Now looking for a 130 puma, few questions

[POD]

I posted on here a little while back a few questions about the ability of a 130 in the bush. I was planning on getting a td5 model at that stage. A bit of soul searching about whether to go for an older vehicle yet again and now I am seriously considering forking out what, for me at least, is very serious money to get a 'Puma' 130 dual cab.
I've been looking at pricing and it seems that a near-new vehicle on the 2nd-hand market may be the way to go. Will also be phoning dealers this week about demo cars.
The biggest question mark for me is whether I can really live with a defender as a daily commuter, having driven Rangies for the past 18 years. A friend is lending me his Puma 110 wagon for a week, so i should be able to answer that question for myself soon enough.
Questions I need some assistance with are things like:
What is the difference between the 'High Capacity Pickup' and a 130 that is not designated HCPU? Is it just the presence of the tub, or is the suspension different, or what?
Is the ETC available on any 130 at all? I was surprised to learn they don't have this as standard.
What year did the Puma model start, and are there any differences between the year models?
Is there a catch available on the aftermarket to enable the back seat to fold without undoing bolts? And what kind of a stupid idea is that anyway??
Where would you put a second battery in one of these, with either a tub or tray?
I see a lot of these with bigger/wider tyres, is that necessary?
The electric accelerator pedal worries me. Has anyone drowned one?
Are these vehicles too electronicky for stuff like deep river crossings and remote touring?
Any thoughts appreciated.

[rijidij]

...............Where would you put a second battery in one of these, with either a tub or tray?...........


I've seen a few Pumas with dual batteries under the seat, including the big standard battery.

Cheers, Murray

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/10/787.jpg

[rangieman]

The battery you can fit 2 large batterys under the L/H seat with a bit of moving about to get in there it is possible , As a daily driver thats a personal choice i can no probs and ive owned classics before , Unlucky tho due to a marriage melt down its a D1 for me presently:cool:

[weeds]

have a look at newhue threads about his build up of his puma 130


I posted on here a little while back a few questions about the ability of a 130 in the bush. I was planning on getting a td5 model at that stage. A bit of soul searching about whether to go for an older vehicle yet again and now I am seriously considering forking out what, for me at least, is very serious money to get a 'Puma' 130 dual cab.
I've been looking at pricing and it seems that a near-new vehicle on the 2nd-hand market may be the way to go. Will also be phoning dealers this week about demo cars.
The biggest question mark for me is whether I can really live with a defender as a daily commuter, having driven Rangies for the past 18 years. you will notice a difference dropping back froma rangie, i did. my 110 is a daily commuter which frustrates me as its a big lump to haul around every dayA friend is lending me his Puma 110 wagon for a week, so i should be able to answer that question for myself soon enough.
Questions I need some assistance with are things like:
What is the difference between the 'High Capacity Pickup' and a 130 that is not designated HCPU? Is it just the presence of the tub, or is the suspension different, or what? the tub only, suspension is the same i believe
Is the ETC available on any 130 at all? I was surprised to learn they don't have this as standard. i dont believe ETC is available
What year did the Puma model start, and are there any differences between the year models? 2007 for the 2.4 not sure when the 2.2 started maybe late 2011?
Is there a catch available on the aftermarket to enable the back seat to fold without undoing bolts? And what kind of a stupid idea is that anyway??
Where would you put a second battery in one of these, with either a tub or tray? two will fit under the seat, in my 110 i have the second battery in the cargo area
I see a lot of these with bigger/wider tyres, is that necessary? standard tyres have pretty much got me everywhere, 255/85/16's are a populare upgrade
The electric accelerator pedal worries me. Has anyone drowned one?
Are these vehicles too electronicky for stuff like deep river crossings and remote touring?
Any thoughts appreciated.

HTH

[ant_schomacker]

What is the difference between the 'High Capacity Pickup' and a 130 that is not designated HCPU? Is it just the presence of the tub, or is the suspension different, or what?
Is the ETC available on any 130 at all? I was surprised to learn they don't have this as standard.
What year did the Puma model start, and are there any differences between the year models?
Is there a catch available on the aftermarket to enable the back seat to fold without undoing bolts? And what kind of a stupid idea is that anyway??
Where would you put a second battery in one of these, with either a tub or tray?
I see a lot of these with bigger/wider tyres, is that necessary? Not needed in my opinion, the 7.50R16s that came on mine performed brilliantly, and I've only recently changed to 235/85s (effectively same size) as I couldn't get the 7.50s any more
The electric accelerator pedal worries me. Has anyone drowned one?
Are these vehicles too electronicky for stuff like deep river crossings and remote touring? How remote are you thinking about? I'm currently living in Doomadgee ~450km NW of Mt Isa and regularly use my 130 to travel between the two. I may have taken mine through a 600mm deep crossing :angel::wasntme: with no issues at all (yes you do get some water leak (flow) through the door seals but hey it's a Defender :D
Any thoughts appreciated. Hope that helps,
Ant

[Symo]

I posted on here a little while back a few questions about the ability of a 130 in the bush. I was planning on getting a td5 model at that stage. A bit of soul searching about whether to go for an older vehicle yet again and now I am seriously considering forking out what, for me at least, is very serious money to get a 'Puma' 130 dual cab.

I had both a TD5 and now a puma - dont want to start a whole new thread but the puma is by far the better car (but I miss the bonnet vents), and I love the 6 speed box......

I've been looking at pricing and it seems that a near-new vehicle on the 2nd-hand market may be the way to go. Will also be phoning dealers this week about demo cars.
The biggest question mark for me is whether I can really live with a defender as a daily commuter, having driven Rangies for the past 18 years. A friend is lending me his Puma 110 wagon for a week, so i should be able to answer that question for myself soon enough.

I have a choice of cars to drive, including a E60 545 BMW had since new, and most days I take the Puma..... people cant understand why but these people arnt landrover owners.... enough said


Questions I need some assistance with are things like:
What is the difference between the 'High Capacity Pickup' and a 130 that is not designated HCPU? Is it just the presence of the tub, or is the suspension different, or what?
Is the ETC available on any 130 at all? I was surprised to learn they don't have this as standard.

Errrr No 130 missed that feature, fit double difflocks and you wont need them...

What year did the Puma model start, and are there any differences between the year models?
Is there a catch available on the aftermarket to enable the back seat to fold without undoing bolts? And what kind of a stupid idea is that anyway??
Where would you put a second battery in one of these, with either a tub or tray?

I have the origonal LR battery plus 2 optima under my seat - tight fit but you can get them in....


I see a lot of these with bigger/wider tyres, is that necessary?

No but they do help a little, just upgraded from standard size Cooper STT to 235 75 R16 and I can feel better grip on the scrambly stuff, same tyre just a little bigger and worth the upgrade.


The electric accelerator pedal worries me. Has anyone drowned one?
Are these vehicles too electronicky for stuff like deep river crossings and remote touring?

The TD5 had this as well and it never gave me greif... Get a scannguage that resets ECI error codes if your worried about limp modes... I have had my throtle potentiomer (loud pedal) under watter many times and it has never given me greif...

typical trip pic below

https://dl.dropbox.com/u/27896568/DSC01414-HDR.jpg



Any thoughts appreciated.

Get the Puma.... they are great!!! Your underground a long time :)

[POD]

Very encouraging info guys. However...
I have just had the wind completely taken out of my sails with regard to our leasing arrangements through work; essentially the payload of the 130, being over 1000kg, puts it in the commercial class and our leasing company won't offer an arrangement on it. I might still go ahead, but the leasing arrangements offer considerable saving so it's a potential deal breaker. I'm going to start a new thread in the general section about the possibility of increasing tare weight and ?'de-rating suspension to decrease payload rating. Didn't anticipate that one at all.
The 130 really is the only vehicle that ticks all the boxes for me. I've wanted one for several years and the upgrades in the puma model make it a viable option for my 65km each-way commute. It's good to see that one in water over it's eyeballs as that is a regular occurrence on my weekend trips and one of my major worries with a modern vehicle.
I phoned a toyota dealer today to see how their new twin-cab 70 series compares. $78k with aircon, carpet and their own diff locks front & rear.

[Cammo]

POD,
I really hope you weren't seriously entertaining the idea of a Toyota!?
I have a 2011 puma 130 HCPU
It's the only no - compromise vehicle I could find. Then again, my options only included those from the Land Rover stable - I remain convinced there is nothing else.
I hope your lease arrangements aren't a deal breaker for you - 130s are too great to be stopped by something like that. Keep us posted :)

[Symo]

essentially the payload of the 130, being over 1000kg, puts it in the commercial class and our leasing company won't offer an arrangement on it.

WTF ?????? Ummmm

Being capable of carrying thet weight means it is FBT free if you have a company!!!! No need to worry about private vs business use, its all business use so its all a tax deduction..... find another leasing company!!

70 series crew cab... carries more than 1000kg too, wont that have the same problem?

Drive a 70 series at 100K and look at the tacho...... We looked at them for my guys - sales person was arrogant (typical Toyota - and that was the sales person so couldnt contenplate dealing with the warranty person). look at fuel consumption... Aghhh and its a TOYOTA!!! You will need a labotomy if you buy one to get your IQ low enough.

If you want something like that by the ford ranger wildtrack... better towing and more power and less $$$$ and comfortable if thats what your after... we just bought 2 at $57.5 k each with all the tricks for our guys.



Cheers

No offence intended to any toyota owner out there..... :angel:

[POD]

I was not seriously considering a toyota but I sure didn't tell the salesman that! I think if I ended up with one of those things i would regret every time I drove it that it wasn't a 130. There was a big spread on them in our local rag last week and I was curious to see the price comparison as they are really the only thing competing directly against the dual cab 130 now. When I told the toyo salesman that he was competing directly against the 130 with a $20k bigger price tag he was a bit taken aback. BTW, the payload of the toyo is only just over the tonne, they reckon with a tray and a winch it would come under. So make that a $20k bigger price tag and a 30% smaller payload!

Being capable of carrying that weight means it is FBT free if you have a company!!!! No need to worry about private vs business use, its all business use so its all a tax deduction..... find another leasing company!!

My leasing situation is a bit special, I don't own a business, work for a certain govt health provider and we are able to do a novated lease on a salary sacrifice. It was a bit of a nod from the govt a few years back to the fact that we are paid significantly less than comparable private sector professionals, means we can pay vehicle costs with pre-tax dollars. I have not taken advantage of it yet but many of my colleagues have. I have to make a phone call tomorrow to find out for sure but I think we are tied to the one lease company for this. The agent told me that a commercial vehicle lease through them is not of any cost benefit to me.

[juddy]

I have been through the pain of Leasing with Queensland health, a couple of years ago we were going to get a 110 SW Puma, unfortunately the 110 SW did not meet the rules, it was 1040kg I think.

after complaining both to the Lease company and running it by LRA, they then said, yep 110SW no problem, but not a chance on a 130....any way we bought a 130 HCPU.

Used to have a 300TDI 130 HCPU, and this was a great car, but the Puma is like going 30 years into the future, a lot more pleasant as a daily drive.

2 years on no complaints, spends most of its time on the Tarmac, but its been bush a number of times, and in some poor conditions mid year and did everything it was asked to do.
http://gi44.photobucket.com/groups/f34/SZ9PANZSQY/DSC_0659.jpg

I would not hesitate to get another 130.

[Symo]

Pod,
I feel your pain. My apologies for making silly assumptions about your situation. I can't understand why the guidelines are as they are for you. If you want a Toyota or Landrover as your car you should be treated the same as if you wanted an evoke IMHO. But it is what it is I suppose.

All being said. Get your 130 puma even if it does cost a little more and save the salary sacrifice for the wife's car or what ever. I used to ride a Harley and the defender is a lot like that, not a ride but a lifestyle. The 130 will take you to amazing places and I'm not talking about a destination. It takes you to a place where you just feel good driving it. It will also take you up a lot of hills and through many bogs too.

It's disappointing its not clear cut with the leasing but if your finances can handle it.... Just do it and spend the next few years with a **** eating grin on your face.

Cheers!!!! :)

[Lennie_4]

I feel your pain. Went through the same issue with govt health novated leasing in Vic with the outcome being that I had to buy an inferior ute or a 110 wagon with a decent trailer. Suffice to say I have the 110 and haven't looked back. I have a similar daily commute and the savings are sufficient that I couldn't have afforded the car without the lease...

[ant_schomacker]

I had similar issues with a government supported company not allowing me to lease my 130 due to the payload and it being a "commercial" vehicle... I found that the only way around it was for me to purchase (finance) the vehicle myself and salary sacrifice the runnning costs. This left me in the position of paying for the car, but all services, fuel, tyres etc are covered by the sacrificed portion of my wages. The upside of this for me is that I don't have to nominate how far I will travel each year, I'm not tied into services at one place, and I got the car that I wanted in a way that was affordable (for me).

I'm not saying that it will work for you, but it is another option worth considering.

Ant

[POD]

I found that the only way around it was for me to purchase (finance) the vehicle myself and salary sacrifice the runnning costs. This left me in the position of paying for the car, but all services, fuel, tyres etc are covered by the sacrificed portion of my wages.

Ant

thanks ant, I will definitely look into that but I'm not sure that vehicle running costs are on the list of things I can salary sacrifice. Will check tomorrow.

Juddy, I love that photo of your 130.

[davep130]

Hi pod

Go the 130 it is a great machine. I had a few warranty problems but still very pleased with it. Has been great off road and best of all embarrassed mates in their toyotas.

If you do lease check what limitations there are on what modifications you can make. The scheme I looked at through work limited what mods I could do.

Here's my 130 in the vic highlands

[disco63]

I was in Weipa in September with my son in his county ,is that the same defender with ultimate camper that was camped next to us at the caravan park??

[Symo]

I was in Weipa in September this year in my 110. We had our ultimate camper with us so maybe it was me? Not a lot of caravan parks in Weipa (1) and dont know of many defenders with ultimaes.

It was a great trip up to the cape and back Had a ball and the car went very well - loved it...

woundt have been the same had I done it in any other car I recon... just something about driving a defender - its just...... "the vibe"...

[justinc]

I was in Weipa in September this year in my 110. We had our ultimate camper with us so maybe it was me? Not a lot of caravan parks in Weipa (1) and dont know of many defenders with ultimaes.

It was a great trip up to the cape and back Had a ball and the car went very well - loved it...

woundt have been the same had I done it in any other car I recon... just something about driving a defender - its just...... "the vibe"...

Agree 100000% :D

jc