Thinking of going from disco to defender...

[djambalawa]

Hiya folks... I currently own a 2nd hand 2007 D3 and love it... but I am wondering if its really a car I want to own in the longer term - with all the fancy systems that could potentially cost a lot to keep maintained when it gets older.... I have 2 years left on its lease...

When the lease runs out I'm thinking I want to get something that I can maintain for a long time on perhaps a part time wage - I'm 42 now and am planning to semi-retire at 50 but would have to make some big lifestyle changes if I was to do this. For example my current habit of getting a new car every 3 years is crazy! So yeah I'm wondering what to get that fits the bill and I like the sound of the defenders...

But I don't know much about them - so I thought I'd put this post here just to make sure my ideas and expectations are ok....

I'm not a great mechanic but am comfortable doing services etc and would try and learn a bit more...

I like the idea of a basic mechanical no frills 4wd - is this really what a new defender is? I read in the brochures things like its designed to run with big tolerance for different fuel qualities and stuff like that...

I don't care about being able to "power away" from the lights... I'd care more about fuel economy and reliability. (I am continually staggered by reviews that complain about some of these modern 4wds like a D3 being too gutless - when I find them effortless to drive - apparently they can't even sell the awesome TDV6 in the US as its too gutless!!? - why do you buy a 4wd then lol)

I am also considering the new Troopy's but don't think they'd be as economical and I assume the V8 is pretty computerised etc still? And there are the issues about burning oil etc?

So would the defender fit my bill? I live in the TopEnd, use a 4wd a fair bit - enjoy my wildlife photography, camping and fishing (towing a 4.7m tinny). Do the odd longer trip for holidays. I love the disco but think I'd be fine with the less "refined" defender in terms of comfort etc.

Are the new defenders ok or are there any gotchas that I'm not aware off?

I'd be looking at trying to get one with all the worthwhile mods - lash out a bit maybe as I won't be able to afford them later - pay it off whilst I have a good job etc.

Teenagers are leaving home now too so in a couple of years I won't have the need for the great 3rd row seats in the disco.

Any comments/suggestions very appreciated

[Chucaro]

Mate IMO if you go for a Troopy go for the last 6cyl EFI and do not touch the V8 if you like to keep out of fancy technology.
I have a Defe Tdi 300 and I think it is among the best models after the County if you like simplicity.
Get one, rebuild it to your specs and you will have a vehicle for many years to come for less that 1/2 of the cost of the Puma.
I like the Puma as well but $$$$$$$$

[rockyroad]

A Defender sounds perfect for your needs. If your not concerned about the creature comforts then go for it.

I recently upgraded from a Disco to a Defender because I could never fit enough camping gear into the Disco. The Disco was more than capable but you just cant beat the cargo room and payload of a Defender.

A Troopie would just be an expensive backwards step.

[bcj]

Try and drive a few they ain't gonna be like a d3 (truck - car type difference).I'm always amazed how quiet and comfortable the wife's Honda is after not driving it for a while compared to driving my 110 300tdi -water leaks, dust, A/C?(vent's), noise-"what?", having said that I wouldn't consider owning anything but a Defender (except for a series) and would buy a new one if I had the money- though I can't see why I would replace the 110 (only replaced the 109 due rising fuel cost)
brett
110 300tdi

[scott oz]

Mate,

Made the change a few years ago from a Disco to a Defender (200 TDI now a TD5). I must say as vehicles go they are two totally different vehicles to drive.

The Disco is more polished on road but in my view the Defender is a better off road vehicle, particularly for camping.

I was only thinking the other day what I would buy if something happened to my Def TD5. Note I purchased the TD5 as a long term vehicle and any work I do on it is with the long term view.

One thing I’m keen on retaining is simplicity. I’d definitely go back to a simpler Defender. I tossed up a 101 with a diesel conversion but decided expense of diesel conversion and shortage of 101 parts generally against it.

Then reminisced over the TDI 200 which lead me to a TDI 300 and then to the Brazilian 300. These were closer to the mark particularly the last of the 300’s.

Ultimately if I had to replace my TD5 “now”. It would be to a county “Isuzu”. I would find one with a good body, strip and rebuild the lot. Not standard. I’d look at purchasing a Isuzu turbo. Galvanise the chaise, repaint rewire, re trim the lot.

I’d estimate spending around $30K to 40K from start to finish and would have a vehicle to bequeath.

Just my thoughts

[coolblues_au]

We have a 2002 extreme and I have to say I really love it. We have a shed of cars from SLR to MG and I drive an XR6 for work but I love getting in the Defender and driving that truck. We use ours for 4x4 camping and exploring those out of the way places. The room inside is great. I am 6'3, not fat and the driving position is just right. The mechanics of the thing are simple and easy for the average guy to understand. I woudnt want to drive it as a shopping trolley or every day vehicle but for what I have it for its just so bloody good. Oh yes and then there is that Deffender wave,hahahah.

[marko66]

Hi All

You could ask roverspec for a drive of their 110 td5 or thommo for a drive of the 110 puma or larns or me for a drive of an isuzu powered vehicle but I live the furtherest away in Adelaide River and they are all in Palmerston or Coolalinga or Darwin.

The isuzu is the torqueiest, the tdi is the most economical, the td5 is good and the puma has the best aircon and is the quietest and in my humble opinion the nicest to drive. This is not meant to start a debate But the flame suit is on and these are generalities about fairly stock vehicles. Hope this helps

Regards Mark

[spudfan]

And why not?
I have a 200 tdi 110 of 1992 vintage. It started life as a pickup and when I bought it in 1996 I had it stripped and converted to a station wagon. For 14 years it was the family car and did everthing we expected of it. From the usual short journeys to long holiday trips. Returns over 30mpg and is a truly wonderful piece of iron mongery. The wife took driving lessons in it and passed her test first time. Never having owned a "normal " car she did'nt know any better. She lived with the heavy clutch and just accepted it. She can park a 110 where others get out and measure to park a Mini.We all loved it and accepted it as one of the family. It has been reliable and easy to maintain with cheap parts.
2008 we bought a Puma 110 station wagon. This looks like a Tdi but here the similarity ends. It is a lot quieter,lots of poke and so very easy to drive. It is not as good on fuel as the Tdi. From the first drive the wife was smitten and left the Tdi to yours truly. The Puma is a lot more civilised than the Tdi and very, very capable.The drawback here is the ecu based control system with sensors scattered all over the engine bay. Just not as easy to work on as the Tdi but then everything is going that way. You can blame blinkered faceless legislators but that is how things are. In a year or two the Puma electronics will seem like old hat and we will all have portable, inexpensive diagnostic equipment that even I will be able to use.
If you want something really simple get a series vehicle completely rebuilt but it will cost you a fortune. You will not be able to travel as pleasantly as in the Tdi or the Puma. For long distance travel the Puma is just so good. The Tdi will get you there too but not just as quietly or as relaxed. Add to that the Puma will overtake without any turbo lag or windup. We all want life to be simple and the wife to look like she did when she was 20 but sadly neither of these is possible. At least with the Tdi or the Puma it will still look as good in 20 years time. To sum up both do the same job but one -the Puma - does some much more relaxed than the other. I drive both on a regular bases but the Puma is used as the main vehicle now.

[Drover]

Hey djambalawa,

Just over 12 months ago I ditched my D3 TDV6 SE for a PUMA.

Basically for all the reason that you have concerns about. The D3 was great but continual problems with it, and warranty fast running out, the need for a reliable vehicle that I could keep long term was apparent.

The PUMA is great. It nothing like the D3, but is a very capable vehicle. My experiences with reliability have been very positive. The only repairs that I have had were a latch on the sun roof and the release on the fold down rear seat.

If you are ready for to give up the luxury of the D3 - go get a PUMA - you won’t be disappointed.

Cheers

[PBob]

You could be me!! I changed from an HSE D3 TDV6 2006 model, when I ran out of warranty. I think the D3 was the best car I had driven, but I worried about after the warranty, so sold it privately and bought a Puma 110 dual cab. It is not the D3 (and neither it ought to be - 90 grand versus 52 grand). But I swapped over for $1,000 and now have a three year warranty.
I don't wish to bring on an argument - but I looked at a TD5 Defer and I wouldn't have bought one as I think the improvements to the Puma are what make it an almost "normal" vehicle.
Re my Puma:
The things I like:
The torque of the motor is very good.
The 6 speed gearbox and the 10 litres to the hundred fuel economy.
The seats are comfy (get seat extensions)
The build quality is better than I expected (I can hit it with a high pressure hose at the carwash and not a drop goes in the cabin??)
The look of it and all the aftermarket bits available.
The looks I get from the jealous blokes standing on street corners when I drive past!
What I don't like:
The clunks and backlash through the drive train, particularly in 1st to 3rd gear.
The noise form the engine (remember I had a D3).
No airbags and no steering wheel adjustment.
Sunvisors only swing down and not sideways.
No fibreglass canopy available ($3,450 to have one made).
P.S. I agrree about the power of the TDV6 - mine at 2500 revs was doing 150kmh and had plenty of acceleration, how much do you need?
PPS. Did you know that a fuel pump for a V8 Landcruiser costs 8K and a set of injectors are another 12K?