Will I regret buying a new Defender?

[Scott]

Hi all, I currently have a good 2002 130 single cab and was thinking of "upgrading" if that correct? phrase to describe buying a new one. Mine currently has about 170K on it and I thought now would be a good time to get another one. There are some good deals around now and mine would still have a reasonable value for resale.

I have read a lot on this site and am scared away from buying another defender. My nearest dealer is 4 hours drive away and cannot be trucking a broken down car to Toowoomba every week at my cost. The truck has to be ultra reliable and not stop. If some minor things break down thats liveable but it must still be driveable. There are lots of stories from members that have had diff, fuel, electrical and clutch problems. Are these in the minority? from the reports, I believe they are the majority. Some members have broken more than one diff. Have they changed them in the past couple of years? I know this question has been asked but I couldn't find it in a search. Am I going to regret buying a new one from a reliability point.

I am extreemly happy with my current 130 and have had no real problems. There is nothing that compares to it for load carrying and ride and handling. It is more important to me now that its reliable though. I am considering purchasing a Patrol just because of that reason. I know it won't be as good to drive and use but at least it will keep going and I have a local dealer.

What are your thoughts on these new Pumas? If I get one, is it going to let me down?
Cheers Scott

[mark2]

Mate, I reckon you might have answered your own question.......

[Scott]

So I should probably sell the fender and buy a Patrol then. May see one for sale in the near future. I just don't want to keep this one till it starts costing me big money. It has been serviced more than recommended, and should go for a long time yet. Now it still has resale though and thats important.

[dmdigital]

I am 1100km from my nearest "dealer" (for what of a better description) and at present couldn't drive there if I wanted to. The Puma has been very good to me and I wouldn't hesitate getting one again. It has it's quirks, but it is a Defender after all.

[Fish78]

Might be better off holding onto yours for a little while.

Im reading that in 2012/13 LR will release a 'New' Defender, based on the RRS/D4 platform with a 2.7l TD and 5.0l V8 petrol for American/Australian markets,the LR guys are promising the same off-road type of ability.

I think that any info at the moment should be taken with a jar of salt, the new Defer IMO will probably be a little softer, but still have the rugged look, something like the USA market 'FJ' Cruiser perhaps.

Link to an Artists rendition.
http://www.leftlanenews.com/land-rov...nder-2012.html

[KarlB]

What you haven't made clear Scott is whether you are contemplating a new vehicle or second hand. If a new vehicle, it should not cost you anything to get it trucked to a dealer for any breakdown during your 3 year warranty period. Many have negotiated inclusion in the LR Corporate Program as part of their purchase and that means replacement vehicle while servicing is being done and while the vehicle is off the road for any warranty repair.

I have just completed 20,000 km in 9 months and my Defender has not let me down. No major warranty issues. Only warranty item was an oil seal in the transfer case. Fixed in the morning while I drove around in a new Freelander.

Before you make your decision, get onto a Patrol forum (I gather there are several) and have a browse. I expect you will find they too will have their share of problems.

Cheers
KarlB

[miky]

A new Nissan?
Seriously, I suggest you do some research on that. The new patrols are not a patch on the old ones.
I doubt you could buy a new 4x4 with no problems.. That said my March 2010 build Defender 110 station wagon has just done 11000 km and is going fine. Really pleased.



.

[sashadidi]

What you haven't made clear Scott is whether you are contemplating a new vehicle or second hand. If a new vehicle, it should not cost you anything to get it trucked to a dealer for any breakdown during your 3 year warranty period. Many have negotiated inclusion in the LR Corporate Program as part of their purchase and that means replacement vehicle while servicing is being done and while the vehicle is off the road for any warranty repair.

I have just completed 20,000 km in 9 months and the vehicle has not let me down. No major warranty issues. Only warranty item was an oil seal in the transfer case. Fixed in the morning while I drove around in a new Freelander.

Before you make your decision, get onto a Patrol forum (I gather there are several) and have a browse. I expect you will find they too will have their share of problems.

Cheers
KarlB

and a new Landcruiser V8 forum!!!

[Tombie]

What are your thoughts on these new Pumas? If I get one, is it going to let me down?
Cheers Scott

Most likely

[alittlebitconcerned]

I think it's a roll of the dice as to whether you get a good one or not. On a UK forum there was a recent question asked if there were any trouble free Puma's out there. There were numerous replies in the positive so I guess there's some there at least.

It bit may also be based on your expectations. I feel there are some owners who expect issues from a new defender because of the "it is a defender after all" thing, and therefore don't rate anything as a drama as long as it gets fixed under warranty.

I'm in the other camp. I do not expect a new car to have the long list of issues as mine did (and there are still a few) therefore did feel let down. To be clear I've never been stranded, but there have also been less chances because of multiple cancelled tripped due to issues not being resolved.

Whether you feel let down or not could partly be based on your experience of the dealership support when something does go wrong. I've had some good experiences but they are unfortunately are well dwarfed by the bad ones.

Recently third party insurers offering extended warranty stopped backing the puma which feels to me like they expect them to stuff up.

I love my defender though