Thread: Mahindra pick-up compared to a Puma Defender

Originally Posted by MrLandy

I saw a Mahindra for sale the other day, 2 years old 40K and only $9K !!

They look small and flimsy to me, like a glorified ATV. Probably OK for a little farm runabout. But Nothing like a Defender.

How do you know, have you tried one?
One came third in the 5,000km Brazilian rally ( third in that class) which is a very tough rally indeed so they are no flimsy farm runabout. I know two people who have them, one does a lot of serious 4x4ing and they rate the Mahindra highly. If you think it is small check out the dimensions they are very similar to a Defender, actually the Mahindra is huge inside, one of the most roomy back seats I have seen. I love my Puma to bits, I hope I can have it for a very long time indeed, but for what it costs the Mahindra looks like a bargain to me. I bought the Defender with forever in mind, but the Mahindra only cost me 22k (Defender 57k) with loads of extras the Mahinda does not need to last forever, but seeing how my my friends treat theirs I might be surprised how long the Mahindra lasts.
When I check the Mahinda out whatever it faults are I will list them all here, I am very fussy about stuff if something is not right it will be noted. So far the faded plastic on the steering wheel and a naf gear knob, but I have not crawled underneath yet or put it through its paces so I am sure I will find more..
I found some interesting mods you can do, 2 inch lift and 120kw chip looks very interesting indeed. A company in NSW do a bunch of other mine spec mods too well priced as well.
I hope the Mahindra lives up to expectations, but at the end of the day 22k for almost brand new with loads of extras whatever it turns out to be I cant complain.
Anyway when I get home on Wednesday I will start putting the Mahindra through its paces. I dont expect it to be a Defender, but I am hoping it will be good.
Cheers
Chris

Originally Posted by NavyDiver

Pik-Up Dual Cab | Mahindra Auto

Its not pretty but neither is a Deffer in some peoples eyes

The Mahindra looks a lot nicer with a steel bullbar.
Chris

I can't see a thing......

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

Interesting that no one would use a Defender as a mine vehicle around the coalmines but plenty of Mahindras.

Cost
a whole lot cheaper than a defender or land criuser - and it all comes down to $$$

Here ya go, 2012 test.
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glgpt4tbzJc[/ame]

MICHAEL (Click here)
This is a bloke I know & he has since done the corner country with no drama.
He has had a few niggles with it but they're all sorted & the vehicle seems OK.
I have done a bit of off road in my D1 in company with the Mahindra & although there was no hard core ****, it was pretty impressive.
Clearance is an issue which he is addressing when time allows.
I reckon cabin space is the best I've seen in a dual cab of any breed!
Not quite a Defender off road though!
He is not affiliated with Mahindra in any way & receives nought from them.
He's just happy with the vehicle.
Steve[/FONT]

A mate of mine owns a few cranes which he dry-hires out to remote minesites. His two business / service vehicles are ..............

1. A SsangYong dual cab ute which he has had for quite a few years now. Ugly as sin (IMO) but has never missed a beat, and is much better to ride in than a HiLux.

2. A Mahindra dual cab ute, which he has had for a couple of years now, and is so far very happy with it. Spends most of its life travelling some pretty ordinary dirt roads, usually carrying a heavy load with drums of fuel / oils etc. I've driven it a couple of times, and would rate it better than many of its Japanese competitors. As caffe latte has said - looks much better with a decent bulbar and a couple of lights on the front.

Like I said I am yet to test ours off road yet, but apart being a bit lower than a Defender the approach, and departure angles are very good, specially approach. Also an Eaton diff lock as standard in the Mahindra is going to give the Mahindra advantages over the Defender in some situations for sure. My opinion right now before I put it through its paces is the better clearance will give the Defender the edge over all, but I wonder how a lift kit on the Mahindra would change things? Out of the box unmodded it is hard to argue that the Defender is probably the best out there though. I wonder how the Eaton diff lock will go against the better clearance of the Defender? I cant wait to get back and find out
Cheers
Chris