Purchase or not, it's your call
I can't help but think what I would be reading had this been early 1998, just prior to ordering my 300Tdi,110! I picked it up on return home on the 4th July 98. I had a number of persons saying things like "ensure it's had the gearbox upgrade", Oh an another said "what a pretty little Defender this will be", the latter just made me more determine to go ahead.
Similarly I had ""good advice"" on all the changes that I would have to make, "you know how to get it up to speed"! One of the first trips was to the Cape full of family and gear and had no troubles whatsoever. 80 Series in company had to do bushes etc, etc and was astounded that I had no issues. He an older fellow and somewhat more experienced than I, was quite impressed.
I have purchased a Puma and have had little time to give it a good old roggering, but am confident that it will do the job, for a standard vehicle.
If for some reason you are doubtfull, then do not go ahead in purchasing, anything for that matter. Especially for the sum of dollars exchanged. If however you are somewhat confident in the purchase and you believe this is truely what you want then "fill your boots".