Thread: What would you buy?

6 speed puma sounds pretty good for towing ay?

Threads like these litter this forum. General consensus on here is to avoid dodgy high km examples.

I went for a dodgy high km 130 td5. Served me very faithfully, but I would say creature comforts we're well well down.

Yeah guess it's been a very common topic, have read heaps of threads here, but was more interested in views if you had a choice rather than limited by budget.

I get confused too by what people think is high mileage? Guess it's more to do with types of miles and work done than just s number. But is 250k a lot for a 15yo car or just average? People word stuff in adds to suit their sale for sure.

I'lI keep sifting threads and learning, good to research as much as possible first.

Option 1....you will become a mechanic
Option 3....you will need a mechanic
So id go option 2.

A cheap TD5 will become an expensive one to get right and the Puma in my opinion just doesnt seem to be built as well as a TD5. Steel panels more rust prone but better for small dents,2.2 looks way more complex under the hood to me also.
A latter TD5 that has been looked after is the one id want but id be putting the Puma seats in it.

Yeah good clear thoughts there, thanks. Cheers

Originally Posted by Stinkler

Yeah good clear thoughts there, thanks. Cheers

Ha! Option 2 will need a mechanic too. Tell a vehicle that doesn't and...

The more complex Puma is actually no more complex than most (and less so than many) newer vehicles. It's also quieter and more refined on the road than tdi or td5.

Kms all depends on where, how, it's been driven and how well it's been serviced. Sounds obvious, but you can't go on kms alone.

My old tdi has done over 300k in very harsh environments, but has been very well serviced and I would trust it to take me anywhere. But, it's loud, hot and rattly. ...As others are saying, an unknown quantity tdi could take a lot of work before you are confident. As could a td5, although I dont own one.

My puma with 75k is quieter, smoother, more powerful, more refined, but more complex mechanically. Though so are all newer, more refined, quieter vehicles. This means it has ABS, traction control, etc and theoretically more to go wrong over time. It's got aircon, better seats, better brakes. But slightly worse fuel economy, a potential weakness in the transfer case and the engine is more sensitive to dirty fuel. No doubt in time it too will need a mechanic!

However it's only ever the thing that goes wrong at the time that stops you...not all the things that might go wrong.

If if you have the budget get a puma. If you haven't, or you love working on old vehicles get a tdi. A td5 could also be a good choice, but it still has a computer.

Have you test driven them all? Which one feels right to you...remember, any Defender is a labour of love - and that means you have to love it!

More good points indeed.

I like the ease with which the Pumas drive, much cruisier for the driver, which would be great as my wife will need to be able to handle it. At the moment she's not good with manual and is the one more worried about budget! I reckon her life would be WAY easier in a Puma. I'd gladly spend the dosh for the Puma, but would be more than happy driving an older truck style ride.

We'll be in colder climate, so heating more relevant than cooling to be honest. Must say added safety like ABS (a must really and some Td5 have it yeah) and traction control (could be handy in black ice)

Seems a few cars have upgraded their power too with a tune and bigger turbo. Am dubious how well this goes on an older (higher kms) engine? Guess it's down to the mechanic?

All good food for thought indeed. Definitely seems a well cared for and logged unit is a must.

I'm cool with the long term love/commitment vibe, been married almost 30 years, if I can do that I can handle a Defender!

I have a 2001 TD5 and it has traction control and ABS.
6 speed in the Puma will see you changing gear too often if your in the city. Heavy clutch can be fixed by a booster. The interior is much nicer than the earlier cars also.

Having owned both a 99 TD5 defender and a 2013 TD4 (2.2) Defender, you cannot compare the driving experience.

I used to call my TD5 Fergie, it drove like a ferguson tractor. Big, slow and you'll need a packed lunch between gear changes. My wife did not think much of it.
The Puma is much more refined, but they are known for a wicked backlash through the gear changes. This is my wife's Daily driver.

Have had both ECU reflashed. And what a difference that makes. This is the number 1 thing i recommend to anyone.

Ultimately, If had to choose. Well.. i sold the TD5 a few years ago. And have taken the puma to Cape York and the Simpson, and will be embarking on another Simpson run through to the Kimberleys in a few months.