Thread: Daft Question, why 130 Defender (used) over Mahindra pick up new?

Originally Posted by PAT303

Send an email to modern motors in Dungog,they sell both so could give you the best advice. Pat

I might just do that.
Chris

Originally Posted by FV1601

Seriously tried to buy a new dual cab 4x4 Mahindra beginning of last year. Very roomy cab, trick rear diff (like a Detroit locker) and looks are way improved when the bumper is replaced with a bullbar. Only real drawback was that my wife could not floor the clutch even with seat fully forward.
Unfortunately the price went from the advertised $27,990 (on road, tray, bullbar, tow pack) to close to $35,000 when I returned with the cheque book a month later.
Short story is the "sales"person was neither willing/interested/able to explain this, and lost the sale.
Of note:
While brochures show a snorkel, they were not a known option at the dealership.
The list of aftermarket accessories is virtually non existent.
If you are unhappy with a dealer in Vic, no good going to another as they are all owned by the same crowd.


Actually stopped a Mahindra at Bunnings last week, first time I have got to talk to an owner. It had 100,000 kms when he got it two years ago and he has been very happy with it since.


When the Defender as we know it finishes up, the Mahindra maybe the closest thing available.
Think that I would have been very happy with , even though the kids still shudder whenever I point one out....
Rich

Yes the prices seem to vary a lot. Locally in Atherton they are a lot more then in Townsville. Shopping around though you can pick up the 4x4 for 23,990 which is cheap.
Chris

They're becoming a popular farm ute around here. Seen quite a few with steel trays and bullbars getting around.

I reckon they're filling the gap left in the market when the Rocky disappeared.

I was in the same boat as you. My decision ended up being based on what would i like to drive to and from work. The defer puts a smile on my face as i rumble around. No dealer to worry about do my own repairs etc. Nothing to do with what would be sensible.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Foton.
Cummins POWAHHHH!
And sub 30K

I've worked on cummins marine engines a fair bit, they are in my opinion the most troublesome pieces of crap ever, we had a run of injector tips falling out and going through the turbochargers, never heard of this happening on anything else. They seem to have this fierce reputation as a quality engine but if you ask me they are no good, mind you this was on a ship not a car so for other purposes they may be ideal

Originally Posted by cafe latte

The biggest negative point for the Mahindra as far as I can see is when it is 15 years old it is likely to be worth nothing unlike the Defender. Also if I sell it after only a few years I would loose heaps on the Mahindra.
The only other thing in favor of the Defender is I love them, I love my Puma, I just like the feel of a Defender quirky as they are, but my head is telling me I really should consider this odd and quite capable Indian 4x4 too.
Chris

As a work vehicle there would be considerations in regards to the vehicles depreciation. Speak to your accountant? There are also some more recent changes to the tax law regarding capital purchases under $20K, being able to be depreciated in the first year of ownership, as opposed to the 7 years like has been done in the past.

Originally Posted by jackdef90

They seem to have this fierce reputation as a quality engine but if you ask me they are no good, mind you this was on a ship not a car so for other purposes they may be ideal

I fall into this category. Know the brand, know the reputation, not that across the negatives of the engines.
On the other hand, you probably see more than your fair share of rooted engines... which might skew the perception.
Same as asking a doctor how healthy the general population is... chances are most people are sick and almost dead, and he hasn't seen a healthy bloke in years!

Originally Posted by jackdef90

I've worked on cummins marine engines a fair bit, they are in my opinion the most troublesome pieces of crap ever, we had a run of injector tips falling out and going through the turbochargers, never heard of this happening on anything else. They seem to have this fierce reputation as a quality engine but if you ask me they are no good, mind you this was on a ship not a car so for other purposes they may be ideal

I"ve got a mate who works on trucks, and he has a similar opinion on them at the moment. However, I would'nt think that would be a deal breaker, otherwise we wouldn't buy our LR's. Don't know about boats, but trucks run hard, I guess its all in how you treat them . Myself, coming out of the motor trade, we quite often had suppliers that had made stuff ups, which in turn caused us grief, made us look bad.
Buying new would be a major advantage in that respect too, as warranty would "hopefully" catch anything bad that may happen.