Thread: 2013 Defender 90. Long term vehicle?

I've only owned my puma for a month now so I can't say much but, it didn't leak water on my foot when it rained and at 100kms along the freeway it is only doing 2000 rpm in sixth gear. So far I love it!

Uh - Ok, I'm happy PUMA owner! Had mine since 2007, so well out of warranty now. Took her up to Lake Eyre for this year's big trip. Water water everywhere; KMs of muddy slosh; rough chopped up roads; Didn't miss a beat.

Things replaced under warranty:
- Rear diff (pretty common in the early releases)
- CD Player
- Air pump (?) This was a common fail on early models, and has since been redesigned.

Have to say that mine has been pretty faultless.

I also had a 90 for a few years, so I would say to you be VERY SURE it is big enough for you. They are TINY in the back and you can't take much kit with you. Fabulous off road, but 110 is a lot easier to live with day to day apart from the turning circle.

HTH
David

Edit - just to add that the other thing that annoyed me with the 90 was the lack of range on the std fuel tank. I think it was 60L, which is only good for around 500-550Kms

Thewilk,

Sounds like you want a 90 and are making a case to upgrade to one. Go out and buy one but be warned they have a lot of major issues of recurring mechanical problems.

The Patrol has always been a proven performer for reliability and tough drive trains. The issues you have listed with your Patrol are just wear and tear for a vehicle of that age. Those will be trivial compared to a new diff and gearbox inside of 20 000 kms as many Puma owners have had the experience of dealing with.

It will be fixed under warranty but there are owners of Puma's on this forum that have had their vehicles at dealer workshops for outrageous lengths of time while they wait for parts and fault diagnosis. Perhaps Land Rover Australia should be making sure that there is at least 1 spare gearbox and rear diff in their warehouse for every new Puma sold as it will most likely be replaced inside of the warranty period at least once.

If you want a reliable Defender that is a 10 year proposition you have to look at Isuzu Defenders as those things really are million km vehicles. Awesome tractor like drive train that is so much tougher than anything Land Rover make today. Puma's are really a toy in comparison that will break like most the cheap plastic toys made in third world countries these days.

Good luck finding one though because they are tightly held by people in the know. Unfortunately they only came out as a 110 I believe. Hopefully the ADF will sell their Perenties off in the near future as they have the same running gear and are the real deal Defender. I don't think that the ADF would replace their Perenties with the current Defender though so it may be still some time before they are offered to the public. There are a lot of people waiting for these vehicles to come into the auction houses however so prices may be reasonably high for a 20 year plus old vehicle but they would certainly be a long term investment if you can get one.

Good Luck if you do buy a Puma 90.

Regards Warrick.

Have you looked at an Amarok?

I've had my 90 for just over 2 years and 43k klm's and am happy with how it does everything I need it for. It tows a heavy load, goes almost anywhere off road and has not let me down over many, many trips away. I'm confident in it enough to go outback solo. The rear seats came out day one & with a 40 ltr fridge & 60 ltr water tank in the back I still have plenty of room for provisions, a big swag & my dog. There's been a few bugs ironed out under warranty, no biggy, I kind of expected their would be. Comfort wise I think I'd prefer the LWB for a better ride, but I guess it can be improved with different shocks & coils. Have you taken any for a test drive yet?

Originally Posted by Ricey

I've had my 90 for just over 2 years and 43k klm's and am happy with how it does everything I need it for. It tows a heavy load, goes almost anywhere off road and has not let me down over many, many trips away. I'm confident in it enough to go outback solo. The rear seats came out day one & with a 40 ltr fridge & 60 ltr water tank in the back I still have plenty of room for provisions, a big swag & my dog. There's been a few bugs ironed out under warranty, no biggy, I kind of expected their would be. Comfort wise I think I'd prefer the LWB for a better ride, but I guess it can be improved with different shocks & coils. Have you taken any for a test drive yet?

Yes, I've driven a 110. Before the Patrol we owned a Feroza and before that, an F20. The short wheelbase really doesn't put me off. When we go away anywhere the back off the car is usually half empy as most of the camping gear is in the trailer.
It's a hard decision to make when parting with 45k. I'm sort of 70% decided on a Defender but have the nagging doubt of reliability weighing over me!

I have a 2010 Def90. Nearly 75,000 km Several big trips. Daily driver. Essentially no problems. Great vehicle. The 2.2 should be even better as it is supposedly smoother and quieter.

Cheers
KarlB

I've had my dual cab Puma for just over a year now, it's on 40-45k on the clock.

Have had the ECU swapped out at first service, and an issue with the door seals. Both done under warranty, so no cash. The only other issue I have now is a noisy gearbox, was thinking its a thrust bearing but some of the guys think differently. We'll see what it is when it goes,, or maybe it's just noisy, adds to the character

All in all, I couldn't be happier, and I came out of a very comfortable D2V8 Auto.