Would you Pick a Puma over a Jap 4wd?

[Lucus]

A very contentious question i know but stick with my guys,
Im a died in the wool Land Rover man, but in my line of work i driven a lot of japanese 4wd's on the various minesite i have worked. They are not without there issues but all in all seem to be quite reliable and relatively comfortable.

I have started my own business and as a heavy duty plant mechanic i have a fair bit of gear i need to drag around the country side. My heart is set on a 130hcpu as a work vehicle but my questions is this, know what we all know about the Puma's and some of the associated issues with them would you recommend one over a Japanesse 4wd?

I need a vehicle that can transport me and my gear to remote areas of WA and get me home. If it breaks down i cant work, if i cant work i cant pay my mortgage, so taking the heart out of the equation would you trust a Puma over a pootrol or toymota to take you to work and back without drama's?

I don't want this to turn into a jap crap basing thread i just want peoples honest opinions..

thanks in advance Guys

Luke:cool:

[JamesH]

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.

[scanfor]

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.

[Brid]

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!

[Lucus]

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.

[dmdigital]

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.

[lambrover]

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

[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.

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!

[dobbo]

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.

[Lucus]

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.

I could argue this point all day. Have you ever had a 4x4 NPR on a corrugated dirt road? I don't honestly know how Isuzu can sell them and not get sued for personal injuries!! Pit floors are strictly 1st gear low range left foot on the brake to stop you getting bounce through the air vent in the roof:eek::D

I did consider an NPR but my last week in my previous job i was driving on of the site NPR every day. The ergonomics of the seat and steering wheel make your crough forward over the wheel and this gave me a back ache after aprox 1/2 and hour of driving.

Having said that they are a solid work truck and apart from the issues with the exhaust catalyst you can't kill them with a stick!:D

[lambrover]

have you spoken to your accountant, my mate has bought a new dual cab hcpu 130 he wanted a 110 but the tax benifits with 130 worked out better. just mentioning this as they may not no of the full benifits. If you live in Perth and can get any probs fixed there then it should be ok and no different to any other new vehicle.

[Utemad]

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.

[SVX37]

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:eek:), 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!:)

[dullbird]

and that svx37....is very good advice :cool:

[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??:p

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

[colin s]

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??:p

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.

[jplambs]

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??:p

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.

[WD 130]

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

[eksjay]

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...

[Scallops]

Just so you have yet another opinion :D... In your position, I would buy what you can get worked on from your general location. If it is not impossible to have a Landy serviced and get warranty items seen to - then I'd feel confident to get the 130.

But I suspect this is not the case for you - if this scenario is correct, then I'd suggest you get a Japper. Earning income is your first priority - having a Landy in your situation might be a luxury.

[isuzurover]

I could argue this point all day. Have you ever had a 4x4 NPR on a corrugated dirt road? I don't honestly know how Isuzu can sell them and not get sued for personal injuries!! Pit floors are strictly 1st gear low range left foot on the brake to stop you getting bounce through the air vent in the roof:eek::D

I did consider an NPR but my last week in my previous job i was driving on of the site NPR every day. The ergonomics of the seat and steering wheel make your crough forward over the wheel and this gave me a back ache after aprox 1/2 and hour of driving.

Having said that they are a solid work truck and apart from the issues with the exhaust catalyst you can't kill them with a stick!:D

Swap the stock seat for a suspension seat in a more suitable position for you???

[ATH]

I'd go the Jap crap for availability of dealers out of Perth if I was you, especially as you need it for work.
I've experienced a breakdown with a Td5 Defender in Newman which I'm sure you'll agree is not a small bush town by Oz standards and it took 3 WEEKSto get it back to Perth!
If you can afford that amount of time to be not working, go the LR.
Alan.

[dullbird]

but remember in a puma....he has a three year warranty and land rover assist that will take it to a dealer.

what on earth did you have wrong to wait three weeks??

[Lucus]

but remember in a puma....he has a three year warranty and land rover assist that will take it to a dealer.

what on earth did you have wrong to wait three weeks??
Newman,not the arseholle of the world but u can smell it from there!(i grew up there) for a 3 wk wait i'd simply hire a car and car trailer and do the 2800km round trip tp retrive it. the transport companies there are notoriously bad!

[ATH]

I had extended the original 3 warranty with the LR extended extra year. I should have added I had a camper on the back as well but RACWA/LR people assured me this should have made no difference and eventually they did a special hire of a low loader to get it back.
It seems the bloody minded truckies have so much work up and down between Newman and Perth, that leaving it behind didn't bother them!
There's also a problem with personal gear left in vehicles being bought back and according to a fat little Autotrans yard boy in Welshpool everything including a 60 litre fridge should have been dumped beside the road as too many dodgy claims have been made in the past of goods being stolen while being transported.
Whatever, if it was my present Prado (dull, boring, unimaginative vehicle that it is apparently) wouldn't have needed to be bought back to Perth even if I'd had to wait for parts to be shipped there.
Rovercraft shipped a couple of fuel filters to me very quick on a "pay me when you get back basis" (thankyou Stewart) and I fitted them in an effort to get it going but no such luck.
There was no one in Newman who would even look at it as they didn't have the software necessary to fault find the problem.
Until this situation changes I'll stick with the dull boring Tojo as it does the type of touring and not too severe off roading that I do.
And the Cook likes it as well!:D
Cheers and good luck with making a decision.
Alan.

[ATH]

But we didn't know it was going to be 3 weeks Lucus, as far as we knew it would be back within the week and made plans accordingly.
I wouldn't have left the camper in Newman as I doubt I'd have been able to hire a trailer big enough to get them both back.
Anyway, why the hell should anyone have to get their vehicle etc. back to Perth to be fixed?
If LR are going to flog vehicles in this country they should have a network of dealers to support them, or state specifically that "this vehicle shouldn't be taken away from the metro area as we provide no back-up in the bush"!
It's a bad joke on owners who suffer a breakdown even if it's a rare occurence.
Alan.

[dullbird]

But we didn't know it was going to be 3 weeks Lucus, as far as we knew it would be back within the week and made plans accordingly.
I wouldn't have left the camper in Newman as I doubt I'd have been able to hire a trailer big enough to get them both back.
Anyway, why the hell should anyone have to get their vehicle etc. back to Perth to be fixed?
If LR are going to flog vehicles in this country they should have a network of dealers to support them, or state specifically that
"this vehicle shouldn't be taken away from the metro area as we provide no back-up in the bush"! It's a bad joke on owners who suffer a breakdown even if it's a rare occurence.
Alan.

this is what I find strange...as when we were having our issues with the Puma and we decided to take it to Gove and kakadu anyway one of the deciding factors was the dealer saying if worst comes to the worst we can always get land rover assist to pick us up if all goes wrong...as they will pick you up as long as you are on a named road (doesn't have to be sealed if I understand correctly)
As it happens it never put a foot wrong...but it was nice to know that we could have the vehicle recovered.

[isuzurover]

but remember in a puma....he has a three year warranty and land rover assist that will take it to a dealer.

what on earth did you have wrong to wait three weeks??

As Alan/ATH explained below. WA means "Wait Awhile"... Unless you are in the mining industry and paying a premium. I have found that I almost invariably need to wait for common parts to be sent from "over east", which I could buy over the counter in Bris/Syd/Melb. (Anywhere apart from a 6000 postcode is 2 days via express post, not one).

However, all the mines use nissotas, and every mechanic in a mining town would be able work on them.


this is what I find strange...as when we were having our issues with the Puma and we decided to take it to Gove and kakadu anyway one of the deciding factors was the dealer saying if worst comes to the worst we can always get land rover assist to pick us up if all goes wrong...as they will pick you up as long as you are on a named road (doesn't have to be sealed if I understand correctly)
As it happens it never put a foot wrong...but it was nice to know that we could have the vehicle recovered.

That is the theory, but what would have happened if something HAD gone wrong, and how long would it have taken??? (NT Means: Not Today, Not Tuesday, Not Thuursday ;) )

[ATH]

I reckon there's not too many people using their vehicle for work be it a truck or ute, will put up with it being off the road for anything but the smallest amount of time necessary for it to be fixed.
And I doubt if their customers would be happy either with the excuse that it has to be taken maybe thousands of kays to a metro dealer to be fixed.
I'd rather a Defender or Disco 3 over anything and thought strongly of buying D3Jons vehicle when he was flogging it but the same problem would still have existed and the Cook vetoed that idea!
The Prado's not my dream vehicle but it's doing what I want and that's all I ask of it.
Alan.

[dullbird]

As Alan/ATH explained below. WA means "Wait Awhile"... Unless you are in the mining industry and paying a premium. I have found that I almost invariably need to wait for common parts to be sent from "over east", which I could buy over the counter in Bris/Syd/Melb. (Anywhere apart from a 6000 postcode is 2 days via express post, not one).

However, all the mines use nissotas, and every mechanic in a mining town would be able work on them.




That is the theory, but what would have happened if something HAD gone wrong, and how long would it have taken??? (NT Means: Not Today, Not Tuesday, Not Thuursday ;) )

well I know someone that sent a car back to sydney to be fixed from perth and got it back in I think it was 5 days but that is another story;)....

And what if something HAD gone wrong??? so what? I wasn't not going to go on my trip I had panned for over a year on a "what IF" thats why a lot of people dont buy landys at all on the what if's what if it didn't break down...then I had a lovely holiday:p

[Disco_owner]

no I wouldn't pick a Puma over a Jap , My choice = Nissan 4.2 Turbo diesel Intercooled. their pumps can be wound up like the 300tdi but warning : they do suck a lot of juice.:D

[isuzurover]

well I know someone that sent a car back to sydney to be fixed from perth and got it back in I think it was 5 days but that is another story;)....

And what if something HAD gone wrong??? so what? I wasn't not going to go on my trip I had panned for over a year on a "what IF" thats why a lot of people dont buy landys at all on the what if's what if it didn't break down...then I had a lovely holiday:p

Firstly, why would it need to be sent to sydney, and secondly, it would take a truck >48 hrs to drive Perth-syd non stop one way (apart for fuel). So unless the car went by air I am very dubious. But anyway, Perth is not Newman...

Re the 2nd point, I was simply pointing out that the difference between what the LR assist policy states and what may actually happen if you break down in a remote area may be two different things...

[dullbird]

Firstly, why would it need to be sent to sydney, and secondly, it would take a truck >48 hrs to drive Perth-syd non stop one way (apart for fuel). So unless the car went by air I am very dubious. But anyway, Perth is not Newman...

Re the 2nd point, I was simply pointing out that the difference between what the LR assist policy states and what may actually happen if you break down in a remote area may be two different things...


because the part he needed...would not be sent express so he cracked the ****s and sent the car back AFAIA to make a point. which cost them alot more money then expressing the part..

Dubious or not I never said you had to believe me just telling you what he told me:).....

[greenhornet]

It can be hard to 'take the plunge' and pay for a new vehicle, especially if it remains 'untested' with respect to years of history to rely on.

Our brief, before purchasing, was a new vehicle that we would keep for at least 10 yrs and build up as a tourer and weekend get away vehicle.

We asked ourselves the following questions when we were tossing up between Cruiser, Patrol and Puma.
Price, insurance costs, service intervals and their costs (you may be able to get a commercial deal that gives you free scheduled servicing for 3 years), payload, fuel capacity (this may be an issue for you with the Puma only having 75 lt tank) and the cost of any extras you may need immediately.

If the Puma ticks all the necessary boxes for your specific needs (and it did for us) then you should have no worries about making the decision.

In years to come people may be referring to the Puma as 'bullet proof', 'built to last' and 'indestructible', but the only way the Puma will get a reputation of reliability and toughness is if we continue to test them, push them hard and use them for the purpose they were intended.

They are not a 'precious' vehicle and if we need to take a few 'risks' to prove that, then I think that’s what we should do!

[ATH]

"They are not a 'precious' vehicle and if we need to take a few 'risks' to prove that, then I think that’s what we should do!"

I thought that what manufacturers were supposed to do during testing. They always brag about how many thousands of kays they've done over many months and during torrid conditons always forgetting about the huge back-up they have following along behind.
Not once in LRs adverts will you see any mention of lack of service centres out of the main metro areas.
But then they couldn't do that as it may make yet another dent in their already miniscule sales figures!
Alan.

PS. The responses from LRA/RACWA couldn't be faulted after our breakdown, or the haulage yard, it was the truckies themselves who couldn't be bothered.

[frantic]

Get the 130 dual cab ( + a trailer for your tools) BUT put in the contract that for any warranty work where the car must stay longer than the day YOU put it in for a service you get a replacement 4wd (with tow bar) to use until the car is ready. I dont think they will go to slow the 2nd time after you bring back the drive car with 1 inch of dust throughout.
Just get that in writting and you are set.

[the_chisholm]

G'day All,

Just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.....

I have had a string of patrol cab chassis over the years, for vineyard / farm work (lots of tools and equipment are always in the back), and the biggest mistake i made was getting rid of a 4.2 tdi (with some work done), and changing over to a 3 L.

Dont get me wrong, the 3L goes alright unladen, but give it a load in the back or towing and it really starts to struggle.

Also the 4.2 didnt use too much fuel...... kind of.

[cartm58]

Statistically speaking anything made my a man has the potential to have imperfections and faults, its called the manufacturing process regardless of brand or maker.

Everything has the potential for design flaws and defect parts

Anything you buy will require some special diagnostic tool to repair it and will cost you $ to keep it on the road.

Question is can you get it fixed when you need it in the time frame you need it in as your relying on it to make a living

No dealer network outside Perth means Land Rover products will lose points over Toyota and Nissan products due to their better dealer network.

As for vehicles they are all pretty much the same in what they will do and so it boils down to your tolerance for fault and your $ reserves to pay for it.

Land Rovers when working and depending on your own skills will survive in the bush and you can time your servicing and repairs based on Perth downtime, so it's not a situation where it shouldn't be considered.

As for lemons, anyone can buy one, so how lucky do you feel punk

[isuzurover]

put in the contract that for any warranty work where the car must stay longer than the day ... you get a replacement 4wd (with tow bar) to use until the car is ready.

...
Just get that in writting and you are set.

I seriously doubt that the Perth LR dealer would agree to that - but it would be interesting to try!!!

[PAT303]

I could argue this point all day. Have you ever had a 4x4 NPR on a corrugated dirt road? I don't honestly know how Isuzu can sell them and not get sued for personal injuries!! Pit floors are strictly 1st gear low range left foot on the brake to stop you getting bounce through the air vent in the roof:eek::D

I did consider an NPR but my last week in my previous job i was driving on of the site NPR every day. The ergonomics of the seat and steering wheel make your crough forward over the wheel and this gave me a back ache after aprox 1/2 and hour of driving.

Having said that they are a solid work truck and apart from the issues with the exhaust catalyst you can't kill them with a stick!:D

I'm with that,we have 5 off them,they are so bad it's not funny.The cabs on all 5 are falling apart because of the harshness of the ride and all 5 drink like you wouldn't believe,you could fit a Gen 111 under the cab and get better fuel economy.They would be my last choice before walking. Pat

[PAT303]

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.

Your wrong.If you want to wait for parts buy Jap,if you want parts next day buy Land Rover. Pat

[PAT303]

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.

There isn't a problem if you are a tojo tragic,everyone else notices it straight away.The engine has power,it just doesn't produce it were you need it,they also share the same trouble most non LR vehicles have as far as the engine and gearbox aren't a match.Drive one with a load on and you can't seem to get the right gear at the right speed. Pat

[isuzurover]

...and all 5 drink like you wouldn't believe,you could fit a Gen 111 under the cab and get better fuel economy.They would be my last choice before walking. Pat

I find that extremely hard to believe. Isuzu have some of the most economical engines in their class.

Are your guys driving around with the brakes on???

[PAT303]

As Alan/ATH explained below. WA means "Wait Awhile"... Unless you are in the mining industry and paying a premium. I have found that I almost invariably need to wait for common parts to be sent from "over east", which I could buy over the counter in Bris/Syd/Melb. (Anywhere apart from a 6000 postcode is 2 days via express post, not one).

However, all the mines use nissotas, and every mechanic in a mining town would be able work on them.



That is the theory, but what would have happened if something HAD gone wrong, and how long would it have taken??? (NT Means: Not Today, Not Tuesday, Not Thuursday ;) )

The mines don't work on them,Tojo won't release the software.They park them until a service truck comes on site or they are sent to town. Pat

[PAT303]

I'd go the Jap crap for availability of dealers out of Perth if I was you, especially as you need it for work.
I've experienced a breakdown with a Td5 Defender in Newman which I'm sure you'll agree is not a small bush town by Oz standards and it took 3 WEEKSto get it back to Perth!
If you can afford that amount of time to be not working, go the LR.
Alan.

All the smaller rural dealers do is change filters and thats it,if there is a major fault they go on the back of a truck.If you had a tojo it would've been trucked to Kal or a coastal dealer and if you needed a MAF,injector,starter,alternator etc you would wait weeks for it,I know because I've had to do it. Pat

[PAT303]

I find that extremely hard to believe. Isuzu have some of the most economical engines in their class.

Are your guys driving around with the brakes on???

Come up to Kal and you can pick any of the 5 and we will drive to Laverton,you can drive and if you can get thier on one tank I'll buy you a years supply off beer.Thats if your back doesn't give out first. Pat

[Lucus]

Well im afraid to say it guys but the Puma is off the list. I looked at a 110 pickup last night at southerns an unfortunatly the seating position is not something i could live with.:(

Im looking at Isuzu's now. I drove a D-max last night as was seriously impressed. Im waiting on the dealer to get back to me on pricing and compatibility with the service body i intend to install.

[PAT303]

Can I just add my 2c.I've been in Kal for almost two years,before that the Hunter Valley and in both cases I've been no were near a dealer and have never had trouble getting my vehicles worked on.I bought an L322,it would be the most high tech vehicle you could buy and with a dealer 700k away I have had no trouble getting it serviced at all,not only that I can get parts for it easily,at no point have I had trouble with the Disco either,I must admit I was supprised to find ZF in town have service kits on the shelf and bosch had injectors as store stock.If I bought a Puma in this situation I would also buy the nanocom software and if going to remote area's I would carry a box of spares,I would if I had a Jap 4wd too.If I bought either of my mates Troopy's or my two work troopy's instead of my defender I would be broke,and I would have sold them long ago,I did not think twice about buying the L322 and when my old defer hits 500k I'll being staying with the green oval when I finally retire her. Pat

[isuzurover]

Come up to Kal and you can pick any of the 5 and we will drive to Laverton,you can drive and if you can get thier on one tank I'll buy you a years supply off beer.Thats if your back doesn't give out first. Pat

So you are talking about a newish NPS with a 140L tank. That implies you are getting worse than 35 L/100. Laden or unladen???

The Perentie 6x6 is reported to use 27 L/100 on the highway. The ISUZU would likely have higher wind resistance and higher payload.

[PAT303]

Try one.If you stay under 100 they have 1/4 tank left,go over and they are on empty.We do the trip often and nothing has ever changed the economy or unbelieveably hard ride.All of them have the headlining worn through were the roof stringers have broken loose and rub through them and all have cracked doors.They carry well under thier limit.They are no good on anything but smooth tar. Pat

[dullbird]

Can I just add my 2c.I've been in Kal for almost two years,before that the Hunter Valley and in both cases I've been no were near a dealer and have never had trouble getting my vehicles worked on.I bought an L322,it would be the most high tech vehicle you could buy and with a dealer 700k away I have had no trouble getting it serviced at all,not only that I can get parts for it easily,at no point have I had trouble with the Disco either,I must admit I was supprised to find ZF in town have service kits on the shelf and bosch had injectors as store stock.
If I bought a Puma in this situation I would also buy the nanocom software and if going to remote area's I would carry a box of spares,I would if I had a Jap 4wd too.If I bought either of my mates Troopy's or my two work troopy's instead of my defender I would be broke,and I would have sold them long ago,I did not think twice about buying the L322 and when my old defer hits 500k I'll being staying with the green oval when I finally retire her. Pat


Not available yet PAT

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I'll put a different spin on this. LR's drive massively better than Jap cars on dirt roads. In my experience they can travel at faster speeds and be comfortable and safe. Could this be a factor for you?

[skip2102]

Honest Answer; I've owned Landcruisers (70 and 80 series), I drive the new V8 Troopies and 200 series for work, from Series 2 (including a South African R6 which toured Africa for two years and 60000kms).

Even the work Toyotas, for all their reliability, had to have thousands of dollars of extras to make them do what what my stock Defender will. We constantly have them back in the shop for warranty issues, and they cost a fortune to repair. Sure the Defender isn't as comfortable or as the 200 series, or as powerful as the new v8 troopie, but it will go almost anywhere stock, turns heads on the road being a low volume vehicle, and has the one thing that the toyotas lack these days... Character.

Ok, I'm a little biased...

[jbell110]

Lucus, what was the out come ???? I'm having a similar dilemma, which ute ???



Jeff

[austastar]

Lucus, what was the out come ???? I'm having a similar dilemma, which ute ???
Jeff

Hi,
this (http://www.myswag.org/gallery/d/8342-1/For-Web.jpg) was part of my research into the same question, and was the deciding factor for me.
cheers

[Lucus]

I decided against the defender due to the ergonomics of the single cable ute.

Im going to go for a space cab isuzu D-Max turbo Diesel.

[Bigbird]

I would buy the landcruiser v8 ute anyday,reliable work vehicle with a heap of grunt its your business and mortgage on the line here we are buying with our heads here not our hearts!!!!
The nissan is a pile of crap 3lt hand grenade(i know im a ex nissan mechanic) and they break chassis regularly at the rear coil mounts.
The land rover defender i own 300tdi 110 ute is my favourie vehicle i have ever owned,i have owned them all toyotas ,patrols,tritons, but the landy has character and everyone looks at it oh and dont forget the LANDY WAVE!!!!and the off road ability is unmatched by anything else.
Buy the cruiser they are everywhere and thats for a reason....Wes

[muddymech]

Buy the cruiser they are everywhere and thats for a reason....Wes[/QUOTE]


yup damn good marketing:D

[isuzurover]

I would buy the landcruiser v8 ute anyday,reliable work vehicle...

Reliable as long as you keep the oil topped up... Some people are reporting >3L / 10000km. Even the leakiest landy has a hard time competing with that!

[Didge]

Oh, I just love this site :)

[spudfan]

That is like asking if you would choose a supermodel over your wife. Definately looks the part but not exactly cut out for the long haul over the rough aswell as the smooth!:):)