TD5 or PUMA? The perpetual question!

I am lucky , because I have both , a td5 , and a Puma 2.2 I have had the td5 for a quite a few years . It has been and is a great vehicle . The problem It is starting to get a bit old . It has been well looked after , but would I jump in It and drive It to the top end and back ? No not without serious overhaul . That's being honest with myself . The Puma yes , because It a lot newer , done a lot less ks , and to be honest is a better vehicle . That's because Land Rover have improved them . Lets face It the last td5 were 2006 so there starting to get a bit old , that's not a criticism , It's just a fact !!.. Jim

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Originally Posted by VladTepes

If the eternal question is "TD5 or Puma?", then the eternal answer is "Tdi"


Anyone fellas now saying "but the Puma is more civilized" should take a good hard look at themselves, go buy a Disco, and hand back their testicles.... :D

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"Essence of Defender" isn't found in a new car showroom or by waving like a wally to every Land Rover you see. It takes years of hardship and toil to develop to full maturity and ooze out of every rivet.

Some Pumas will get there but not yet...not yet.

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Originally Posted by steane

"Essence of Defender" isn't found in a new car showroom or by waving like a wally to every Land Rover you see. It takes years of hardship and toil to develop to full maturity and ooze out of every rivet.

Some Pumas will get there but not yet...not yet.

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I think you are mistaking the stains on your driveway, or as the case may be, the dead patches of grass, as the "essence of defender" leaking from every rivet of your TDi. You shouldn't be sniffing that stuff either, it evidently causes delusions!

I have a long history with Toyota 4x4s and after a few years without a 4x4 at all, when it was time to get another of course I romped into the Toyota dealer.

I wanted to buy a new 4x4. The previous one I bought new, some 15yrs before. When I test drove the then new 2013 Hilux (only Toyota 4x4 to be had new in Malaysia) - well I just new there and then I couldn't in all good conscience buy one.

Of course I would have NEVER thought to check out a new defender. Was struggling with all the options (Rangers, nissans, etc...) all being just as much lacking of any "essence" as does the Hilux.

Wife suggested looking at a new defender. What a JOKE! "Hahah yeah sure, luv, let's do that - the moment you sit your butt in the vehicle you'll want to run away."

I was sold after the first test drive, wife wanted a few more drives to try parking etc Three test drives in all over a 2 month period and we bought a brand new 2013 TDCi

THATS "essence".

No stains on my driveway tact. It just sits there as I'm too afraid to drive it these days. Struggles to get to 100kmh and when it does its a white knuckle ride.:p

Just wish it had that all new second generation chassis and suspension, like yours does.:D Man that would be sweet.

But it has the essence and that takes time, so I'll have to be content with that I guess.

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Originally Posted by steane

No stains on my driveway tact. It just sits there as I'm too afraid to drive it these days. Struggles to get to 100kmh and when it does its a white knuckle ride.:p

Just wish it had that all new second generation chassis and suspension, like yours does.:D Man that would be sweet.

But it has the essence and that takes time, so I'll have to be content with that I guess.

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Love your response. Definitely deserves full points!
:D

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Originally Posted by tact

I think you are mistaking the stains on your driveway, or as the case may be, the dead patches of grass, as the "essence of defender" leaking from every rivet of your TDi. You shouldn't be sniffing that stuff either, it evidently causes delusions!

I have a long history with Toyota 4x4s and after a few years without a 4x4 at all, when it was time to get another of course I romped into the Toyota dealer.

I wanted to buy a new 4x4. The previous one I bought new, some 15yrs before. When I test drove the then new 2013 Hilux (only Toyota 4x4 to be had new in Malaysia) - well I just new there and then I couldn't in all good conscience buy one.

Of course I would have NEVER thought to check out a new defender. Was struggling with all the options (Rangers, nissans, etc...) all being just as much lacking of any "essence" as does the Hilux.

Wife suggested looking at a new defender. What a JOKE! "Hahah yeah sure, luv, let's do that - the moment you sit your butt in the vehicle you'll want to run away."

I was sold after the first test drive, wife wanted a few more drives to try parking etc Three test drives in all over a 2 month period and we bought a brand new 2013 TDCi

THATS "essence".

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Tact: I enjoy reading your posts mate. Just when I'm trying to word something to say, you come out and say exactly what I'm thinking. Well done sir.

Your story is not so dissimilar to mine

Sent from my GT-I9505 using AULRO mobile app

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Originally Posted by 1nando

Tact: I enjoy reading your posts mate. Just when I'm trying to word something to say, you come out and say exactly what I'm thinking. Well done sir.

Your story is not so dissimilar to mine

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Hehehe was enjoying my latte and felt some warm gusts up my kilt. Checked the forum - now I know why. ;) (kidding!)

I once wrote something similar to the following, not sure if in these esteemed forums or elsewhere, and seems like this topic is as good as any to break the thought out again:

Painting with the broadest brush there are essentially 2 types of TDCi owners:
- the first time Defender owner bought a shiny new TDCi
- the landy-lifer, the repeat offender, who after a series of older models in a history longer than his beard - bought a TDCi

The former: realised instantly that his TDCi was superior in every regard to all its predecessors. He had done the requisite reading (can spell "google" and knows how to use it). So he knew of the legendary unreliability of older models. He had even seen the bearded sages (the latter, from above), long time owners of older models, lamenting their archaic rides and how they struggle to reach 100kmh and white knuckle tales.

The latter: Can't spell google but his computer literate nephew helped him once to find AULRO. He read with wonderment all the grand reports of the TDCi crowd and at first would not believe it. Then denial set in - "well they may have a green oval but they are NOT real land rovers". Then reality bites so he dug up ridiculous reasons to hate "they have electronics! you can still hear your wife nag at well over 100kmh!". Then, grudgingly, he caved and bought one. Insidious thoughts about TDCi superiority, in every measure, grow evey day, creeping up on him like the neighbour's pumpkin vine.

So TDCi owners across these venerable forums: Whether you knew immediately. Whether it took a while to get your grudging admiration. Fact remains:

TDCi's are better, by every measure, in every way, than any predecessor.

I think there may be a third group. First time owner but brought up with series models and td5 farm defenders.

Indeed tact, Puma 2.2 Defenders are far superior to any other vehicle in many ways! And everyone will come around one day! ��...agreed. ...their refinement and power outweighs their electrickery and hence reliability, yes. And the aircon! Oh Yes.! .

..but not in every way. The 'engine note' of both Isuzu and TDI diesels are far superior; the simpler interior and front vent flaps are much better, inside feels lighter, freer , more open somehow. But that's about it!

...I have an idea, Pete from BAS if you're listening... I've heard about 'engine note' tuning, maybe there's a way to make a puma sound like an isuzu!?!?

Lookout! isuzu aficionados are about to descend on my blasphemy! ��

Having said that, I really like the puma air intake purr with the window down, it's distinctive in its own way.

All Defenders have the 'essence'... I'm lucky I have a Puma and a 300 TDI. My 98 purrs at 100kmh. And he rattles, shakes, vibrates!!! But I love him. AND I love the quiet powerful confidence of my puma! That everyday Defender 'feeling that can't be described' and nothing else can provide. ...AND I wish I had an Isuzu county AND a series 3 shorty AND a series 1 beauty!