Thread: landrovers.... not what they used to be...

As an interesting perspective imagine for a moment that all of the land rovers prior to the td5 models never existed. All you have is td5 and PUMA. Now in that reality what is a land rover? what makes it different from a patrol, mitsubishi or land cruiser?
Without its heritage it is nothing special. The older models of 'true land rovers' are the source of the emotional value of modern land rovers. Without the ability to trade on the emotions intrinsically linked to the heritage of the brand they are just another vehicle. Sure they do a good job when stacked up against the other modern vehicles in their own way but they will never have that special indefinable element that makes them worthy as historical icons. No one will put a PUMA on a pedestal as a vehicle that did something unique or contributed to the development of the world. Its just another vehicle that gets traded off once the lease has run out. They will become second,third or fourth hand beaters until the cost of maintaining the complicated mechanical and electrical system becomes uneconomic when they will be relegated to scrap.

I think all the puma knockers should come out of the closet and buy one,I'm on my 8th LR and the puma is the best,I spent the weekend in Perth and if I had a dollar everytime someone stared at my X-Tech it would have payed the fuel bill,I even had a doof doof driver say it's cool.New vehicles will never have the driving pleasure of a series,hearing the gears screach,having the floor under your feet reach 90 degree's after an hour and arriving wet when it rains but all defenders have that one thing that seperates them from all other vehicles,character. Pat

Originally Posted by Mick-Kelly

As an interesting perspective imagine for a moment that all of the land rovers prior to the td5 models never existed. All you have is td5 and PUMA. Now in that reality what is a land rover? what makes it different from a patrol, mitsubishi or land cruiser?
Without its heritage it is nothing special. The older models of 'true land rovers' are the source of the emotional value of modern land rovers. Without the ability to trade on the emotions intrinsically linked to the heritage of the brand they are just another vehicle. Sure they do a good job when stacked up against the other modern vehicles in their own way but they will never have that special indefinable element that makes them worthy as historical icons. No one will put a PUMA on a pedestal as a vehicle that did something unique or contributed to the development of the world. Its just another vehicle that gets traded off once the lease has run out. They will become second,third or fourth hand beaters until the cost of maintaining the complicated mechanical and electrical system becomes uneconomic when they will be relegated to scrap.

You need to get over the electrical bit,it isn't that hard really.The Puma is special like all the ones before it simply because it is the latest vehicle that comes from a line of vehicles that started will the series one,park a willys and series one next to the latest wrangler and puma and you can see the family tree,only those two and the Porsche 911 can boast the same lineage,the likes of the ''new'' FJ or mini are just a joke.I'll bet the puma will be here for many years and people will keep them going just like all it's brothers and sisters. Pat

Basing facts on waves, I just had a nice looking young lady wave from her new white 90 with black rims and muddies. Now if the new jap defenders are going to put more cute bums on seats then I say not only wave but high five also.






Then again it could have just been my good looks.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

Ok Conclusive proof, the defenders with the **** bulges in the bonnet, or Fords as I refer to them are NOT defenders.

On my recent drive out to Emerald we passed something like 30 landies while I was at the wheel....

Defender drivers wave, Check, every single time AND I was in a disco.
Disco Drivers, Check, well mostly usually the D1s waved and occasionally the D2s.
Ford Drivers, Nope, Not a single one out of about 10.

Since Defender drivers wave and all......

So drivers of the defender with a nice bulge in the bonnet, don't wave at disco drivers, I can see that, drive with your own bulge out front and you may get more than a wave.

Originally Posted by PAT303

You need to get over the electrical bit,it isn't that hard really.The Puma is special like all the ones before it simply because it is the latest vehicle that comes from a line of vehicles that started will the series one,park a willys and series one next to the latest wrangler and puma and you can see the family tree,only those two and the Porsche 911 can boast the same lineage,the likes of the ''new'' FJ or mini are just a joke.I'll bet the puma will be here for many years and people will keep them going just like all it's brothers and sisters. Pat

I guess that is where i am different to the modern crowd. I have driven a PUMA and i have a 63 year old series one sitting in my garage two metres from where i am typing this. MY opinion is that the PUMA is no different to the new mini or FJ. Just a vehicle that tries to look like it shares styling with the old 'true' versions. I like the smell, hot floor. non synchro box and all weather interior of the old land rover. Its called character. I dont think the PUMA has any right to claim an association with those older vehicles. They are made in India or wherever and they are simply just another throw away car. In all honesty after driving a PUMA if someone gave it too me for free i would sell it. I have zero interest in them but i have all of the time in the world for anything leaf sprung wearing a land rover badge.

Originally Posted by Mick-Kelly

I guess that is where i am different to the modern crowd. I have driven a PUMA and i have a 63 year old series one sitting in my garage two metres from where i am typing this. MY opinion is that the PUMA is no different to the new mini or FJ. Just a vehicle that tries to look like it shares styling with the old 'true' versions. I like the smell, hot floor. non synchro box and all weather interior of the old land rover. Its called character. I dont think the PUMA has any right to claim an association with those older vehicles. They are made in India or wherever and they are simply just another throw away car. In all honesty after driving a PUMA if someone gave it too me for free i would sell it. I have zero interest in them but i have all of the time in the world for anything leaf sprung wearing a land rover badge.

Totally know where you are coming from too Mick, but I have to daily drive mine, and have no time or extra $ to have a resto project, BUT if I did, it would be a swb 2a diesel truck cab....

As I say, each to their own, I personally had an idea to buy a new 110 or 130 for partial work use, or an old 85 110 shell to 'restore' and use for everything. I chose the latter and glad I did. Saved me about $40K and I get to enjoy it without the humungous lease repayments, or other things...

I loved my 109 2a 2 1/4 BUT i couldn't live with it day in day out.

JC

I had my SIII swb truck cab petrol for 2-3years as a daily driver work truck in the late 90's....it was fun but it was painful