Any Puma owners around Bright (Vic)?

[seano87]

Hi all,

My parents are having a bit of a tough time deciding what vehicle to purchase... its pretty much come down to either a new Defender, most likely 110, may consider a 130DC, or a 2005-6 D3.

Basically, we went to Albury today to try have a look and drive of both, but Blacklocks only had a 110 single cab, so we all went for a drive in it, and all agree the seats were comfy enough, was pretty easy to drive, seemed to have enough grunt and is a reasonably attractive option, but god it was cramped and they want to have a good look at a variant that is more suited to them, with a seat that slides far enough back (mother is a shorty and barely had to move the seat in a single cab :o, whilst dad is only about 180cm so should fit!!)

Is there anyone around the Bright area that would be willing to let them have a good look and possibly a drive?

Also, would love to hear a few opinions on them, good and bad!

They are really tossing up between a Def and a D3, which we realise is a fairly opposite end of the scales comparison, but for what they want there are arguments for both - will rarely, if ever do just short trips, will be needed to be useful in snow, and they do want to do some longer trips to the outback, which we think both would do comfortably, but day to day use is also a big consideration, for which they think the auto TDV6 may be a little more attractive and more economical.

So in short, probably looking at spending around 50k, so either a new Def with warranty, or a 05-06 TDV6 D3 out of warranty, with a few k's already on it.

Sorry for the long winded post, but thoughts welcomed, being very objective (considering I put this in the Defender section...).

Seano

[PBob]

Ah, if this doesn't work out and they do go looking for a nice D3 instead, I have mine (2006 HSE TDV6) on the market. I am thinking of going the other way and moving to a Defender, only because I now do not do the mileage that I was doing. It is advertised on this site, you can see it in the market section, but I'll leave it to you.

[AJSLRD]

Sean,
Blacklocks have a 110 demo with murals down each side, they should have offered that to test drive.

I have brand new 130 that I will be taking delivery late next month (January) your quite welcome to have a look then.

Allen

[Drover]

Hey Sean,

I had disco 3 TDV6SE for 3 and a bit years, I now have a Defender SVX110 Puma.

The Disco 3 is a very comfortable and capable vehicle but, (there is always a but) a Disco 3 out of warranty is a very risky thing.

In the 3 shorts months that I had my disco 3 outside of the warranty period. The air suspension failed (Air drier and cracked air line), centre consul turned off (Back to the dealer for reprogramming) , Speedo reverted to miles (Back to the dealer for reprogramming) and when the transmission went into fault (Just a sensor) I got rid of it.

Inside the warranty period it didn’t seem as bad, because I didn’t have to pay for the repairs, but looking back there was always an issue to be fixed at service time.

A Disco 3 is myriad of sensors, warning lights, computer programmes and techno trouble.

I have had the Puma for about 7 months so far no problems. IMHO I think the defender is a long term proposition. If your parents are planning on keeping the new vehicle for long time then the choice is simple - Go the Defender.

Cheers

[seano87]

Sean,
Blacklocks have a 110 demo with murals down each side, they should have offered that to test drive.

I have brand new 130 that I will be taking delivery late next month (January) your quite welcome to have a look then.

Allen

Hi Allen,

Blacklocks only had 3 x 110 Single Cabs, 1 Cab chassis, 2 x HCPU, no 110 demos... :(

Thankyou for the offer, will PM you later in January if they haven't made a decision by then and would still like to have a look.

Seano

[seano87]

Hey Sean,

I had disco 3 TDV6SE for 3 and a bit years, I now have a Defender SVX110 Puma.

The Disco 3 is a very comfortable and capable vehicle but, (there is always a but) a Disco 3 out of warranty is a very risky thing.

In the 3 shorts months that I had my disco 3 outside of the warranty period. The air suspension failed (Air drier and cracked air line), centre consul turned off (Back to the dealer for reprogramming) , Speedo reverted to miles (Back to the dealer for reprogramming) and when the transmission went into fault (Just a sensor) I got rid of it.

Inside the warranty period it didn’t seem as bad, because I didn’t have to pay for the repairs, but looking back there was always an issue to be fixed at service time.

A Disco 3 is myriad of sensors, warning lights, computer programmes and techno trouble.

I have had the Puma for about 7 months so far no problems. IMHO I think the defender is a long term proposition. If your parents are planning on keeping the new vehicle for long time then the choice is simple - Go the Defender.

Cheers

I'm very jealous of you and your SVX - I think they look awesome :D

Your list of issues in such a short time is scary, and dare I say dreadfully bad luck, but I think it would have to be in the back of your mind nonetheless. Warranty does = peace of mind I think! Although, I haven't really heard much bad about the TDV6 D3, only a few cases that seem the car was made on a Friday arvo! Do you think the chances of problems of a 3-4 year old D3 are all that high?

They keep cars basically to the death and don't go easily on them. The current is a 2003 Forrester with 250k km that has been given hell, and used on some high country tracks that even I think twice about in my S1 Disco...


Thanks for all responses so far!

Seano

[dullbird]

Ah, if this doesn't work out and they do go looking for a nice D3 instead, I have mine (2006 HSE TDV6) on the market. I am thinking of going the other way and moving to a Defender, only because I now do not do the mileage that I was doing. It is advertised on this site, you can see it in the market section, but I'll leave it to you.

I just looked and I cant see your ad for your car:confused: looked in the markets and in market place alerts in case you put it on the wrong section

[Drover]

I'm very jealous of you and your SVX - I think they look awesome :D

Your list of issues in such a short time is scary, and dare I say dreadfully bad luck, but I think it would have to be in the back of your mind nonetheless. Warranty does = peace of mind I think! Although, I haven't really heard much bad about the TDV6 D3, only a few cases that seem the car was made on a Friday arvo! Do you think the chances of problems of a 3-4 year old D3 are all that high?

They keep cars basically to the death and don't go easily on them. The current is a 2003 Forrester with 250k km that has been given hell, and used on some high country tracks that even I think twice about in my S1 Disco...


Thanks for all responses so far!

Seano

Seano,

I used the D3 for what it was designed to do, several trips into the centre and the last and final trip was to Cape York via all the right tracks (CREB, OTL Nth & Sth), with that said it was very well looked after.

The Disco 3 is basically a very tough truck, mechanics seem bullet proof and the TDV6 is a gem. I had no problems with motor gear box or diffs, it really was only sensors and computer programs (Other than the air drier).

As time goes on these problems can only get worse, each time it is a visit to the dealer and a pain in the but.

I have had a Disco 1 (Rosignol) and a Disco 2 ES, each one progesively more packed with technogoly and each with increasing problems.

The Defender has the least amount of techno items on the market and I hope for that reason it proves to be the most reliable in the long run.

Cheers

[PBob]

Dullbird,
It is on the Aulro "market" section and also here (at carsales) :2006 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 3 HSE Private Cars For Sale in NSW - carsales.com.au (http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?R=7847147&__Qpb=true&Cr=5&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32%7c1%7c%7cpCar_PriceSort_D ecimal%7c1%7c%7cpCar_Make_String%7c0%7c%7cpCar_Mod el_String%7c0&keywords=&__No=15&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294965541% 204294954915%20399%20447&silo=1011&PriceTo=447&seot=1&PriceFrom=399&tsrc=allcarhome&__Nne=15&trecs=31&__sid=125E09F97061)
For what it is worth, my D3 has been terrific and never given me a false reading or been on the back of a truck. From 2006 on they seemed to sort out mostly what was software problems. I did cop a new steering wheel, ball joints and a new glovebox lid - all things that seem to happen to ALL new cars thses days, not only L/rover. Go and check on the 200 series L/C and there have been many problems including engine issues there.

[dullbird]

Dullbird,

It is on the Aulro "market" section and also at carsales
For what it is worth, my D3 has been terrific and never given me a false reading or been on the back of a truck. From 2006 on they seemed to sort out mostly what was software problems. I did cop a new steering wheel, ball joints and a new glovebox lid - all things that seem to happen to ALL new cars thses days, not only L/rover. Go and check on the 200 series L/C and there have been many problems including engine issues there.

yes mate thats where I looked..how loong ago did you place the ad in markets could only see dj's ther and drivesafes

[Larry]

yes mate thats where I looked..how loong ago did you place the ad in markets could only see dj's ther and drivesafes

Here.:p Message - AULRO Classifieds (http://www.aulro.com/apc/showproduct.php/product/1802/cat/4)

[PBob]

Thank you Larry.:cool:

[dullbird]

no wonder its on bloody page 5!!! I dont go past page 3 :lol2:

[PBob]

Dullbird,
You need to use all your fingers!:D

[nosliwedaw]

They keep cars basically to the death and don't go easily on them. The current is a 2003 Forrester with 250k km that has been given hell, and used on some high country tracks that even I think twice about in my S1 Disco...
Seano

If they are coming out of a Forester have they considered a FL2?

It should easily fit the bill for an easy day to day drive with adequate off road capability.

A Brand new mid spec can be had for low 50's.

[seano87]

If they are coming out of a Forester have they considered a FL2?

It should easily fit the bill for an easy day to day drive with adequate off road capability.

A Brand new mid spec can be had for low 50's.

A FL2 was considered.

And then not considered for a multitude of reasons:

- Lack of low range (yes, a Forester has a dual range gearbox in a manual)
- Boot size - too small
- Doesn't suit their changing needs. It has to be used as a business vehicle, and be able to be loaded up, payload too small, and just physically not big enough. Also they refuse to consider taking a FL into the outback, or to the Cape, of which they plan on doing sometime.

Just to list a few of the reasons against.

Basically, changing needs, and both parents and I are a bit over swapping cars every time they need to tow anything or go too far off the beaten track - although, a Forester goes a fair way off road...

Seano