Thread: Need advice buying a puma

Originally Posted by Johughes

Hi all
Need some advice
Looking at a 2012 2.2 with 90000km
Took it for a test drive, and its a bit clunky, this is backlash i would asume, aswell as me know knowing how to drive it properly.
I know this is common.
I need to know is this a bad thing? Does it get worse? Or damage anything else?
Or is it just a bit annoying?
I dont mind it, i really enjoy driving it!
Just dont want it to be a big problem in the future.
Thanks heaps

Hi, I recently bought a newer 2.2 with 40k on the clock, this is also clunky. I had the local Landrover specialist look over it and drive it to confirm if all was normal for model and age. He said it was "perfect"!

Without driving 10 of them and comparing the outcome, I would think that an opinion from someone with first hand experience in many similar vehicles, including the one you're looking to buy, would be hard to top.

Good luck, if it's meant to be, you'll learn to love it!

Drive train being clunky is 'part of the charm' of a Defender in the same way my 12 year old Lab is selectively deaf, could be blind a bit (or just ignores us) and is generally old and stubborn. It takes a bit of love and attention to get the best out of him (I think he knows this too) but I love him unconditionally and see his traits as part of the charm.

Driving a Defer smoothly takes a bit of skill first up but after a while is quite rewarding. We're a strange bunch.

What I can say which might help is this forum is full of really knowledgeable people so if you do have any questions you are in the right place (just don't ask 'should I buy it').

Cheers and (hopefully welcome to the fold).

Andrew

At 90k you should be looking closely at:
Clutch rattles
Excessive axle to flange wear (all)
Excessive wear at transmission to transfer case shaft
Front differential crosspin wear
Rear A frame ball joint
transfer case centre diff wear
Etc etc

Originally Posted by justinc

At 90k you should be looking closely at:
Clutch rattles
Excessive axle to flange wear (all)
Excessive wear at transmission to transfer case shaft
Front differential crosspin wear
Rear A frame ball joint
transfer case centre diff wear
Etc etc

I was going to pipe in saying there are few things in puma that clunk that need attention....

Justin has covered it....big question is will it apply to every puma, maybe not.....but I’d get a good assessment of the drive train just so you are aware of possible future spends.

Originally Posted by weeds

I was going to pipe in saying there are few things in puma that clunk that need attention....

Justin has covered it....big question is will it apply to every puma, maybe not.....but I’d get a good assessment of the drive train just so you are aware of possible future spends.

....it DOES apply to every Puma, at some point in their life.

Originally Posted by justinc

....it DOES apply to every Puma, at some point in their life.

But what about the guys that have put 200000 on their puma and it hasn’t had a spammer on it !!!!

Originally Posted by weeds

But what about the guys that have put 200000 on their puma and it hasn’t had a spammer on it !!!!

.... is that tongue in cheek Weeds???🤣 coz I BET they have....

Thanks so much guys!
Think i will make the call tomorrow.
This site is amazing!