Thread: What would you buy?

I test drove a Puma in 2014 when looking to upgrade my Perentie wagon. The only thing to impress me was the interior incl the AC. The 6 speed annoyed me, especially for city driving. I thought the power was under whelming.
I also drove a late td5. Interior not as good, a bit more noisy, I didn’t feel a big power difference between the two. It was a lot better value at the time.
I didn’t consider either worth the money for an “upgrade”. Clearly plenty of others rate both.
If I had to pick from you’re options I would go no 2 and see how you like it. Upgrade later if you wanted to.

Everyone has their own equation. I preferred to get the oldest car that would do the job: I worry less about damage and even less about repairs. I "repaired" the rear lights with cheap trailer lights, happily ignore the cargo area leaking in heavy rain. The bullbar is rusty (so I know its steel). Its a diesel with working AC: a 1992 200TDi Defender. I've probably got another 5 years before it needs the engine rebuilt, and I should probably get the paint redone some time...

The price I pay is slower towing and louder talking. It's worth every cent ... I save. Thats before fuel bills: better fuel economy than the Pumas!

FWIW its the newest Landie I've owned but far from the only. A V8 Series III and a V8 County before it, then a short diversion to a Pajero before returning to the one true 4WD religion (cough).

Lots of very good ideas to mull over indeed.

Thanks all for input, experience says a heap for sure.

Our Puma cruises along nicely at 60kph in the suburbs, of course if that speed is not constant then 4th & and 5th come into play, but on long distance work the 6th gear is simply superb, a major plus for the Puma IMHO, plus of course ya've got a reasonable A.C. system.
Pickles.

Puma cruising speed gear ratios IMO.
3rd at 50
4th at 60
5th at 80
6th 100kmhr +
Perfect.

What are thoughts on this rig as an option 1? Seems to have had heaps of stuff done to it, lots of the stuff I read is good, like ecu upgrade, Salisbury diff, etc etc.

What would be main concern here?

We've taken a wrong turn

Or this for option 2? Far less options upgraded but looks good solid original unit. Would I need to spend on remap, diff, etc?

We've taken a wrong turn

Go option 3 for 5 yrs my 98' tdi 130 has been fun and capable but noisy uncomfortable and not safe but requires constant work and ebay gets a thrashing for spares

Another option

Buy a flogged out 130 TDI, strip it down, rebuild it.

During the rebuild you could address a lot of the "issues" TDi`s have.

Interior could be fitted with sound deadner, Puma seats etc.

Engine could be upgraded, the new Cummins 2.8 looks like a good option, Isuzu and Cummins 6bt are other options.

Even could Auto if that takes your fancy

Diffs could be upgraded

Transfer case could be strengthed,


Some very rough sums are

Vehicle 10k

Interior 5k Puma Seats, insulation etc etc

Rust Repairs, Paint 8k

Engine and driveline 10k maybe more depend on option, could be double.


So lets say for roughly 40k you could have a Landrover that will do 10 years plus. Will have the creature comforts you want, you will have a rebuilt driveline.