Thread: Td5 vs PUMA - Thoughts?

The Puma is a well proven design. If you are going to sell then sell while your current vehicle is going well, it'll be worth a whole lot more and you haven't got the point of spending big money to keep it going well yet.

Alan

Both engines appear to have a generally good reputation. The Puma has a larger installed base overall and hence is likely to give less problems with price and availability of parts in the future. The only advantage of the TD5 from the engine point of view as far as I can see is that it seems to fit a bit more comfortably - the Puma needed to be lowered slightly to fit, and I have seen comments about accessibility of some components, such as the alternator.

I would be inclined more to think about whether you think getting rid of the vents is a good or bad idea, and whether you see the new dash as an improvement. Apparently the heating/cooling IS a big improvement. These are bigger differences than the actual engine.

John

If you've got the cash (or can get your company to buy it for you ), the Puma is great upgrade. More powerful engine, 6 speeds, Seriously LOW low 1st gear, quiet when cruising, decent sized tacho, etc etc.

I've still got my TD5 (as well as the Puma) and I like driving both, but the new model is better at everything except ventilation. Yeah - the heating is 40% better. The cooling is 50% better. BUT I miss those opening vents when all you want is a cool breeze on a 25 degree day.

I wouldn't go into debt to get one, but that's just me. I'd be sticking with the TD5 even if it needs a bit done to it, to avoid borrowing money.

Originally Posted by series3

Hi all. I am currently driving a 10 year old TD5 Defender with 295K. Still going like a german band. I am thinking of updating to a new one. Does anyone have a view if this is a good idea? What have peoples experiences been with the new PUMA?

i own a td5 and work all the time one puma's.
and i would never buy a puma,, y

td5 easyer to work on out in the bush,
still has computers but the puma has alot more electricals,
seems to be made to a very small buget,
clutch is from a ford KA it seems like,
theres a few other things and thats my resion for never buying a puma,

Originally Posted by series3

Still going like a german band.

Lederhosen, steins und "um pa pa".



If it ain't broke then no need to fix it.

But if you want me to swap my Puma for your Td5 then no deal.

I've got a TD5 and a PUMA, I like both but in different ways... But - I'm keeping the TD5 for the terms of it's natural life - for many reasons.

1- A robust Diesel injection system on the TD5 that will survive an odd batch of stale or slightly wet diesel. Or indeed will run on Kero!

2 - rust proofing on the TD5, none on the PUMA, in fact they come rusty from the factory.

3 - At least the assembly line used a couple of tubes of sikaflex on the TD5, which helps reduce some of the dust inside

4 - An Engine bay in the TD5 that looks like it was designed rather than jammed together. You can at least remove the dipstick on a TD5 without flicking oil all over the joint.

5 - I'd keep the TD5 just because of the ease of changing the air filter. It's in a bastard place on the PUMA.

6 - The TD5 sounds cool. A PUMA does not.

The Puma is a pleasure to drive, no doubt about it. But I have some serious doubts about it's longevity in Australian conditions.

I guess it depends what you want from a vehicle - if you want something to keep for a few years till the warranty runs out, then the PUMA is an awesome drive.

Slightly off point here,but I will throw it in. I have a 17 year old 200tdi 110 and a Puma. The reason I still kept the Tdi when the Puma came is because it is worth a lot more to me than I would have got for it either as a sale or a trade in. Besides it is part of the family now. The Puma is a complely different animal(no pun intended) to the tdi but I love them both. The Puma is a lot more refined yet still a very capable vehicle. Had you posed this question a number of years ago when the 300 tdi was replaced by the Td5 the same arguments for and against the Td5 that are being levelled against the Puma would have arisen. Things like electronics, not as easily repairable in the bush etc. The Td5 has against all predictions and doubters (me included) stood the test of time and I have no doubt that the Puma will do the same. Any snags should be sorted within your 3 year warranty. It is rumoured that the military are looking seriously at the Puma so this will definately help to get the snags sorted. If you can afford to keep the Td5 and get a Puma do so. My 200 tdi sees very little usage but I would not sell it. Should you sell the Td5 and buy a Puma you will be always comparing this and that. You will have to accept the new vehicle for what it is.
Think of it this way. In your mind your ex-girlfriend always looks the same and never ages. You remember her as she was. Your wife on the other hand gets older and greyer. Such is life. If you go for the Puma it will take you a while to settle into it but it is a very fine machine.

I had two Td5 Defenders before the Puma and my reasons for upgrading were simple...
In stock format, the Puma can match and possibly even better a Td5 off-road, but is without a doubt a million times more comfortable to drive on-road. And even the most hard-core off-roader still has to get to and from the playground on a highway.