Awesome Puma

[Allan]

I know thay have had their problems, mine included, but what a vehicle! We just got back from Ningaloo and I can honestly say the vehicle performed like no other 4x4 I've had before, on road or off. We drove down some very soft quad tracks over sand dunes to the beach, a beach we have been trying to get to for years. On arrival only to find...... and what are the odds...... another SVX number 75! I have attached a photo of the encounter.

Allan

[dullbird]

nice one allan he is on this form assuming the other SVX with the purpose built bullbar isn't yours as i have seen pics of it on here

[eezeetoo]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am on the verge of ordereing a new Defender. I have read, with some interest, the various threads on Puma "issues". I'd really like to read some feedback like "they aren't all like that" or "Land Rover have sorted that" or "I know of plenty that have been completely trouble free." Is feedback like this available or are the Pumas as troublesome as some some postings would suggest? Thanks for any feedback (positive or negative),

[Allan]

Mine is the one with the sand trax etc, bought all this recovery gear and didn't even need to open the bag. As I said, this is an awesome vehicle. I have finally got it sorted and are really enjoying owning it.

Allan:D:D:D:D

[Scallops]

I know thay have had their problems, mine included, but what a vehicle! We just got back from Ningaloo and I can honestly say the vehicle performed like no other 4x4 I've had before, on road or off. We drove down some very soft quad tracks over sand dunes to the beach, a beach we have been trying to get to for years. On arrival only to find...... and what are the odds...... another SVX number 75! I have attached a photo of the encounter.

Allan

Great to hear you had a good trip, Allan - and it's always nice to run into other Fender drivers. :)


Hi, I'm new to the forum and am on the verge of ordereing a new Defender. I have read, with some interest, the various threads on Puma "issues". I'd really like to read some feedback like "they aren't all like that" or "Land Rover have sorted that" or "I know of plenty that have been completely trouble free." Is feedback like this available or are the Pumas as troublesome as some some postings would suggest? Thanks for any feedback (positive or negative),

I'd say - go for it - don't be put off with the "issues" threads you see here. Forums such as these will always attract threads where we all discuss issues we've had - it's rarer (although it does happen) to get the "good news" thread. :)

Many of us have had relatively trouble free experiences. And after all - your warranty will be the time to iron out any niggles. I love mine - it has had the early common issues (vac pump, ABS sensors, sump replacement), but these have all been sorted on the latest models. I have had none of the bigger issues mentioned here. I know others who have also been trouble free.

I have (and would again) jump in mine and drive it anywhere with confidence. So go for it - to me, it is the best Defender yet. :)

[weeds]

to me, it is the best Defender yet. :)


first hand comparism;):p

[dullbird]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am on the verge of ordereing a new Defender. I have read, with some interest, the various threads on Puma "issues". I'd really like to read some feedback like "they aren't all like that" or "Land Rover have sorted that" or "I know of plenty that have been completely trouble free." Is feedback like this available or are the Pumas as troublesome as some some postings would suggest? Thanks for any feedback (positive or negative),

mate I have had some troubles with mine...but I would still buy one again. you can't buy any new car and expect it to be totally trouble free...

I would say get one but only if your man enough to have to put up with some troubles if you get them...most troubles people have are sorted its more about the annoyance going backwards and forwards to the dealer really.

[Allan]

Go for it, I could not conceive of driving any other 4x4. I cannot deny that I have had a couple of issues but these were remedied by the dealer. You just have to remember that it is a 60 year old design sat on a modern day platform. All computerized systems can have glitches and on most occasions - fixes. All in all it is a great package. Hope this helps with your decision making.

Allan

[Scallops]

first hand comparism;):p

Look, I'll admit I'm biased :D - and I've only ever had a Puma. :angel: But I've driven a TD5 and a 300 TDI - these vehicles are great, but I found the new one perfect for me, which is where I'm coming from when I say the Puma is the best Defender yet. :)

[Grockle]

On our fifth Defender,nothing compares, Puma best yet :BigThumb:

[juddy]

where did you get the sand flag flag from??




I know thay have had their problems, mine included, but what a vehicle! We just got back from Ningaloo and I can honestly say the vehicle performed like no other 4x4 I've had before, on road or off. We drove down some very soft quad tracks over sand dunes to the beach, a beach we have been trying to get to for years. On arrival only to find...... and what are the odds...... another SVX number 75! I have attached a photo of the encounter.

Allan

[Allan]

The pole was originally a buggered beach rod that I cut the eyes off and attached a skull and cross bones flag which I acquired from Bias Marine (only a few dollars). On the base I used a 4 inch bolt stuck in by silicone and bolted it on to the roo bar. It worked really well and was cheap as chips!

Allan

[spudboy]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am on the verge of ordereing a new Defender. I have read, with some interest, the various threads on Puma "issues". I'd really like to read some feedback like "they aren't all like that" or "Land Rover have sorted that" or "I know of plenty that have been completely trouble free." Is feedback like this available or are the Pumas as troublesome as some some postings would suggest? Thanks for any feedback (positive or negative),

Mine has not had any issues at all, and it is coming up 2 year old now (time flies hey?).

I see you are in the Adelaide Hills, so if you want to call past and take a drive around the paddocks in it etc just give me a hoy. I am in Balhannah.

Cheers
David

[juddy]

Derbyshire>>> The Peaks???



On our fifth Defender,nothing compares, Puma best yet :BigThumb:

[cripesamighty]

On our third Defender and yes, Puma is the best yet.

[weeds]

Look, I'll admit I'm biased :D - and I've only ever had a Puma. :angel: But I've driven a TD5 and a 300 TDI - these vehicles are great, but I found the new one perfect for me, which is where I'm coming from when I say the Puma is the best Defender yet. :)

opps....loks like you have the comparo covered:D

[Grockle]

Derbyshire>>> The Peaks???
Yes juddy :BigThumb:

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Hi, I'm new to the forum and am on the verge of ordereing a new Defender. I have read, with some interest, the various threads on Puma "issues". I'd really like to read some feedback like "they aren't all like that" or "Land Rover have sorted that" or "I know of plenty that have been completely trouble free." Is feedback like this available or are the Pumas as troublesome as some some postings would suggest? Thanks for any feedback (positive or negative),

I don't own a puma, but I'd say they are fine vehicles and if you buy one now, in the unlikely event you do have problems, I'm sure they will sort it before the warranty is out.

No matter what you buy, there is always the chance you'll strike a problem of some nature.

[eezeetoo]

Firstly, apologies to Allan for having "hijacked" his original thread. Secondly, thanks to all feedback replies - at least now I know that you guys like them - I was beginning to wonder!! Spudboy - thanks for the offer, but last Sunday, I went on the LR promotional drive day at Saunders Gorge and had a cruise around in a 110 crew cab. The last time I drove a Land Rover as new as that was one of the (at the time) new ones with some trim on the dash and synchro on first - I was working for a govt department and we figured LR were getting a bit soft with these new Series 3s. (What was wrong with the 2A?). I'm in a position now where my business can buy this vehicle - so the Defender about to be ordered (single cab 110 HCPU) is off to work for 2 1/2 years till it pays for itself then it can retire as the play vehicle (that way I end up with something I like as opposed to a Landcruiser or Patrol like everybody else in my business!!),
Cheers,
Dave

[spudboy]

No problems. I went to the LR Drive Day on Sunday too, at 3:00PM. Those tracks were pretty good for a demo drive. The rock climb near the end was actually steep :)

I drove the 110 HCPU and was very impressed. Not quite sufficient leg room for me though (I am 6' 3").

Glad to hear you are ordering one.

[Grockle]

Spud,we've got 'MUD' seat rails in ours,you'd be ok with them.

[spudboy]

MUD rails won't work on the HCPU, as the back of the seat on full extension already hits the back bulkhead :(

[lardy]

but would the lift make a difference to your ability to wind the seat back a little ???

[dcale]

Hi, also a new Defender owner (done 6000km sofar), what tyre pressure did you use in the soft sand?? and what pressure do you run on the tar??

[spudboy]

15PSI in sand is pretty good. Most go to 18 (e.g. if you are using Staun Deflators, they come pre-set to 18PSI), but I've had no problem on the alloys at 15.

BTW - Welcome to the forum.
Cheers
David

[Allan]

I used 15 front and 20 rear as I had all the dive gear etc. At those pressures with a load on, up quite a large sand dune from a standing start it never looked like getting stuck. Without a load on the road, I run about 36 all around. When loaded, I run Land Rovers recommended tyre settings and this seems to work OK.

Allan

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I've done a lot of sand driving and never had any troubles with 20psi :)

[dullbird]

we had to drop our puma to 14 at stockton once at this pressure it breezed through everything wihtout even making the turbo whistle