Thread: What to buy a 300tdi or a Toyota?

Ps...what bloke here would ignore the wisdom of their wife saying she wants you to get a new Defender??

Sorry I went missing for a bit, when I got back from the shoot there was loads to do an the farm, I have been thinking a bit too..
I want a Defender not a Disco I have always wanted one so you guys are right I am just not going to be happy with a Disco. Yes I do have quite a few cars, but the big F truck is a heap of junk (apart rebuilt motor and gearbox), but nothing else can haul the amount of hay when the dry comes. As long as the local Police does not see me do it Anyway basically the F truck is just used locally for hauling big loads. The Nissan I what I am using right now and the missus is using the 60 series and the 60 is what is going to go. The missus likes the Nissan and especially likes the very cold aircon so that will be staying. The new car with get towing duties and will be what I drive day to day, I have a few rental properties as well as the farm so I need a car with loads of room in the back for my tools when things go wrong with the rentals. Whatever I buy it wont be on finance, I have the money for a new car, I would never borrow to buy anything, but spending money on a new car is almost enough to give me nightmares
If it was just up to me after all this great advice I would be getting a 300tdi or a td5, the missus is banging on though about getting a new one grumble grumble moan moan... My personal thoughts would be to wait and try and get a low km td5 , I actually saw a 300tdi in a car park and it was really mint so really good older Landies do exist, try and tell my missus though...
My worry re a new one is how good is the Puma motor as I read a few horror stories about them. Also I read the transmission (or transfer I cant remember which) was not as strong. What are the Puma's weaknesses?
The other worry re new is home maintenance.
With 300 tdi and TD5 what is the km's that a well serviced car will have issues, ie is there known issues that crop up I should consider that might bite me on the butt at certain kms?
At least I know it will be a defender, just which one..
Chris

Originally Posted by cafe latte

With 300 tdi and TD5 what is the km's that a well serviced car will have issues, ie is there known issues that crop up I should consider that might bite me on the butt at certain kms?

You should know there's a wide range of usage patterns that wear out a vehicle way sooner for some compared to others. Maintenance is only part of the equation, the amount of heavy work is the key. If you get a good running 300TDi at say 300 000km for example, I'd suggest fitting a brand new head, new timing belt kit, hoses, water pump and "P" gasket, new serpentine belt and tensioner, upgraded intercooler and recored radiator. Possibly even a new clutch if there's any sign of oil at the rear of the engine. Keep the old bits in the shed for spares. Then you'll have a reliable vehicle with reasonable performance that's easy to fix at home with only simple tools. Spend the money up front before it breaks down.

It sounds like good advice.. I am checking Gumtree daily and I hope I can find something soon we both like. My missus keeps linking on new stuff which I admit look great, but I am a little worried about being able to work on myself and long term durability. And I hate spending so much money on cars!!
Chris

There is no worry about long term durability and no concerns about working on them.Yes there is things that need attention just like every other model Defender but people who think there is any difference in reliability between a 200/300Tdi,Td5 or 2.4/2.2 TDCi Defender doesn't know what they are talking about.Forget all the bull**** narrow minded people hark on about,I'd drive any of them anywhere in Oz as members on here have been doing for decades,buy what you want to own,I wouldn't sell my Tdi for a Td5 and wouldn't sell my 2.4 TDCi for a 2.2 but would happily own one of each. Pat

Originally Posted by bee utey

You should know there's a wide range of usage patterns that wear out a vehicle way sooner for some compared to others. Maintenance is only part of the equation, the amount of heavy work is the key. If you get a good running 300TDi at say 300 000km for example, I'd suggest fitting a brand new head, new timing belt kit, hoses, water pump and "P" gasket, new serpentine belt and tensioner, upgraded intercooler and recored radiator. Possibly even a new clutch if there's any sign of oil at the rear of the engine. Keep the old bits in the shed for spares. Then you'll have a reliable vehicle with reasonable performance that's easy to fix at home with only simple tools. Spend the money up front before it breaks down.

I disagree. If it ain't broke.....

Too many people waste too much money on unnecessary preventative maintenance IMHO. If the head appears fine, leave it alone. If the hoses are ok, why replace them? Same goes with the other stuff.

A hose could pass a visual inspection but be knackered never the less,generally you'll find out when it splits and cooks the head causing you a big dollar repair and a thread on here whinging about Land Rovers not having sufficient cooling.Not replacing belts and hoses that cost $150 every two years is idiotic. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

A hose could pass a visual inspection but be knackered never the less,generally you'll find out when it splits and cooks the head causing you a big dollar repair and a thread on here whinging about Land Rovers not having sufficient cooling.Not replacing belts and hoses that cost $150 every two years is idiotic. Pat

Every service I check belts and hoses, I also have a spare set in the back just in case. Before going on a big trip the car gets a once over, wheel bearings, belts, oil, water, actually anything that could be an issue.
One of the things that worries me about a new car is being stranded out bush and I cant get it going because some sender is not sending the right info to the computer. My main worry..
Chris