Thread: Would you Pick a Puma over a Jap 4wd?

I don't believe a Puma will let you down any more than any other brand of car, and you'll be doing your work with a vehicle that you actually enjoy. You work hard and long enough; get yourself the kit you like to use.

When the Puma goes back for some warranty work you'll be pretty annoyed but not as annoyed as if you bought something you had no feelings about and then it let you down.

Keeping the emotion out of the issue, check out the availability of parts in the regional centres that you'll be frequenting - most will have Toyota or Nissan agents.

Also check out where you'll need to take the vehicle if you have warranty problems - not much good if the nearest place is a thousand kays away and you need to get the truck there on a tilit-tray.

Every hour it spends off the road while you wait for parts or have to drive to a service centre is costing you big money.

It is a work truck and it needs to work for its living.

Easy question! Japs are renowned for reliability. I love my Puma and use it for work, going to and from Qld minesites. Never let me down in doing so, but it's spent a lot of time getting warranty work done.

I'm a Defender tragic, but I got to be honest...Patrol or Cruiser makes more economic sense in your scenario...pity about the lack of character though!

Thanks for the honest replies guy.I fear a nissan pootrol may be a better option. I would love the deffer but i cannot afford to risk it with a vehicle that cannot be serviced and repaired in regional areas.

I've just driven around the country in a Puma. Yes it had some issues but do the same in another make of car and I suspect you'll also have issues. I have also seen enough Jap 4WD's with owners waiting in towns for parts or service availability to get their 4WD fixed that I frankly think every marque is equally as good (or bad). That said, I also feel the Defender's functionality out of the box far exceeds anything else as a basic work horse.

I don't remember how many times I've heard the 3L Patrol engine referred to as a time bomb even by their owners.

One thing that being a LR owner gives you is a vast network of like minded owners world wide who are very prepared to share knowledge. I don't believe this is anywhere near what you will experience owning any other 4WD.

mate I feel your pain, my thoughts are that out of the new cars on the market they all have problems in different areas the new cruiser engine is known for having oil consuption problems, the nissan 3lt engine has had problems mind you that was the early 3lt and I have heard no bad reports in the later ones it is just stigma and reputation now I think. The Puma in early form 2007 had some issues but later have been soughted I think, considering that all these engines are comman rail they should all be plagued with similar elecrical issues if any arrise. The 130 has a much higher pay load than any of the other vehicles and in your job that would be a advantage. You could by a good used F250 they have heaps off room and same pay load as the 130. So it really comes down to personal choice, parts avalibility and which one is fit for the job. thats my two bobs worth any way

Lambrover, I did consider a used 250 as a work rig, i had one when working for a previous employer and didn't exactly have a good run with it.

Im actually looking at a 130 crew cab not a HCPU as i listed in my first post. Im really undecided which way to got.

I have been talking to land rover here in perth and they are talking 3 months delivery for a 130 cab chassis so i would like to order it in time to take advantage of the tax rebate. Its going to be a tough decision!

For a work truck, get a truck.

A brand spankers base model Isuzu NPR is cheaper than a new 110 atm. They come in crew cab 4x4 mode. Better payload, better engine, greater comfort levels more incentives to buy and with an extended warrantee.