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

Originally Posted by Lucus

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.

Just the thought of using an F250 as a work ute should send you broke!
We had two and they were THE most unreliable vehicles we as a family have ever had. If one had a problem it was usually only a matter of time before the other one developed it.

If you are willing to work on it yourself I'd get the 130. Sure my Disco is older but I do all the work on it myself and 99% of the parts I use are ordered online or over the phone so, even though I'm in Brisbane, I very rarely go to a LR parts shop.
Unless it is a major failure, no matter the make, if you do the work yourself there will nearly always be less downtime then if you relied on a dealership or other mechanic.
At least with a LR there is a major local knowledge base right here.

My view is as follows:

If you read enough stories on different websites or have a few beers with enough people there is one common denominator........ there can be problems with all cars, all brands, new or used.

A new car will generally give you a 3 year warranty which is peace of mind to sort out any niggles.

If you like a Toyo, buy it. Many do. I like the ute, and that V8 diesel mmmmmmmm ( but having some issues I hear), but I do not see it as value for money.
If you like a Nissan, buy it. Many do. Good value for money for sure. Built tough, truck like underpinnings. But gee, it has less character than a 1995 Base Model Camry.

I was lucky enough to have the choice of choosing to purchase one of the vehicles you have mentioned.

For me, the Puma is what I liked the best and that is what I bought. I am not mechanically minded but the engine and gearing just work well together. 6 gears, low low first gear, tough to look at, quirky to drive. I have driven it off road and it is truly amazing the places it can go. I enjoy driving the thing on the road too! People often look at it and stare!

I came out of a quite expensive european coupe (yep, mid-life crises car)and this was one of the nicest cars I have ever driven. However, when I drive the Deefer, it just puts a smile on my face and I now totally enjoy driving again.

The end result is I would buy another one in a heartbeat. I have previously owned 2 Discos and a Paj.

Get some advice as you may be able to lease the car and therefore if you are not happy with it after a few years, you can get out of it and be in front financially.

My advice is to buy the car that puts the biggest smile on your face!

and that svx37....is very good advice

there in lies my dilema. My heart will always tell me the landrover, but the logical choice would be the cruiser or the pootrol. The V8 diesel is nice until it stops!

58k for a 130 chassis on the road, 64500 for the cruiser, havent priced the pootrol up yet

Does anybody really "like" the way a cruiser or pootrol drives??

Anybody in Perth got a 130 Puma that they would let me test drive for a sixer or two of beer???

Originally Posted by Lucus

there in lies my dilema. My heart will always tell me the landrover, but the logical choice would be the cruiser or the pootrol. The V8 diesel is nice until it stops!

58k for a 130 chassis on the road, 64500 for the cruiser, havent priced the pootrol up yet

Does anybody really "like" the way a cruiser or pootrol drives??

Anybody in Perth got a 130 Puma that they would let me test drive for a sixer or two of beer???

Hi Lucas,

I've got one on order which is not due for another 4/5 weeks, but if you've not found one for a decent test by then, give me a nod and and it'll be available. Won't be kept standard issue for long though.

Originally Posted by Lucus

there in lies my dilema. My heart will always tell me the landrover, but the logical choice would be the cruiser or the pootrol. The V8 diesel is nice until it stops!

58k for a 130 chassis on the road, 64500 for the cruiser, havent priced the pootrol up yet

Does anybody really "like" the way a cruiser or pootrol drives??

Anybody in Perth got a 130 Puma that they would let me test drive for a sixer or two of beer???

Hi Lucas,

I live out east of Perth on a farm and quite a few of the local farmers went out and bought the new(ish) V8 as soon as it came out. Pretty much everyone of them that I have spoken to says that they are not very happy with them, apparently they don't perform as well under load as everyone was expecting. You should have heard the number of people out at the Newdigate field days that were complaining about them. Also, my bosses brother was saying that they are finding their's very difficult to service, etc compared to previous models due to the location of components in the engine bay. Haven't actually checked that out for myself but he is a pretty good farm mechanic so he should know what he is talking about.

I have one that thats done 38000k, I am quite happy for you to drive it if you want, have had a few issues with it but am pleased with it now. i live about 2 hours out of Perth but am done there fairly regularly

Cheers Wayne

The logical choice would be to go with a brand that has had a dealership established with a good service department in your area or the area that you will be spending most of your driving time.

It is one thing to like LR, or Toyota, or Nissan, but another thing to keep your car running and your mortgage repayments ticking over. This is economic reality -

A a common response from posters here - all cars have their gremlins. Although you have your heart set on a LR Deefer, pretend you had an employer that never gave you the option to chose your work vehicle.

If you can't get service and support when and !!!WHERE!!! you need it, then you may as well have a second backup work vehicle.

Now, dealerships in recent times, including long standing ones, have given up the ghost so you might need to do your research.

If you are planning on doing many kms out in the middle of bugger all - particularly the biggest bugger all in the universe [WA], you will need a truck that is very agricultural and most likely, heavily modified - particularly the suspension. The Jap auto makers [as much as the product fails to excite], might appear to be more suitable business partners because that is what you are looking for...