are great - never has the question been asked and the proposer not bought one!

By the time you get around to asking the question, you've already made up your mind

Originally Posted by Scallops

Reckon the 130 is the go between these 2 - the only thing the 110 has going for it is looks. Good luck with your Puma. These threads are great - never has the question been asked and the proposer not bought one!

I've asked it a few times, even had a good look at a Puma at a dealer the other day, I'm still not convinced it is

A: Any better than what I currently have in both the D2 and County.

B: Anymore reliable than what I currently have.

I looked at a 70 series as well, they are around $10000 more than a Defer, but the servicing is half the price, so it's still in the same price bracket.

The Land Rover (we'll come get you when your Puma breaks) policy is all good and well, but what happens to all of our stuff, the horses and horse float?


I don't need these hassles.

Originally Posted by chops110

Well, I might be a bit biased but....

I went for a new Puma 110 wagon a bit over a year ago. She's a beaut, only prob has been rear window wiper motor replaced under warranty, otherwise all good. I do like the DC's but dealer didn't have one and I wasn't waiting (and anyway we live in Tassie and anything in a ute with a canvas cover gets wet eventually)

Dora wears a TJM winch bar + 12,000Lb winch (wire rope) on the front and has sagged a bit so will pop in some new springs just to raise her up to level. They say Pumas are hard to lift (something to do with propshaft angles) but I'll just be going back to factory height (no need for a lift IMHO, they don't get the diffs any higher anyway unless you go for bigger boots and then you compromise that wonderful super-low crawl gearing).

Anti-stall in low range is the best thing. Have been stuck on an impossible hill and been able to reverse down at idle with my foot jammed on the brake pedal - it won't stall but you do get the ABS and can steer as it doesn't break traction. Try doing that in a Toyota!

Chops110

as for lift I would just replace the front with the genuine D130 / D110 HD coils which are made for just this reason - worked well on my D110 TD5 with ARB bar and winch.

Originally Posted by Scallops

Reckon the 130 is the go between these 2 - the only thing the 110 has going for it is looks. Good luck with your Puma. These threads are great - never has the question been asked and the proposer not bought one!

I reckon thats because they have pretty well made up there mind there getting one by the time they reach aulro (my situation anyway) there mates all pay them out but actually have no real world knowledge, they come here, they then purchase with eyes wide open expecting the odd niggle etc.

Originally Posted by dobbo

I've asked it a few times, even had a good look at a Puma at a dealer the other day, I'm still not convinced it is

A: Any better than what I currently have in both the D2 and County.

B: Anymore reliable than what I currently have.

I looked at a 70 series as well, they are around $10000 more than a Defer, but the servicing is half the price, so it's still in the same price bracket.

The Land Rover (we'll come get you when your Puma breaks) policy is all good and well, but what happens to all of our stuff, the horses and horse float?


I don't need these hassles.

10,000 more?,the quotes I got put the yard price of the troopy next to the drive away price of the defender.With the tojo everything is an extra,nothing is standard so the price balloons out another 20K once all the goodies that the defender has are added.That price also doesn't include suspension and camber adjustment that needs to be done on the troopy and they are cheaper to service but again that fixed price cost is only to get you in the door,the drive away price is more. Pat