Thread: 2012 defender worth buying?

Congratulations. I think the Pumas are pretty good after driving a 130 on Moreton Island. However you should think about getting a wagon. Much better for carry gear for a trip when taking a trailer is not a good idea. Also better if you want to carry extra people. 90 still a two seater?

Hey guys

I was told it was due to gearbox not going into gear or something like that.

I know there isnt a " perfect" 4wd but i do want something realiable.. im not sure weather to think it was a one off or if there just unreliable...

The 90 is as close to perfect i could get if they were solid. I have owned alot of suzuki sierras and this would be like having a massive sierra shorty....

Stickman, have been reading the whole thread. When I read your various messages, think a DEF would not be the right fit for you. You are looking for a guaranteed trouble free vehicle, and that does just not exist. Owning and driving a DEF as daily vehicle is a way of life. A DEF is something you "want" to live with, and you take the good with the bad. If you broke down on a test drive, so what? You order a new one which will come with a 3 year full factory warranty, and if your gearbox shows a problem it will be well within that period, and either get repaired or replaced free of charge. I have a 2008 SVX here in Switzerland, have had a few minor issues in the first 2 years, all corrected under warranty, and now have 55k on the clock, and happy as the first day.
One recommendation just in case you still change your mind. You don't drive a DEF like most other modern cars, you don't push it too hard, and changing gears means you do that slow, similar as you would do driving a big truck. You don't change gears with quick and fast short travel of the little stick, if you want to do that maneuver as fast as with any regular modern car, you are asking for trouble. But if you are able to get in the right DEF spirit, meaning not brutalizing the mechanics at any time, you most likely like myself will have a very reliable and trouble free vehicle for many years to come. Mine will probably stay with me forever.
Wishing you to make the right choice for yourself, but a DEF is a different, but in the end reliable and very capable vehicle.
Best, Eric

Just throwing in my 2c for the 2012 Defender 90... Mine is now a little over a week old and i couldnt be happier with my purchase, it is a fantastic little truck that will do almost anything that is asked of it.

I have had a couple of 4wd's in the past and this one is winning on every front so far. Granted i have only put 700km on it so far but with a 3year / 100,000km warranty there is no worry!

I agree, there is no 'perfect 4wd' but if there was, what would be the fun of it?

Love the Defender for what it is, one of the last true factory offroaders.

Originally Posted by 242stickman

Hey guys

I was told it was due to gearbox not going into gear or something like that.

I know there isnt a " perfect" 4wd but i do want something realiable.. im not sure weather to think it was a one off or if there just unreliable...

The 90 is as close to perfect i could get if they were solid. I have owned alot of suzuki sierras and this would be like having a massive sierra shorty....

the gearbox in these is one of the better ones ever fitted to a LR product

The transfer case didn't get knocked into N did it? I had a similar experience with a 200 Series Land Cr*#@er and nearly had to get it towed before we worked it out.

And the reason the Camel Trophy stopped had nothing to do with the vehicles, it was to do with the lefties wanting something more PC for their 'good guy' image, like a mountain bike race.

Jeff

the reason the camel trohpy was cancelled, was that Reynolds Tobacco, makers of camel was sold to a Japanese company in 2000-2001 who then decided to cancel the event....nothing to do with the more modern Defender.... The largest private user of the Puma Defender in the world, SHB Hire in the UK currently has 904 on the books, all as contract hire...used and abused ...the company owner was quoted last month while testing a 2.2, as saying ''they are now very, very nearly as reliable as a Toyota''...take that comment for what it is, but he's the man that has bought 904...

Originally Posted by islu51

the reason the camel trohpy was cancelled, was that Reynolds Tobacco, makers of camel was sold to a Japanese company in 2000-2001 who then decided to cancel the event....nothing to do with the more modern Defender.... The largest private user of the Puma Defender in the world, SHB Hire in the UK currently has 904 on the books, all as contract hire...used and abused ...the company owner was quoted last month while testing a 2.2, as saying ''they are now very, very nearly as reliable as a Toyota''...take that comment for what it is, but he's the man that has bought 904...

Not sure that being as reliable as a Toyo is much to crow about these days.....LOL!!!!